Kansas: Caught in the Middle
- Kaitlen Daigle
- May 26, 2024
- 3 min read
So we started our journey to Kansas from Oklahoma on a road trip. One of the must-do things on our list was obviously to have some Kansas City BBQ, which we had in both Kansas City, KS and Kansas City, MO. Even more important than BBQ was our quest to the find the Wizard of Oz. Nestled in the town of Wamego, KS was all kinds of Wizard of Oz treasures. The town had a winery and a museum, all dedicated to the Wizard of Oz. There was a yellow brick road and scattered across town was a bunch of different designed toto statues. I loved this town so much!
After that we headed to Kansas City and got some amazing BBQ at Slaps BBQ. Then we immediately headed to Kansas City, MO then up to Iowa. On our way back from Iowa, going across Nebraska, we stopped in the middle and started driving south back to Kansas. We were specifically trying to go to Lebanon, KS, which is the geographic center of the continental U.S. This was, by far, one of the smallest towns I've ever been to. Lebanon, from 2022 data, has a total of 179 people living there. Even though they have a small population, people were super friendly. Multiple people driving past us walking around, waved at us and asked if we needed anything. In the middle of nowhere Kansas, was one of the highlights of this trip.
If you want to visit Kansas, here's a list of possible things to see and do:
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve: Explore the last remaining expanse of tallgrass prairie in North America at this national preserve. Hike the trails, watch for wildlife, and learn about the native grasses and ecosystems of the prairie.
Kansas City: Experience the vibrant culture, arts, and culinary scene of Kansas City, which straddles the Kansas-Missouri border. Visit attractions like the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Union Station, and the lively Power & Light District.
Wichita: Discover the largest city in Kansas, Wichita, known for its aviation history, museums, and outdoor recreation. Visit the Exploration Place science center, the Old Cowtown Museum, and the Sedgwick County Zoo.
Flint Hills: Drive the scenic Flint Hills Byway to experience the beauty of the Flint Hills region, characterized by rolling hills, limestone outcrops, and expansive prairie vistas. Stop at overlooks, hike trails, and visit charming small towns along the way.
Dodge City: Step back in time to the Wild West era in Dodge City, famous for its role in frontier history. Explore attractions like Boot Hill Museum, which recreates life in the 1870s, and watch reenactments of gunfights at the Historic Front Street.
Kansas State Capitol: Visit the Kansas State Capitol building in Topeka, an architectural masterpiece featuring a striking dome and beautiful murals depicting the state's history. Take a guided tour to learn about the building's design and significance.
Monument Rocks: Marvel at the towering chalk formations known as Monument Rocks (also called the Chalk Pyramids), located in western Kansas. These natural wonders are an impressive sight, especially at sunrise or sunset.
Cosmosphere: Explore the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson, home to one of the most significant collections of space artifacts in the world. Learn about space exploration through interactive exhibits, IMAX films, and educational programs.
Kansas State Parks: Enjoy outdoor recreation at Kansas's state parks, which offer opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. Popular parks include Kanopolis State Park, Wilson State Park, and Clinton State Park.
Sunflower Fields: In late summer, take a scenic drive through the Kansas countryside to see fields of vibrant sunflowers in full bloom. The sight of endless sunflower fields stretching to the horizon is a quintessential Kansas experience.
If you want more suggestions on what to do in Kansas, I suggest you check out their tourism website.
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