The Incredible Flower Road Trip Through Kansas Is The Ultimate Spring Adventure
By Lisa Sammons|Published April 11, 2024
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Lisa Sammons
Author
Lisa loves animals and has dogs, rats, cats, guinea pigs, and snakes. She is passionate about animal rescue and live music - traveling across the country to see a favorite band is a pretty regular occurrence! Being out hiking in the woods enjoying the scenery with her beloved dogs is another favorite hobby, and also checking out the Pokemon Go scene in whatever city she happens to be in at any given time (coffee and dog leash in hand). You can reach Lisa at lsammons@onlyinyourstate.com
Spring in Kansas is a magical time, and if you ask us, there’s no better season to get out and explore. From botanical gardens to hiking, there’s no end to the beauty you can check out in the Sunflower State, and it’s a truly amazing time to be outdoors when you’re surrounded by greenery and colorful blossoms. It’s the perfect time for a road trip, and what better destinations to check out than some of the best flowers in Kansas? Here’s an amazing flower road trip near Kansas City that’s a great spring adventure:
In all, the trip requires about four hours of driving, though you'll want to add time to enjoy each stop, of course.
Our first stop is the beautiful Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. This incredible oasis has more than 300 acres of natural beauty, with hiking trails, artwork, and, of course, flowers to enjoy. It's a wonderful spot to take the little ones, and it's such a peaceful area to find some tranquility and get in touch with nature.
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2. Lawrence Rotary Arboretum
Lawrence Rotary Arboretum, 5100 W 27th St, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
Next up is the gorgeous Lawrence Rotary Arboretum, a wonderful spot for a stroll through native plants. There's a paved trail throughout the park, making it perfect for wheelchair users and strollers, and the pond has lots of geese and ducks. Most of the trees are labelled, and there are tons of flowering plants here in the spring.
Our third stop is the beautiful - and educational - Ward-Meade Park, part of the fascinating Ward-Meade Historic Site. This site is located on the Oregon Trail and is home to an 1800s village with a historic church, blacksmith shop, and more that will make you feel like you took a step back in time. The gem that we're featuring on the road trip, though, is the park's 2.5-acre botanical garden that houses more than 500 trees and shrubs, plus 5,000 annual flowers. It's a stunning place to visit in the spring!
4. Ted Ensley Gardens
Ted Ensley Gardens, 3650 SE West Edge Rd, Topeka, KS 66605, USA
The Ted Ensley Gardens are some of the best botanical gardens in Kansas. This 37.5-acre garden is located on the west side of Lake Shawnee and has stunning lake views, with more than 1,200 varieties of flowers on-site. The park is paved, allowing easy wheelchair and stroller access, and it's a great place for a picnic.
5. Botanica, The Wichita Gardens
Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, 701 Amidon St, Wichita, KS 67203, USA
It doesn't get much bigger or better than Wichita's Botanica. This amazing destination has 18 acres with more than 30 themed gardens. Springtime is especially magical here, because there are over 100,000 daffodils in bloom, not to mention all the gorgeous tulips.
6. Bartlett Arboretum
Bartlett Arboretum, 301 N Line St, Belle Plaine, KS 67013, USA
Last but not least on this spring road trip in Kansas is the lovely Bartlett Arboretum, tucked away in tiny Belle Plaine. This 20-acre garden features gogeous trees, colorful blooms, and walking paths that will make you forget you're in a prairie ecosystem. The garden is open select hours seasonally, so make sure to check availability before heading over.
How many of these great gardens in Kansas have you been to? Any that you think should be added to the list? Share your thoughts in the comments!
When heading out on a road trip, one of the most important things to remember to pack is snacks! Check out some of our favorite road trip snacks to bring along on all your spring adventures.
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