Kansas Travel - cultural events and atractions
Many people think of Kansas tourism as this flat wasteland in the center of the United States. How wrong they are! Kansas is filled with interesting history, beautiful prairielands, museums, cultural events and attractions and the nicest people anywhere. You can travel in Kansas going from the large city of Kansas City to the little bitty town of Garnett where hospitality is shown in abundance.
When I tell you that you can visit the small towns it’s no joke. Kansas has a large number of towns under 1000 people. Take Selden for example. Here, according to the July 2007 report there is a population of 177. Even though there are small towns there is huge pride and friendliness so stop in and say hello. There is land enough to give you some space, views that go on for “ever” and history that will keep you interested for hours on end. Try your luck hunting the pheasants at one of the ranches or farms that take you out during the season.
If you like haunted places then you really want to go to Atchison where there is a Haunted Atchison Trolley Tour that will take you through the “Most Haunted Town in Kansas.” The trolley runs in September and October. The 1 hour ghost tour takes you to a number of homes in the community such as the McInteer Villa where lights go on and off in areas where there is no electricity, ghostly appearances have shown in the tower of the house and also in family photographs. There are footsteps where no one is and doors slamming in rooms that are empty. This is just one of the many houses that you will visit while riding the 1880 AT&SF trolley.
If you enjoy the unique you will enjoy Henry’s Sculpture Hill near Augusta. Here are an array of sculptures created from steel and/or found objects which will enchant you and entertain you. Since this is a private hill, the creator has stopped giving tours for now because of “maintenance, insurance, old age, and attitude, [but] serious buyers who are looking for original steel sculptures are welcome by appointment.” So, if you see something you want to buy, make sure you go and talk to him, otherwise, just look and leave him alone for now. How refreshing to have someone of his artistic talent be so brutally honest.
Have you ever thought about being in the Garden of Eden? Well you can be, right there in Lucas, Kansas! This unique “log cabin” was guilt in 1907 by a retired school teacher and Civil War veteran and in the final 31 years of his life created this unforgettable legacy in three parts. The “log cabin” was built with logs up to 27 feet long and cared from limestone. Dinsmoor, the builder, call it “the most unique home for living or dead on Earth.” He gave tours of this 11 room home during his lifetime. Now tours are given daily May through October. Weekends in January & February. Weekdays March, April, November & December. The cost for the tours is just $6 for adults and $1 for age 6-12. The garden is built of limestone and 113 tons of concrete and tells the history of the world starting with its creation. Come and see the 150 figures plus other forms such as insects to 40 ft tall trees in this unique and fascinating garden in the small town of Lucas.
Manhattan has more than college football. There is the great Fort Riley where you can really get to study military history. As part of your learning experience you can visit the last cavalry training stables with its original cobblestone flooring which used to house 76 horses. Today it still houses horses for the Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard where 20 head are ready for parade all the time. This facility was built in 1889. This is just one of the many historical sites you can see and learn about while at the Fort. Although today the technology and advancements in military power are constantly being updated, history is still worth learning about.
Take the Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway to see the true color of Kansas. Here the hills are filled with canyons, rolling hills, mesas and buttes in stunning color, right in central Kansas. The red cedar tress add a beautiful touch to the terrain. The land is red because it is full of iron oxide which is actually rust. Get off the paved roads to see the real beauty but keep in mind that this is open range so keep your eyes open for animals.
Hot and Cold water towers dot the skyline of Canton. Here the townspeople used their sense of humor to make them stand out among the usual settings of towers. Just think of how funny they think it is when “city folk” ask if they really do hold hot and cold water!