The first time I drove i-70 across Kansas, I (like many others) thought it was endlessly boring. However, I’ve come to learn that every corner of the United States has something beautiful to offer, and Kansas is no exception. From a former missile silo that is now an Airbnb to a large variety of beautiful rock formations, there are plenty of unique and beautiful things to do across The Sunflower State.
Whether you live in Kansas, are taking a Kansas road trip, or are just looking for a quick stop while driving through Kansas, I hope this list of unique things to do in Kansas helps you find somewhere new and special to visit!
Personally, I’ve driven through Kansas a handful of times, but I spent the most time there in November 2023 (where I stayed for a week in Great Bend, Kansas!). Fall was a beautiful time to visit, and I had the best time seeking out badland rock formations and unique landscapes. Keep reading to discover some of the best places to go in Kansas!
11 of the Best Things To Do in Kansas
Here is my list of unique and quirky things to do in Kansas! Whether you like hiking or are looking for a roadside stop, you’re sure to be intrigued by at least one of these unique places.
Map of Unique Places to go in Kansas
1. Hike at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park
Enjoy otherworldly views while hiking at Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. This unique state park on the Western side of the state is a great place to stretch your legs and enjoy easy trails with incredibly unique views.
The park features an area of badlands made of chalk formations. Along with the rock formations, you can see a large population of wild buckwheat, reptiles, birds and amphibians. The park is owned by The Nature Conservancy and includes 220 acres of badlands.
Fun Fact: This area was underwater millions of years ago. These chalk formations were formed from Niobrara Chalk, which came from ocean sediment millions of years ago.
There are two short trails in Little Jerusalem Badlands - the Life on the Rocks Trail and the Badlands Overlook trail. Both offer some beautiful viewpoints overlooking the rock formations. I especially loved that they featured information signage about the plants and animals who call the park home.
These trails offer fantastic views of the rocks, but you can’t get too close. However, they do offer guided tours that go off-trail and allow you get more up close and personal with these fascinating formations. You can check the calendar for upcoming tours. I’d love to do this someday!
Overall, this park is one of the best places to hike in Kansas and a must-visit if you enjoy hiking and interesting rock formations. Admission is $5 and there are machines that take credit cards or cash. Despite feeling like it’s in the middle of nowhere, I had cell reception on Verizon. There are also restrooms available. It’s a beautiful and well-maintained park.
2. Admire the Monument Rocks
The Monument Rocks are not far from Little Jerusalem Badlands. It’s definitely worth visiting them both on the same trip! To visit, you’ll take a well maintained dirt road off of U.S. Highway 83. You can enter from either the north or the south.
You can drive right up to the rock formations, park and walk around. They are fascinating to see and it’s fun to photograph the formations from various angles. I loved the giant arch!
Keep in mind that climbing and drones are prohibited. I had cell reception on Verizon during my visit.
3. Look at Fossils at Keystone Art Gallery
Also not far from Little Jerusalem Badlands, you can find an impressive collection of fossils, art and more at the Keystone Art Gallery. The gallery has been open since 1991 and has some rare and large fossils, including a 20-foot Mosasaur and a 14-foot Xiphactinus.
Along with the fossils, they had a beautiful collection of local art and plenty of souvenirs such as t-shirts, mugs and more. Whether you want to learn more about the fossils or buy a gift, this is worthy of a stop on your Kansas road trip.
4. Tour or Stay in the Atlas ad Astra Missile Silo
For a unique stay in Kansas, look no further than the Astra Missile Silo! During the Cold War, the US worked to develop a strong nuclear missile defense program, in part by hiding giant missiles across the Great Plains. This site was formerly the site of an Atlas F Missile, which was built to withstand a 200 pound-per-square-inch blast. It was built in 1959 and decommissioned in 1965.
The owner, Matthew (plus his dogs Bing and Buddy), bought the property in 2020 with a vision to transform the silo into the ultimate adventure resort. Future plans include an epic RV park, a wine bar, a planetarium and much more.
Right now, you can reserve a stay inside the missile silo on Airbnb. If that’s not your speed or you don’t have a night to spare, you can also take a tour of the property. The tour is super informative and you’ll get to see inside where the missile used to be and learn all about Matthew’s plans for the future.
If you’re at all interested in unique accommodations or the transformation of abandoned places, this is a must-stop in Kansas! Reserve a tour on their website and see for yourself what makes this place so unique and special.
5. Go Hiking at Wilson Lake
Wilson Lake is said to be one of the most beautiful lakes in Kansas. Known for its clear water and great fishing, the lake is also surrounded by multiple parks that offer hiking and camping.
For an easy hike with a rewarding view, I highly recommend the Rock Town Trail, which is located in Lucas Park. This 2.5-mile trail leads from grassy hills down the water, where you’ll get to see some giant rock formations. The eroded rock formations tower up a bit like a town, hence the name.
This hike offers a beautiful mix of scenery and such a unique view. It’s one of my favorite hikes in Kansas!
Many of the Badland rock formations in Kansas remind of Badlands National Park in South Dakota or Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota.
6. Visit Castle Rock
Castle Rock is a remote, chalk rock formation that is very similar to Monument Rocks. Unlike Monument Rock, the final road to reach this site may not be suitable for all vehicles. If you have a low clearance vehicle, I recommend hiking in the last stretch (and expect a long time on dirt roads as you’re getting there).
This remarkable chalk pillar stands 70 feet tall and resembles a castle. In addition to Castle Rock itself, there are some cool rock formations right next to it too. It’s a beautiful and unique area to see in Kansas.
7. Visit the World's Largest Collection of Smallest Replicas of Worlds Largest Things
Not far from Wilson Lake, stop in the town of Lucas for a truly unique roadside attraction. Lucas is home to the World's Largest Collection of Smallest Replicas of Worlds Largest Things (say that 5 times fast). At this self-guided museum, you’ll see photos, replicas, information and more about giant roadside attractions around the world.
The museum is open between April and October and free to visit. Unfortunately I was there in November, but I’m looking forward to visiting on a future road trip!
8. Admire the Mushroom Rocks
This small but neat state park is home to rock formations that look just like giant mushrooms! The formations are made of sandstone and sedimentary rocks, and are millions of years old.
The park is 5 acres and has some short walking trails that allow you to see the fascinating formations up close. There are 2 of the iconic mushrooms, plus some other smaller rocks.
Unfortunately, there is an obscene amount of rock carving on these fragile formations. Please be sure to never carve on a rock or tree while you’re out exploring - take a photo instead!
9. Explore Rock City Park
Similar to Mushroom Rocks, Rock City Park is another remote-feeling park full of rock formations. The park is surrounded by farms and I had it all to myself. The park has several giant, round boulders made of sandstone cemented by calcite. There are about 200 of these rocks so it really feels like you’re inside of a rock city as you walk around.
Fun Fact: This is the largest concentration of rocks of this size and type in the world!
The park asks for a $3 donation when you visit. It’s well worth a visit and such a fun place to spend an afternoon exploring.
10. Visit the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Refuge
If you’re into birdwatching, be sure to make a stop at the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Refuge during your Kansas road trip. This wetlands area is an important stopover for millions of migratory birds each year. In fact, 45% of all shorebirds in North America use this area at some point throughout the year. The park provides a habitat for endangered species such as the whooping crane, along with over 300 other types of birds.
When you visit, there is a driving route around the area and an observation tower. It’s also worth stopping at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, where you can learn all about the landscape, wildlife and more.
I recommend staying for sunset, as the vibrant sky reflected on the water (not to mention 100’s of birds flying by) made for one of the most epic sunsets I’ve seen! Plus, it’s worth stopping by the small town of Great Bend Kansas when you visit, which has some great restaurants such as Mizumi Sushi & Steak and Dry Lake Brewing.
11. Eat Joe's KC BBQ at a Gas Station
If you’re passing through Kansas City and want to try some BBQ, be sure to visit Joe’s. Said to be one of the best places to eat BBQ in Kansas City, the original Joe’s location is inside of a former gas station. After winning several competitions and opening a restaurant in Oklahoma, Jeff and Joy Stehney took the opportunity to open a barbecue joint inside of a gas station and convenience store close to their home. Today, the restaurant is still housed inside of the same building.
Today, the shop still has a working gas pump, and sells all kinds of BBQ sauces in addition to the BBQ menu items from Joe’s. In addition to classic items like ribs and burnt ends, Joe’s is known for the Z-Man Sandwich. I was thrilled that they offer a vegetarian Z-Man Sandwich (it was delicious!). The sandwich includes brisket (or smoked portobello mushrooms for me!), provolone and onion rings on a Kaiser Roll.
Looking for more ideas? Here are a few more unique places in Kansas that are on my list for the future:
- Visit the Big Well Museum
- Strataca (tour a working salt mine)
- Hike in Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Final Thoughts
Well, there you have it! I hope at least one of these places helped you realize that Kansas has more to offer than you originally thought. From ancient fossils to wild rock formations, the state is beautiful, underrated and waiting to be discovered. I hope you use this guide to plot an epic Kansas road trip!
For More Midwest Travel Ideas, check out these blogs:
- The Best Outdoorsy Road Trips in the Midwest
- A Badlands and Black Hills Road Trip Itinerary
- The Best Things To Do in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- A Guide to Visiting Badlands National Park in October
- How to Spend 3 Days on the MN North Shore
- How to Spend 3 Days in Madison, Wisconsin
- The Best Hikes in Indiana
- The Best Things To Do in Hocking Hills, OH
- How to Spend One Day in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Thanks for Reading!
Let's stay in touch!
Join the Lost with Lydia email list to get monthly travel guides and tips!
