For people not familiar with Kansas, the images that come to mind when you think of this Midwest state are usually flat prairie, tornadoes … and maybe even The Wizard of Oz. And while it’s true that Kansas is all of those things, it’s also SO much more! 

If you’re looking for an out-of-the-box family vacation destination, consider visiting south central Kansas. This area of the Sunflower State has lots of family-friendly activities around every corner. There are so many things to do that it can be overwhelming, so here’s an easy-to-follow itinerary of some of the best places that families will love, all located in the south central Kansas area. Keep in mind: This itinerary is not at all exhaustive! There are lots of places not listed here that should have been included. Perhaps there needs to be a part two itinerary!

Day 1

Wichita, Kansas

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right? So get off to a great start at HomeGrown, a Wichita favorite that specializes in breakfast, brunch and lunch. Along with the classics — pancakes, egg dishes, biscuits and gravy — you’ll find a menu that changes with the season. Be sure to save room for one of HomeGrown’s delectable, house-made pop tarts.

After fueling up, families will definitely want to visit Exploration Place, the state’s biggest science center. This hands-on destination features STEM fun for all ages, including a special area for the youngest of visitors. Kids can climb aboard an airplane and learn how it functions, marvel at miniatures, play pretend in a medieval castle, learn about the body and how it works, and lots more.  

Exploration Place is located right off of the Arkansas River, which flows through downtown Wichita. (Fun fact: When you’re in Kansas, the river is pronounced Ar-Kansas River, like the state, by locals!) After you’re done exploring Exploration Place, go a half mile south to rent a kayak or paddle boat from Boats and Bikes, an equipment rental company operated by Wichita State University. From here, you can paddle your way through downtown and see some beautiful sights from the water. Make sure to paddle to the Keeper of the Plains statue, which is a sight to behold from anywhere, but especially the water. This 44-foot steel statue is a tribute to the Native American tribes who continue to gather at this sacred site. Every night, locals and visitors alike gather near the Keeper of the Plains during a nightly Ring of Fire ceremony, where five drums are lit and illuminate the statue and the water below. 

All of that rowing will work up an appetite! Fortunately, there are quite a few options in the area for great food and drink. Public at the Brickyard, located in Old Town Wichita, offers a large selection of family favorites like burgers, pizza, salads and a kids menu. (Try the Prairie Bison sliders!) It’s attached to an outdoor music venue that features live music most  Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Afterward, get a cup of coffee, pastry or an adult beverage (for the grown-ups) at GROW Plant Bar, the cutest and most Instagrammable place downtown. Part plant shop, part coffee and cocktail bar, this is a great place to relax with a beverage and be surrounded by an urban oasis. GROW also offers a DIY plant bar, where you can create your own botanical treasures to take home.

At this point of the day, you have some options. Tanganyika Wildlife Park and Lazy Moon Ranch are both must-visits for families, and each is located less than half an hour from downtown Wichita in either direction. 

Located 20 minutes west of Wichita in Goddard, Tanganyika Wildlife Park is where you can mingle with lemurs, get up-close to sloths, pet kangaroos, feed giraffes and so much more. This interactive, hands-on animal park also has a huge playground and splash pad that’s open during the warmer months.

Lazy Moon Ranch, located 20 minutes east of Wichita in Augusta, is a place you have to see to believe. This is a unique, eclectic hobby farm full of animals — alpacas, miniature donkeys, dwarf goats, tortoises, rabbits, chickens and more — that incorporates art, education and fun. They offer “Painting with Alpacas” classes, which are as much hilarious as they are therapeutic. Make sure to check out their barn full of Halloween paraphernalia (they celebrate Halloween every day here!), and make your way through the mini haunted house.

It’s been a full first day in south central Kansas, so your family is probably ready to rest and recharge. Check into the Hotel at Old Town, a trendy hotel located in the Old Town Entertainment District of Wichita. This hotel has vintage charm everywhere you look, with an indoor water fountain and spacious lounge area, a large snack bar, a fitness center, and a breakfast buffet ($14.99 per person), this hotel is a great place to rest your head during your visit to Kansas.

Day 2

Hutchinson, Yoder, Buhler, & Lindsborg

After you and your family indulge in the breakfast at the Hotel at Old Town, it’s time to hit the road and explore more of south central Kansas!

First stop is Strataca, an underground salt mine museum in Hutchinson. Did you know: Strataca is one of only 15 salt mines in the United States, and it’s the only salt mine that accessible to tourists. This is definitely a unique experience! Go 650 feet beneath the Earth’s surface and get a guided tour of the salt mine, take a ride on a tram through an area that was mined in the 1940s, and pick out your very own piece of salt to take home. The typical tour takes about 2 hours, and it’s appropriate for all ages.

About 10 minutes away from Strataca is Cosmosphere, another great south central Kansas attraction in Hutchinson. This international science education center and space museum has more than 13,000 space artifacts, including the largest collection of U.S. and Russian space artifacts in the world! Kids will love exploring CosmoKids, an interactive STEAM area where kids can have fun while learning about space.

It’s time to blast off and get some lunch! Head 15 minutes south to the town of Yoder, an Amish community with a population of less than 200 people. It’s there you’ll find Carriage Crossing Restaurant & Bakery, which specializes in all-you-can-eat family-style fried chicken dinners, as well as homemade pies and breads. Before you leave, get one of the big-as-your-hand cinnamon rolls to go!

Kansas is known as the Sunflower State, a name it gets because of the fields of cheery yellow flowers blooming everywhere. If you’re visiting south central Kansas in the late summer and early fall, Kansas Maze Sunflowers in Buehler is a great place to visit. Make sure you bring your camera to capture fun photo ops in the sunflower fields, then head to the kids area to play in the giant sand box, teeter-totters and tire tunnel.

Next, head north to Maxwell Wildlife Refuge in Gypsum, a 2,800-acre preserved prairie with rolling hills that is home to hundreds of bison and elk. Hop on a tram that will take you right into the middle of a bison herd, offering you a chance to view these majestic animals up close and personal. The tram tour is about 45 minutes, and you’ll leave with a new appreciation for buffalo and the Kansas prairie.

At this point, you’ll want to check into your hotel at Drom Sott Inn in Lindsborg, the cutest little hotel in what has to be the cutest Scandinavian town in Kansas. Drom Sott (which means “sweet dreams” in Swedish), is a boutique hotel that feels like you’re staying in someone’s cozy home. A generous Scandinavian buffet breakfast is included with your stay, and adult guests are welcome to visit the wine bar downstairs during their stay for a glass of complementary wine.

Within steps of Drom Sott Inn, grab a table at Bella Sol Bistro for dinner, a new fusion restaurant in Lindsborg. Taking inspiration from different cultures, Bella Sol Bistro’s menu is eclectic yet approachable, and you’ll find dishes on the menu like Korean tacos, birria beef & brie grilled cheese, and fish and chips. If the weather is nice, ask to sit on the patio, which overlooks the bustling downtown Main Street.

After dinner, take a walk down Main Street Lindsborg to check out the Wild Dala Herd, a collection of Swedish folk craft horses that are placed all around downtown Lindsborg as a symbol of cultural identity and welcome. As you’re cruising around the charming downtown area, be sure to stop in for a scoop of ice cream at Indigo Moo’d, a local parlor that makes delicious homemade ice cream.

As the sun is setting on your second day in south central Kansas, be sure to end it at Coronado Heights Castle, a 10 minute drive north of Lindsborg. Built in 1936, the sandstone castle is set on a bluff known as the Smoky Hills. It is believed that Spanish explorer Francisco Vazquez de Coronado and his men, who visited central Kansas in 1541,  viewed the prairie from this lookout point 300 feet above the valley floor. Now, it’s a great place to view the beautiful scenery at dusk. The park surrounding the castle has many grills, fireplaces and picnic tables available to the public, so bring some s’mores fixings when you visit — it’s a great place to make a fire and toast marshmallows as you enjoy the setting sun.

Day 3

Strong City

As we wind down our tour around south central Kansas, we have two more stops! Both are located in Strong City, located less than 90 minutes from Lindsborg.

It’s here that you’ll find Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, a part of the National Park Service. (So make sure to bring your Junior Ranger National Park passport to get it stamped!) According to the National Park Service website, tallgrass prairie once covered 170 million acres of North America. Within one generation, most of it had been transformed into farms, cities and towns. Today less than 4% remains intact, and this park is here to preserve the little that we have left. Take in the tallgrass prairie on one of the nature trails, take a self-guided tour of the ranch, and explore the exhibits inside the visitor center. Admission is free!

After all of the exploring, stop in at Chef Stan’s Place for lunch, a five minute drive from Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. Housed in a restored church, Chef Stan’s features a paired down menu of deliciously prepared brunch and lunch favorites, made with local ingredients — sometimes harvested right from the garden that Chef Stan keeps out back. Quiche is a popular choice, but make sure to save room for dessert: the Magic Cookie Bars and lemon tarts are out of this world!

This was just the tip of the iceberg — there’s lots more to explore in south central Kansas! The Sunflower State is blooming with fun and fascinating experiences for families. You can find even more ideas for your trip to Kansas at www.travelks.com.