From its rolling Flint Hills and wild mustangs to its historic towns along the Chisholm Trail, Kansas honors its cowboy history.
Visitors can immerse themselves in the pioneering spirit that drew settlers to Kansas at its living history museums, walk in the shoes of outlaws, and embrace the cowboy experience under a canopy of stars.
I’m proud to be a native Kansan who has traveled across the Sunflower State to learn its history and meet its residents. This list is compiled of experiences I hope will give you a better understanding of Kansas’ frontier legacy.
Cowboy Up: Wild West Adventures in Kansas
Living History Museums
If you want to witness a simulated gunfight between cowboys or sip a sarsaparilla in a replica Wild West saloon, these living history museums bring the past to life.
Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita includes historic buildings dating back to the 1860s, where you can witness costumed interpreters at work on the farm, saloon, printing shop, and blacksmith shop.
Visitors can take self-guided tours of 54 buildings, many of which are original structures. The Munger House, considered the first Wichita home, gives new meaning to Home on the Range. The creaky wood floor, low ceilings, and smell of the Kansas prairie envelop visitors.
In Dodge City, the Queen of the Cowtowns, Boot Hill Museum preserves the history of life on the prairie by documenting the Old West. A self-guided tour of original and replica buildings immerses visitors in 1800s life.
The museum includes over 60,000 artifacts and photographs about the Plains Indians, the cattle industry, Victorian life, and the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame exhibit.
I recommend watching saloon girls perform at the Long Brand Variety Show in the saloon while sipping sarsaparilla; one feels a part of the saloon lifestyle.
It’s here that bootleggers profited, and cowboys gambled until dawn. And when things got too rowdy, gunfights broke out beyond the saloon doors in the street where cowboys often died with their boots on, hence the name Boot Hill.
PRO TIP: Keep the cowboy-crazed good time going at Boot Hill Distillery.
The Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site in Olathe provides living history programming on Saturday in April, May, September, and October. You can catch daily activities on the farm in action, Wednesday through Saturday, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
I have yet to visit Mahaffie, but I’m told it’s a must-visit stop when in the Kansas City area, especially if you’re interested in learning more about livestock at The Agricultural Heritage Barn.
A short drive from Kansas City, Shawnee Town 1929 in Shawnee offers visitors a chance to experience a typical day in a farm community where cowboys and their families would have settled.
The reality of farmstead life becomes apparent when entering the Market Shed, where produce was washed and sorted for the market.
Set aside time to appreciate Dunbar School, a one-room schoolhouse with authentic artifacts. Appreciate the entrepreneurial achievements of business owners at Garrett Grocery Store, City Ice, and Fisher Chevrolet Dealership.
PRO TIP: Old Shawnee Days is an entertaining event that attracts thousands of visitors to Shawnee Town 1929 each June. Known for its carnival, music, concessions, and vendors, it is worth planning your trip around.
Eat Like a Cowboy
Make no mistake, Kansas cooks know how to prepare stick-to-your-ribs chicken-fried steak dinners and hearty cast-iron meals, including some of the best-tasting steak dinners.
I consider myself a connoisseur of chicken-fried steak, and the best one I’ve enjoyed is served at M&R Grill in Abilene.
Another restaurant deserving of runner-up status for its chicken-fried steak dinners is Colbert Hills in Manhattan.
PRO TIP: Carve out time to visit the Big Spur next door at Rittel’s Western Wear, a stop on the Cowboy Art Trail and Gunsmoke Trail.
Admire Art Celebrating The Cowboy Lifestyle
Abilene, a stop on the Chisholm Trail from 1867 to 1871, was part of the route Texas cowboys took to drive cattle to market.
Be sure to follow the Cowboy Art Trail to sites around town that include The World’s Largest Belt Buckle, sculptures, murals, and over a dozen hand-painted cowboy boots.
A stop on the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail, Hays honors its history as a cow town from 1867 to the 1870s with landmarks and historic buildings celebrating its Wild West story.
The town’s rich history as a cattle stop for cowboys and gamblers is celebrated in its public art, including dozens of hand-carved sculptures by local, nationally-known artist Pete Felten.
Take the Historic Walking Tour through Downtown Hays at The Bricks to learn about the notable sites where the West’s famous characters like Wild Bill Hickock, Buffalo Bill Cody, and Calamity Jane hung out in saloons and gambling houses.
Observe Buffalo Up-Close on The Prairie
Imagine riding on the back of a truck as a stampede of buffalo approaches, looking straight at you. It’s snack time for buffalo treats. The most exhilarating feeling, and perhaps the most quintessential Kansas experience, Duff’s Buffalo Ranch in Scott City offers private buffalo tours.
We were so close to the buffalo that we could hear their heavy breathing and occasional moans. The ranch owner drove as his wife rustled a bag of feed from the rear of the pickup truck. A herd of hundreds of buffalo enthusiastically ate a trail of food as the truck rolled slowly forward through the rugged terrain.
In McPherson County, John Gault Maxwell immigrated from Scotland in 1859 and became a grain farmer and dealer. He was enamored by the Kansas prairie and devoted to preserving it and the native wildlife.
After his death, he willed $75,000 to purchase land in Canton, used by Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, a nonprofit organization, for educational purposes. Located on the Kansas Prairie Trail Scenic Byway, the refuge opened in 1951 with ten buffalo and six elk.
Today, it flourishes with up to 250 animals each spring.
Make a reservation to board a tram covered in windows for a 45-minute tour of the prairie to view buffalo and elk. You are more likely to see elk from the tram tour if you reserve a seat on the first tram of the day. Once they feed, they roam to distant areas of the prairie.
I’ve also observed a buffalo herd grazing from a safe distance during a tour of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Chase County. It’s another life-changing experience you simply must have when in Kansas.
A guided tour through native grassland, home to 500 plant species, begins at the visitor’s center. A bus driver will take onlookers via a trail, pausing on a hilltop for a remarkable panoramic view. Be sure to listen for the Kansas meadowlark, the state’s bird.
PRO TIP: Prefer to hike? View the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve hiking map.
Explore the Santa Fe Trail Landmarks
The Santa Fe Trail, also known as The Great Prairie Highway, stretched through five states, including Kansas. Pioneers and traders used the trail like a two-way highway.
According to the National Park Service, the Santa Fe Trail became a national road connecting the more settled parts of the United States to the new Southwest territories after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war in 1848.
The Santa Fe Trail Center, located near Larned, is a museum operated by the Fort Larned Historical Society that teaches visitors about the role the route played in Westward Expansion in Kansas.
Additionally, I’d recommend driving to Council Grove. Santa Fe Trail travelers purchased goods at the Last Chance Store, which remains open to the public today.
Explore the History of the Pony Express
When in Seneca, you must experience one of its most historic treasures, the Pony Express Museum. A relic of the Wild West, the museum tells the story of the town’s role as a stop on the Pony Express mail route in the late 1800s. Seneca claims the Smith Hotel was the first home station.
As you walk upon the building’s original wood floors, explore a makeshift saloon, a replica schoolroom, and original artifacts for the Smith Hotel, a refuge for riders needing a break.
Don’t leave without learning the fascinating history of westbound rider Johnny Frey and peeking inside the old jail cell.
PRO TIP: To guarantee a tour, call (785) 294-6655 to schedule an appointment.
Naturally, your next stop should be the Pony Express Barn & Museum in Marysville, the Original Pony Express Home Station No. 1, dating back to 1859. A native limestone building, it is nestled next to the barn that once served as a livery stable.
During my tour, a guide led me from artifact stations to dioramas depicting Native American tribes that once lived in the area. I became increasingly impressed by the museum’s exhibits.
Given how difficult it is to curate items from the Pony Express era, the museum captures the year well.
Shop Local for Western Wear
Yeehaw! For over 50 years, Nigro’s Western Store No. 2 in Shawnee has outfitted shoppers with the best denim and boots in Shawnee, Kansas. Celebrities like Gwen Stefani and Moses Brings Plenty have shopped its aisles.
Third-generation owned and operated, the Western store is a cowboy’s and cowgirl’s dream. Boots, belts, jewelry, jeans…they’ve got it all for concert season or any day of the year.
Save your spending money for Lisa’s Western Wear in Pratt to stock up on leather boots and cowboy fashion. Cowboys and cowgirls around the area shop here for rodeo gear. You won’t find many independently owned stores like this one in the state.
Ladies, don’t walk past the jewelry shelves without trying on some new bling.
One look at the Big Spur located in Abilene in front of Rittel’s Western Shop, and you’ll feel inspired to go inside and shop for a pair of cowboy boots.
The store’s resident greeter, a cattle dog named Rio, will welcome you.
High Call Outfitters in Great Bend is a hidden gem. The apparel shop specializes in on-trend western and business casual apparel for men and women. Children’s clothes and shoes are available in the back room.
The store carries brands including Pendleton, Liverpool, and Wrangler. If you’re in a rush to find a comfortable pair of jeans or a shirt for a last-minute date night, you’ll find it here.
Other tried-and-true stores I’d recommend for western wear include Sister Bojangles Boutique (Lindsborg), A5 Western (Hutchinson), and Dandales Western Store (Wichita).
Wild West Festivals You Should Experience
During late July, Dodge City Days is a 10-day celebration of the Wild West, including a High Noon Gunfight at Boot Hill Museum, PRCA Rodeo Round-Up and Championship Finals Night, parades, live music, and Kidfest.
Dalton Defenders Days in Coffeyville takes place the first weekend in October to commemorate the lives lost when residents defended their town against the ruthless, bank-robbing Dalton Gang.
One can expect a reenactment show downtown daily, live music, craft vendors, a car show, and food trucks.
EquiFest of Kansas in Topeka is where you need to be if you want to experience the cowboy way and watch live rodeo action.
The three-day celebration of all things horses includes demonstrations, two rodeo events, vendors, live music, and clinics. View my Instagram posts to see what you can expect on Day 1 and Day 2-3.
Follow the Gunsmoke Trail Like Marshall Matt Dillon
If you’re a fan of the radio and television show “Gunsmoke,” then you’ll want to follow the show’s trails through Kansas: Wichita, Hays, Abilene, and Dodge City.
My article “Explore the Wild West Legends Along the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail,” written for Kansas Country Living Magazine, details what you can expect at each stop and why the show still appeals to today’s nostalgic fans.
For a genuine understanding of what made the Kansas frontier wild, you have to immerse yourself in cowboy culture. Learn its history, eat like a cowboy, and wear the attire.
To access more authentic experiences that conjure the Old West, read Kansas Museums to Imagine Life on the Prairie, a guide to 22 self-guided spaces that house artifacts from when Native Americans lived in the Sunflower State.
Happy Trails.
Walk west to the clock tower, Window in Time, located at the roundabout. Its sculpted panels detail scenes from the Chisholm Trail. A time capsule is buried at its base.
I recommend downloading the PocketSights mobile app to listen to a fascinating audio tour, 
Bar drinks are served with or without booze. Add delectable bites such as chips with dip or gourmet pizza to your order.
Expect comfort classics on the menu, and if you’re a bourbon lover, you’ve come to the right place. I recommend starting a meal with brisket stuffed mushrooms to share with friends.
Voted the best Japanese cuisine by Wichita Magazine readers it’s also listed as one of the 50 Ramen Destinations by USA Today, the menu’s most popular dishes include Spicy Teriyaki Chicken Bowl, but I’m partial to Spicy Yakisoba.
I’ve heard good reviews about their sandwiches, but I can’t seem to order anything other than pizza because I crave the Cajun Bacon Ranch and The Banick.
I recommend arriving when they open at 11:00 am (Monday-Friday) to secure a booth before the restaurant fills up quickly.
They often feature a seasonal drink special, and the fruit smoothies and refreshers over ice are solid choices.
Enjoy buy-one, get-one-free Junior NuWays with a purchase of a drink on Sundays.
View the records under the Local Bands section, and if you still own a CD player, you’ll appreciate their used inventory selection.
In business for decades, the hattery offers concierge services to create a custom design after taking your measurements.
The massive store also carries high-end outdoor furnishings, making it the go-to shopping destination if you’re ready to redo your home patio or deck.
I often leave having purchased Wichita postcards and refrigerator magnets. People with a sense of humor will feel at home at Vortex Souvenir.
Historic Delano is certainly a Wichita neighborhood worth exploring, whether you’re visiting for the day or seeking weekend-worthy fun.
Fortunately, these museums document the story of those who chose Kansas as their home. Museum-goers can time-travel back in history, imagining what life must have been like for its early residents, visiting one museum at a time.
From big items like old handmade furniture and saddles to delicate antique glassware and jewelry, 
Serious shoppers will want to devote at least an hour or more to scanning shelving and peering into glass cases at 
Two store employees quickly asked me if there was anything they could help me find, but I wasn’t in search of anything specific. Because the store’s vast collection can seem overwhelming upon entry, it may help to preview featured items on the 
Some of the booths’ owners did an excellent job of displaying items by theme, and I was surprised to find handcrafted items like unique lamps or embroidered tee towels nestled amongst antiques.
PRO TIP: Ask about layaway options if you want to add an investment piece to your collection.
PRO TIP: The charming store, located in a historic building, is an antiquity. Walk to the back of the store and look up at the tin ceiling and architecture.
The darkroom was left untouched, including images drying on a clothesline. 
Although I didn’t visit during one of those events, I still found it worthwhile to tour. Beyond the “main street,” it includes the Grove Ill Schoolhouse relocated from the Lincoln Township. A 1859 settler’s cabin is also a noteworthy sight.
PRO TIP: Ask about their latest addition to the baked goods line-up, miniature homemade pies. The day’s menu special is written on a wall chalkboard.
I happily devoured my lunch while watching customers order at the counter and grab a seat at tables and a nearby couch. Surrounded by music-themed artwork, I felt relaxed as I enjoyed vintage rock music.
PRO TIP: If you’re a sports fan, M&R is a great place to watch the game, with TV views from a dining room booth. chi
PRO TIP: Take a few minutes to walk next door to the Central Kansas Free Fairgrounds to locate another Cowboy Boot Art installation. You can’t miss it.
The Big Spur stands 28 feet high and weighs one ton. Constructed in 2002 by Larry Houston, it’s certified by Guinness World Records as the largest.
PRO TIP: Each boot is located at a commercial building, so parking is usually not an issue. View the 
Across the street, a similarly designed blonde brick building once used as the Union Pacific Freight Station (110 N. Cedar St.). 
In 2015, Gress said, “If people at least understand what’s going on out there and how important it is, maybe they’ll come to appreciate it and want to protect it and maybe change their own behavior to improve the situation.” (Source: The Wichita Eagle)
In 1958, the budding entrepreneurs grew the company from a humble start-up business to one of the world’s biggest, most well-known restaurant companies. Today, the company’s net worth is worth over $810 billion.
Today, Chance Rides is the only one of the three businesses still in operation, producing roller coasters, rides, and park trains.
He laid out the trail between his trading post at the mouth of the Little Arkansas River to the Indian territory that extended northward to Abilene, Kansas. Cowboys pushed cattle herds through town and across the river near the Douglas Street Bridge.
Nicknamed “The Rave,” the 6-7 forward averaged 24.3 points in four seasons at WSU and helped lead the team to their first NCAA appearance in 1964.
The highly decorated leader earned the National Security Medal, the President’s Citizens Medal, National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal (twice), and the Distinguished Intelligence Medal (three times).
Her tirades continued for years. Eventually, she was jailed many times before dying in Leavenworth, Kansas, on June 9, 1911.
I appreciate that Wichita Park and Recreation, in partnership with Byers, decided to beautify the city’s parks with artistic benches that beautify the surroundings and showcase Wichita’s history makers. Byer’s use of vibrant colors, the Wichita flag, and the city’s abbreviated name, ICT, make them symbolic.
McClain’s Market
Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant
Blind Box BBQ
Paulo and Bill
Nick & Jake’s
Flying Cow Gelato
Indoors, the air conditioning was inviting. I watched professional volleyball on TV as 1950s music hits played from the speaker.
Land-based activities include equestrian, hiking, and biking trails, which appeared well-groomed and easy to navigate. I saw dog parents watching four-legged friends at the 44-acre off-leash area. Families ate lunch while admiring stunning lake views at picnic shelters.
To fully understand how Shawnee was established, tour the inside of a 1878 farmhouse, barn, smokehouse, and chicken coop (live roosters and hens welcome you!).
The museum’s annual Bloody Mary Party is a popular fundraiser that uses the working farm’s tomato crop. You will want to attend their celebrations. Check their 
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