When you think of Kansas in the warmer months, it’s perfectly normal to only remember just how hot it gets during the day. However, with the heat comes a plethora of activities to enjoy out of the house. There are hundreds of natural, historical, and edible things for your summer day trips, but these ones are out-of-this-world amazing. Why don’t you give them a try? Here are our picks for some of the best day trips in Kansas:

1. Find a love for our history in Atchison
Atchison, KS, USA
Visit Atchison Kansas/Facebook
It's true that Atchison treasures our beloved Amelia Earhart more than anyone else. Though the town is most beautiful in the fall, there are plenty of reasons to stop by during our other seasons. Another town to add to your bucket list, am I right? More information can be found in this article.
2. Treat your tastebuds to home cooking at Made From Scratch
527 27th St, Wilson, KS 67490, USA
Yelp
Ah, Wilson is a great town full of great culture and fantastic food, like you can get at Made From Scratch. As per their name, you can expect some of the best pie you've ever had to be served here at this restaurant. Most of all, you should definitely try the bierocks. More information can be found in this delightfully delicious article.
3. Feel like a kid again at the Moon Marble Company
600 E Front St, Bonner Springs, KS 66012, USA
Moon Marble Company/Facebook
Everything from marbles shipped in to marbles handmade live in-store can be purchased at this one-stop shop for all things childhood. They even have vintage style toys for those kids that need something besides a new video game every once in a while. Either way, this store will enchant you with memories of the past when we all used to spend more time in the dirt. Read more about it in this article.
4. Step into a magical world at the Overland Park Arboretum
8909 W 179th St, Overland Park, KS 66062, USA
extraneoussolutions/YouTube
Every once in a while in this little park there's a sparkle of wonder before a discovery. What's hiding here, you ask? Little fairy homes can be found built into tree sculptures and it looks like they're well lived in, too. Maybe a little bit of that childhood wonder will come back to you when you see these adorable creations. More information can be found in this sunny article.
5. Find the freshest things at the Lawrence Farmers Market
824 New Hampshire St, Lawrence, KS 66044, USA
Lawrence Farmers Market/Facebook
Since 1976, this market has been bringing the people of Lawrence and surrounding areas fresh foods and a great sense of community. You'll find everything from homemade cinnamon rolls to rainbow soap, and all of it is honest product sold by honest folks. There's more than 100 vendors every Saturday, and it's not hard to see why! More information and dates can be found here.
6. Go back in time at this little store in Riverton
7109 KS-66, Riverton, KS 66770, USA
Yelp
Route 66 is too often forgotten in favor of other, faster routes across the states. Yet against all odds, this little store nestled in Riverton is one of our last great tourist shops in the state. Why not stop in for an ice cold coke and a bowl of homemade chili? More information can be found in this tasty article.
7. Take a drive down the Flint Hills Scenic Byway
Flint Hills National Scenic Byway, 57-157 E Main St, Council Grove, KS 66846, USA
Kansas Byways/Facebook
This expanse of peaceful countryside isn't often populated with vehicles, which makes it prime viewing material at sunset. Another great route to take when you're looking to relax. More information and a map can be foundin this fun article.
8. Adventures in the city of Wilson
Wilson, KS 67490, USA
Kansas Tourism/Flickr
First of all, Wilson is the Czech capital of Kansas. Second, everything from the food at Grandma's to the town's decoration celebrates their heritage. Plus, there's no way you should leave without trying one of their Orange Cream Soda floats. More information can be found in this interesting write-up.

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9. Splashing through Long Branch Lagoon
111 4th Ave, Dodge City, KS 67801, USA
Long Branch Lagoon Water Park/Facebook
Everything here at this Dodge City water park is great fun for all ages. Most importantly, you need to try their boomerang slide! There's not another like it for almost 700 miles! More information can be found in this epic article.
10. A walk through the Kansas wilderness at the Great Plains Nature Center
Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 East 29th St N UNIT 2200, Wichita, KS 67220, USA
Great Plains Nature Center/Facebook
As much as this park is conveniently located within a city, it's also a source of some of Kansas' dwindling tallgrasses! Chisholm Creek Park and its conjoined Great Plains Nature Center bring nature to the people in an easy museum-in-a-park format. More information can be found in this scenic article.
11. Taking a hike through Horsethief Canyon
Horsethief Canyon, Beaver, KS 67871, USA
Lonnie Edgecomb/Alltrails
Once you head in on this hiking trail, you'll definitely feel like you're not in Kansas anymore. Weathered caves and orange rock faces make this a special part of Kanopolis park. Grab your shoes and walking stick and give it a try! More information can be found in this article.
12. Exploring the city of Lucas
Lucas, KS 67648, USA
Patrick Emerson/Flickr
Lucas is truly one of the oddest places in Kansas, but you should see it for yourself. Due to folk art decorating so much of the town, everywhere you look is a different shape or color. You can visit the Garden of Eden or check out a toilet shaped building, or even a car covered in tar and dinosaurs. The imaginations of Lucas' residents are limitless! More information can be found in this creative write-up.
13. Hiking at the new Flint Hills Nature Trail
Flint Hills Nature Trail, Admire, KS, USA
Patrick Feller/Flickr
This new trail in the Flint Hills recently opened, and it's huge! Already, it's the longest trail in Kansas so far at 90 miles in length. Most of all, the organizers behind the trail's upkeep need donations to further make it easier to use. More information can be found in this write-up.
14. A day on Big Hill Lake
Big Hill Lake, Osage, KS, USA
usacetulsa/Flickr
Because of the lack of seaside in Kansas, we have a special love for our lakes. As a result, we can find a way to have just about any event near a lake, and bonfires are a summer tradition as long as it's not too dry. This lake in particular has a lot of character and a wide expanse of blue water to enjoy. More information can be found in this article.
15. A scheduled tour of Providence Hill Farm
8096 Pratt Rd, Atchison, KS 66002, USA
Providence Hill Farm
You'll goat crazy over this little farm in Atchison that makes a living with these adorable head-butters. Everything from cheese to soap is made with their milk, and the fresh baked bread is an amazing addition to the wares they sell. Another great perk to a visit here? Depending on your tour package, you can learn how to milk a goat! More information can be found in this baaah-mazing article.
16. Dining at Ad Astra
318 Cottonwood St, Strong City, KS 66869, USA
Ad Astra Food And Drink/Facebook
At this restaurant in Strong City, there's not much you'll want for when it comes to food choices. Hearty home style food is what they do best, bringing the heart of Kansas into every plate. Most of all, if you get a chance to order chicken fried steak, please do. It's amazing! More information can be found in this tasty write-up.
17. A night out during Wichita's Final Fridays
Wichita, KS, USA
Ty Nigh/Flickr
For those of us who might like something a little less sunny and a little more artsy, Wichita's Final Fridays are a great opportunity to have it all. First of all, the local art museums are all free to enter and enjoy. Second, you might find yourself outside of your new favorite restaurant that you've never heard of before. Why not enjoy a night out on the town? More information can be found in this article.

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More to Explore

Best Day Trips in Kansas

Tori Jane | March 23, 2022

What are some fun, unique things to do around Kansas?  

Kansas gets a bad rap a lot of the time; folks who have never been here (or, alternatively, folks who have lived here their entire lives) tend to assume the worst – that it’s boring, and there’s nothing to do here, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are all sorts of fun, unique things to do in Kansas that are unique to the state specifically, like the Oz Museum in Wamego. Would we be Kansas if we didn’t have at least ONE Wizard of Oz-themed something-or-other? We think not. Then, there’s Strataca, an intriguing underground salt museum, which is a LOT more interesting than it sounds upon first read. Visit the Big Well in Greensburg (and while you’re there, pay your respects to the folks of Greensburg who lost their lives in the devastating 2007 EF-5 tornado), and then head up to the geographic center of the contiguous United States, which, yes, is right here in sunny Kansas.  

What are some great day trips in Kansas I can do?  

Kansas is a great place for day tripping. We can’t get enough of its ghost towns, waterfalls, state parks, lakes, tallgrass prairies, and so, SO much more; it’s a beautiful and terribly underrated state that everyone ought to visit at least once. There are plenty of great day trip adventures to be had; we’ve put together many in the past, including an amazing Kansas waterfall road trip (read about it in this article), as well as ghost town road trips, ice cream trails, wineries and more. Check out Monument Rocks in Oakley if you’re interested in geology, or head to the amazing Konza Prairie near Manhattan to admire Kansas in all its glory. Finally, visit Cheyenne Bottoms in Great Bend; each of these ideas are excellent for killing an entire day or, in some cases, a few days!  

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