AMELIA EARHART HANGAR MUSEUM

ATCHISON

Celebrate the spirit of the Atchison native and first female to fly solo across the Atlantic. See a Lockheed Electra 10-E identical to Earhart’s last plane and cram into a replica of the cockpit.

CHILDREN’S MERCY PARK

KANSAS CITY

It sounds like team spirit when 18,000-plus fiercely loyal fans cheer on Major League Soccer’s Sporting KC. Bonus: There’s free parking at the family-friendly venue.
 

CONSTITUTION HALL STATE HISTORIC SITE

LECOMPTON

Spirited debates and protests took place here in 1857 as a constitutional convention decided whether Kansas would join the Union as a free state.
 

STATE CAPITOL

TOPEKA

The 1903 landmark building embodies the spirit of democracy, soaring 17 feet higher than the United States Capitol. Inside, look up to the dazzling mural-lined inner dome—and take a tour to the top.
 

UNION HORSE DISTILLING COMPANY

LENEXA

Small-batch spirits with big flavor come from this family-owned operation that turns Midwest grains into whiskey and vodka. Book a tour or sip at a Distillery Social.

Spend some time sampling northeast Kansas’ signature flavors, cultural attractions and natural beauty. This itinerary will stimulate your senses—and fill your stomach. 

Start the day with a sugar rush from Hana’s Donuts in Kansas City. The local favorite cranks out fresh batches of wild blueberry fritters, pistachio-almond doughnuts and Nutella bear claws. Nearby, check out Flagship Books, KCK’s first independent bookstore, in the city’s historic Strawberry Hill district. Originally selling from a shipping container in North Kansas City’s Iron District, the community-conscious store hosts author readings, book clubs and other gatherings. Keep indulging your intellectual side in Overland Park, where Museum at Prairiefire merges art, science and natural history into interactive exhibits. Get up close to a T. rex through augmented reality and survey the Kansas City landscape from 300 million years ago. 

When you’re ready for lunch, Strang Hall in Overland Park beckons with several chef-driven eateries in an airy space. Zero in on one spot or assemble an à la carte combo of global cuisines—Lao, Thai, Latin, Italian, Japanese and American. Spend part of the afternoon roaming Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, home to more than 800 plant species. Hike 6 miles of peaceful trails snaking along bluffs and through formal gardens and a sculpture garden. An ADA-accessible path loops Margaret’s Pond, and the expansive Train Garden is a perennial crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike. 

Experience more of nature’s bounty at BlueJacket Crossing Vineyard and Winery in Eudora. The family-based business turns grape varieties such as Norton, St. Vincent, Seyval and Chambourcin into bottled bliss. End your day back in KCK with dinner at Woodyard Bar- B-Que. A three-chambered brick smoker racked with ribs dominates the patio of the small house-turned-restaurant. Or try Slap's BBQ, where pitmasters (and brothers) Mike and Joe Pearce apply their passion for saucy, smoky cuisine to brisket, burnt ends and Polish sausage.

For suggestions on what to do in Topeka’s revitalized NOTO (North Topeka) district, ask someone with skin in the game. Tattoo artist Jennifer Bohlander grew up in Illinois and Ohio, joining the Army after high school and ending her military career in Kansas at Fort Riley. In 2014, she opened her tattoo parlor, Matryoshka, in NOTO. When you stroll the district, Bohlander recommends appreciating the art. “Stop by the NOTO Arts Center to enjoy a fine-art gallery without feeling intimidated,” she says. “And Amused is a cool artist collective.” Look for murals, too, including Bohlander’s Greetings from Topeka, a selfie magnet.

At lunchtime, Bohlander likes the jalapeño popper cheese sandwich at The Wheel Barrel, which she founded with her husband. “It’s sweet and savory with a mild spice to it.” She’s also a fan of Norsemen Brewing Company. “My go-to there is salmon salad with quinoa and citrus vinaigrette.” When you’re ready to relax, Bohlander says, Studio 62 Art Bar hosts sip-and-paint classes by day and other events (including drag shows and karaoke) at night. Her friends unwind at FootPool—soccer mixed with billiards on a giant outdoor pool table. “I stick to tamer activities and like escape rooms, especially NOTO Escapes, where the lady owners design their own challenging rooms, unlike others anywhere.”

Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que

Kanas City

You can still buy gas at this old convenience store, but most folks come to fill up on ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork and burnt ends. Try the Z-Man brisket sandwich, topped with onion rings.
 

The White Linen

Topeka

A 2023 James Beard Award semifinalist, chef Adam VanDonge lets you know you’re in for something special at this fine- dining establishment. VanDonge’s five-course tasting menus often include quail, pheasant or elk, a reflection of his rural Kansas roots.
 

715

Lawrence

This Italian-style bistro on main drag Massachusetts Street dishes primo pastas, steaks and seafood. The goat cheese croquettes, house focaccia bread and salads draw raves too. Save room for the towering Warm Tiramisu Soufflé.         

Just about anyone can enjoy the high-speed racing action at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City. In addition to special parking and seating for wheelchair users, the track provides wheelchair-accessible vans for transportation around the grounds, including to and from the infield for guests with prerace tickets. Golf carts are available for those who have mobility issues, and trams transport guests to and from the track campgrounds.                 

Adventure throughout the state and explore all of its colorful treasures in the 2024 Official Kansas Travel Guide.