1) Going towards Wichita on 35, we were surprised and awed by the vast, rolling Flint Hills. Replete with grazing cattle as far as the eye could see across a velvety green vista, we kept repeating ourselves,"Wow!".
2) In Wichita, breakfast at the Eaton was so scrumptious, we went back again the next day. Get the corner table by the windows on a sunny morning and prepare to relax as the staff treats you very well indeed and you bliss out on the food. Then go to the little bakery for a cupcake with a giant frosting flower on top or some other yummy decadent confection. Carrie Nation smashed up the bar here once...no respect for the architecture.
3) The Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, northwest of Wichita. Affiliated with the Smithsonian(s), a fabulous, highly informative and creative effort to describe the whole dang space race, with a huge collection of US, Russian, and Nazi equipment and stories to go with them. Plus an Imax, plus a planetarium, plus a crazy genius scientist lab show. It just goes on and on.
4) Wamego (E of Manhattan, W of Topeka) has an Oz museum right on its tiny town main street. It houses a huge collection of Oz memorabilia and a little dog named Toto greets you at the door. Check out the restored theater just a couple of doors down ~ it's made from Chicago World's Fair pavilions.
5) Amelia Earhart's birthplace in Atchison (NE border). It sits on a street that runs parallel to the Missouri (where Lewis and Clark stopped, too). You can sit on the front porch on a rocker and watch the birds catch the updrafts over the river and imagine Amelia having done the same thing. The house is lovely inside and out, with a sort of presence about it. I had tears in my eyes.
Hope this helps a few travelers. We loved Kansas. We went in May, before it was too hot. Roads were mostly fine. We plan on returning to explore Kansas City and the far western part sometime.
Some Kansas Road Trip Highlights
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Well I am glad that you enjoyed my home State, but next time that you plan on coming to my neck of the woods let me or some of the rest of us know, I could have given you all kinds of fun things to do here in town. I am glad you enjoyed yourself, where are you all from?
Where is your neck of the woods, Sunflowerguy?
Keith
I agree Flint Hills is an amazing view!!! It is hard to explain - It sort of reminds of the rolling ocean!!
I live here in South Central Kansas. Why? you planning a trip?
I travel across Kansas all the time. Have a hobby website about Kansas Travel.
I've visited most of the better known places in the state, but I'm always looking for new leads on unique restaurants or attractions that may not be well known.
Keith
What's the websites address?
www.kansastravel.org
Keith
Ok, I remeber now I saw this on another Kansas thread. You have got a great website. I will think of some suggestions after I review your list again.
Thanks!
Keith
Hey Keith, just wondering, of the 8 wonders of KS listed on your site, which one is the closest to OP? How far would it be to drive?
The Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum in Abilene is 2 1/2 hours.
There are a bunch of other interesting things, plus some unique locally owned restaurants in Abeline. It could easily fill a day.
Keith
Ok a few thoughts on places to eat.
Doc’s steak house,
1515 N Broadway St
Wichita, KS 67214
This is a hole in the wall kind of place don’t go if you are expecting something fancy, but the garlic salad has kept is doors open for a very long time and doc’s brother was the founder of the famous Wall drug store.
Fat Ernie’s
Corner of Hydraulic and Wassail
Another hole in the wall but if you like chicken head on over on a Saturday for all you can eat friend chicken you will thank me once you try it.
Something else you might want to look into is the Orphum Theater its downtown and they are in the process of restoring it but it is a neat place to take in a show.
Thank you!
I've visited Doc's, but will give the other two places a try.
Keith
Oh and there is a hamburger place I forgot, it’s there by fat Ernie’s called Cliffs its behind a liquor store.
I should tell you again though that these are not real glamorous places I am suggesting, they just have great food.
geta -- these are nice thoughts. Thanks for your review!
I can't find Cliffs on Goggle. Might the name be slightly different?
Keith
Keith it is a new place a month or so old so it may not be there yet, I found it by accident myself.