3 Spots in Kansas We’re Especially Thankful for This Year

On my latest trip to the Sunflower State, I discovered three of the best places to visit in Kansas. The state is so much more than the famous setting for "The Wizard of Oz." After almost a week in this incredible state, I encountered bison, saw the real-life Apollo 13, and went 650 feet below ground. Grab your suitcase and get ready to make a long weekend trip to some spots in Kansas that I am truly thankful to have visited this year.

1. Maxwell Wildlife Refuge

I’m an absolute sucker for any experience that lets me watch bison grazing. The 2,800-acre Maxwell Wildlife Refuge in Canton, Kansas, is home to more than 200 bison and upward of 45 elk. The refuge offers both private SUV tours and public open-air tram rides. Whichever option you choose, you’ll be treated to views reminiscent of the Wild West. 

If you’re on a road trip, park your RV at the Battle Hill RV Park to spend the night on the park's outer limits. Any time spent at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge has me thankful for the opportunity to step away from the screens and reconnect with nature as the sun sets on the horizon and bison munch on their prairie snacks.

2. Cosmosphere

If you’re like me, you had no idea that the real, actual Apollo 13 was in Hutchinson, Kansas. When my tour guide pointed this out on my visit to the Cosmosphere, my brain couldn’t comprehend that this wasn’t a set piece from Tom Hanks’ "Apollo 13" but the real deal. The Cosmosphere is an incredible international science education center and space museum. As an adult who has always wanted to go to space camp, the Cosmosphere was the next best thing. With activities for all ages, visitors learn everything from the beginning of space exploration to where we’re headed.

3. Strataca, Kansas Underground Salt Museum

Going from up above the earth at the Cosmosphere to deep beneath the earth’s surface, the Strataca Kansas Underground Salt Museum is a one-of-a-kind experience. Entirely unexpected, visitors will see hundreds of props, costumes, and artifacts from major feature films. This is because the conditions in the salt mine, 650 feet below the surface, are ideal for preserving artifacts. Besides touring the film props, guests can ride a tram through the mine and learn about the impressive history and importance of salt mining in Kansas. After your tram ride, hop on the Salt Mine Express, where this train will take you through a section of the mines that has been left almost entirely untouched since the miners left it more than 50 years ago. This was a particularly cool feature of my experience, as it really let you see how the conditions underground serve as a time capsule. 

While each of these three spots is a bit quirky, I am particularly grateful that I experienced them. I truly believe they are three of the best spots in Kansas to visit, and you should add them to your next trip to the south-central Kansas area. Feeling inspired? Try planning your own Kansas trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.

Cait was hosted by Travel Kansas as part of their trip to Kansas. All opinions and thoughts expressed in this content are their own.