11 Incredible Vacation Spots In Kansas
When heading to the airport or loading up the car for a road trip, would Kansas be at the top of your destination list? Sure, Kansas City and Wichita have their draws, but there is so much more to find if you know where to look. Whether you enjoy classics like The Wizard of Oz or unique attractions like an underground salt mine, these 11 incredible vacation spots might be just the entertainment you are looking for.
Strataca
Strataca is quite possibly the biggest attraction and reason to vacation in Hutchinson. Strataca is an underground salt mine that is open for guided tours. Take the elevator 650 feet underground to the salt mine that contains 150 miles of tunnels. Although not all 150 miles are available for tours, one trip down there will take about two hours to see everything that is available. Less than 20 miles from the salt mines is the Hedrick’s Bed & Breakfast Inn, a quant boutique that doubles as an exotic animal farm that houses zebras, camels, kangaroos, and more!
Glen Elder State Park
If your ideal vacation involves the outdoors, camping, and beaches, the Glen Elder State Park is where you need to be. The state park is located right on Wauconda Lake, with opportunities to swim, boat, and fish. Glen Elder also has four short walking trails to take in the sites of the park as well as observe nature. After a day of swimming or hiking, you won’t have to travel far to get to your amenities.
The park allows overnight stays in both their campgrounds and on-site cabins. There are three campsites within the park for pitching a tent or sitting around the campfire. But, for those looking for an easier sleep, the park also rents out cabins. However, there are only two cabins, so if you plan on staying in one, book early!
Wamego
With a town slogan, "Small Town, Big Experience," Wamego is a great place to vacation with one big attraction to spend a weekend at. This place is a dream trip for any The Wizard of Oz fans who want to feel like they have been dropped right into the movie. Visit the Oz Museum, take a trip down The Yellow Brick Road, and see if you can spot all the painted Toto statues around downtown. Right off the Yellow Brick Road, stay the night at the Victory Inn Bed & Breakfast, a historical home with modern conveniences.
Cedar Bluff State Park
Another enticing camping vacation is Cedar Bluff State Park. This park really does have it all. From primitive camping (just you and the wilderness!) to modern rental cabins, getting a good night's sleep will be the last thing you will have to worry about after an adventurous day. This park is located along the beautiful shorelines of the Cedar Bluff Reservoir, with over 350 acres for visitors to explore, hike, and take in the sights. The park provides sand volleyball courts and shoreside basketball courts as well for pick-up games. Other amenities that draw in visitors include a BMX track, a beach, and activities such as horseback riding and fishing areas.
Lindsborg
Affectionately named Little Sweden, Lindsborg is a quaint village nestled in central Kansas, but it would make you think you are right in the heart of Sweden. Lindsborg hosts multiple events and fairs, including the Annual Art Lovers Affair and Auction and the Christmas in July event. And everything in between!
Start your day in Lindsborg at the Dröm Sött Sweet Dreams Inn with a traditional Swedish breakfast, and follow that up by visiting one of the many houses on the Historic Homes Guide. These homes were early residences of local celebrities. If you are staying the night in Lindsborg, make sure to check availability at the Roseberg House Bed and Breakfast. It is the most colorful house on the block!
Acorns Resort
Enjoy a stress-free vacation at Kansas' Premier Lakeside Resort. Acorns Resort is located on Milford Lake, the state's largest lake. Everything one could need can be found at this resort. There is the beach for swimming and kayaking, live entertainment on the Cove patio during summer months, a bar and grill, and unique housing accommodations. Visitors can park their RVs on the property or rent one of the resort’s cabins or the luxurious limestone houses. The Elk House is a historic establishment from 1885. It has one bedroom for visitors but also features an event space that can accommodate up to 30 people.
Monument Rocks
When you catch your first glimpse of Monument Rocks, you might actually utter the phrase, "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." This Wild West area in northwest Kansas features chalk formations encrusted with fossils rising 50 feet above the ground and buried 300 feet below. Monument Rocks were formed during the Cretaceous Period, which dates back to as far as 80 million years ago! Since these rock formations are located on private property, hunting, horses, campfires, or camping is not allowed. When you are done taking in the picturesque views, stay at one of the three hotels within a 35-mile radius. If you want to stick with the theme, the Castle Rock Inn & Suites is only 33 miles from the monument.
Old Cowtown
A small town that’s actually one big interactive museum? That’s what you'll get if you visit Old Cowtown. Old Cowtown’s interactive reenactments represent the evolution of Wichita. From its early beginnings as a frontier settlement to later becoming a cattle town and eventually as an agricultural and manufacturing mecca. Since you are in the Wild West while visiting Old Cowtown, don’t be surprised if gunfire breaks out! Although the property doesn’t have hotels or accommodations, the Delano Bed and Breakfast is only a five-minute drive from the museum.
Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park
Little Jerusalem State Parks gives South Dakota a run for its money with their beautiful badlands. Surprisingly, that isn't the most unique thing this park has to offer. In the chalk bluff badlands of Kansas, Little Jerusalem harbors a remarkable treasure: the largest population of Great Plains wild buckwheat. This plant, a true Kansas native, exists nowhere else in the world. Visitors can hike the trails and take in the views of the rock formations that tower over 100 feet. There are two permanent trails that are open to all visitors, but a reservation is needed for a guided off-trail hike. Best Western El-Quartelejo Inn & Suites in Scott City is one of the closest hotels to the monument and offers its own charm to guests.
Sallie House
Calling all horror fans! The most famous haunted house in Atchinson is the Sallie House, which has hundreds of visitors a year. Once the home of a local doctor, the house is now believed to be haunted by the ghost of 6-year-old Sallie, a patient who died from appendicitis while under the care of the doctor. Visitors have claimed to feel physical touches, experience mysterious coldness, and witness objects moving while in the house. It is open to day tours or overnight guests, which is not for the faint of heart. A waiver is required to spend the night due to the possibility of personal injury.
Crawford State Park
Crawford State Park gives visitors a tiny taste of the Ozarks without leaving Kansas. The park dates to the 1930s and centers around the manmade lake, Lake Crawford. There are four trails to traverse, the most difficult one being the Drywood Creek Mountain Bike Trail, which is 7 miles long. This trail also goes around the entire lake. If you need to take a break from hiking, take a dip in Lake Crawford. The lake is open for swimming, fishing, and water sports. The park offers accommodations from primitive camping to modern cabins.
Although Kansas contains about 5.5 million acres of cornfields, don't let that deter you from visiting the state. These 11 vacation spots all offer something different and unique for visitors looking to try something new. So, depending on your interest, pick a spot and head out to the Sunflower State. Chances are you will see something you haven't seen before. Just head straight into the corn, and you will find your way.
