Kansas is best known as the setting for the American film classic The Wizard of Oz, but the Sunflower State has much more to offer than what most people are familiar with from the film. Kansas is the 15th biggest state in terms of area, with unending fields of wheat and maize, as well as the tall grass grasslands, which are one of the state's most significant natural assets. The Keeper of the Plains and the Mid-America All-Indian Center in Wichita both proudly exhibit a rich Native American heritage.
While Kansas offers a peaceful, historical, and natural atmosphere, it also immerses tourists in the genuine taste of the Wild West by maintaining historical sites such as Boot Hill and Fort Larned, which have remained mostly unchanged since Buffalo Bill's visit in the 1800s.
Kansas is also a fantastic location to visit if you like art and music, as well as speed and adventure. At the Evel Knievel Museum, you may watch a race or fantasize about becoming a daredevil. With this list of the top tourist attractions in Kansas, you can learn more about the finest things to do.
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1. Wichita Gardens Botanica
One of the best things to do in Wichita is to visit the Botanica Wichita Gardens. The gardens are a beautiful display of horticulture. The site is open all year and has 30 themed gardens to explore. Experience the Monster Woods exhibit or watch youngsters play in the treehouse at the creative and informative Downing Children's Garden.
Take a stroll around the Shakespeare Garden to view Elizabethan-era plants and flowers. As you explore the 18 acres on-site, take in the grandeur of the scenery, sculptures, and more than 4,000 kinds of flora while admiring the Butterfly gardens and Koi pond pavilions.
701 Amidon Street, Wichita, Kansas 67201
2. Topeka, Kansas State Capitol
A stroll around the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka will help you brush up on your Kansas knowledge. The capital complex is a gem among architectural aficionados, covering approximately 20 acres in the center of downtown. After the first stone was laid in 1866, it took 37 years to construct the French Renaissance-style structure.
The capitol's paintings, sculptures, and regular events are always fascinating, but the free Dome Tour offers a really unique experience. This is for tourists who are physically capable of climbing the 296 steps to the summit for a close-up look at the dome and a breathtaking panoramic perspective of Topeka.
SW 10th and SW Jackson in Topeka, Kansas
3. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum
A visit to President Dwight D. Eisenhower's childhood home and Presidential Library in Abilene will help you appreciate his contributions to American politics and culture, even if you know nothing or very little about him. The complex consists of five structures: the Presidential Library, which houses exhibitions and research archives; a museum; a visitor center, which is located on the old site of Eisenhower's primary school; a meditation facility; and his childhood home.
The museum was recently renovated with the most up-to-date interactive displays. You'll be able to hear and watch Ike and Mamie talk about the issues that are most important to them. Look at the gift store for one-of-a-kind political items as well as a replica "I Like Ike" campaign paraphernalia from the 1952 presidential race.
4. The Sedgwick County Zoo
The Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita is one of Kansas's most popular family attractions. With over 3,000 creatures representing 400 kinds, children will be enthralled. Elephants, gorillas, lions, talkative kookaburras, and even tigers are among the highlights.
You may walk around the zoo or ride the free tram, which operates every hour and includes commentary. If you're visiting the zoo on a weekend, the boat trip, which departs every half hour, is an even better choice (additional fee).
Spending time with penguins, rhinos, tortoises, and other animals is offered for an extra charge. Giraffe feeding is the simplest and cheapest animal contact. These gentle giants gently stretch their long necks down to you, grabbing the veggies in your palm with their enormous tongues.
Address: Wichita, Kansas, 5555 W Zoo Blvd.
5. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Have you ever wondered what the American West looked like before there were farms with neatly mowed maize and wheat fields? If that's the case, a trip to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Kansas' Flint Hills is in order. With just 4% of America's original 170 million acres of land remaining as tallgrass prairie, this site is one of the few locations in the country where you may see this unique ecosystem in its natural state.
You have the option of taking a bus trip, a self-guided mobile phone tour, or hiking the region at your leisure. One of the most memorable ways to learn about the tallgrass prairie and its connections to America's heartland is to attend one of the many special events held throughout the year. An open-air symphonic concert is one of the most popular.
2 miles north of Strong City, Kansas, on K-177.
6. Boot Hill, Dodge City
Do you want to know what it was like to live in the 1800s in the Wild West? Then plan a trip to Dodge City's Boot Hill, where things haven't altered much since 1870. Thousands of artifacts and photos show Dodge City in its early years, from businesses to the social scene, at the Boot Hill Museum.
Take a walk around some of the old buildings, such as the schoolhouse and the Fort Dodge prison, to put everything into perspective. Discover what life was like in the early 1900s at the General Store and the neighborhood saloon. The ideal time to come is during special events, such as the Boot Hill Gunfighters' re-enactment street gunfight, which takes place twice a day throughout the summer.
Dodge City, Kansas (500 W. Wyatt Earp Blvd.)
7. Topeka's Evel Knievel Museum
Evel Knievel, who captivated audiences with his death-defying motorcycle feats, was the sole genuine American daredevil. The Evel Knievel Museum in Topeka is housed in a historic Harley-Davidson shop and has an amazing collection of memorabilia and information on the famous stuntman.
The collection spans two floors and includes everything from Evel Knievel's bikes and helmets to colorful costumes. If you've ever wanted to be a daredevil, the 4D leap experience or the Broken Bones interactive display will give you a taste of what it's like to live on the edge.
2047 SW Topeka Boulevard, Topeka, Kansa
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