In Kansas, we love fast cars and slow-cooked brisket. We touch the sky but stay grounded in the things that matter most. We live out loud and embrace the solace of silence. Moreover, We conquer rocks and celebrate on the rocks. We ride like the wind and live for the water. When you wander within our borders, it’s hard to tell which will drop faster… Your misconceptions or your jaw. 

Kansas is so full of great things to do that we split it into six travel regions to help guide you as you explore.  Here are a few ideas to get you started.    

Northwest

The specialty of Northwest Kansas is the unconventional. Things happen here when adventure leads you off the beaten path. Adventurers to Northwest Kansas will find Kansas icons like Monument Rocks National Landmark, towering Niobara chalk formations with an iconic ‘keyhole’ that are just begging to be photographed. Nicodemus National Historic Site is the oldest and only remaining Black settlement west of the Mississippi River and is filled with historical architecture, educational exhibits, and the decedents of the original settlers. Northwest Kansas is perfect for the curious.  

Southwest

Southwest Kansas holds a rich history that helps us remember the past, while our bustling cities and diverse cultures ground us in exciting possibilities of the present. 

For those that are ready to saddle up and get the heck into Dodge, the Boot Hill Museum is an iconic destination. This interactive recreation of Dodge City’s wild west past includes a saloon show, good eats, and a museum containing more than 60,000 artifacts. Ready to get your blood pumping? Head to the Syracuse Sand Dunes Park, 1,300 acres of amazing dunes that has become one of the largest sand dune parks in the Midwest. Southwest Kansas’ way of life has been built over centuries by the legendary and for the legendary.  

North Central

In North Central Kansas, you can wander the middle of it all and find serenity. Here, we balance the quiet prairie with creative cultural arts. 

You can find the newly renovated Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home in Abilene. This world-class museum honors the legacy and global impact of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower. Ready to dig into something a little more quirky? Be sure to swing by the Oz Museum in Wamego. You’ll find one of the largest private collections of Oz collectibles in the world, irresistible photo ops, and a larger-than-life tin man waiting just for you. Northcentral Kansas is just right because it is for the centered.  

South Central

South Central Kansas is full of open skies, refreshing water, and earth sustaining experiences.  

This region is home to the Cosmosphere, recently proclaimed by the newly announced Artemis II crew as the ‘best space museum on planet Earth.’ The Cosmosphere is the only place in the Midwest to boast a flown craft from all three early manned spaceflight programs and has the largest combined collection of U.S. and former Soviet space artifacts. Those who love the outdoors will be enthralled by Kanopolis State Park. The first Kansas State Park, this beautiful space has 31.59 miles of trails open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. South Central Kansas is perfect for the seekers.  

Northeast 

In Northeast Kansas if you follow the smoke,  you’ll find the fire. 

The struggle to end legal segregation in public schools is memorialized at the Brown v. Board National Historic Site, the former Monroe Elementary, in Topeka. You’ll find interactive exhibits, priceless artifacts, and heart-wrenching stories directly from the people who lived this history. Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, KS is a must-see for race fans. The iconic NASCAR races will return to the track September 8-10, 2023. Northeast Kansas communities, big and small, are bustling with life, because it is for the spirited.  

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Southeast 

The way of life in Southeast Kansas stands on the courage and sacrifice of people who resolved to fight for it with every breath. 

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As the first Black photojournalist at LIFE Magazine and the first African American to direct a major motion picture, Gordon Parks dedicated his life to combating racism and poverty through art. His legacy is honored at the Gordon Parks Museum and Center for Culture and Diversity. For those that yearn to hit the open road, try it with a new view from a bicycle seat. Southeast Kansas is the heart of gravel grinding and is home to Unbound Gravel, the world’s premiere gravel cycling event. Southeast Kansas is the place for the free.  

The Kansas experience is a salute to the real. To the rowdy. To the wide-eyed wanderers. Moreover To the dreamers. And To the Stars. Visit TravelKS.com to plan your Kansas adventure.