Everyone In Kansas Should Check Out These 12 Tourist Attractions, According To Locals
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Lisa Sammons
Author
When you live in a place for a long time, it’s easy to take it for granted – yes, even if that place is somewhere as great as Kansas! We recently asked our readers at Only In Kansas on Facebook for their bucket list attractions in Kansas. You know the spots: the types of places that might be popular for tourists, but sometimes get forgotten by locals. Or, alternatively, the places that tourists have never even heard of, but locals know are worthy of a visit! We picked out 12 of the most popular responses – see how many you’ve checked out in person:
1. Cowley State Lake Fishing Area
Cowley State Fishing Lake, Arkansas City, KS 67005, USA
Outsiders often think of the Sunflower State as made up solely of flat prairies. Of course, those of us who have spent a lot of time here know that the state actually has a variety of landscapes, with plenty of rolling hills and even a few beautiful waterfalls here and there. You'll find one of the prettiest at Cowley Lake Waterfall. This 25-foot cascade is absolutely stunning and definitely worthy of a visit!
2. Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park
Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park, County Road 400 and Gold Road, Oakley, KS 67748, USA
Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park is one of the newer state parks in Kansas, but it belongs on any bucket list. The unique landscape here is made up of towering Niobrara chalk formations that are millions of years old and filled with fossils from when this area was once underneath a massive ocean.
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3. Monument Rocks
Monument Rocks, Lewis, KS 67748, USA
Another must-visit set of chalk formations in Kansas is Monument Rocks. This 70-foot-tall behemoth is considered one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas, and was the first ever U.S. National Natural Landmark.
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4. Wilson Lake
Wilson Lake, Kansas, USA
If you're looking for fun on the water, it doesn't get much better than Wilson Lake. This lake is the centerpiece of the state park that shares its name, and it's a wonderful spot for fishing or kayaking through the beautiful rock formations.
5. Ted Ensley Gardens
Ted Ensley Gardens, 3650 SE West Edge Rd, Topeka, KS 66605, USA
There are some phenomenal botanical gardens in Kansas, and one of the most beautiful is the Ted Ensley Gardens. This 37.5-acre oasis is on the western shore of Lake Shawnee and offers up some truly incredible views, particularly in the springtime.
6. Lake Shawnee
Lake Shawnee may be a man-made lake, but our readers loved it, and many mentioned it as one of their favorite spots for water recreation in Kansas.
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7. Gary L. Haller National Recreation Trail
Mill Creek Streamway Park, 19425 Wilder Rd, Shawnee, KS 66218, USA
One spot that we were pleasantly surprised to see mentioned by readers was the Gary L. Haller National Recreation Trail. This lengthy trek at Mill Creek Streamway Park may not have quite the notoriety of some of our state parks, but it's a wonderful spot to stretch your legs and enjoy nature.
8. Coronado Heights Castle
Castles aren't exactly the first thing that comes to mind when many of us think of Kansas, but that's just what you'll find at Coronado Heights. The structure was built in the 1930s and looks worthy of a fairy tale.
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9. Horsethief Canyon
Kanopolis Lake State Park, 200 Horsethief Rd, Marquette, KS 67464, USA
Another epic hike in Kansas is the magnificent Horsethief Canyon trail in Kanopolis Lake State Park. This utterly unique 4.4-mile trail offers up stunning landscapes with caves, canyons, and gorgeous rock formations.
10. Wamego Wind Mill
If you can't afford a trip to The Netherlands, a spring visit to Wamego City Park will at least show off a windmill and colorful tulips! This is such a charming little town, and the park is a must-visit if you're in the area.
11. Cedar Bluff State Park
Cedar Bluff State Park- Bluffton Area, 32001 KS-147, Ellis, KS 67637, USA
No matter the season, you'll find plenty of beauty at Cedar Bluff State Park. Camping, fishing, biking, hiking, volleyball, and more are all available, and it's a perfect place to catch a sunset.
12. Keeper of the Plains
The Keeper of the Plains, 339 Veterans Pkwy, Wichita, KS 67203, USA
The 44-foot Keeper of the Plains is a magnificent piece of art that guards the Riverside neighborhood of Wichita. The surrounding area has information about the native tribes of Kansas, and if you visit at night, you'll be treated to a spectacular light show.
Did we miss your favorite bucket list attraction in Kansas? Send over your suggestions via our Nomination Form and who knows, you just might see them in a future article!
If you love finding unique things to do in Kansas, you won’t want to miss the Sunflower State tours and attractions available through Viator.
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