The Definitive Guide To Uncovering Kansas’s Best Attractions — Small Towns, Gorgeous Parks, Museums, And More!
Kansas is a tragically underappreciated state. People often dismiss it as a “flyover” state with nothing interesting of note to do or see, but that’s simply incorrect (not to mention rude, ahem.) Believe it or not, there’s plenty to do here in the Sunflower State – you just have to know where to look. The good stuff isn’t simply delegated to the big cities, either. No matter what you’re looking for: a town, a store, a park, a specialty market, etcetera – Kansas has you covered. Do you enjoy museum visits? We’ve got plenty of museums to go around. Maybe you should consider Kansas for your next adventure – you won’t regret it!
The One Of A Kind Winery In Kansas
Wine lovers, we definitely couldn’t forget about you. Kansas is home to several wineries and vineyards, and believe it or not, you can even spend the night at one of them! The guesthouse at Jefferson Hill Vineyards is adorable, cozy, and perfect for the away-from-it-all getaway you’ve been meaning to plan. They pride themselves on their uniquely flavored and blended red and white wines, so plan on getting your sip on. Would you stay the night at this relaxing Kansas winery?
Find Jefferson Hill Vineyards at 12381 Washington Road, McLouth, Kansas, 66054.
Find Jefferson Hill Vineyards at 12381 Washington Road, McLouth, Kansas, 66054.
The Best Small Towns In Kansas
If there’s something we’ve got a lot of other than fields here in Kansas, it’s small towns. Small towns are everywhere you look, and in some places, the only towns you’re going to find at all are quite small. Some of our favorites include little gems like Fort Scott, which is so colorful you’ll need sunglasses, Ozawkie, which is right on the banks of a lovely lake, and Cottonwood Falls, whose Main Street is a treat for historic architecture buffs. How many of these small Kansas towns have you visited?
The Must-Visit Thrift Store In Kansas
Thrift shop lovers unite! Lucky for us, we don’t have to leave Kansas to find some spectacularly adorable and super-unique thrift stores to satisfy our thriftlust. Some people say Kansas is boring, but we’re pretty sure those people have never tried thrifting in the Sunflower State. Our favorite local store that you’ve just got to visit is nestled in the town of Pittsburg, and their profits go to SEK Humane Society. Thrift shopping and helping homeless animals in need? We think yes. Have you shopped til’ you dropped at any of these legendary Kansas thrift stores yet?
Find The Doggie Bag at 816 North Broadway Street, Pittsburg, Kansas, 66762.
Find The Doggie Bag at 816 North Broadway Street, Pittsburg, Kansas, 66762.
The Unique Park In Kansas
There are a lot of really nice and/or totally gorgeous parks peppered all throughout Kansas. However, some of them stick out more than others, and our favorite is no different. Wilson Lake State Park is a breathtaking slice of heaven hiding right here in the Sunflower State. The geology of the area is intriguing and unlike anything else in the rest of the state. The combination of unique geology and a sparkling lake is just too gorgeous to pass up! Would you swim in the crystalline waters of Wilson Lake?
Find Wilson Lake State Park at 3 State Park Road, Sylvan Grove, Kansas, 67481.
Find Wilson Lake State Park at 3 State Park Road, Sylvan Grove, Kansas, 67481.
The Most Charming Antique Mall In Kansas
When it comes to antiquing, few places have Kansas beat. We’ve got loads of antique shops all over the state, but there’s one in particular that really beats out the rest when it comes to sheer awesomeness. Paramount Antique Mall now has three locations, but when it got its start, it was just a little place in Wichita where you could find a ridiculous amount of quality antiques. Nothing much has changed - it’s got that adorable small-town Kansas charm somehow while still being 96,000 square feet. How an antiques market this large manages to still pull off the “charming” bit is beyond us, but we love it. How long would you get lost in the aisles for?
Find the Paramount Antique Mall at 13200 West US Highway 54, Wichita, Kansas, 67235.
Find the Paramount Antique Mall at 13200 West US Highway 54, Wichita, Kansas, 67235.
The Magical Train Ride In Kansas
What if we told you that you could totally have dinner on a luxurious, 1940s-style passenger train? It’s true! The Kansas Belle Dinner Train is a truly magical experience, featuring music from the big band era and even USO shows and live performances by talented actors. This train ride is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime (or, well, however often you decide to come back) experience for the entire family. Would you pass an afternoon by on any of these unique Kansas train rides?
Find the Kansas Belle Dinner Train HQ at 1515 High Street, Baldwin City, Kansas, 66006.
Find the Kansas Belle Dinner Train HQ at 1515 High Street, Baldwin City, Kansas, 66006.
The Tallest Bridge In Kansas
If you’re a lover of all things bridges, Kansas is a great state for you to get your fill of them. Kansas is home to over 25,000 bridges, and the tallest of them all is Centennial Bridge in Leavenworth. It measures up at an awe-inspiring 419.8 feet tall, and 2,571 feet long. It’s interesting to explore and photograph all year long, and each season brings with it something special and new. Have you ever visited any of these awesome bridges in Kansas?
One Of The Most Unique Museums In Kansas
Tucked away within Oakley, Kansas is a small wonder that goes grossly under-appreciated these days. The Fick Fossil and History Museum has fossils of many kinds on display, including the Kansas state fossil of the Pterodon (we bet you probably didn’t realize we have a state fossil, but we do.) Come by yourself or bring the family - either way, you’re going to have a good time and you’re going to learn a lot. Would you go looking for Kansas fossils?
Address: 700 West 3rd Street, Oakley, Kansas, 67748.
Address: 700 West 3rd Street, Oakley, Kansas, 67748.
