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Everyday Outdoor Family

Fun, quirky Kansas spots worth the drive

Published 2 months ago • 3 min read

Hey Friends,

I genuinely think Kansas is one of the most underrated states for family adventures.

People assume it is just endless flat roads and wheat fields… and then suddenly you are standing in front of giant rock formations in the middle of nowhere, biking a 4-person bicycle in a tiny Swedish town, touring Amelia Earhart’s hometown, or riding on an ancient carousel.

Weird little roadside attractions and small towns are some of my favorite places to explore. They are usually cheaper, less crowded, lower stress, and make great stops on bigger road trips, or relaxing weekend trips on their own.

So if you are looking for some unique summer adventures, here are a few Kansas spots that are worth adding to your list.

Weird & Fun Things to Do in Kansas

Amelia Earheart Museum in Atchison, Kansas

This museum is SO well done.

Even if you are not hugely into aviation history, the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum makes it really interactive and interesting for families. Plus Atchison itself is surprisingly fun to explore for an afternoon with cute historic streets, river views, and little shops.

It makes a great easy day or weekend trip from Kansas City.

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👉 Check out Atchison on Instagram​

Lindsborg, Kansas

Also known as “Little Sweden USA,” and it fully commits to the theme in the best way.

There are colorful Dala horses all around town, cute bakeries, local shops, and fun little festivals throughout the year. It feels quirky and charming without trying too hard.

👉 Check out my Lindsborg Reel​

Northeast Kansas Town Trek Program

If your family loves checking off destinations and turning travel into a challenge, this is SUCH a fun summer activity.

The Kansas Tourism Town Trek program encourages you to visit small towns throughout Northeast Kansas, check in at different locations, and earn prizes along the way. It is basically real-life travel bingo, which obviously I fully support.

It is also a really fun way to discover places you normally would have driven right past.

👉 Town Trek Program​
👉 Northeast Kansas on Instagram​

Lawrence, Kansas + Summer of Soccer

Lawrence is one of my favorite Kansas towns for food, bookstores, coffee shops, and wandering downtown.

Every year they have a fun free passport program where you can check in around town, get coupons, and win prizes. This year it will be extra fun with a Summer of Soccer theme! They are even hosting the Algerian National Team for the World Cup!

👉 Summer of Soccer Pass​
👉 Lawrence FIFA Reel on Instagram​

Rock City

This place is basically giant round boulders scattered across the landscape like somebody dropped massive marbles in the middle of Kansas, or as many people commented on my reel about it, massive dino poos, ha!

We loved climbing and exploring these rocks. It is weird, unexpected, and makes for a surprisingly fun stop on a road trip down I-70.

👉 Rock City on Instagram​

Monument Rocks

This is one of those places where you’re like, “wait a minute, I’m in Kansas?”

Massive chalk formations rise out of the prairie and look completely unlike anything else in the Midwest. Sunset here is especially gorgeous if you can time it right.

It definitely feels more remote, but that is part of what makes it memorable.

Abilene, Kansas

Abilene is one of my favorite small-town Kansas stops. It is full of history because it is Eisenhower’s hometown, but it has some cool family-fun experiences too.

You can find the World’s Largest Belt Buckle, take a ride on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (and even ride in the engine), and ride on an old carousel!

👉 Check out Abilene on my blog​

Don't Forget About Sunflower Summer

If you have kids and live in Kansas, the Sunflower Summer program is amazing. I live in Missouri and I am super bummed I don’t get to take advantage of this amazing program.

It gives Kansas families free access to museums, attractions, zoos, historic sites, and activities all across the state during the summer months.

It is one of the best ways to explore more of Kansas without spending a fortune, especially if you are trying to fill summer days with fun experiences.

It’s definitely worth checking to see which attractions are participating this summer before planning your adventures.

👉 Sunflower Summer Website​

How to find nearby ideas without hours of research

I asked 5,000 people what their biggest problems were that held them back from exploring more. One of the biggest issues was overwhelm and indecision.

They said they wanted to find more cool places in their home state or fun stops on road trips, but they could never keep track of what was where and what was on the way.

That’s why I created my Kansas maps. I wanted to make it easy for you to find places, sort by the activities you love, and search by destination.

Get your map now to start planning your summer adventures across Kansas!

Summer Offers

Go see the Kansas City Royals for 20% off with my code OUTDOOR, valid Sun–Thurs through August 9.

Before You Go...

One of my favorite things about Kansas is that it constantly surprises me. Some people will believe the “flat and boring” rhetoric, but those who truly look for fun and beauty will find so much of it.

That is kind of the magic of Midwest travel.

Hope you find a few weird adventures this summer.

Talk soon,
Amy

Thank you!

Thank you so much for being here and supporting me! It means so much to me that you’re here. I hope that I can provide value for you and your family, so you’re inspired to get out and explore more! Happy adventuring!

-Amy

8450 NW Prairieview Road, #1397, Kansas City, MO 64154
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