Sunflowers & Hidden Gems: Top 10 Things to Do in Kansas You Didn’t Know You Needed*

Hey traveler! Kansas isn’t just wheat fields and tornadoes — it’s a midwestern wonderland packed with quirky roadside attractions, rich history, and small-town surprises you’ll actually want to brag about. Here’s your ultimate Kansas to-do list with hidden gems, where to stay, and my favorite travel tools (yes — affiliate links, because a girl’s gotta eat).

Top 10 Things to Do and See in Kansas

1. Monument Rocks (Chalk Pyramids)

These prehistoric formations near Oakley are like Mother Nature’s own Stonehenge — minus the entry fee. A must for photos!

2. Cosmosphere, Hutchinson

NASA-level space museum in the middle of Kansas? Yep. With artifacts rivaling the Smithsonian.

3. Strataca Underground Salt Museum

Tour 650 feet below Hutchinson into a salt mine. Weird, wonderful, and oddly fascinating.

4. Mushroom Rock State Park

Bizarre mushroom-shaped rock formations — perfect for those “Look where I am” Instagram moments.

5. The Keeper of the Plains, Wichita

Iconic 44-foot tall statue overlooking the Arkansas River. Go at dusk for the dramatic Ring of Fire.

6. Boot Hill Museum, Dodge City

Step into the Wild West with costumed guides, saloons, and simulated gunfights.

7. OZ Museum, Wamego

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to quirky movie memorabilia from The Wizard of Oz.

8. Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park

A hidden gem of rugged limestone cliffs and stunning views, only recently opened to the public.

9. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Over 10,000 acres of untouched tallgrass prairie — perfect for hiking, wildlife spotting, and forgetting you even own a phone.

10. World’s Largest Ball of Twine (Cawker City)

Because no road trip is complete without one hilariously weird roadside stop.

Where to Stay in Kansas

* [Check hotels with Hotellook](https://hotellook.tp.st/eTR4sPTY) for the best deals

* [Book transfers with GetTransfer](https://gettransfer.tp.st/7ugUWF39)

* [Compare flights via Aviasales](https://aviasales.tp.st/1OvJR03a)

* [Rent a car with EconomyBookings](https://economybookings.tp.st/bRR16EhB)

* [Or book an RV road trip adventure](https://qeeq.tp.st/fZzvdFjb)

Hidden Gems You Can’t Miss

* Big Brutus: The world’s largest electric shovel in West Mineral. Random. Amazing.

* The Garden of Eden (Lucas): Eccentric outsider art sculpture park.

* Cowtown Museum (Wichita): Real-deal Old West town vibe.

Bonus Travel Tools (My Fave Travel Essentials)

* [WayAway — Cash back on flights & hotels](https://wayaway.tp.st/a3ky7N3D)

* [Visitor’s Coverage Travel Insurance](https://visitorscoverage.tp.st/YjSIozxi)

* [Airalo eSIM for cheap global data](https://airalo.tp.st/YSJ1DHLl)

* [Radical Storage — secure your bags while you explore](https://radicalstorage.tp.st/tIES5ra9)

* [TicketNetwork for concert & event tickets](https://ticketnetwork.tp.st/8YnYe4QJ)

Travel Like a Pro

[Rent bikes & scooters](https://bikesbooking.tp.st/lzXnwZrC)

[Book unique experiences](https://wegotrip.tp.st/YVL5ihrF)

[Plan a custom trip with Trip](https://trip.tp.st/LGkRYPEA)

Disclosure

This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you — which helps fund my travel snacks and the occasional margarita. Thanks for your support!

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