Things to Do in Kansas: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Kansas is the heart of the American prairie, a state of wide skies, wheat fields and frontier history. Wichita's riverfront and the Keeper of the Plains, the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in the Flint Hills, the Cosmosphere space museum, the chalk spires of Monument Rocks and cowboy Dodge City make it a surprisingly rewarding road trip.
This guide covers the best things to do in Kansas, with itineraries for 3, 5 and 7 days, ideas for weekends, couples and families, local food, where to stay and how to get around.
Top things to see in Kansas
Keeper of the Plains
Riverside sculpture and nightly fire pots in Wichita.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Protected tallgrass prairie with bison.
Cosmosphere
Space museum in Hutchinson.
Monument Rocks
Chalk formations in western Kansas.
Dodge City
Wild West history and Boot Hill Museum.
Abilene
Eisenhower Presidential Library.
Lawrence
College town with Massachusetts Street.
Strataca
Underground salt mine museum.
Kansas in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Wichita
Start in Wichita at the Keeper of the Plains on the Arkansas River, where the fire pots are lit at dusk, then visit the Old Cowtown Museum and Botanica gardens. Lunch in Old Town. In the afternoon, the Sedgwick County Zoo or the Wichita Art Museum, and dinner at a local barbecue spot.
2Day 2 · Hutchinson
Drive to Hutchinson for the Cosmosphere, home to one of the largest collections of US and Soviet space artifacts, including Apollo 13's command module. Lunch downtown. In the afternoon, descend 650 feet into Strataca, a working salt mine with an underground museum, then return to Wichita.
3Day 3 · Flint Hills
Head to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve near Strong City to hike prairie trails, look for the bison herd and tour the historic Spring Hill Ranch. Lunch in Cottonwood Falls with its striking courthouse. Drive the Flint Hills Scenic Byway at sunset.
Kansas in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Abilene and Lawrence
Visit Abilene for the Eisenhower Presidential Library and the Greyhound Bus Museum, then continue to Lawrence and its lively Massachusetts Street. Lunch in Abilene. Evening in Lawrence with dinner and live music near the University of Kansas campus.
5Day 5 · Kansas City, Kansas
Explore the Kansas side of Kansas City with the Legends Outlets, Children's Mercy Park and barbecue institutions like Joe's Kansas City in a gas station. Cross into Missouri for the Nelson-Atkins Museum and the National WWI Museum.
Kansas in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Dodge City
Drive west to Dodge City for the Boot Hill Museum, Front Street and the Wild West shows of summer. Lunch with a steak. In the afternoon, the Santa Fe Trail ruts nearby and an overnight on the high plains.
7Day 7 · Monument Rocks and farewell
See Monument Rocks and Little Jerusalem Badlands, chalk spires rising from the prairie in Gove County, ideal for sunrise photos. Lunch in Oakley. Return east and finish with a farewell dinner of steak or Kansas City burnt ends.
What to do in Kansas on a weekend
Things to do in Kansas on a weekend? Saturday: Wichita and the Keeper of the Plains. Sunday: Cosmosphere and Strataca in Hutchinson.
The Flint Hills burn season in spring and the Kansas State Fair in September.
What to do in Kansas in the evening
In the evening, the Keeper of the Plains fire pots in Wichita.
Live music on Massachusetts Street in Lawrence.
Kansas for couples
For couples, sunset on the Flint Hills Scenic Byway, wineries near Wichita and a night in Lawrence.
Kansas with kids
With kids, the Cosmosphere, Strataca, Sedgwick County Zoo, Exploration Place and Old Cowtown.
What to eat in Kansas
Kansas City barbecue
Burnt ends and ribs.
Steak
Kansas beef.
Bierocks
Stuffed bread pockets.
Fried chicken
Stroud's style.
Sunflower seeds
State symbol snack.
Where to stay in Kansas: best areas
Wichita
Central base.
Lawrence
College town.
Cottonwood Falls
Flint Hills.
Kansas City
Big city.
What to do in Kansas when it rains
Things to do in Kansas when it rains? The Cosmosphere, Strataca, Eisenhower Library, Wichita Art Museum and Exploration Place.
How much does a trip to Kansas cost?
Expect $100–180 per night and low-cost attractions, many under $25.
Practical tips for Kansas
Best time to visit
April–June and September–October.
Getting around
A car is essential; distances are long.
Our practical tips
- Rent a car.
- Book Strataca tours.
- Bring water on prairie hikes.
- Check tornado alerts in spring.
- Stay for sunset.
- Try barbecue in KC.
Mistakes to avoid
- Midsummer heat.
- Driving tired on long highways.
- Ignoring weather warnings.
- Missing the Flint Hills.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Kansas?
Wichita, the Cosmosphere, the Flint Hills and Monument Rocks.
Things to do in Kansas with kids?
Cosmosphere, Strataca and zoos.
Where can you see bison?
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.
Best time to visit?
Spring and fall.