Take a second to close your eyes and imagine…Kansas. What came up? If you’re anything like me (and likely the majority of Americans) you picture dry sprawling corn fields and The Wizard of Oz. Am I close?
During my quest to visit all fifty states, despite all my efforts, I couldn’t escape planning a trip to Kansas. I went into it with mixed emotions but if we’re being honest, the biggest was dread. But you know what? With expectations this low, there was nowhere for my experience to go but up.
I imagine that most people end up traveling to Kansas for one of three reasons: 1) to visit family 2) for a work trip 3) for a cross-country drive. I know that the Sunflower State had to have some promising places to visit if I just looked hard enough. After all, shouldn’t I take it as a good sign that the state is named after my favorite flower? The tides are turning already.
In fact, my visit to Kansas came complete with some fascinating history, some sweet art and culture (seriously), and okay yes, fields on fields on fields with a splash of the Wizard of Oz. Here are some of the coolest places to visit in Kansas for all those bold enough to seek adventure in unexpected places.
BEST KANSAS ROADTRIP STOPS
Stop & Shop in the Hip College Town of Lawrence, KS
Visit the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, KS
Explore ‘The Little Apple’ of Kansas
See a Moment of US History at the Brown vs Board of Education Historic Site
Soak Up the Wild History of The Wizard of Oz at the Oz Museum
STOP & SHOP IN THE HIP COLLEGE TOWN OF LAWRENCE
Cool things to do in Lawrence, KS
I’ve got to thank my Uber driver for this recommendation. I feel like I owe him big time as I ended up spending an entire afternoon wandering in and around the cute little town of Lawrence. Best known as the home to the University of Kansas, the main drag is called Massachusetts Street and it’s peppered with all sorts of interesting shops and eateries.
The must-dos while in Lawrence? For second-hand shop lovers, pop into Arizona Trading Co. where the prices had me wishing I had gone to college in Kansas. For coffee enthusiasts, explore the fascinating (slightly grungy) basement cafe called The Java Break, complete with a Free Speech room where its walls are covered in splashes of Sharpie. For the art-obsessed, head to Prairie Hills Art Gallery where you might just see some live painting going down.
VISIT THE DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUM
Things to do in Abilene, KS
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t too familiar with Eisenhower beyond his involvement in WWII but this little museum in Eisenhower’s childhood town of Abilene, KS packs a punch. As presidential libraries do, it gave insight into his upbringing, time at West Point, and continued and impressive experience with the art of war. While not a wartime president himself, Eisenhower actively choose peace and negotiation to avoid war at all costs after seeing the atrocities of World War II and Nazi Germany.
Eisenhower was famous for summoning journalists to the concentration camps to document the horrors so that in the future, no one could ever doubt the reality of what happened there. “I hate war,” he once said, “as only a soldier who has lived it can. As uninteresting as a “library” can sound, highly recommend a visit to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library - or a presidential library for that matter. My dad would be so proud.
EXPLORE THE ‘THE LITTLE APPLE’ OF KANSAS
Things to do in Manhattan, KS
“There ain’t room for the both of us,” said Manhattan, NY to Manhattan, KS probably. Hopping back on the unexpectedly cute towns in Kansas train, I give you Manhattan. Another college town, this time home of Kansas State University and perched in the Flint Hills. There were genuine hills, people! Small rolling ones, but hills nonetheless and it was truly a lovely town to stay in while road-tripping across Kansas.
There are a shocking amount of things to do around Manhattan, KS starting with the sweet little downtown area where I was lucky enough to catch their Third Thursday sidewalk event in the summertime. The Manhattan Brewing Company is a must-visit local watering hole in town with unique beers and good vibes.
Looking for a dope spot to stay while you’re there? Prariewood’s Willow Suite on Airbnb will knock your socks off. In fact, my time on the property was the highlight of my trip to Kansas, period. The vast rolling hills give endless views and stunning sunsets. Plus there’s even a creek on the property with kayaks and canoes for use that will leave you absolutely saying “Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
SOAK UP THE WILD HISTORY OF THE WIZARD OF OZ
Visit the Oz Museum in Wamego, KS
A visit to Kansas is not complete without a stop at the Oz Museum in Wamego, KS. What was at first a seemingly cheeky pitstop evolved into a two-hour adventure into the magical world of Oz. In fact, you could easily spend just two hours popping into the back theater that is playing the movie all day long. Yes, really. I found myself digging into the fascinating, and sometimes twisted history of the most popular movie of all time and it only felt right that I got to do so in Kansas itself.
WITNESS HISTORY AT THE BROWN VS BOARD OF EDUCATION SITE
Topeka, KS
Turns out the landmark Supreme Court case ‘Brown V. The Board of Education’ actually began in little ole’ Kansas, eventually making its way all the way to the highest court in the country, and ultimately changing the course of American history for the better.
Ruled in the early 1950s (interestingly a cross over with Dwight D. Eisenhower’s presidency) Brown V. The Board of Education ruled that ‘separate but equal’ schools allowing for racial segregation were inherently not equal. This broke open the flood gates for public schools across the country being legally bound to accepting all children, regardless of race to attend. While not an easy road in the least, this progress all occurred thanks to the bravery and dedication of one Topeka Black man’s class-action suit against the town’s Board of Education after admission had been refused to his daughter on the premise of race.
Visiting the Brown V Board of Education National Historic Site is much more than just an old school building; it’s laying your eyes on history and a cornerstone of the American civil rights movement.
Things to do in Kansas, Cool Road Trip Stops in Kansas, Kansas Road Trip Itinerary