10 Places Where You Can Still Experience Old Kansas
By Clarisa|Published February 19, 2018
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Clarisa
Author
Born and raised Kansan, Clarisa has lived in both tiny towns and cities during their time here in the Sunflower State. As a busy mother of one crazy kid, two cats, and two geckos, they write whenever there is spare time.
Visitors to Kansas call us a flyover state, but the ones that actually enjoy it are usually visiting the eastern areas and bigger cities. They might stick to Kansas City even, and only think of us as a state in passing. However, that’s simply not the case. Though we love our cities, you can still experience a type of old Kansas through other cities and towns that hold their history especially close. If you love history or just love a simpler way of life, visit these towns for a taste of it you’ll never get tired of.
The Old Abilene Town attraction here is full of old scenes that fit right in with the vintage style homes. Of course, enjoying the can-can dancers and gunfighters are a big draw to their summer programs, where many residents get involved in the reenactments.
Most famous in Kansas is probably Dodge City, a true western style getaway right in Kansas. Boot Hill is a big tourist spot for people from all over, but there's something about these little cow towns that's just irresistible.
In Wichita, there's a smaller piece near the river called Cowtown that's full of history and hosts quite a few events that are fun for all ages. They love steampunk style, reenactments, and shooting the old cannon. Surely that sounds like fun!
The Ag Heritage Park in Alta Vista commemorates early life in Kansas, and the importance of our evolving agriculture. If anything will take you back to simpler times, it's a sickle and horse plow.
This amazing historic site is full of pieces from Kansas's past including memories of Custer, Sheridan, and even Buffalo Bill. Seeing soldier's clothing, children's toys, and all sorts of artifacts from the era will take you back to a time you've never personally seen before.
Kansas's Amish populations aren't often thought of, besides the local markets and the Carriage Crossing restaurant. However, if you have the chance to attend one of their festivals, it's a step into a life that's different from most of ours, but would have existed almost the same years ago.
Council Grove is a town full of history, including the Hays House, the courthouse, and the cowboy jail. Of course, touring the whole town is an adventure filled with stops at every corner to see what piece of history you might be standing on.
Cherryvale's history is a little creepy, with the story of the Bloody Benders told in their museum, detailing the plot and murders of multiple people. However, the local museum details much more than that and speaks volumes on their history as a town.
Coffeyville is dedicated to preserving their historic buildings, so you feel like you're in another time period up until you see the cars roll by. This building used to house a bank, but now sits stoically, part of the history that still remains here in Coffeyville.
If you’re on a town exploring kick, why not take a look into 10 of our tiniest towns, all around 200 residents?
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