Visiting from Michigan board

Hubby and I will be visiting Kansas in May for a family Wedding.  We would like to make a mini vacation of the trip while there.   What  vacation type things are in Kansas?  Or historical kind of stuff,   My geography and history days are long ago!!   thanks.

Actually there are numerous forts and museums/historical societies across Kansas.  I live in Larned (just about right in the center of the state)...Fort Larned National Historic Site is interesting, also the Santa Fe Trail Center...of course, Dodge City has historic Front Street & the Dalton Gang Hideout is near Meade, I think...those are both in SW Kansas...and then there are various historical-related festivals and such at different times of the year with special activities.  Let me know where the wedding is and I would be happy to check out more info for you 

We will be there the first week of  may  and the wedding is somewhere around wichita. Thats where the kids live.  Thank you!!     We have an interest in the early settlement of our country!
 

Hi. You may find the following link helpful: http://www.wichitalinks.com/attractions_more.html. Of course, it will focus on Wichita, mostly. You will be fairly close to the Oklahoma border (of Land Rush fame), so that might be something to pursue, also. Have a safe trip and a fun time.
Blessings,
Mary

I apologize for taking so long to get back to you...as I said before there are many, many forts and such all across Kansas & historical sites as well...there are a couple of websites, TravelKS.com & VisitWichita.com that might give you some idea of what is available.  If you come through Topeka, the Kansas Museum of History is a good bet, also Topeka is our state capitol.  the Great Overland Station is a museum/education center in a restored Union Pacific  Railroad Station in Topeka.  It features historical exhibits, the All Veterans Memorial, and a G Gauge Train Display.  Atchison is the birthplace of Amelia Earhart - there are museums, trolley tours, Lewis & Clark Heritage sites (www.atchisonkansas.net).  Lecompton was the first territorial capitol of Kansas - the Constitution Hall National Landmark & Kansas Historic Site, the Territorial Capitol National Historic Site & Eisenhower's Parents' Marriage Site (www.LecomptonKansas.com).  In Abilene you will find the Eisenhower Presidential Museum.  Wichita has the Coleman Factory Outlet and Museum, the Frank Lloyd Wright-Allen Lambe House Museum, the Great Plains Transportation Museum, the Kansas Aviation Museum, the Kansas Firefighters Museum, and the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.  The Kansas Underground Salt Museum is located in Hutchinson as is the Cosmosphere.  Near Mineral, Ks you can see Big Brutus, which is the world's second largest electric mining shovel.  Closer to where I live, in Larned, we have the Santa Fe Trail Center, Fort Larned National Historic Site, and the Boy Scout Museum, all very interesting attractions.  We also have a few great little antique shops.  Pawnee Rock National Historic Site is located between Larned and Great Bend, and there are a couple of antique shops there as well.  In Great Bend you might want to visit the Brit Spaugh Park & Zoo (also the Topeka Zoo in Topeka and the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita).  In western Kansas, Dodge City has historic Front Street, and the Dalton Gang Hideout is in Meade.  Greensburg has the world's largest hand-dug well - the town was all but destroyed in a tornado about 2 years ago but they are rebuilding.  Some of the scenery in Kansas is pretty fantastic - the Flint Hills are beautiful.  Contrary to what our governor said during one of her trips out of state, we do make wine in Kansas - there are several wineries, one of which is Wyldewood Cellars in Wichita, where they have free tours and tastings.  In Hays there is the Sternberg Museum, which has skeletons of prehistoric dinosaurs, and in Victoria - east of Hays - the Cathedral of the Plains is very beautiful.  And of course we do have the world's largest ball of twine - that's in Cawker City.  Also you might check out www.kshs.org/tourists/landmarks.htm, which has links for you to explore Kansas by region, venture off the highway, or travel by theme.  And on I-35 in Salina, try Russell's Restaurant - it's a great place to eat  I hope this helps a little...hope you enjoy your visit to Kansas (it's not as boring as most people think!!)...and above all, have a safe trip