MAIN Travel USA Kansas

Thanks to Hollywood, Kansas still evokes thoughts of Dorothy's adventures in The Wizard of Oz.

Today, real-life Kansas comes alive during peak summer tourist season -- when visitors flock to attractions ranging anywhere from historic walking tours in Dodge City to an interactive trip through time and space at the Smithsonian affiliated Cosmosphere in Hutchinson.

Other top attractions include the Eisenhower Museum in Abilene, the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka and, oddly enough, photo selfies with the world's largest ball of twine in Cawker City!

Off the beaten track attractions in Kansas include the Oz Museum in Wamego, the Carrie Nation
home in Medicine Lodge, and the world's largest ball of twine in Cawker City.

And, of course, there's no place like Kansas for more off-the-beaten track attractions including the Oz Museum in Wamego (featuring a recreation of Dorothy's farm house), and the Paul Boyer Gallery of Animated Carvings in Belleville.

The Carrie Nation house in Medicine Lodge also remains as a tribute to the hatchet-wielding prohibitionist who famously chopped up three bars in nearby Kiowa, Kansas.

Wichita rocks with nightly big-name music concerts, carnival rides, and more at Wichita Riverfest in June.

2024 Kansas events and festivals

Just up ahead, check out our 2024 Kansas travel calender featuring memorable events and major festivals happening throughout the state with dates, locations and official links for more information. Happy travels!

June 6 - June 9, 2024 -- Old Shawnee Days Shawnee -- Kick off the summer with live music concerts, carnival rides and kids' activities.

May 31 - June 9, 2024 -- Wichita Riverfest Wichita - With nine days of family-friendly entertainment, it's the largest community event in Kansas with music concerts, carnival rides, the Kids' Corner, an art show, classic car show, and lots more.

mid-July, 2024- Air Capital Bacon, Bourbon & Brews Festival Wichita - The city's top foodie event includes samples from local craft breweries and bacon creations from top restaurants along with live music.

September 6 - September 15, 2024 -- Kansas State Fair Hutchinson - It's non-stop fun with carnival rides, state fair food creations and live music concerts.

Weekends, September - October 2024 - Kansas City Renaissance Festival Bonner Springs - Travel back in time to
the days of yore to watch live action jousting and swordsmanship, wine and mead tastings, living history exhibits, and general cavortin' during a fine fall weekend.

also see -> Kansas Lake & Beach Guide

DID YOU KNOW? Kansas Travel Fun Facts

We'll leave the red light on for you..

• The term "red light district" came from the Red Light Bordello in Dodge City, Kansas. The infamous house-of-ill-repute had a red glass door which, at night when the lamps were lit, produced a red glow that reflected onto the street. The name eventually came to refer to an entire brothel district.

• A forerunner to Howard Johnson's and McDonalds, the Harvey Houses were America's first restaurant chain that began in 1876 to serve railroad travelers. For a look back at its heyday visit the Harvey House Museum in Florence.

• Every September, Russell Springs (population, 28) hosts a cow-chip throwing contest and proclaims itself "The Cow Chip Capital of Kansas".

• Eccentric Civil War veteran S.P. Dinsmoor used over 100 tons of concrete to build his bizarre mausoleum in Lucas, dubbed The Garden of Eden.

More about Kansas tourist attractions around the Web:

Kansas Travel & Tourism - Outdoor fun & recreation are the focus here with a guide to Kansas state parks, boating & camping facilities, as well as links to major tourist attractions throughout the state by city or region, online live chat & help center, calendar of events, photo gallery.

Kansas Tourist Attractions - Check out Roadside America's survey of offbeat, unusual and downright bizarre attractions throughout the state.