Have you heard of the 8 Wonders of Kansas before? The most beautiful and awe-inspiring locations in Kansas competed for a spot in the final list, but these 8 attractions were voted through to the top on the Kansas Sampler Foundation website. Let's see what makes Kansas so beautiful, and what was chosen to represent the state.
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Here is a link to the map if you'd like to take a look beforehand, or save it for later use.
Welcome to the 8 Wonders of Kansas road trip! All of the best Kansas locations that represent us best on one map.
If you've been holding out for a special day to see this attraction, wait no longer! There's no better time than this road trip to see it for the first (or 50th) time. These Niobrara Chalk formations were left behind as part of a huge inland sea floor, and are filled with tiny fossils as well as plenty of Kansas sentimental value.
2. Next up is the Cathedral of the Plains, also known as St. Fidelis Catholic Church.
It's actually not even a cathedral, but it is still huge. A passing traveler gave it the nickname, but we still love it either way. The architecture for a building this old is impressive, and it was once the largest church west of the Mississippi river, back when it was finished in 1911.
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3. After that, rest your eyes for a while and enjoy the sounds of Cheyenne Bottoms and the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.
This wetlands area is home to a number of unique Kansas species, as well as a temporary home for hundreds of thousands of migrating shorebirds every year.
4. Next up is the Big Well in Greensburg, still the largest hand dug well in the world at 109 feet deep and 32 feet wide.
They've remodeled the whole well as a museum about the city and the tornado that changed the town forever. The whole town has come together to rebuild bigger and better than before, and they've created something absolutely beautiful.
5. Then you'll travel to Hutchinson, where two of the wonders are located. The first is the amazing Kansas Cosmosphere, where the sky is never the limit.
Here's a place where you can ride a mini train underground, see how salt is mined today and how it's changed from when the mine was first made. Parts of the mine are still in use to this day!
7. Afterwards, you'll find another relaxing time at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in the Flint Hills.
It's one of the last remaining tallgrass prairies in the world, and you'll find that every angle you see it is absolutely breathtaking. Hearing the wind rush over the grass as you take it all in is a sound every Kansan should hear.
8. Last but not least is the Dwight D Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum.
Eisenhower was an Abilene native, and the only five-star general to become president. Five galleries in the museum showcase his life and accomplishments, and you can also tour the home, where they lived until his mother Ida passed.
Feel free to use the map below to help you get to each location smoothly. It's a 527-mile drive, so you might need to spread it over a couple days to leave time for food and sleep. Travel carefully, and make sure to have fun!
There is nothing more special and scenic than a drive through the Sunflower State. This is one of the best ways to explore and admire the beauty and attractions found within Kansas. But, it is easy to feel overwhelmed as you choose the perfect Kansas road trip itinerary. So, that’s where we come in. Below are 11 of our best Kansas road trip ideas. From one-day road trips to routes that take you to some of the best small towns in the Sunflower State, there is something for everyone. So, grab some snacks, fuel up the car, and let’s hit the road and experience some of the best road trips in Kansas!
Route: Cheyenne Bottoms > Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
Distance: 77 miles
Trip Time: 1.5 hours driving time
For a single-day adventure, explore the Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway. This 77-mile scenic byway connects two incredible wetlands: Cheyenne Bottoms and the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. Not only will you see remarkable views, but you will want to keep your eyes open for all types of wildlife. Plus, you’ll also drive through towns like Hoisington, Great Bend, and St. John.
Route: Mushroom Rock State Park > Lucas > Cheyenne Bottoms > Cedar Bluff State Park
Distance: 260 miles
Trip Time: 4.5 hours driving time
This may be one of our favorite road trips through Kansas. Your journey will take you to several of the most scenic destinations in the western part of the state. You’ll visit remarkable attractions like Mushroom Rock State Park, Cheyenne Bottoms, and Monument Rocks Natural Landmark. If you complete this trip in its entirety, be prepared to fall in love with Kansas all over again.
Route: Alcove Springs > Geary State Lake Waterfall > Chase Lake Falls > Cowley Lake Waterfall > Eureka City Lake Falls > Edgerton City Lake Falls > Cedar Creek Falls
Distance: 630 miles
Trip Time: 11 hours driving time
The Sunflower State may not be known for its waterfalls but that doesn’t mean you won’t find incredible falls around the state. This road trip will take you to some of the best waterfalls in Kansas including Alcove Springs, Chase Lake Falls, and Cedar Creek Falls. Now, this route will require approximately 11 hours of drive time so we strongly suggest you break this trip up into several days – you won’t want to rush your visit at each waterfall.
Route: Rock City Park, Minneapolis > Mushroom Rock State Park, Brookville > Monument Rocks, Lewis
Distance: 230 miles
Trip Time: 3 hours 45 minutes driving time
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On this road trip in Kansas, you can visit three of the most spectacular rock formations that the Sunflower State has to offer. This trip is short, requiring less than four hours of drive time, but it is certainly scenic. We suggest breaking this road trip up over a weekend so you can take your time at each stop like Rock City Park in Minneapolis and Mushroom Rock State Park in Brookville. This is one Kansas road trip that is easy, short, and wonderful.
Route: Santa Fe Lake Falls > Beautiful Day Café, Wichita > Dyck Arboretum, Hesston > Coronado Heights Castle, Lindsborg > Victorian Inn Bed and Breakfast, Abilene > Geary State Fishing Lake > Deep Creek Waterfall > The Wheel Barrel, Topeka > The Japanese Friendship Garden, Lawrence > Castle Tea Room, Lawrence
Distance: 300 miles
Trip Time: 5 hours driving time
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Spring is a magical time of year so why not celebrate it on a fairytale road trip? This Kansas road trip itinerary is perfect for a two-day or three-day adventure and will take you to waterfalls, arboretums, and tasty places to eat. This journey is beautiful, scenic, and delicious — it’s magical in every way.
Route: Monument Rocks > Castle Rock > Gypsum Hills > Pillsbury Crossing Wildlife Area > Konza Prairie > Mushroom Rock State Park
Distance: 770 miles
Trip Time: 14 hours driving time
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During the hot summer months of the year, get out and explore some of the best natural wonders in Kansas. This 14-hour road trip is long, but you will visit some pretty extraordinary sights like the Gypsum Hills and Konza Prairie. Give yourself plenty of time to discover – you won’t want to rush through this trip at all.
Route: Hiawatha > White Cloud > Atchison > Leavenworth
Distance: 80 miles
Trip Time: 2 hours driving time
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There is nothing like welcoming in Fall than on a road trip through Kansas to see fall foliage at its peak. This road trip itinerary in the Sunflower State is only two hours and takes you to several destinations where the fall foliage will amaze you including the towns of Hiawatha and Atchison.
Route: Christmas City of the High Plains, WaKeeney > Manhattan Festival of Lights at Blue Earth Plaza, Manhattan > Season of Lights, Wamego > TARC’s Winter Wonderland, Topeka > Paulie’s Penguin Playground, Olathe > David Traylor Zoo, Emporia > Christmas Lights on Gold Street, Wichita > Christmas in Kansas, Wichita
Distance: 740 miles
Trip Time: 12 hours driving time
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Christmas lights are one of the best ways to enjoy the colder months of the year and on this Christmas lights road trip through Kansas, you will get to see some of the best. This road trip requires approximately 12 hours of drive time, so we recommend spreading this trip into multiple days so you can enjoy each Christmas light display to its fullest. From WaKeeney to Wichita, this is one of the best road trips through Kansas and will put even Scrooge into the holiday spirit.
Route: Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center, Topeka > Bonkers, Topeka > OZ Museum, Wamego > Cosmosphere, Hutchinson > Dodge City
Distance: 320 miles
Trip Time: 5 hours driving time
For an adventure with the entire family in tow, check out this Kansas road trip itinerary. This family-friendly adventure will take you to some of the most exciting and entertaining destinations that the Sunflower State has to offer. From outdoor attractions like the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center to the popular Oz Museum, there is something on this trip that every member of the family will love.
Route: World’s Largest Easel, Goodland > Monument Rocks, Scott City > Castle Rock, Gove County > World’s Largest Ball of Twine, Cawker City > Coronado Heights Castle, Saline County > Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Distance: 460 miles
Trip Time: 8 hours driving time
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Kansas may not be the first to come to mind when you think of bucket-list-worthy attractions and landmarks but that doesn’t mean there aren’t incredible places to visit. In fact, this is one of the best Kansas road trips and will take you to six iconic landmarks and natural wonders in the Sunflower State. You’ll see unusual sights like the world’s largest ball of twine and beautiful natural wonders like Castle Rock in Larrabee. It’s one adventure where you’ll always want your camera handy!
Route: Wakeeney > Phillipsburg > Wamego > Council Grove > Cottonwood Falls > Lindsborg > Lucas
Distance: 595 miles
Trip Time: 10 hours driving time
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If you truly want to experience the charm of the Sunflower State, you must visit some of its most picturesque small towns. This Kansas road trip will take you to several small towns throughout the Sunflower State including Wakeeney, Council Grove, and Lindsborg. With seven charming towns to visit, all with populations less than 5,000, you will get to see what the heart and soul of Kansas is truly all about.
What other Kansas road trip ideas do you have? Do you already have an itinerary? Do you prefer weekend road trips in Kansas or quick road trips in Kansas? Let us and your fellow travelers know in the comments and don’t forget to include your Kansas road trip map! Looking for even more to explore? Check out our list of some of the best hikes in Kansas:
Next time you've got a little free time, why don't you take a 3-day road trip in Kansas? We've got so many natural wonders in the Sunflower State, and today we've planned an easy three-day road trip for you that will show you some of the best! This short trip will take you to some of the most beautiful rock formations in the state, and you won't even have to spend that much time in the car. That certainly makes it one of the best road trips in Kansas! Check it out:
It can be difficult to take a weekend road trip in Kansas. The state is so spread out, with many destinations quite far from one another. Fortunately, this is one trip that won't require too much driving time! These three Sunflower State rock formations are fairly close together, with a total driving time of under four hours. You'll drive just under 230 miles altogether. You can check out the customizable itinerary on Google Maps. We recommend splitting the trip up over a three-day weekend so that you have time to explore the surrounding area.
Your first stop on this road trip to rock formations in Kansas is Rock City Park. This park is only about five acres, but you'll find more than 200 sandstone concretions. Concretions look like rocks but are actually large mineral masses that are typically much harder than rocks. Some of the concretions here are more than 27 feet in diameter! Bring some appropriate footwear, as this is an interactive park where you're allowed to climb all over the concretions. It's thought that this is the largest collection of massive concretions in the world.
Next up is a visit to Mushroom Rock State Park. As the smallest state park in Kansas, you might be tempted to skip this destination, but it's so much fun! This place is considered one of the eight wonders of Kansas. You'll find some really fascinating rock formations here of unusual shapes - many of the rocks resemble large mushrooms, hence the name. The formations are believed to be from the Crustaceous Period, which ran from 144 to 66 million years ago.
Another of Kansas's eight wonders is Monument Rocks, also known as the Chalk Pyramids. These 80 million-year-old chalk deposits resemble the more famous Stonehenge, but are a great deal taller. Some of the formations at Monument Rocks measure 70 feet in height! This destination and its rocks are truly fascinating - they contain many shell fossils that you can catch a glimpse of all over the rocks. We're willing to bet that you'll agree that this trip is one of the most fun road trips in Kansas!
This rock formation road trip in Kansas is such a cool idea next time you have three days free! What are your other favorite three-day weekend road trips in Kansas? Share yours in the comments!
Read on to check out our ultimate road trip packing guide filled with all of our favorite essentials, tips, and tricks:
