Kansas is a Midwestern state, and the capital and largest city are Topeka and Wichita. It is bordered by Missouri to the north, Nebraska to the east, Oklahoma to the south, and Colorado to the west. The state is home to many diverse cultures and natural wonders.
If you’re looking for a unique place to spend your next vacation, consider Kansas. The state has beautiful natural wonders, quirky attractions, and great BBQ joints. You’ll have a memorable trip if you choose to visit this state. Below are some suggestions for places to visit in Kansas.
If you like arts and culture, Kansas City is a great place to explore. Its famous Third Friday Art Walk features local businesses, art exhibitions, and reenactors. It’s the perfect way to explore Downtown KCK and Strawberry Hill. Be sure to check out the museum and the 80-acre art district.
Historic sites are an important part of Kansas. The state’s first National Natural Landmark is the Monument Rocks, which rise 70 feet in some places. These rocks are home to fossilized sea life. The monument’s keyhole is a large gap in the rock. The Keystone Gallery, meanwhile, is located near the monument, and uses solar energy to power its exhibitions.
Another place to visit in Kansas is the Sedgwick County Zoo. It is home to more than 3,000 animals of more than 400 different species. You can take a tram tour with a narrator, and you can even take a boat tour.
Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center
If you are looking for a fun and educational way to spend a day in the city, consider going to Cosmosphere Kansas. This non-profit organization in Hutchinson, Kansas, features an IMAX theater and a Hall of Space museum. It also offers astronaut training camps for kids and adults of all ages.
The Cosmosphere is currently undergoing a facelift to update its facilities. It will receive new paint and graphics and new state-of-the-art sound. The museum’s historical spaceships and documents will remain in place. During the renovation process, visitors can still visit the museum during regular business hours. The president and CEO of Cosmosphere Kansas expects the project to be completed by late December. Among the planned improvements are new exhibits in the Redstone and Sputnik Gallery and the Kennedy Theater.
The Cosmosphere Kansas museum houses one of the largest collections of Soviet-Russian space artifacts outside of Moscow. The collection includes a command module from the Apollo 13 space mission, a Vostok space capsule, and American and Russian spacesuits. In addition, the museum offers a variety of summer camps for kids and co-curricular STEM education programs.
The Kansas Sampler Foundation has selected the Cosmosphere as one of Kansas’ Eight Wonders. The Cosmosphere is located in the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and is part of the Eisenhower Presidential Library.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is a large conservation area in the Flint Hills of Kansas, north of Strong City. The preserve protects an ecosystem that is nationally significant due to its tallgrass prairie species. Visiting the preserve is one way to get a good view of the tallgrass prairie.
The preserve is home to nearly 11,000 acres of wide open spaces, seasonal wildflowers, wildlife, and even a bison herd. It is the only national park unit that focuses on the tallgrass prairie ecosystem and is managed by a public-private partnership with The Nature Conservancy. Hikers and birdwatchers will love hiking in this preserve.
The preserve’s visitor center offers information about the prairie ecosystem and trails. It also has displays that show how the prairie changes from spring to fall. The exhibits also demonstrate how wildlife survives the harsh winters. The center also has a booklet with information about prairie grasses and prairie life.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is located about an hour outside of Wichita. The Tallgrass Prairie is one of the few places in the country where you can see the tallgrass prairie in its natural state.
The preserve’s educational programs are especially fun for kids. The historic one-room schoolhouse is a popular spot for children, and they can interact with the antique desks and play with the cows on the ranch. The preserve also has a pond where children can learn about catch-and-release fishing.
Dodge City
If you’re looking for a family-friendly, historical town, look no further than Dodge City, Kansas. This city is filled with historic attractions, including the Dodge City Museum. Located right next to the train station, the museum is made up of several buildings that are all connected to each other. Inside, you’ll find displays of cowboy equipment and other memorabilia, giving you a true feel for cowboy life.
One of the oldest buildings in Dodge City is the Dodge City Historic House. Built in 1881, this house has undergone renovation and is one of the oldest buildings in the city. It is open to the public from June through August, but you’ll need to make an appointment in advance if you want to tour the house.
Another historic site in the area is the Coronado Cross. The site was visited by the Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado during his 1540 expedition to the legendary cities of gold. It is believed that the expedition held a mass of thanksgiving at the spot where the cross now stands. The Ford County Historical Society sponsored the erection of this monument, which pays tribute to the pioneer adventurers who celebrated the first Christian service in the interior 100 years before the Pilgrims.
Despite the fact that Dodge City has numerous safe neighborhoods, it’s still important to be aware of your surroundings and stay within the city limits. The city’s website features Spanish-language information. The city’s CodeRED system alerts residents about weather emergencies and construction projects. In addition, the city’s public safety officer is available to help you if necessary.
Kansas State Capitol, Topeka
The Kansas State Capitol, or Kansas Statehouse, is the seat of the legislative and executive branches of Kansas’ government. It is located in downtown Lawrence. It is one of the most visited buildings in the state and offers a variety of educational and cultural events. Here, you can learn about the different branches of government and how they work and meet.
The construction of the Kansas State Capitol began in 1866. It was supervised by architect James Haskell. The first phase of the building was the eastern wing, which housed the Senate Chambers. The wing was constructed of limestone quarried in Geary County, located about 75 miles west of Topeka. Construction was completed in 1873.
When visiting the Kansas State Capitol, be sure to bring along your camera. The building is home to important artifacts and historic photographs that document the state’s history. You can also tour the old Supreme Court and the state library. The building is free to tour, but parking is limited, especially when the Kansas Legislature is in session.
The Kansas State Capitol is one of Kansas’ most beautiful buildings. The complex spans twenty acres in downtown Topeka. The dome is 304 feet high, which is higher than the dome of the United States Capitol. You can climb the dome for a 360-degree view of the city, or take a tour of the interior.
Sedgwick Zoo
If you are looking for a great day out, the Sedgwick County Zoo is definitely worth a visit. It features more than two hundred species of animals and two hundred exhibits from around the world. Whether you are visiting the Zoo alone or with the family, there’s sure to be something to please everyone.
The Sedgwick County Zoo was founded in 1971 and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state of Kansas. At over two hundred and fifty acres, the zoo is home to over 2,500 animals from over 500 different species. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and participates in the Species Survival Plan. This makes it an important zoo for breeding endangered and rare species. The zoo’s educational programs make it a popular destination for children and adults of all ages.
The Sedgwick County Zoo is home to two king cobras – a male and a female. Each cobra has its own habitat, and can detect a moving object up to 100 yards away. Despite its small size, the King Cobra is one of the most intelligent reptiles you can meet.
The Sedgwick Zoo Kansas also has an African Lion habitat and a Red River Hog habitat. You can stroll around the boardwalk and observe these amazing animals in their natural habitats. You can also enjoy boat rides that take you through Africa and North America.
