A proper adventure starts with inspiration, and the inspiration for this one comes directly from Kansas’ natural beauty and wonderful history. Let’s get the car gassed up, and head out on this 3+ day trip through some of the best Kansas has to offer.
Here’s the link to the map, with most of the destinations marked separately from the main route for convenience.
Welcome to your next Kansas adventure, where we tour 18 places of interest from East to West.
Clarisa Akred/OnlyInYourState
- Otto’s Cafe - 711 N Broadway St Pittsburg, KS
Yelp First stop is lunch. I know I get hungry during car rides, and who’s to say that you won’t too? Otto’s has what you need in a delicious and well-priced package.
- Erie Dinosaur Park - 4th and Walnut Erie, KS
Erie Dinosaur Park Facebook This is a great park for all ages, however, they’re only open twice a month. Those days are the second Saturday and third Sunday of the month from 12pm to 4pm, or by appointment.
- Fall River State Park - Toronto
Kansas Wildlife, Parks & Tourism - Fall River State Park Facebook This state park is a little off the main drive, but a stunning excuse to get out and stretch your legs on a hike.
- Jim & Lila’s 100 Main St Piedmont, KS
Jim and Lila’s Facebook Jim and Lila’s makes one of my favorite cheeseburgers, and their other fare always looks just as good. That’s why their our dinner stop. (So filling!) Also, there’s fresh pies, if that draws you in faster!
- Beaumont Hotel and RV Park - 11651 SE Main St Beaumont, KS
Beaumont Hotel and RV Park Facebook Here’s where you’ll sleep and then grab a delicious breakfast in the morning. Explore the grounds and set out for a drive before lunch.
- Sugar Shane’s - 430 State St Augusta, KS
Sugar Shane’s Facebook Hey, there’s that lunch I was talking about! Sugar Shane’s makes a mean pan fried fish, and their chicken fried steak ain’t bad either. Fill up, and let’s get back on the road!
- Bartlett Arboretum - 301 N Line St, Belle Plaine, KS
Bartlett Arboretum Facebook This park is gorgeous, and you’ll want to walk through it every season of the year. Spring and fall are the most scenic times, but summer is full of butterflies here at the Arboretum.
- Red Rooster Cafe - 524 W 14th St Harper, KS
Yelp The Red Rooster is great food no matter what’s on the menu, and the chefs here are always cooking up something new alongside their regular specials. It’s a tasty place to pick your dinner meal before heading next door to sleep.
- Harper Motel - 522 W 14th St Harper, KS
Harper Motel The Harper Motel is literally next door, I wasn’t kidding. It’s a clean and affordable stay, plus, you can order breakfast here that’s served from next door!
- Gypsum Hills - Medicine Lodge
Vincent Parsons/Flickr Next, you’ll be taking a trip through Medicine Lodge to see the gorgeous Gypsum Hills in all their natural beauty.
- Humble Pie - 730 E 1st St Pratt, KS
Yelp Afterwards, you can pick up a slice or three at Humble Pie. It’s recommended to call in your order 15-20 minutes before you get there, just to make sure it’s fresh and ready to go.
- Big Well Museum - 315 S Sycamore St, Greensburg, KS
Chris Murphy/Flickr Next up is the Big Well museum, where you’ll find meteorites inside the largest hand-dug well ever. Yes, ever.
- Boot Hill Museum - 500 W Wyatt Earp Blvd, Dodge City, KS
turcottes78/Flickr Next up is a Kansas classic, the Boot Hill Museum. This one doesn’t require explaining, but if you haven’t been, you definitely will enjoy it!
- Dodge House Hotel & Convention Center - 2408 W Wyatt Earp Blvd Dodge City, KS
Dodge House Hotel & Convention Center Facebook Following the theme from Boot Hill (and let’s be honest, the rest of Dodge City too,) this place is your rest-and-refuel for the night. First, enjoy a buffet dinner followed by sleep in a western room. In the morning, grab breakfast, and let’s get back on the road!
- Monument Rocks - Oakley
Lane Pearman/Flickr These are such a stunning formation, I couldn’t make this trip without them. They’re so stunning, there’s not really too much to describe them, besides “awesome”.
- Main Street Dugout - 223 Main St Grainfield, KS
Main Street Dugout Facebook This little spot will fill you up during lunchtime, with delicious, hot food and a slice of homemade pie. It’s a favorite stop of mine, when I head through this area.
- Buffalo Bill Cultural Center - 3083 US Hwy 83 Oakley, KS
Buffalo Bill Cultural Center Facebook Next up in entertainment is this museum about Buffalo Bill and his shenanigans. Kiss the buffalo (bison) and enjoy the museum!
- Stephens Restaurant - 200 E Rd 40 Sharon Springs, KS
Yelp Lastly, our final stop is dinner. Stephens Restaurant is a great way to end this trip, and you can always go further, to the Colorado border if you like. However, there’s not much more out there, so it’s just scenery at that point.
Let us know in the comments what other great stops you could make on this gorgeous trip!
Clarisa Akred/OnlyInYourState
Yelp
First stop is lunch. I know I get hungry during car rides, and who’s to say that you won’t too? Otto’s has what you need in a delicious and well-priced package.
Erie Dinosaur Park Facebook
This is a great park for all ages, however, they’re only open twice a month. Those days are the second Saturday and third Sunday of the month from 12pm to 4pm, or by appointment.
Kansas Wildlife, Parks & Tourism - Fall River State Park Facebook
This state park is a little off the main drive, but a stunning excuse to get out and stretch your legs on a hike.
Jim and Lila’s Facebook
Jim and Lila’s makes one of my favorite cheeseburgers, and their other fare always looks just as good. That’s why their our dinner stop. (So filling!) Also, there’s fresh pies, if that draws you in faster!
Beaumont Hotel and RV Park Facebook
Here’s where you’ll sleep and then grab a delicious breakfast in the morning. Explore the grounds and set out for a drive before lunch.
Sugar Shane’s Facebook
Hey, there’s that lunch I was talking about! Sugar Shane’s makes a mean pan fried fish, and their chicken fried steak ain’t bad either. Fill up, and let’s get back on the road!
Bartlett Arboretum Facebook
This park is gorgeous, and you’ll want to walk through it every season of the year. Spring and fall are the most scenic times, but summer is full of butterflies here at the Arboretum.
The Red Rooster is great food no matter what’s on the menu, and the chefs here are always cooking up something new alongside their regular specials. It’s a tasty place to pick your dinner meal before heading next door to sleep.
Harper Motel
The Harper Motel is literally next door, I wasn’t kidding. It’s a clean and affordable stay, plus, you can order breakfast here that’s served from next door!
Vincent Parsons/Flickr
Next, you’ll be taking a trip through Medicine Lodge to see the gorgeous Gypsum Hills in all their natural beauty.
Afterwards, you can pick up a slice or three at Humble Pie. It’s recommended to call in your order 15-20 minutes before you get there, just to make sure it’s fresh and ready to go.
Chris Murphy/Flickr
Next up is the Big Well museum, where you’ll find meteorites inside the largest hand-dug well ever. Yes, ever.
turcottes78/Flickr
Next up is a Kansas classic, the Boot Hill Museum. This one doesn’t require explaining, but if you haven’t been, you definitely will enjoy it!
Dodge House Hotel & Convention Center Facebook
Following the theme from Boot Hill (and let’s be honest, the rest of Dodge City too,) this place is your rest-and-refuel for the night. First, enjoy a buffet dinner followed by sleep in a western room. In the morning, grab breakfast, and let’s get back on the road!
Lane Pearman/Flickr
These are such a stunning formation, I couldn’t make this trip without them. They’re so stunning, there’s not really too much to describe them, besides “awesome”.
Main Street Dugout Facebook
This little spot will fill you up during lunchtime, with delicious, hot food and a slice of homemade pie. It’s a favorite stop of mine, when I head through this area.
Buffalo Bill Cultural Center Facebook
Next up in entertainment is this museum about Buffalo Bill and his shenanigans. Kiss the buffalo (bison) and enjoy the museum!
Lastly, our final stop is dinner. Stephens Restaurant is a great way to end this trip, and you can always go further, to the Colorado border if you like. However, there’s not much more out there, so it’s just scenery at that point.
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