Kansas – Eloray

El Capitan Cattle Drive Monument, Dodge City (Gerald B Keane, Wikimedia Commons)

Let’s Visit Kansas

Join our virtual tour highlighting the top tourist attractions in Kansas.
For an overview of the state, see:
National Geographic Kids. Kansas

Highlights

Let’s learn more about some fascinating places worth seeing in Kansas.

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (Strong City) is famous for preserving one of the last remaining stretches of tallgrass prairie, which once covered much of North America. It offers hiking trails and a glimpse into the unique ecosystem of the Great Plains.
Boot Hill Museum (Dodge City) is renowned for showcasing the history of the Old West. It brings to life Dodge City’s wild frontier days through exhibits, reenactments, and restored buildings from the 1800s.
Monument Rocks (Gove County) is known for its striking natural rock formations that rise out of the flat Kansas plains. These chalk pyramids date back 80 million years and are a National Natural Landmark.
Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center (Hutchinson) is famous for being one of the top space museums in the world, featuring exhibits on space exploration, a space shuttle simulator, and artifacts from the Apollo missions.
Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home (Abilene) is dedicated to the life and legacy of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. It houses historical documents, personal artifacts, and exhibits highlighting his military and political career.
Flint Hills Discovery Center (Manhattan) is known for its interactive exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the Flint Hills region, including its unique tallgrass prairie ecosystem and Native American heritage.
Sedgwick County Zoo (Wichita) is one of the largest zoos in the U.S. and is famous for its expansive collection of more than 3,000 animals from across the world. The zoo’s immersive habitats and exhibits are a major draw for visitors.
The Keeper of the Plains (Wichita) is an iconic 44-foot-tall sculpture overlooking the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers. It’s famous for representing Native American heritage and for its nightly Ring of Fire lighting ceremony.
Fort Larned National Historic Site (Larned) is a well-preserved military fort from the mid-1800s, known for its role in protecting travelers along the Santa Fe Trail. Visitors can explore the fort’s original buildings and learn about frontier life.
Oz Museum (Wamego) is famous for celebrating the legacy of The Wizard of Oz. The museum houses over 2,000 artifacts from the beloved book and movie, attracting fans from around the world who want to step into the land of Oz.

Intriguing mysteries and weird facts

Discover these little-known facts about Kansas.

Kansas Is Flatter Than a Pancake
According to a scientific study, the landscape of Kansas is actually flatter than a pancake. Researchers compared the flatness of Kansas to that of a pancake and found that Kansas was indeed flatter, earning it this strange distinction.
Kansas Is the Tornado Capital of the World
Kansas is located in Tornado Alley, where some of the most powerful tornadoes occur. On average, Kansas experiences around 100 tornadoes per year, making it one of the most tornado-prone places on Earth.
Home to the World’s Largest Ball of Twine
The small town of Cawker City, Kansas, is home to the world’s largest ball of twine, which weighs over 20,000 pounds. It’s a quirky roadside attraction that continues to grow as visitors add more twine to it each year.
Pizza Hut Was Founded in Kansas
The first-ever Pizza Hut was opened in Wichita, Kansas, in 1958 by two brothers, Frank and Dan Carney. What started as a small pizza shop has grown into one of the largest pizza chains in the world.
Kansas Once Experienced a Real-Life “Toto”
In 2017, Kansas experienced a real-life version of The Wizard of Oz when a tornado picked up a house and moved it 100 feet. Fortunately, no one was injured, but it was a bizarre case of life imitating fiction.
Kansas Is the Sunflower State
Kansas is known as the Sunflower State because it produces large amounts of sunflowers, which grow wild throughout the state. Sunflowers even appear on the state flag, symbolizing Kansas’ agricultural heritage.
The First Woman Mayor in the U.S. Was Elected in Kansas
Susanna Madora Salter became the first woman mayor in the United States in 1887, elected in Argonia, Kansas. Her election was a significant moment in women’s history and early feminism.
A Town Named “Gas” Exists in Kansas
Kansas is home to a town called Gas, which got its name from the discovery of natural gas in the area. The town’s quirky slogan is Don’t Pass Gas, Stop and Enjoy It!—a fun pun that makes tourists smile.
Kansas Holds the Record for the Hottest Temperature
The highest temperature ever recorded in Kansas was 121°F (49°C) in Fredonia on July 18, 1936. This makes Kansas one of the hottest places ever recorded in the U.S.
Superman Was a Kansan
In the comic books, Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent, was raised in the fictional town of Smallville, Kansas. This ties Kansas to the origin story of one of the most famous superheroes of all time.

Notable People

Here are 10 famous men and women from Tennessee:

Famous Men

Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) was born in Abilene, Kansas, and became the 34th President of the United States. He was a five-star general during World War II and served as Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe before becoming president.
Charlie Parker (1920–1955) was born in Kansas City, Kansas, and became one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time. Known as “Bird,” Parker was a pioneering figure in bebop, revolutionizing jazz with his saxophone playing.
Buster Keaton (1895–1966) was born in Piqua, Kansas, and became one of the most influential silent film actors and directors in history. He was famous for his physical comedy and deadpan expression in films like The General and Steamboat Bill, Jr..
Barry Sanders (1968– ) was born in Wichita, Kansas, and became one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. He played for the Detroit Lions and is known for his incredible agility and speed on the football field.
William Allen White (1868–1944) was born in Emporia, Kansas, and became a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and editor. He gained national attention for his political writings and leadership in small-town journalism.

Famous Women

Amelia Earhart (1897–1937) was born in Atchison, Kansas, and became a pioneering aviator, famously being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and symbolizing female empowerment in the field of aviation.
Hattie McDaniel (1893–1952) was born in Wichita, Kansas, and became the first African American to win an Academy Award for her role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind. She broke barriers in Hollywood with her talent and perseverance.
Lynette Woodard (1959– ) was born in Wichita, Kansas, and became a basketball legend as the first female member of the Harlem Globetrotters. She also played for Team USA in the Olympics and had a successful college basketball career.
Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald (1900–1948) was born in Montgomery, Alabama, but raised in Montgomery, Kansas. She was a novelist and socialite, and her tumultuous marriage to F. Scott Fitzgerald inspired much of his literary work. She is remembered as a symbol of the Jazz Age.
Sara Paretsky (1947– ) was born in Ames, Iowa, but grew up in Lawrence, Kansas. She is a best-selling crime novelist, famous for her series featuring the female detective V.I. Warshawski, which revolutionized the mystery genre by focusing on a strong female lead.