Kansas surprised me—not with grandeur, but with depth. It offered a kind of open-heartedness you don’t always notice right away. I found it in the soft roll of its prairies, in museums that packed more wonder than expected, and in streets lined with independent shops where time seemed to stretch just a little. Kansas didn’t try to dazzle—it invited me to slow down and look closer. And when I did, it opened up like a story that had always been waiting to be read.
Best Things to Do in Kansas
For an affordable day trip: Massachusetts Street
Massachusetts Street in downtown Lawrence felt like the town’s living room—lively, relaxed, and completely itself. I walked its red-brick sidewalks on a warm afternoon, popping in and out of bookstores, vintage shops, and small art galleries. At one point, standing in front of a busker playing blues on the corner, I thought, “This is what it feels like when a town knows who it is.”
The stretch buzzed with personality—from hand-lettered menus on chalkboards to college students sprawled in café windows with books and coffee. I spent nearly an hour inside The Raven Book Store, where handwritten staff picks lined the shelves, and then browsed through eclectic vintage finds at Wild Man Vintage. It wasn’t about rushing or checking boxes. It was about being present. Everything moved at the right pace.
For lunch, I stopped at 715, a rustic-chic Italian spot with a menu that changes with the seasons. I ordered the house-made tagliatelle with pork ragu, finished with lemon panna cotta that somehow felt light and indulgent all at once. Sitting by the window, I watched the street carry on outside—bikes coasting past, friends laughing over iced coffees, the rhythm of a place that breathes easy.
Where I Stayed: I spent the night at the Eldridge Hotel, just a few blocks away. With its history stretching back to the mid-1800s and a lobby that whispered of old Kansas luxury, it balanced elegance with warm, local charm.
Massachusetts Street At a Glance
- Location: Lawrence, KS
- Vibe: Walkable, artistic, laid-back college town energy
- Highlights: Independent shops, local cafés, live music, vintage finds
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall when the weather is ideal for strolling
- Cost: Free to roam; shopping and dining options for every budget
- Hours: Varies by business; most open 10am–6pm, with late-night dining and drinks
- Tip: Park once and explore on foot—it’s the best way to soak up the personality
For space and science fans: Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center
The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson pulled me in fast—with a real SR-71 Blackbird suspended overhead and the sound of launch countdowns echoing through the hangar-like lobby. I hadn’t expected a world-class space museum in the middle of Kansas, but that’s exactly what I found. As I moved from Cold War rocket tech to moon landing capsules, I thought, “We’re so used to looking up that we forget space history also lives down here—quietly, brilliantly.”
The Hall of Space Museum was astonishing—housing the largest combined collection of U.S. and Soviet space artifacts outside of Russia. I stared at the actual Apollo 13 command module, walked past a V-2 rocket, and sat in on a planetarium show that felt like drifting. The Dr. Goddard’s Lab show brought rocketry to life with fire, flash, and humor. It wasn’t just about space—it was about imagination becoming real.
After the museum, I stopped at Anchor Inn, a local favorite for Mexican food. I had the chicken enchiladas and a side of their famous queso, which was rich, creamy, and just spicy enough to wake me back up after the cosmos had me floating.
Where I Stayed: I booked a room at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Hutchinson, modern and comfy with a good breakfast and just minutes from the museum—a smooth landing after a day among rockets.
Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center At a Glance
- Location: 1100 N Plum St, Hutchinson, KS 67501
- Vibe: Futuristic, educational, awe-inspiring
- Highlights: Apollo 13 module, space race exhibits, planetarium, Dr. Goddard’s Lab
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays or mornings for fewer crowds
- Cost: Around $20–$30 depending on ticket package
- Hours: Typically 9am–5pm daily
- Tip: Don’t skip the lower levels—they hold some of the most jaw-dropping pieces
For movie lovers: Following the yellow brick road at the Oz Museum
The OZ Museum in Wamego felt like stepping into someone’s cherished dream—equal parts kitsch and magic. From the moment I walked in under a rainbow arch and into a world of ruby slippers and flying monkeys, I felt the child in me light up. Surrounded by hundreds of vintage Oz items, I thought, “This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s joy, preserved and proudly shared.”
The museum covered L. Frank Baum’s original books, the iconic 1939 film, and the broader Oz universe, including memorabilia from sequels and spin-offs. I lingered over a collection of first editions, then laughed aloud at a display of collectible lunchboxes and quirky Oz-themed toys. It was all so lovingly curated—nothing too polished, but every bit sincere.
After clicking my heels out the door, I wandered next door to Friendship House, a charming local bakery and café. I had a slice of warm cinnamon apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If Kansas ever felt like home, it was in that bite.
Where I Stayed: I stayed at the Simmons Hotel, a newly renovated boutique stay just a few minutes away. The rooms were cozy and playful, with Oz-inspired accents that tied the whole adventure together.
Oz Museum At a Glance
- Location: 511 Lincoln Ave, Wamego, KS 66547
- Vibe: Whimsical, nostalgic, cheerful
- Highlights: Oz memorabilia, books, film artifacts, colorful exhibits
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays or late afternoons for a quieter walk-through
- Cost: Around $9 for adults
- Hours: Daily, 10am–5pm
- Tip: Check out Toto’s Tacoz nearby—yes, it’s themed, and yes, the tacos are legit
For history buffs: Exploring layers of history at the Museum of World Treasures
The Museum of World Treasures in Wichita was like falling into a collector’s dream—only this one spanned centuries and continents. I wandered through rooms that jumped from dinosaur skeletons to Egyptian mummies to a fragment of the Berlin Wall, and the transitions felt seamless, like flipping pages in the world’s most fascinating scrapbook. Standing beneath “Ivan,” the museum’s full-size Tyrannosaurus rex, I thought, “This is what curiosity looks like when it never stops asking questions.”
Each floor held something wildly different: medieval armor next to Civil War letters, ancient Greek coins near Cold War propaganda. There was no strict logic to the layout, and I loved that. The museum didn’t just tell a story—it invited me to make my own connections. By the time I got to the Founding Fathers exhibit, I felt like I’d time-traveled a dozen times in one afternoon.
Afterward, I grabbed lunch at Old Mill Tasty Shop, a retro soda fountain café just down the street. I had their chicken salad sandwich and a thick chocolate malt, sitting in a booth that hadn’t changed in decades. It felt right—like grounding back in Kansas after such a whirlwind of history.
Where I Stayed: I spent the night at Hotel at Old Town, located in a converted warehouse with brick walls, big windows, and a sense of place that felt honest and warm.
Museum of World Treasures At a Glance
- Location: 835 E 1st St N, Wichita, KS 67202
- Vibe: Eclectic, immersive, endlessly curious
- Highlights: Dinosaur fossils, world history exhibits, military collections, pop culture gems
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays for quiet browsing
- Cost: Around $10–$12 per adult
- Hours: Daily, 10am–5pm
- Tip: Don’t rush—there’s something surprising in nearly every corner
For nature enthusiasts: Listening to the wind at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve was where Kansas stopped being a backdrop and became the whole experience. I stepped out of the car near the visitor center and felt the silence first—wide, living, uninterrupted. Walking through fields of golden grasses taller than my waist, I thought, “This is the sound of land remembering itself.”
I followed the Southwind Nature Trail through waving grass and limestone outcrops, spotting bison in the distance and wildflowers underfoot. There were no fences, just the rhythm of the wind and the crunch of gravel beneath my boots. Rangers led tours through the 1880s Spring Hill Ranch House, but I lingered outside, watching clouds drift like ships over a sea of green. The prairie wasn’t empty—it was vast. And in that vastness, I felt both small and fully grounded.
After hiking, I stopped at Ad Astra Food & Drink in nearby Strong City. I ordered their bison burger with a side of sweet potato fries and local kombucha. Earthy, hearty, and perfectly in sync with the landscape I’d just walked through.
Where I Stayed: I checked into a cozy room at Millstream Resort Motel in Cottonwood Falls—charming, simple, and close enough to hear the nighttime breeze moving through tall grass just outside my door.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve At a Glance
- Location: 2480 KS-177, Strong City, KS 66869
- Vibe: Expansive, grounding, deeply peaceful
- Highlights: Hiking trails, native prairie ecosystem, roaming bison, historic ranch site
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for wildflowers and cooler temps
- Cost: Free
- Hours: Trails open dawn to dusk; visitor center 8:30am–4:30pm
- Tip: Bring water and sunscreen—shade is scarce but beauty is abundant
For racing enthusiasts: Feeling the rush at Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway in Kansas City brought the volume up—in every way. The rumble of engines, the crackle of anticipation in the stands, the sudden whoosh as cars blurred past at nearly 200 mph—it was adrenaline wrapped in spectacle. I arrived not knowing much about NASCAR, but within minutes of settling into my seat, I was hooked. Watching pit crews move with balletic speed, I thought, “This is more than racing—it’s choreography in fire suits.”
The stadium felt electric—full of fans in team colors, kids clutching ear protectors, and announcers building the kind of energy you feel in your chest. I walked the infield during pre-race, stood just feet from roaring engines, and left with dust on my shoes and a new respect for the sheer coordination behind it all.
After the race, I cooled off at Yard House near Legends Outlets, grabbing Korean BBQ wings and a tall local wheat beer. The contrast from roaring engines to patio breeze was perfect—my heart still thudding a little from the day’s thrill.
Where I Stayed: I checked into the Great Wolf Lodge Kansas City, which was surprisingly relaxing even for a theme resort. A comfy bed, a quiet room, and a waterpark I didn’t use but appreciated knowing was there.
Kansas Speedway At a Glance
- Location: 400 Speedway Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66111
- Vibe: High-octane, crowd-driven, unapologetically bold
- Highlights: NASCAR events, pit passes, infield access, fan energy
- Best Time to Visit: Race weekends in spring and fall
- Cost: Tickets start around $50; VIP experiences cost more
- Hours: Event-based; check calendar for schedules
- Tip: Bring ear protection and arrive early to walk the fan zone—it’s half the fun
Closing Thoughts
Kansas didn’t unfold all at once—it revealed itself in chapters. A walkable college street humming with music. A space capsule in a prairie town. A pie stand next to a yellow brick road. Each stop surprised me in some small, generous way. What I thought might be flyover country turned out to be a place full of flight—of imagination, history, and soul. And as the sun set across tall grass or the Speedway lights flickered on, I realized: Kansas doesn’t just invite you in. It hands you the keys to explore.
Jump to a Spot...
- • For an affordable day trip: Massachusetts Street
- • For space and science fans: Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center
- • For movie lovers: Following the yellow brick road at the Oz Museum
- • For history buffs: Exploring layers of history at the Museum of World Treasures
- • For nature enthusiasts: Listening to the wind at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
- • For racing enthusiasts: Feeling the rush at Kansas Speedway