10 Most Loved Tourist Attractions In Kansas
Kansas is a state at the geographic center of the contiguous United States. Its vast prairies and overall flatness cause many to overlook it as a destination worth exploring, but that assumption is simply wrong. If you know where to look, the Sunflower State contains a plethora of fun and exciting things to see and do, whether it is on an extended road trip or just a weekend escape from the city.
From the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, the largest expanse of protected tallgrass prairies in the world, to the remarkable Monument Rocks, discover 10 of the most loved tourist attractions that you should definitely add to your itinerary the next time you find yourself in Kansas.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in the Flint Hills region stands as one of Kansas's most cherished natural landscapes. Encompassing almost 11,000 acres between Topeka and Wichita, it protects one of the last remaining expanses of tallgrass prairie in North America—a habitat that once covered over 170 million acres across the continent.
The preserve will give you a close look into a disappearing ecosystem, home to diverse plants and animals, including bison herds that roam freely across the grasslands. The visitor center provides further educational exhibits on prairie ecology, and several hiking trails in the protected area lead through scenic overlooks and native wildflower meadows.
Popular trails include the Scenic Overlook and Bottomland Nature Trails, both of which feature educational signs that will teach you about the region's delicate biodiversity. The preserve remains a vital reminder of Kansas’s natural heritage and conservation efforts.
Monument Rocks (Chalk Pyramids)
Monument Rocks, also known as the Chalk Pyramids, is a remarkable natural landmark in western Kansas that draws visitors for its amazing geological formations.
These towering chalk spires, some reaching over 70 feet, were formed millions of years ago when a vast inland sea covered the area. The formations display layers of ancient marine fossils, such as shells and shark teeth, giving their viewers clues about the region’s prehistoric past over many millennia, a very intimate lesson on the Earth's history.
Recognized as one of the "Eight Wonders of Kansas," Monument Rocks is a popular site for photography and geology enthusiasts alike. While here, be sure to explore the formations up close and appreciate the dramatic landscape contrasting against the flat plains surrounding it via the pathways weaving throughout.
Kansas State Capitol
Kansas's State Capitol building in Topeka is a key historical and architectural landmark. Celebrated for its intricate murals and unique design, it should be on the top of the list for any history buffs or architectural enthusiasts in the area.
Completed in 1903 after 37 years of construction, the building features a striking French Renaissance architectural style and an iconic copper dome that stands 304 feet tall. The Capitol is also home to renowned murals by artist John Steuart Curry, including his famous Tragic Prelude, depicting John Brown and scenes from Kansas’s sometimes turbulent history.
Book a tour of the building’s halls and even climb to the top of the dome for panoramic views of Topeka—a rare opportunity as Kansas’s Capitol is one of the few in the nation allowing public access to the dome.
Boot Hill Museum
Located in Dodge City, the Boot Hill Museum is a great way to learn about the Wild West era that defined much of Kansas's history.
This museum, set on the original site of Boot Hill Cemetery, brings the Old West to life with its recreated 1870s main street, complete with authentic shops, saloons, and even a blacksmith’s workshop. Exhibits include artifacts from the frontier days, such as cowboy gear, firearms, and historical documents that reveal Dodge City’s role as a once bustling cattle town. Daily reenactments, including gunfight shows and cowboy-themed performances, add to the immersive Western experience you will get here.
The Boot Hill Museum also holds special scheduled events, like the annual Dodge City Days festival in late July/early August. This festival celebrates the area's longstanding heritage with a rodeo and live concerts.
Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home
The Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home in Abilene honors President Dwight D. Eisenhower's life and legacy. This comprehensive complex will keep you busy as it spans five buildings, including the home where Eisenhower grew up, preserved to reflect its early 20th-century vibe.
The museum showcases various exhibits on Eisenhower’s military career, his leadership in World War II, and his presidency, including a huge collection of artifacts, photographs, and personal memorabilia. The library houses its extensive archives, giving you highly detailed insights into mid-20th-century American history and foreign policy.
Known as one of the most visited presidential libraries, the Eisenhower Museum is a meaningful way to study the achievements of the Kansas-born leader who shaped the nation’s history.
You can also visit the "Place of Meditation," where Eisenhower, his wife, and his son are buried.
The Geographic Center of the Contiguous United States
Marked by a simple stone monument and an American flag, the geographic center of the contiguous United States lies just outside the small town of Lebanon, Kansas. This unassuming spot gained its designation in 1918, and it is the center of the 48 states on mainland America, not counting Hawaii and Alaska. Still, it is an interesting place to say you have been to on such a vast continent.
Today, the site stands as a symbol of Kansas’s central place in the country’s geography. A tiny chapel beside the marker, known as the US Center Chapel, is a quiet place for reflection. This landmark remains a popular stop for travelers seeking a sense of connection to the nation's heartland or just a cool story to tell their friends back home.
Kansas Underground Salt Museum (Strataca)
Learn about one of Kansas's most important natural resources: salt. This still-functioning mine, officially known as Strataca, has been operating since 2007 on a salt deposit that is said to be 275 million years old. Built directly into the deposit, the museum itself is actually located 650 feet beneath the earth! Maybe not one to go to if you suffer from claustrophobia. However, the space is quite large, and a tour of it features numerous exhibits across miles of tunnels.
As you delve into the depths of this attraction, you will be able to walk amongst its galleries and educational exhibits, then take a tram ride deeper into tunnels, including a tour guide who is there to teach about the history of the mine and how it currently functions. The Salt Mine Express, on the other hand, is a small gauge train that can also be ridden. This one will take you parts of the mine that haven't been touched in 50 years.
Other events are regularly held, including lantern-lit tours, and visitors will often be able to take home their own chunk of salt from the mine.
Cosmosphere
This space and science education center is among the best of its kind in the country. Located in the heart of downtown Hutchinson, this attraction is perfect for young families and anybody who loves learning about the cosmos.
Buy your ticket here to witness its vast array of exhibits that cover space travel, planets, rocketry, flight, and American scientific achievements. Another huge draw is the Carey Digital Dome Theater, an eyepopping screen that is two stories tall and projects movies in super high definition almost 360 degrees around you.
The Justice Planetarium also cannot be missed. Renowned as one of the most advanced planetariums in the world, this attraction in the museum will give you an intimate front-row seat to the stars above.
Sedgwick County Zoo
This beloved zoo in Wichita is ranked one of the top outdoor attractions in Kansas (in terms of visitor numbers) and is an excellent destination to spend time in if you are in the city. With over 3000 animals and dozens of fun attractions within, this highly accredited zoo is perfect for the whole family and nature lovers alike.
Stroll through the many sections that cover various wild regions of the world, or speed up your tour on the Safari Express, a train that circumnavigates the entire zoo. You can also take a boat tour through an internal river system that passes by several exhibits, giving you a neat view that most zoos around the world don't offer.
As with many zoos, the Sedgwick County Zoo regularly holds educational demonstrations by zoo keepers, and amenities such as restaurants, gift shops, and themed gardens.
Joe's Kansas City BBQ
In a city known for its top-tier BBQ, you may be surprised to see that this joint, located in an unassuming gas station on the outskirts of Kansas City, is widely considered the best (or, at the very least, the most popular).
Known for its slow-cooked ribs, pulled pork, and, most of all, burnt ends, Joe's exemplifies authentic Kansas City-style barbecue. The restaurant’s no-frills setting inside a functioning gas station only adds to its charm. The mess you will likely be making as you handle saucy ribs and loaded BBQ sandwiches simply does not require a fancy ambiance.
After your meal, you can take home a souvenir from its gifts shop and load up on gas, making it a perfect stop on any road trip in Kansas.
Make the Most Out of Your Trip to Kansas
As you can see, Kansas can be very likable and features as many real tourist attractions as any other state. Sure, it may not have the towering mountains of the West Coast or the bustling major cities of the East Coast, but its charm and relative lack of people may appeal to many.
From its half of Kansas City to the western plains, Kansas brings a diverse selection of things to see and do to complement your adventure, from delicious BBQ to vast nature reserves and beyond.
