Many people think of Kansas tourism as this flat wasteland in the center of the United States. How wrong they are! Kansas is filled with interesting history, beautiful prairielands, museums, cultural events and attractions and the nicest people anywhere. You can travel in Kansas going from the large city of Kansas City to the little bitty town of Garnett where hospitality is shown in abundance.
When I tell you that you can visit the small towns it's no joke. Kansas has a large number of towns under 1000 people. Take Selden for example. Here, according to the July 2007 report there is a population of 177. Even though there are small towns there is huge pride and friendliness so stop in and say hello. There is land enough to give you some space, views that go on for "ever" and history that will keep you interested for hours on end. Try your luck hunting the pheasants at one of the ranches or farms that take you out during the season.
If you like haunted places then you really want to go to Atchison where there is a Haunted Atchison Trolley Tour that will take you through the "Most Haunted Town in Kansas." The trolley runs in September and October. The 1 hour ghost tour takes you to a number of homes in the community such as the McInteer Villa where lights go on and off in areas where there is no electricity, ghostly appearances have shown in the tower of the house and also in family photographs. There are footsteps where no one is and doors slamming in rooms that are empty. This is just one of the many houses that you will visit while riding the 1880 AT&SF trolley.
Take the time to enjoy Henry's Sculpture Hill near Augusta. Here are sculptures created from steel and/or found objects will have you enjoying the creativity of this wonderful artist. The display is privately owned and the artist has stopped tours, at least for now. He said because of "maintenance, insurance, old age, and attitude, [but] serious buyers who are looking for original steel sculptures are welcome by appointment." Take a little time and see this delightful site.
There are times in our lives when being in the Garden of Eden seems like it would be a fabulous way to live. Obviously Dinsmoor of Lucas, Kansas thought so too. Following the Civil War this retired school teacher spent his final 31 years building his Garden of Eden. The "log cabin" was built with limestone logs up to 27 ft long and put together just like a log house would be constructed. None of the windows or doors are the same size to give the house a unique appearance. He then went on to build his garden which contains 113 tons of concrete adn with limestone and tells the history of the world starting with its creation. He gave tours of his 11 room house for years and now, you can see it and enjoy the history even though he has been gone for years! The cost for the tour is just $6 for adults and $1 for children so it is an inexpensive break from traditional sites.
If you are in the Manhattan or Junction City area you may want to stop in at Fort Riley. There are some truly unique things at the Fort like the Stable Tour where you can see the building that was home to the horses of the last cavalry training stables with its original cobblestone flooring. This building was built in 1889 and originally housed 76 horses; today the building is home to the Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard and houses 20 horses. Of course there are new and technological training programs that take place at the Fort but there is so much history to study while there that it could be a more than one day experience.
Flat land right? How about the Gypsum Hills in central Kansas with their canyons, rolling hills, mesas, and buttes? That sure isn't flat and boring! There are red cedar trees growing on the red land that is full of iron oxide so the land is actually red! Take the 42 mile drive from Coldwater to Medicine Lodge on the Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway and you will be surrounded by beauty. Now, when you are off the paved roads and back on the dirt roads keep in mind that it is open range area so watch for livestock. You don't have to get off the paved roads, but it sure is fun if you do.
How many towns do you know that have two water towers? Probably a lot of them, but have you ever seen a town that has a Hot and Cold water tower? Canton has these two which must bring a chuckle to residents when visitors ask if it's really true that one has hot and one has cold! It sure does show that those Kansas folks have a great sense of humor. - 16755
When I tell you that you can visit the small towns it's no joke. Kansas has a large number of towns under 1000 people. Take Selden for example. Here, according to the July 2007 report there is a population of 177. Even though there are small towns there is huge pride and friendliness so stop in and say hello. There is land enough to give you some space, views that go on for "ever" and history that will keep you interested for hours on end. Try your luck hunting the pheasants at one of the ranches or farms that take you out during the season.
If you like haunted places then you really want to go to Atchison where there is a Haunted Atchison Trolley Tour that will take you through the "Most Haunted Town in Kansas." The trolley runs in September and October. The 1 hour ghost tour takes you to a number of homes in the community such as the McInteer Villa where lights go on and off in areas where there is no electricity, ghostly appearances have shown in the tower of the house and also in family photographs. There are footsteps where no one is and doors slamming in rooms that are empty. This is just one of the many houses that you will visit while riding the 1880 AT&SF trolley.
Take the time to enjoy Henry's Sculpture Hill near Augusta. Here are sculptures created from steel and/or found objects will have you enjoying the creativity of this wonderful artist. The display is privately owned and the artist has stopped tours, at least for now. He said because of "maintenance, insurance, old age, and attitude, [but] serious buyers who are looking for original steel sculptures are welcome by appointment." Take a little time and see this delightful site.
There are times in our lives when being in the Garden of Eden seems like it would be a fabulous way to live. Obviously Dinsmoor of Lucas, Kansas thought so too. Following the Civil War this retired school teacher spent his final 31 years building his Garden of Eden. The "log cabin" was built with limestone logs up to 27 ft long and put together just like a log house would be constructed. None of the windows or doors are the same size to give the house a unique appearance. He then went on to build his garden which contains 113 tons of concrete adn with limestone and tells the history of the world starting with its creation. He gave tours of his 11 room house for years and now, you can see it and enjoy the history even though he has been gone for years! The cost for the tour is just $6 for adults and $1 for children so it is an inexpensive break from traditional sites.
If you are in the Manhattan or Junction City area you may want to stop in at Fort Riley. There are some truly unique things at the Fort like the Stable Tour where you can see the building that was home to the horses of the last cavalry training stables with its original cobblestone flooring. This building was built in 1889 and originally housed 76 horses; today the building is home to the Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard and houses 20 horses. Of course there are new and technological training programs that take place at the Fort but there is so much history to study while there that it could be a more than one day experience.
Flat land right? How about the Gypsum Hills in central Kansas with their canyons, rolling hills, mesas, and buttes? That sure isn't flat and boring! There are red cedar trees growing on the red land that is full of iron oxide so the land is actually red! Take the 42 mile drive from Coldwater to Medicine Lodge on the Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway and you will be surrounded by beauty. Now, when you are off the paved roads and back on the dirt roads keep in mind that it is open range area so watch for livestock. You don't have to get off the paved roads, but it sure is fun if you do.
How many towns do you know that have two water towers? Probably a lot of them, but have you ever seen a town that has a Hot and Cold water tower? Canton has these two which must bring a chuckle to residents when visitors ask if it's really true that one has hot and one has cold! It sure does show that those Kansas folks have a great sense of humor. - 16755
About the Author:
Kansas has an extremely interesting history, beautiful prairielands, and fantastic museums. Penelope SanMateo write travel articles about Kansas tourism. Check out the cultural events and attractions and the most wonderful people in the Central Kansas tourism region!
