Kansas has received a reputation as being a “boring flyover state” and do you know what? I can see why; but hear me out! If you have only seen the great Sunflower State via I-70, there is a good chance that you were in too big of a hurry to take in the beautiful scenery and to see what our state is REALLY about. Whether you live here or are an out-of-towner, the following hidden gems in Kansas are ones that you need to see to understand how special our state truly is:

1. Maxwell Wildlife Refuge (Canton)
Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, 2565 Pueblo Rd, Canton, KS 67428, USA
C M/TripAdvisor
Located near McPherson State Fishing Lake, this 2,560-acre sanctuary is home to some of the few remaining wild buffalo herds, as well as elk and other prairie animals. Hop on the tram to see the refuge's beauty for yourself!
2. The Troll (Wichita)
Troll Statue, 777 W Central Ave, Wichita, KS 67203, USA
Joy W./Yelp
He may be green and terrifying (and he may or may not try to eat you), but the Wichita Troll - who is located underground at 777 W Central Ave - is one of those "WTF" things that everyone should see.
3. Davis Memorial (Hiawatha)
Davis Memorial, 606 E Iowa St, Hiawatha, KS 66434, USA
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Believe it or not, this intricate sculpture was carved entirely of Italian marble by John Milburn Davis after his wife's passing in 1930. (Dear Husband, I hope you are reading this as I fully expect you to commemorate me in the same way!)
4. Clinton Lake (Lawrence)
Clinton Lake, Kansas, USA
Flickr/Patrick Emerson
Sure, Clinton Lake is great for camping and water sports, but the reason we are talking about it today is because it is truly one of the best spots in the state to catch one of our stunning sunsets...
5. Arikaree Breaks (Cheyenne County)
St. Francis City Park / Roadside Park, Unnamed Road, St Francis, KS 67756, USA
Flickr/Kansas Tourism
Why spend all that money traveling to the Grand Canyon when Kansas has an iconic canyon of its own? Welcome to the Arikaree Breaks; the virtually unknown badlands that feature a dramatic 2 1/2 mile break that was created by water some 10,000 years ago.

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6. C.W. Parker Carousel Museum (Leavenworth)
320 S Esplanade St, Leavenworth, KS 66048, USA
Ric P./Yelp
Carousels are full of childhood nostalgia and whimsy, which makes the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum (which shows visitors how these rides are made and operated) a fun outing for everyone in the family.
7. Greyhound Hall of Fame (Abilene)
Greyhound Hall of Fame, 407 S Buckeye Ave, Abilene, KS 67410, USA
Julia M./Yelp
Everyone knows about Abilene's famed Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, but did you know that the town is also home to the equally impressive Greyhound Hall of Fame, which features fascinating displays to peruse and real-life greyhounds to pet and love?
8. Gypsum Hills (Barber County)
Gypsum Hills, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104, USA
Flickr/Kansas Tourism
Also known as the Red Hills, the Gypsum Hills are a unique area that feature rolling hills, ancient floodplains, canyons, and a distinct rust color that has to be seen firsthand to be appreciated.
9. J.R. Dickerman's Open Range Zoo (Lincoln County)
YouTube/rainaroxy
Don't you just love how talented our natives are? Grassroots artist Jim Dickerman is no exception and shares his larger-than-life visions (including dragons, bugs, and more) with those traveling along the highways of Lincoln County.

Check out this delightful video to find out what to expect from this unique work of public art:
10. Dorothy's House & Land of Oz (Liberal)
Dorothy's House and the Land of Oz, 567 E Cedar St, Liberal, KS 67901, USA
kelyons80/TripAdvisor
You have heard of (and have maybe even visited) the impressive Oz Museum in Wamego; now check out the equally fun and vibrant Dorothy's House & Land of Oz, which features fun sets, memorabilia, and even tours offered by Dorothy herself!
11. Drinkwater & Schriver Flour Mill (Cedar Point)
1st Street, 1st St, Cedar Point, KS 66843, USA
Google Local/Sam Lyda
No matter the time of year, the Drinkwater & Schriver Flour Mill historic and picturesque mill, that once served as a production plant for both corn and wheat flowers, is guaranteed to offer you a tranquil afternoon escape.

Discover even more Kansas goodness by visiting These jaw-dropping places in Kansas that will blow you away! Need somewhere to stay while you’re here? Check out the offerings from our friends at Booking.com!

What are some of your favorite hidden gems in Kansas? Let us know!

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Hidden Gems in Kansas

Tori Jane | December 13, 2023

What are some of the best hidden gems in Kansas?  

Honestly, if you ask us, ALL of Kansas is a hidden gem. It’s such a terribly underrated place, with some truly beautiful landscapes and a friendly culture all its own. But hidden within this hidden gem are its own hidden gems, all of which are worth looking into. Some of the coolest hidden gems in Kansas include:  

  • The Keystone Gallery – This is a gift shop and fossil museum unlike any others you’ll have ever visited. It’s small, but it’s mighty! You can’t miss it.  
  • Hedrick’s Bed and Breakfast – This delightful little escape is located on an exotic animal farm. How cool is that? 
  • The Lee Richardson Zoo – This zoo might be the best one in Kansas, with 47 acres and more than 100 amazing species of animals to learn about.  

Learn about these delightful hidden gems in Kansas! 

Which hidden gems in Kansas belong on my outdoors bucket list?  

Of course, the list of hidden gems in Kansas doesn’t begin (or end) with the above; it’s a long list, honestly, one that we can’t duplicate in a couple of paragraphs. That being said, even MORE notable hidden gems – these ones all in the great outdoors – also belong on your bucket list:  

  • Mushroom Rock State Park – Anyone who says Kansas is just boring and flat has obviously never been to this bizarre state park featuring some truly fascinating geological wonders.  
  • Mount Sunflower – This is the highest point in Kansas. Which is cool, in its own funny way.  
  • Horsethief Canyon – This absolutely gorgeous slice of heaven looks like something out of a movie, not the plains!  

Learn more about some more wonderful hidden places in Kansas.   

Which Kansas hidden gems belong on a hidden gems road trip?  

Kansas is home, sweet home to so many of us, and it’s totally wild how many things in Kansas have fallen under the radar. There are even MORE Kansas hidden gems that ought to be part of a road trip, like:  

  • The Troll of Wichita – It's a troll. In Wichita. What else could you want?  
  • The Huge Van Gogh Reproduction in Goodland – This is super awesome even for those who aren’t huge art fanatics.  
  • The Cedar Point Mill – Stopping here is a must, especially for anyone interested in Kansas’s wonder-filled history.  

Learn more about these stops on our pre-planned Kansas hidden gems road trip.   

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