State Of Kansas
Experience small town charm, family-friendly fun, and outdoor adventure in the state Dorothy called “no place like home.” Watch a NASCAR race, witness an Old West gun fight, or walk through the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.
The geographic center of the 48 contiguous United States and one of the nation’s leading agricultural states, Kansas is also known as “The Wheat State.” Kansas is one of the largest producers of wheat in the U.S., and the largest flour milling state in the nation.
With plenty of outdoor activities, big city attractions, and small town charm, it’s easy to see why Kansas’ most famous resident—Dorothy Gale from the Wizard of Oz—was compelled to say, “There’s no place like home.”
Follow in Dorothy’s footsteps with a Yellow Brick Road-inspired getaway, explore natural rock formations and waterfalls, or take a foodie tour through Kansas’ cities. There is something for everyone when you choose to visit Kansas.
Best Places to Visit in Kansas
Kansas City
Kansas City is well known for its unique style of barbecue—rubbed with spices, slow-smoked over a variety of woods, and served with a thick tomato-based BBQ sauce. Go on a foodie tour, visit the speedway, or partake in the city’s thriving nightlife scene.
Kansas Speedway: Auto racing fans will love this 1.5-mile track that hosts two annual NASCAR race weekends.
Kansas City Nightlife: From nightclubs and rooftop bars, to breweries, speakeasies and live music, Kansas City’s nightlife scene has something for everyone.
Cities in Kansas
Topeka: The capital and fourth most populated city in the state, Topeka offers a variety of attractions including museums, educational exhibits and performing arts.
Wichita: The state’s largest city is nicknamed the Air Capital of the World because it is a major center for the production of aircrafts. The city is also home to the Wichita Art Museum, the largest art Museum in Kansas.
Dodge City: Pretend you’re back in the Wild West at this cowboy town in Western Kansas, where you can watch a high noon gunfight at the Boot Hill Museum or visit the historic wagon tracks of the Santa Fe Trail.
Kansas State and National Parks
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve: Of the 400,000 square miles of tallgrass prairie that once covered North America, less than 4% remains. The preserve, located in the Flint Hills region of Kansas, protects 10,861 acres of tallgrass prairie.
Cedar Bluff Reservoir, State Park, and Wildlife Area: More than 14,000 acres of water and wildlife make this park a popular destination for hunters, campers, and anglers.
Monument Rocks and Chalk Pyramids: 70-feet tall sedimentary formations of Niobrara Chalk were formed by the erosion of a sea bed during the Cretaceous Period.
Popular Tourist Attractions
Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site: In Topeka, this site commemorates the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that ended racial segregation in public schools.
Dorothy’s House and Land of Oz: For a unique attraction off the beaten path, look to Liberal, Kansas, where local “Dorothys” will give you a tour of a small farm house, a tornado simulation room, and the Land of Oz.
Little Sweden: This town in Lindsborg is proud of its Swedish heritage. Today, thirty percent of the town is Swedish and its downtown features gift shops that specialize in Swedish souvenirs. Plan your visit during its biennial festival, Svensk Hyllningsfest, held in October of odd-numbered years.
Cosmosphere: For family fun that is also educational, visit this space museum and STEM education center in Hutchinson, Kansas that houses over 13,000 artifacts from spaceflight.
Keeper of the Plains: A 44-foot tall steel sculpture located at the point where the Big and Little Arkansas rivers join in downtown Wichita.
Evel Knievel Museum: The world’s largest collection of Evel Knievel memorabilia includes videos, interactive exhibits, and the famous stunt performer’s iconic bright red Mack truck. It is located in Topeka, Kansas.
Eisenhower Presidential Library: Located in Abilene, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s boyhood home and the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum are popular with history buffs.
