Extended Weekend Getaways Kansas promises a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty for an unforgettable travel experience. Seize the sunny days and hit the Kansas roads with friends and family—your soul will thank you for it. Here are a few ideas:
Historic Sites
Kansas is home to 16 state-owned historic sites and 27 national historic landmarks. Explore our state’s fascinating history from Bleeding Kansas, the Civil War, and Native American history, to frontier forts and historic trails.
Rock Formations
Explore some of the Sunflower State’s most unique natural wonders – From the Niobrara chalk formations of Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park, Castle Rock and Monument Rocks, to the sandstone concretions of Rock City and the Dakota formations of Mushroom Rock State Park.
Wine Trail
Before prohibition, Kansas combined with Missouri to form one of the largest grape-growing and winemaking regions in America. Kansas, because of the fertile soil, is the perfect home for select grape varieties. Kansas’ landscape is dotted with a growing number of local wineries – some of which are nationally- and internationally-recognized.
Tanganyika Wildlife Park
Tanganyika, located in Goddard, is the only park in the U.S. with 10 interactive encounters where you can touch, feed, and even ride unique animal species. Handcrafted by Tanganyika keepers, choose from more than 15 experiences that will deepen your connection to some our nation’s rare and endangered species.
State Parks
There are 28 state parks spread across Kansas. Some are amid steep, timbered slopes ringed in bus-sized boulders. Others are where prairie grasses and wildflowers stretch towards 10-mile horizons. Enjoy the hundreds of miles available for hiking where the terrain, and views, will leave you breathless.
Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area
The largest wetland in the interior U.S. It is a complex of marshy basins in a 41,000-acre lowland area containing the largest system of wetlands in Kansas, and the richest wetland feeding grounds in the central flyway. It is critical to the survival of many species. Some 320 bird species frequent Cheyenne Bottoms.
Eisenhower Presidential Museum
Recently renovated with new exhibits, experience Ike and Mamie’s story in their own words. The all-new 25,000 square-foot museum in Abilene boasts innovations in technological components and interactive exhibits guaranteed to engage audiences of all ages and learning styles.
Nicodemus
The oldest preserved black settlement west of the Mississippi River. Visitors can learn about Nicodemus history in the Visitor’s Center and take a walking tour to view the historic buildings that represent the five pillars of the African American community: church, self-government, education, home and business.
Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area
Extraordinary events in Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area are forever woven into our nation’s fabric. In the nineteenth century, the nation turned its eyes to the Missouri-Kansas border where differing definitions of “freedom” collided, inciting and fueling a Civil War. The heritage area, located in Lawrence, focuses on three main themes: Shaping the Frontier, Kansas/Missouri Border War and the Enduring Struggle for Freedom.
For a road trip through Southwest Kansas, explore the Dalton Gang Hideout Museum, showcasing the infamous Dalton Brothers Gang’s hideout. Boot Hill Museum, situated on the original Boot Hill Cemetery site, immerses visitors in the Old West experience. Fort Larned National Historic Site, with authentically restored buildings, provides insight into the Indian Wars era.
Heading to Northwest Kansas, visit the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, displaying live animals and 80-million-year-old sea-monster fossils. Explore the beauty of Kansas’ state parks, featuring breathtaking landscapes and diverse trails. Nicodemus National Historic Site, the oldest preserved black settlement west of the Mississippi, offers a glimpse into African-American community pillars.
Keeper of the Plains – 50th Anniversary
In South Central Kansas, experience the majestic 44-foot tall Keeper of the Plains sculpture at the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas rivers. Karg Art Glass in Kechi offers a visual treat with hand-blown art glass demonstrations. Coronado Heights, a castle built with Native Dakota sandstone, provides a scenic spot for picnics and outdoor activities. The Cosmosphere in Hutchinson showcases the largest collection of U.S. and Soviet space artifacts.
North Central Kansas beckons with the Flint Hills Discovery Center, offering immersive exhibits on tallgrass prairie and an outdoor Prairie Garden Terrace. Take an Abilene Mural Tour to explore the vibrant arts scene. The World’s Largest Collection of The World’s Smallest Versions Of The World’s Largest Things, a traveling roadside attraction, showcases miniature replicas of iconic structures.
Embark on a road trip through Southeast Kansas, where the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes honors impactful individuals. 
The Little House on the Prairie Museum, featuring a replica of Ingalls’ 1870 cabin, offers insight into pioneer life. Erie Dinosaur Park, with dinosaur sculptures made from scrap metal, provides a unique outdoor experience. Big Brutus, the world’s second-largest electric shovel, pays tribute to the mining heritage of Southeast Kansas.
Conclude your journey in Northeast Kansas by exploring and shopping on Mass Street in Lawrence, boasting a picturesque historic downtown district. Hazel Hill Chocolate Traditions, offering handmade chocolates, welcomes visitors to witness the chocolate-making process and indulge in delightful treats.
