9 Exciting Weekend Getaways in Kansas
You know what’s never sat right with us? Our home state gets a bad rap. Really the entire region gets a bad rap. Some folks seem to think that just because we’re not on the coast, and we don’t have 14,000-foot mountains, the Sunflower State has nothing to offer.
Well, this one’s for all the so-called “flyover states.” Let’s do a little digging and see if we can find some awesome summer vacation destinations and road trip ideas for families in Kansas.
Meet the Animals at the Sedgwick County Zoo
Hop online and Google, “Best zoos in the Midwest,” and the Sedgwick County Zoo will be right near the top of most any list you can find.
Located just west of downtown Wichita, this zoo is essential if you’re looking for Kansas road trip ideas. Like any good zoo, it’s got plenty to keep the whole family busy for the day—in fact, some would even say you need more than a day to see everything.
Giraffe feeding? Check! Wanna pet a sting ray? You got it! This zoo has critters from nearly every corner of the world, including ones we’ve never even heard of. The perfect place for Wichita family fun!
There’s also plenty to do outside of animal interactions. Hop aboard the Safari Express, or book a Conservation Cruise boat tour, which is a fantastic way for kids to learn about how the zoos of the world help with wildlife and animal protection, and how they can help too. After you’re all done, you can stop by the Beastro and enjoy some award-winning KC-style barbecue.
…On second thought, maybe just share a cheese pizza.
Also, if you go there on a Wichita vacation, give us a call and let us know what the heck a caracal is.
Honor the Greyhound Hall of Fame
One thing you’ve gotta know about us: we’re big-time dog lovers.
As it happens, Abilene, Kansas is considered the “Greyhound Capital of the World,” so it’s only fitting that the Hall of Fame for these majestic racing dogs would be located here. If you and your family are big fans of our four-legged friends, you simply can’t pass this opportunity up. Plus, this unassuming little town is the boyhood home of Dwight D. Eisenhower, so you can pay your respects to the late, great president while you’re here, too.
The best part? You’ll actually get to meet their resident pooches and shake paws with a professional athlete.
Visit the Oasis on the Plains
In the northwest corner of the state just off I-70, there’s a quaint little town called Colby.
This unassuming town is a perfect rest stop for travelers on longer road trips heading to the Rockies, but it has the makings of a great family road trip destination all on its own. The Prairie Museum of Art and History offers an interesting look at life on the plains, and when you’re ready to cool off, they have an aquatic park that’s fun for all ages. Perfect for a cheap weekend getaway in Kansas.
Get Swept Away to the Land of Oz
Aw, dang it. We made the lame “not in Kansas anymore” joke too soon.
Joking aside, if you’re looking for family road trip ideas near you, the town of Wamego has the Oz Museum, which is an absolute must-see for fans of the classic tale.
The gift shop is packed to the brim with adorable signs and trinkets, but that’s just the beginning. The museum proper is packed with hundreds of articles of Oz memorabilia, a collection that draws crowds from all over the world. It’s an opportunity to learn about the Land of Oz like never before. If you visit this summer and have a good time, be sure to return for their annual OZtober Fest in the fall!
…Wait, what? They have a Wizard of Oz Museum in Florida too? Pfft, posers.
See Some Truly Wild Scenery
This one’s for all you geology nerds out there.
Way out in West Kansas, there are a few natural wonders that will make you feel like you stepped onto the set of an old spaghetti western: Castle Rock, Monument Rocks, and Little Jerusalem Badlands.
If you’re coming from Lawrence or Wichita, you can jump off the highway to see Castle Rock first, because it’s the easternmost landmark. It’s also the smallest, but impressive nonetheless, and the surrounding landscape is utterly surreal.
Monument Rocks National Landmark—sometimes called the Chalk Pyramids—is a positively stunning series of outcroppings jutting right out of the plains, some of which are over 70 feet tall. It’s situated on private land, but the landowners still allow visitors during the daytime, free of charge.
Little Jerusalem is the last on the list, and this one is actually an official Kansas state park. It features a couple miles of easy-to-moderate hiking trails, as well as seasonal guided off-trail hikes.
Any of these incredible sights make for a great Kansas weekend getaway idea, but considering that they’re all within an hour drive of each other, it’d be a shame to come all the way and not make time to see all three. Just make sure you bring something with all-wheel drive!
Book a Campsite at Scott State Park
Did you know that Kansas is home to 28 state parks?
Really, you owe it to yourself to see all of them, because all of them have something special to offer. If you’re looking for a truly iconic place to do some sightseeing, though, you can’t do much better than Historic Lake Scott.
Scott SP was mentioned by National Geographic on their list of 50 must-see state parks in the US. It boasts all the usual park accoutrements: camping, cabins, hiking, swimming, biking, horseback riding, and copious opportunities to interact with local flora and fauna. It has some truly eye-popping scenery, with canyons and bluffs to explore, and a 100-acre man-made lake with waterside campgrounds. You may actually catch yourself thinking, “We’re not in Kansas anymore.”
Lake Scott also has a ton of archaeological significance—it’s home to multiple structures that date back hundreds of years, including the northernmost Native American pueblo in the country: El Cuartelejo, which means, “the old barracks.”
If you’re in Kansas, it’s undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in summer.
Learn about the Greatest Daredevil Who Ever Lived
Being our state’s capital, Topeka is a city absolutely teeming with cultural and political interest. If you’re looking for family fun in Topeka, Kansas, why not try the Museum of History, or the Civic Center, or even the State Capitol Building?
Nah, just kidding.
Don’t get us wrong, all of that stuff is great! You know what’s also great, though? Topeka is the home of the USA Today Reader’s Choice Evel Knievel Museum.
That’s right: smack-dab in the middle of the city is a monument to one of the craziest performers to ever live, and it’s guaranteed to be one of the best family weekend getaways in Kansas. General admission is just $15 for adults, $7 for students, and kids eight and under get in for free!
For our money, we’d have to say that the virtual reality experience alone is worth the price. If you want to see what it was really like for Evel to jump 16 cars on a motorcycle, this is (hopefully) the closest you’ll ever get.
Take a Float Down the Kansas River
If you and your family are in for a little bit of adventure, you can’t do much better than a trip down one of the most iconic waterways in the Midwest.
Friends of the Kaw is an organization that’s responsible for maintaining the 19 access points along the river’s 173 miles, but that’s not all—if you’re a member, you and the whole family can join them for guided tours and water safety classes, which is well worth the cost of admission.
Even if you’re not a member, you can still make use of any one of the access points. All you need is a watercraft, safety gear, and some snacks, and you’re ready to hit up one of the best summer destinations near you.
If you do go without a large group, be sure to plan your trip on the FOK website. They publish an up-to-date river access map, which lists river conditions, and points out spots to avoid if you don’t like choppy water. They also have an awesomely thorough list of essential tips for beginners.
Enjoy Some Family Fun in Manhattan, Kansas
Known as the Little Apple in local circles, Manhattan is the perfect mix of small-town charm and big city liveliness. It’s truly one of the best places to go on a road trip with family.
The town abounds with all sorts of cute little boutiques, hidden gem coffeeshops and bookstores, and charming parks. Being the home of Kansas State, it has a distinctly college town sorta vibe, with all kinds of good places to eat, and a healthy bit of nightlife too, if that’s your thing.
And, of course, it wouldn’t be a proper jaunt out into the Kansas countryside if you couldn’t find a sunflower farm, which of course, Manhattan has.
Have Any Good Family Road Trip Ideas in the Midwest?
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