Kansas is a great destination for a weekend getaway, whatever your interests. The stunning midwest scenery is a great attraction for those who want to spend their weekend getaways in Kansas exploring the great outdoors, while the state's bustling cities and charming small towns have lots to offer visitors more interested in the culture and heritage of the area.
Best weekend getaways in Kansas
For a landlocked state, Kansas still has a great deal to interest tourists who enjoy water sports or who just want to enjoy a view of rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. There are dozens of waterfalls on the rivers and creeks south and west of Kansas City, while many of the state's lakes and reservoirs offer visitors the chance to take a swim or hire a boat for the day. Falls River Lake State Park is particularly popular with kayakers and hikers who want to take the opportunity to get away from it all in rural Kansas.
This area has a proud military history, and a weekend getaway in Kansas is the perfect opportunity to learn about that history and how the state was affected by the Civil War. Fort Leavenworth dates from 1827 and is the oldest settlement as well as the oldest active US Army post outside of Washington DC. Start at the Frontier Museum to learn more about the town and its military beginnings. The Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita tells visitors more about how ordinary early Kansans survived in the harsh conditions.
If you are taking the family on your weekend getaway in Kansas, Wichita is also home to the popular Sedgwick County Zoo and Botanica botanical gardens (with its own butterfly house). Topeka also has its own zoo located within the popular 19th century Gage Park where you can also find the Kansas Children's Discovery Center. The park has its own miniature train and hosts cultural events and concerts.
