3 Vibrant Places That Show Off Kansas’ Colorful Side

Whether you’re dreaming of summer or trying to survive the final stretches of the brown season, you probably landed here because you’re looking for the most colorful places in Kansas. Yellow is a consistent color theme in Kansas, which is my favorite color, and one reason I find practicing my photography in the state so much fun. 

Finding the Most Colorful Places in Kansas

When I hear ‘Kansas’ and ‘colorful’ in the same sentence, I immediately think of the Yellow Brick Road from "The Wizard of Oz." The real-life version of the golden path exists in the sweet little town of Wamego. And what a photographer’s gem it is! But that’s not the only ode to color therapy in Kansas. Additional vibrant, happy places in Kansas that I love to visit and photograph include the sunflower fields throughout the state and the Train Garden at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. 

1. The Story Behind The Land of Oz in Wamego

Travel doesn’t get much cheerier or more colorful than a stroll down the Yellow Brick Road. And you can do just that in Wamego, a small Kansas town in the northeast, just 17 miles from Topeka. Wamego celebrates all things OZ and is the day trip of dreams, including the Yellow Brick Road walking path that trails for a mile through various Wizrad of Oz themed attractions and murals. You can also visit the Oz Museums, try OZ-themed dining menus, and look at the Toto statues posed all around town. Or, you can wait until the biggest day of the year in October, when the town hosts the family-friendly Ozotberfest. 

2. When To Visit the Sunflower Fields in Kansas for the Best Color

Now, if you’re really into vibrant colors, especially yellow, there’s no doubt that the most colorful places to visit in Kansas are the summer sunflower fields. You can find sunflower fields throughout the entire state from mid-July through early September, with the highest concentration of sunflower fields being around Wichita. One of the best sunflower fields in Kansas is the Kansas Maze in Buhler, about 50 miles northwest of Wichita. Additionally, there are several sunflower festivals, with notable events in Kansas City, Olathe, Hays, and Colby. A little advice from a Kansas lover: make your visits when the sun is lower in the sky. The blazing summer sun in late summer is brutal in the middle of an open flower field. And for photography’s sake, I find that an hour after sunrise and before sunset usually offers the soft, dreamy glow I’m going for. 

3. Colorful Places at Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

Continuing with the flowers, but moving away from the yellow theme, one of the most beautiful and colorful places in Kansas is Overland Park. I can appreciate most arboretums and botanical gardens, but the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is one of my favorites for its sparkly fountains and impressive Train Garden. The paths along the fountains lead to the Train Garden, a rainbow of plants and flowers that carefully frame an expansive miniature train garden. It’s intricate, mesmerizing, and full of whimsy, inviting garden lovers, train lovers, and photography lovers, a delightful place to unite. 

If you’re as excited for spring as I am, check out more color-themed destinations with Only In Your State's AI-powered itinerary planner!