My Dad's family lives all around Witchita, Canton and Greensburg... I haven't been there for 30 years and I'm planning a trip for this summer!

This Thanksgiving, my Grandma, who is 97 and her baby brother from Canton who is 87... were at my parents and we had a wonderful time together! At one point, my uncle said something about Kansas and my 3 year old... who is completely addicted to The Wizard of Oz... said, " I want to go to Kansas! I want to see Dorothy Gail!" After explaining to him for the umpteenth time that Dorothy Gail is pretend and that it's just a story... he started asking questions and asked his brothers if they'd like to go!

Turns out that a aunt that lives outside of Greensburg lives on a wonderful farm with lots of animals , there's a great zoo in Witchita... anyway, I think it might be a great trip for us and a wonderful chance to see relatives who are getting older.

Is there a relatively central area where we could stay? Would McPherson fit the bill? Are there other activities that would be good for young kids? (Three boys 3, 6 and 8) Is Dodge City too far for a day trip?

All suggestions appreciated! And before you mention it... yes I know the city of Greensburg is no longer due to the tornado and yes I know it will be hot in the summer. Thanks!

ttt... hoping Keith or someone from Kansas will see this post and offer some ideas!

I love it << my Grandma who is 97 and her baby brother who is 87 " !!

We drove through Kansas on our drive from Florida to Oregon and it was just beautiful..at least a lot of it was . Yes, it is flat , amazingly so .. we were there in Aug and the heat for us was comfortable- it was dry heat

This is all I know about Kansas, other than the La Quinta off the highway was brand new and we were upgraded to a suite on the top floor so we would have a better view of any incoming tornadoes lol...sorry, we spent a lot of time making tornado jokes while there ..
And this is now topped

Topping in case Keith is checking the forum. He's a great Kansas resource.

I can recommend the Cosmosphere Space Museum in Hutchinson. Your sons will enjoy it there are lots of hand's on displays.

www.cosmo.org/museum/

moneygirl, I found Keith's website. It will give you some ideas until Keith checks in.

www.kansastravel.org/kansastravel.htm

Thanks Scarlett... for your kind words and Kansan for the link!

moneygirl -
I was born and raised in Wichita and was there last in August.

I would suggest Exploration Place, Cowtown, the Keeper of the Plains, Segwick County Zoo...

I have to say it makes me sad...the purpose of my trip in August was to bury my grandmother. Besides an aunt and some cousins, she was my last real connection to Wichita.

Please go and visit the aging relatives. It is so important.

I fell so fortunate that I actually have a good relationship with my grandmothers siblings! They came to CA every summer for as long as I can remember.. until the last ten years or so... they've come for funerals and birthdays... but I love them all. I remember fondly catching firflies in their backyards.. eating fried fish dinners and miles and miles of wheat!

I want my boys to remember them too... and I DO want to visit them while they're still feeling well enough to have us over for homemade ice cream!!

All of your suggestions are noted! Thanks so much!!

Sorry to be arriving late

I've a couple of suggestion as to where to stay. The Grand Prairie Hotel & Convention Center in Hutchinson has a indoor water park that is sure to be a hit with your children, and Hutchinson has a LOT to offer.

The other suggestion may not stand out as much since your aunt has a farm, but I think that Hedrick's Exotic Animal Farm Bed and Breakfast in Nickerson is a place that the kids would be talking about for the following year. Your stay includes feeding and petting cattle, camels, ostriches, rheas, zebras, antelope, kangaroos, and giant tortoises. Also pony and camel rides. http://www.kansastravel.org/hedricksexoticanimal.htm

Eagle Valley Raptor Center might be a nice intermediate location for all of your family to gather for a picnic http://www.kansastravel.org/eaglevalleyraptors.htm

Though I don't think Dodge City is as interesting as many closer places, it is doable as a day trip, it is a little over a 2 hour drive. When you pass through Mullinville on the way, the kids may get a kick out of the quirky roadside art. http://www.kansastravel.org/liggettkanzaart.htm

Though I haven't been to either one, two Kansas communities have attractions with an OZ theme. Liberal has http://www.sewardcountymuseum.com/se...foz/index.html & http://www.sewardcountymuseum.com/se...thy/index.html Wamego has http://www.ozmuseum.com/

Actually there is third community, Sedan, with a yellow brick road. But it isn't very yellow and that is the extent of the Oz theme. Though it and the Emmet Kelly Museum would make a nice brake if you were headed to the Little House on the Prairie near Independence.

Keith

There you are Keith... thanks for coming to my Kansas party! I've found flights from LAX to Wichita that are $265... may need to take 'em.

I will look at the links you sent tonight and post back tomorrow. The drive from Hutchinson to Greensburg is how long? I need to borrow my Dad's map!

Right now my parents are thinking I'm crazy to do this trip on my own with my kids... but I think they're just jealous and may end up joining us!

85 miles to Greensburg - about an hour and a half. Closer to Wichita (45 miles) and Canton (40 miles).

Keith

Not sure if this is "kid friendly", but we love driving through the Flint Hills. There are places to stay along the way, and horseback riding, but again, not sure if there would be enough for kids to enjoy. Just a thought, though. Not too far from Wichita, but a longer distance from some of the other places you've mentioned. enjoy

We moved to Overland Park, outside Kansas City, Mo. 3 yrs ago and love it here! The Exploration Place is great. We went there with 75 middle school kids and they had a blast. They have a great train room and I practically had to drag my group out of there! We also went to the Music Theatre in Witchita-its in a really cool renovated building. They often have family shows. They serve a very nice buffet dinner with the show. We stayed at a chain hotel and it was nice. Can't remember the name. The prices were reasonable, as we had to house 75 kids and 18 adults!
Many Kansas cities have city operated pools and residents can pay a day rate to go. You can check out the city websites or ask your family.
I would GRAB that airfare of $265. LAX to Witchita? WOW! I've paid more to fly KC to Boston in the summer!
I don't think you are crazy to do this alone with your kids. I drove from Boston to Columbia, SC with my then 5 yr old and 8yr old and we had a blast. You just need to remember to have plenty of play breaks and not to schedule every second of every day!

http://explorekansas.org/
I wouldn't bother with Dodge.
How bout Lindsborg?
http://lindsborg.org/activities.html

Hi MoneyGirl!

I wouldn't say that McPherson is the most central location. Hutchinson would most likely be a better choice. There, you are about 30-50 minutes to Canton and Wichita. Can't say that for Greensburg though.

I would definitely agree with Kansan. Hutchinson has wonderful attractions for the boys. The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center is intriguing. It also has an IMAX. Hutchinson also has the Underground Salt Museum. It takes people 650 ft. underground.

Hope you enjoy your stay in Kansas!

I'm guessing they're home by now (posted 11/07)

I'm guessing they're not. If she posted in 11/07 and intends to go Next summer, wouldn't that be summer of 08?

So keep those suggestions coming, this is interesting reading!

As previously suggested, with kids you will want to go to the Sedgwick County Zoo and Exploration Place (both in Wichita) and the Cosmosphere/IMAX in Hutchinson.

We took our kids to Dodge City once, and they were not impressed at all. Perhaps skip it this trip. We also have been to the Oz Museum in Liberal. It was many years ago when we went, and it was pretty neat, but it is quite a drive from the Wichita/Hutchinson area.

You'll find plenty to do w/ the kids here, but plan for the heat and humidity. It's usually very hot in July and August.