4 Kansas Tourist Spots I Tried to Hate (But Ended Up Loving)

I'll be candid, I didn't know what to expect when I went to Kansas. Aside from my childhood friends who lived in Derby and anything related to "The Wizard of Oz," I knew very little about this Midwestern state. Which is a shame, to be honest, because there are a lot of neat places to visit there. These four, in particular, are spots I didn't anticipate loving as much as I do, and you should see them on your next trip, too!

1. The Town of Lindsborg

Having grown up in a town full of frog iconography, I expected Lindsborg to feel kitschy. With its herd of Dala horses standing watch all over town, I wasn't sure what to make of Little Sweden. But I was blown away by this place. The food alone could get me back there in a heartbeat, though I'd need to do some shopping for more home goods before heading back out. Don't let this quaint town fool you; it is a treasure trove.

2. Carriage Crossing Restaurant and Bakery - Yoder

It was the family-style service I wasn't looking forward to, to be honest. I prefer having my own meal and plate, and not worrying about what others at the table are having. But the food was so heavenly (especially the cinnamon rolls) that the thought never crossed my mind again. Carriage Crossing is a beloved restaurant renowned for the exceptional quality of its home-cooked meals. Even if they're busy, a meal here is well worth a stop—even for particular diners like me who worry about everyone getting enough food. You can always ask for more!

3. Coronado Heights - Falun

Built in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration, this sandstone castle structure was built overlooking the area in Falun, Kansas. It's an odd place for a castle. On its face, it's just a lookout point in a park. Yet beyond that, it is a lot more. Coronado Heights is a fascinating piece of imagination from almost a century ago. When the WPA builders embarked on this mission, they made this hill a little more royal than it was before. Plus, I'm a sucker for any place with horizon views.

4. Cosmosphere - Hutchinson

Of all the places I visited in Kansas, the one that surprised me the most was the Cosmosphere. This space museum feels, for lack of a better term, otherworldly. Who knew such a vast collection of space artifacts resided in a city in the middle of Kansas? I still think about the Space Race artifacts at Cosmosphere and how amazing it is that the Midwest houses such a special museum. The 7-year-old me, who desperately wanted to be an astronomer, was on cloud nine. Even if you aren't a museum person like I am, or even a scienc-y person, you'll find something to like here.

Check out the Only In Your State AI Travel Planner to get you started on your next big adventure!

Amanda visited these locations in Kansas while on a media trip with Travel Kansas. However, all opinions shared here are their own.