Top 10 Places to Visit in Kansas
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#1 Wichita
Wichita is the largest city of Kansas located on the Arkansas River. The city was once a trading post and also destination for cattle drives traveling north from Texas to Kansas. Today, Wichita is hub of the American aircraft industry and historic museums. Wichita is home to several art museums and performing arts center. Places to visit and family fun things to see include Old Cowtown Museum. Botanica, Sedgwick County Zoo, Exploration Place, Museum of World Treasures, and The Keeper of the Plains.
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#2 Lawrence
Lawrence is a popular city located between the Kansas and Wakarusa Rivers. The city is home of the University of Kansas. Lawrence is known for more than 50 public parks including South Park, Centennial Park, Prairie Park Nature Center, and Clinton State Park. Popular historic sites and museums include Watkins Museum of History, Natural History Museum of the University of Kansas, Liberty Hall, and the John Roberts House.
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#3 Topeka
Topeka is the capital city of Kansas and popular tourist destination. Located along the Kansas River, the city offers many things to do. The city is home to several historic buildings such as Brown Vs. Board Of Education National Historic Site and Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site.
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#4 Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve protects less than 4% remnant of the once vast tallgrass prairie ecosystem. The preserve is home to the Tallgrass Prairie bison herd.. Popular activities and things to do include catch and release fishing at three preserve ponds and Fox Creek, 12 mile rounder with view of the landscape, bison viewing on the scenic overlook trail, Spring Hill Farm and Stock Ranch, and natural trails. The visitor center has range of exhibits featuring history of Tallgrass Prairie.
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#5 Monument Rocks
Monument Rocks, also referred as Chalk Pyramids are series of large chalk monoliths located in western Kansas. It is one of the Eight wonders of Kansas and designated as a National Natural Landmark. Up to 70 ft high chalk formations were formed 80 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period. Monument Rocks and Castle Rock are rich in fossils making it favorite for scientist. The towering formations are located on private property, and they are open to the visitors during daylight hours.
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#6 Dodge City
Dodge City, nicknamed "Queen of Cowtowns" is a historical town known for Wild West history. The town has many historical sites, museums, and landmarks dedicated to Old West heritage. Downtown is home to many popular tourist attraction. The Boot Hill Museum located in downtown features exhibits portraying the culture of the city. Places to visit and family fun things to do include Home of Stone, Boot Hill Casino & Resort, Dodge City Trail of Fame Office, Long Branch Lagoon, and Wright Park Zoo.
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#7 Cosmosphere
Cosmosphere is a popular space museum and education center located in Hutchinson. The museum features over 13,000 spaceflight artifacts. Cosmosphere houses the largest combined collection of Russian space artifacts and US space artifacts. The center includes Hall of Space Museum, Justice Planetarium, Carey Digital Dome Theater, and Dr. Goddard's Lab. It also hosts summer camps with STEM education programs.
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#8 Oz Museum
Oz Museum of Wamego is dedicated to The Wizard of Oz. It is a popular family fun attraction. The museum exhibits features collections of over 25,000 Oz artifacts. There are several other attractions with the Oz theme in the area including Oz Winery, Lincoln Street Station, Barleycorns and Toto's Tacoz.
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#9 Fort Scott National Historic Site
Fort Scott National Historic Site protects 20 historic structures, a parade ground and 5 acres of restored tallgrass prairie. The historic site includes three museum areas and 30 historically furnished rooms. The infantry barracks museum exhibits features site's history. The dragoon barracks museum exhibits tell about the soldiers stationed here in the 1840s. Exhibits in the second Officer's Quarters also known as the Wilson-Goodlander house provide information about the site's construction.
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