Gear Up for an Adventure-Filled Spring in Western Kansas

With spring finally around the corner, now is the perfect time to get away and experience a new place. Each town in Western Kansas has its own unique charm, filled with everything from microbreweries to outdoor spaces to local cafes. If you’re looking for an easily accessible, affordable weekend getaway, here are the top adventures to check off your Kansas bucket list.

What to Explore in Western Kansas

Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or engineering, the 8 Wonders of Kansas has something for everyone. These 8 Wonders, located throughout Western Kansas, recognize eight categories every Kansas town has or can tell a story about: architecture, art, commerce, cuisine, customs, geography, history, and people. When browsing these categories, you might come across the Kansas Underground Salt Museum, which showcases the natural salt existing hundreds of feet below the Kansas plains. Although there are 16 underground salt mines across the United States, this is the only one with an underground museum open to tourists. Visitors can take a double-decked elevator 650 feet below the ground and explore the caverns with a guide.

Geography lovers will want to check out the Monument Rocks & Castle Rock, which host scientifically significant fossils produced by ancient chalk beds. Designated as a National Natural Landmark, these chalk pyramids have eroded over time to create unusual spirals and shapes that sprawl across the Western edge of Gove County. For tourists more interested in wildlife and nature, the Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge are other great spots to visit. The 41,000-acre lowland basin in Cheyenne Bottoms serves as a critical migratory stop for North American shorebirds and is the largest freshwater marsh in the interior of the United States. The nearby Quivira National Wildlife Refuge hosts half a million migratory birds each spring, which makes it a perfect spot for birdwatchers to observe nature!

For those interested in history, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum makes for an engaging experience. Visitors can peruse the five galleries that tell the story of Eisenhower from his childhood days through his retirement years. His nineteenth-century house, still on its original site, is also open for tourists to explore.

The remaining wonders of Western Kansas are also worth a visit during your stay:

• Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve & the Flint Hills represent the last significant example of the tallgrass prairie in North America.
• The Big Well Museum hosts the world’s largest hand-dug well.
• The Cosmosphere has one of the world’s most significant collections of U.S. and Russian space artifacts.
• St. Fidelis Catholic Church showcases the impressive craftsmanship achieved by the Volga German pioneers.

Exploring the 8 Wonders of Kansas makes for an educational and immersive trip for families, children, and solo travelers alike.

Explore Kansas for Free with the Sunflower Summer Program

For Kansas residents who want to see more places in their home state, The Sunflower Summer Program offers a chance for Kansas families to explore the state for free. From May 25th to August 11, Kansas residents have free rein (and free admission!) to visit museums, zoos, historical attractions, nature centers, and more. The event allows local businesses to showcase their services and creates a more connected community across Western Kansas. Participating venues will be announced soon, so check the website for updates.

For even more ways to explore Western Kansas, the Kansas Sampler Foundation has compiled every adventure imaginable in one easy-to-use website. If you have questions about how Western Kansas could be the perfect place for your family, career, or business expansion, contact the WKREDA today.