Exciting Places to Explore Across the Beautiful State of Kansas

Feb 10, 2025

We’re not in Dorothy Gale’s Kansas, anymore, ma! Today on the blog we’re sharing some incredible places to visit across the beautiful state of Kansas, a real jewel of the Midwest when it comes to winter travel destinations. There are plenty of beautiful sunny days to explore during the snowy season across The Sunflower State! So, let’s take a page from the KC Chiefs and enjoy some rest and relaxation after a busy season, and explore some more of the fun things this great state has to offer besides a star football team and Taylor Swift sightings.

State Parks and Nature Areas

Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park covers 330 acres of shortgrass prairies and incredible chalk formation rock structures; it’s perfect for hiking, nature photography, and scenic views.

Cedar Bluff State Park encompasses two recreational areas with a total of 1,100 acres along the shores of Cedar Bluff Lake; you’ll have a grand time fishing, hunting, wildlife spotting, and hiking.

Prairie Dog State Park is situated on the shores of Keith Sebelius Reservoir and sprawls over 1,150 acres; known as the home of the prairie dogs, nearly 300 of these quirky little guys inhabit the area.

Webster State Park and Webster Wildlife Area consist of 8,000+ acres of gorgeous park land that migratory birds like the Bald and Golden Eagles call home for the winter; there’s a pickleball court and disc golf course, as well as plenty of options for hiking, fishing, and archery.

El Dorado State Park has more than 4.000 acres to explore that are simply teeming with wildlife all year round! Take a hike through the snowy trails and keep your eyes peeled for some majestic deer and maybe even a wily coyote or two.

Lake Scott State Park is a popular destination for nature photographers thanks to its stunning rock faces and formations, and of course the magical look of the snowcovered lakeshore with frozen waters.

Kanopolis Lake State Park has incredible hiking trails and caves just begging to be explored. And we bet those snowcovered red rocks will leave you breathless during your winter visit!

Historic Sites and Museums

The Sternberg Museum of Natural History is home to an impressive collection of live animals, fossils, and interactive exhibits. Visitors will enjoy a replicated fossil dig site, hands-on activities in the discovery room, 5 permanent exhibits, and a multitude of special events and rotating exhibits.

The Mid America Air Museum houses more than 100 aircrafts on display from warbirds to helicopters, planes, and experimental technology. Explore each exhibit and learn about the history of air travel and transportation, and be sure to visit the Hall of Aviation Science for up-close-and personal hands-on learning!

The Prairie Museum of Arts and History will transport visitors to the life of early prairie settlers with a replica sod house, one-room school, the largest barn in all of Kansas, a church, and a 1930s farmstead. In addition, the museum is also home to the World-Class Kuska Collection featuring more than 28,000 artifacts such as toys, glass, ceramics, coins, clothing, art and more.

The Mid-American All-Indian Center is dedicated to preserving the history and culture of Middle America’s Native American populations and tribes. Learn about the history and heritage of local indigenous populations through a visit to the museum, gallery of nations, and interactive exhibits. You can even experience a real live pow-wow and learn more about Native American ceremony and customs, and shop for authentic creations and jewelry.

Cosmosphere International Science Education Center and Space Museum is a unique aeronautics and space museum which houses the largest combined collection of both Soviet and American artifacts from space travel. As the state’s only Smithsonian affiliated museum, it’s the only place in the Midwest to check out a real actual used aircraft from 3 manned space flight missions!

Flint Hills Discovery Center is an interactive museum and science center dedicated to exploring and education of the area’s tallgrass prairies. Visitors can enjoy an immersive theater experience that takes you through different areas and seasons on the prairie, interactive exhibits and hands-on learning about life on the prairie, and a beautiful Prairie Garden Terrace and Trail experience with native wildflowers and plants, informational panels, and gorgeous views.

Little House on the Prairie Museum is the official home site of famous children’s author Laura Ingalls Wilder. This replica of Wilder’s 1870 cabin will take visitors back in time as they learn about the pioneer way of the Ingalls family that inspired her children’ s books. There’s also an authentic one-room schoolhouse and a turn of the century post office on site.

Arts and Entertainment

Karg Art Glass offers a unique gift gallery with hand-blown glass and art across all mediums. Monday through Saturday at select times you can come by and watch hand-blown glass artisans work their magic live in person.

Red Barn Studio Museum offers a unique experience to visit the working studio of professional artist and craftsman Lester Raymer. You’ll get to tour the studio and view his artwork and craftsmanship in everything from painting to printmaking to ceramics and woodcarving, and so much more.

Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University is the region’s premiere source for modern and contemporary art. Visitors will enjoy a large collection of exhibits featuring 20th and 21st century artists.

Wichita Art Museum has curated an incredible collection of American Artists including the likes of Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer, Louis Nevelson, Georgia O’Keefe and many more. The stunning Art Garden around the museum features numerous outdoor exhibits and sculptural works as well.

Vernon Filley Art Museum features a gift shop and gallery of more than 100 local and regional artists through three different indoor spaces and an outdoor courtyard. Exhibits are rotated every four months to keep things fresh and exciting!

Museum at Prairie Fire focuses on the intersection between science, art, culture, and natural history through a series of dynamic exhibits and interactive programming.

Lawrence Arts Center offers a year round catalogue of performing arts events, artistic exhibitions, and innovative creative classes and lectures. Artists in residence and visiting artists will contribute to an incredible collection of rotating exhibits and installations as well as performance art demonstrations.