Have you ever wanted to put together a bucket list and actually visit the places listed? In 2018, Kansas is going to have a great year full of amazing attractions and tasty restaurants. This year, make sure your bucket list isn’t neglected!
- The Santa Fe Trail ruts
Lastrick/TripAdvisor Being able to see a lasting memory of our travels west is amazing. These wagon ruts have stood the test of time and still mark the trail leading to Santa Fe.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- The Smoky Hill River Trail and Faris Caves
Steven Rodriquez/Flickr This amazing trail leads to a couple of hand-carved caves made in 1883 by Charles Griffee. They were later used by the Faris family as a schoolhouse and food storage. They were eventually made part of a nature trail where you can see them for yourself.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- Monument Rocks
Lane Pearman/Flickr Monument Rocks (also called the Chalk Pyramids) are a formation we should all view and help preserve as it’s slowly eroded by wind and rain. It’s our biggest rock formation, and part of a larger area of badlands dotting the landscape in western Kansas.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- Arikaree Breaks
Kansas Tourism/Flickr Arikaree Breaks is another area of Kansas where everything is absolutely beautiful and unlike the rest of the state. If you haven’t been out here to explore yet, you really should make the trip!
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- Rock City
Chris Murphy/Flickr Rock City is another great area of mystery. These spherical rocks were left behind by a bigger rock that was slowly eroded away and stand still and spherical to this day. Of course, the largest can reach up to 20 feet in diameter.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- Coronado Heights
Darla Abernathy/Flickr This little picnic-sized castle marks the spot where an explorer gave up his search for a city of gold, but that doesn’t mean you should give up your search here as well. There’s a short hiking trail around the area, and plenty of things to do in the town nearby.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- Lindsborg, Kansas
Chris Murphy/Flickr That nearby town is Lindsborg, Kansas’ little bit of Sweden. Nothing’s more fun than their Swedish festival, or dining at one of the local restaurants for plenty of good stories and hearty food.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- Carolyn’s Essenhaus
Carolyn’s Essenhaus Facebook Speaking of hearty food, Carolyn’s Essenhaus is a German restaurant in Arlington that you can’t match in quality. What’s better than food made from the heart?
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- Council Grove, Kansas
Douglas Kulp/Flickr One of our most history-filled and charming towns is Council Grove. Of course, visit the Saddlerock Cafe while you’re here for a fantastic home style meal you’ll never forget.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- Hays House
Joanne C Sullivan/Flickr Another great restaurant in Council Grove is the Hays House. It’s considered the oldest operating restaurant west of the Mississippi, having opened in 1857.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- Russell, Kansas
City of Russell, Kansas Facebook Russell is one of the happiest towns in Kansas, with great restaurants, and plenty of friendly people.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- Big C’s Cafe
iromaround67801/TripAdvisor Big C’s is just one of Kansas’s dining establishments that’s soon to become a favorite to many. It’s a great place for classic burgers you’ll never get enough of, in a classic cafe you’ll feel right at home in. Tip: try the pork chops!
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- Horsethief Trail
Jesse Bowman/AllTrails This trail at Kanopolis State Park is filled red rocks to climb on, and even a cave with a built in slide out of it. This is one of those trails you’ll want to bring a stick on, though.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- Caenen Castle
Chris Murphy/Flickr Caenen Castle has been refurbished as a Renee Kelly’s Harvest, a great restaurant that’s worth a reservation when you’re looking for something special.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- Subterra Castle
Matthew Fulkerson Subterra Castle is a missle silo (sans missle) where you can stay the night and experience their unique New-Age decorations. You can also tour some of the defunct machinery that still sits in abandoned rooms.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- The three chicken shops in Pittsburg and Girard.
OnlyInYourState/GoogleMaps Chicken Annie’s and Chicken Mary’s have been the source of many feuds over the years. They both make excellent fried chicken, but whose is better? You’ll have to try them and decide for yourself!
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- C.W. Parker Carousel Museum
C.W. Parker Carousel Museum Facebook The oldest working carousel last used in 1920 sits here in this museum full of sculpted horses and other galloping animals. Children will be delighted and adults can reminisce about the good ol’ days when all you needed was to spin around on painted horses to have real fun.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- Abandoned cellars in the Flint Hills
The Volland Store Facebook These cellars made by early immigrants during the Homestead Act built these shelters for a few possible purposes. They could have stored food or housed a family in the summer, but you’ll have to explore them to make your own assumptions.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- Grinter Farms
Grinter Farms Facebook Grinter Farms is home to our most popular sunflower field, where you can expect to find a lot of people looking for just the right shot. Of course, if you go in the mornings on weekdays you’ll have a better shot of seeing them without all the tourists.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- Dyck Arboretum of the Plains
Dyck Arboretum of the Plains Facebook Dyck Arboretum is often overlooked in Kansas, as most people go to Overland Park. However, it’s just as stunning without all the extra people milling around. Just look at that view!
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- Glick Mansion
Tuck U Inn at Glick Mansion Bed & Breakfast Facebook Glick Mansion in Atchison is a great place to see the best fall foliage, and from the comfort of a bed and breakfast, no less! The rooms are well decorated, and the breakfast makes you want to wake up early for once.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- Cross Timbers State Park
Cross Timbers State Park - Kansas Wildlife, Parks & Tourism Facebook Cross Timbers at Toronto Lake is a great place to relax or enjoy a lakeside hike. The trees make it feel like you’re far away from Kansas, and in another state altogether. Have you seen anything like this somewhere else in our state?
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
- Wilson Lake
Vincent Parsons/Flickr Wilson Lake is a great place for recreation in the summer, or just a good hike around the rocky outcroppings any other time of year. Their unique colors make for amazing photos, and even better climbing surfaces.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
What other places would you add to your list this year? While it’s still winter, you should definitely check out this list of places to go while it’s cold and snowy.
Lastrick/TripAdvisor
Being able to see a lasting memory of our travels west is amazing. These wagon ruts have stood the test of time and still mark the trail leading to Santa Fe.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
Steven Rodriquez/Flickr
This amazing trail leads to a couple of hand-carved caves made in 1883 by Charles Griffee. They were later used by the Faris family as a schoolhouse and food storage. They were eventually made part of a nature trail where you can see them for yourself.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
Lane Pearman/Flickr
Monument Rocks (also called the Chalk Pyramids) are a formation we should all view and help preserve as it’s slowly eroded by wind and rain. It’s our biggest rock formation, and part of a larger area of badlands dotting the landscape in western Kansas.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
Kansas Tourism/Flickr
Arikaree Breaks is another area of Kansas where everything is absolutely beautiful and unlike the rest of the state. If you haven’t been out here to explore yet, you really should make the trip!
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
Chris Murphy/Flickr
Rock City is another great area of mystery. These spherical rocks were left behind by a bigger rock that was slowly eroded away and stand still and spherical to this day. Of course, the largest can reach up to 20 feet in diameter.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
Darla Abernathy/Flickr
This little picnic-sized castle marks the spot where an explorer gave up his search for a city of gold, but that doesn’t mean you should give up your search here as well. There’s a short hiking trail around the area, and plenty of things to do in the town nearby.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
That nearby town is Lindsborg, Kansas’ little bit of Sweden. Nothing’s more fun than their Swedish festival, or dining at one of the local restaurants for plenty of good stories and hearty food.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
Carolyn’s Essenhaus Facebook
Speaking of hearty food, Carolyn’s Essenhaus is a German restaurant in Arlington that you can’t match in quality. What’s better than food made from the heart?
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
Douglas Kulp/Flickr
One of our most history-filled and charming towns is Council Grove. Of course, visit the Saddlerock Cafe while you’re here for a fantastic home style meal you’ll never forget.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
Joanne C Sullivan/Flickr
Another great restaurant in Council Grove is the Hays House. It’s considered the oldest operating restaurant west of the Mississippi, having opened in 1857.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
City of Russell, Kansas Facebook
Russell is one of the happiest towns in Kansas, with great restaurants, and plenty of friendly people.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
iromaround67801/TripAdvisor
Big C’s is just one of Kansas’s dining establishments that’s soon to become a favorite to many. It’s a great place for classic burgers you’ll never get enough of, in a classic cafe you’ll feel right at home in. Tip: try the pork chops!
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
Jesse Bowman/AllTrails
This trail at Kanopolis State Park is filled red rocks to climb on, and even a cave with a built in slide out of it. This is one of those trails you’ll want to bring a stick on, though.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
Caenen Castle has been refurbished as a Renee Kelly’s Harvest, a great restaurant that’s worth a reservation when you’re looking for something special.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
Matthew Fulkerson
Subterra Castle is a missle silo (sans missle) where you can stay the night and experience their unique New-Age decorations. You can also tour some of the defunct machinery that still sits in abandoned rooms.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
OnlyInYourState/GoogleMaps
Chicken Annie’s and Chicken Mary’s have been the source of many feuds over the years. They both make excellent fried chicken, but whose is better? You’ll have to try them and decide for yourself!
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
C.W. Parker Carousel Museum Facebook
The oldest working carousel last used in 1920 sits here in this museum full of sculpted horses and other galloping animals. Children will be delighted and adults can reminisce about the good ol’ days when all you needed was to spin around on painted horses to have real fun.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
The Volland Store Facebook
These cellars made by early immigrants during the Homestead Act built these shelters for a few possible purposes. They could have stored food or housed a family in the summer, but you’ll have to explore them to make your own assumptions.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
Grinter Farms Facebook
Grinter Farms is home to our most popular sunflower field, where you can expect to find a lot of people looking for just the right shot. Of course, if you go in the mornings on weekdays you’ll have a better shot of seeing them without all the tourists.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
Dyck Arboretum of the Plains Facebook
Dyck Arboretum is often overlooked in Kansas, as most people go to Overland Park. However, it’s just as stunning without all the extra people milling around. Just look at that view!
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
Tuck U Inn at Glick Mansion Bed & Breakfast Facebook
Glick Mansion in Atchison is a great place to see the best fall foliage, and from the comfort of a bed and breakfast, no less! The rooms are well decorated, and the breakfast makes you want to wake up early for once.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
Cross Timbers State Park - Kansas Wildlife, Parks & Tourism Facebook
Cross Timbers at Toronto Lake is a great place to relax or enjoy a lakeside hike. The trees make it feel like you’re far away from Kansas, and in another state altogether. Have you seen anything like this somewhere else in our state?
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
Vincent Parsons/Flickr
Wilson Lake is a great place for recreation in the summer, or just a good hike around the rocky outcroppings any other time of year. Their unique colors make for amazing photos, and even better climbing surfaces.
You can learn more about this amazing place at our full piece here.
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