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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.
If it’s a perfectly cooked steak dinner you crave, you’ll get the trail-drive dining experience at Oakley Country Club, the Scotch & Sirloin (Wichita), and Prairie Rose Ranch (Benton).
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).
PRO TIP: Shop my Kansas Gifts collection to order a memento to remember your Midwest travels.
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.
Since it was the eve of the anniversary of Quantrill’s Raid, I chose the John Brown made from whiskey, rum, demerara sugar, and bitters. It was spirit-forward but smooth.
If you appreciate rye whiskey, order Prom Night prepared with blackberry and sage syrup. It pairs well with one of their shareable appetizers, such as the Lunch Lady Favorite, a toasted baguette served with herb olive oil and fig balsamic.
The speakeasy’s television shows silent black-and-white movies while jazz music plays from the speakers.
From catching a live concert at The Fox Theatre to sipping wine or browsing the
And the historic neighborhood is the ideal place to take a self-guided tour. A stop on the 
After my stay, it was easy to understand why guest book entries raved about the property and why it’s rated on 
I curled up with a blanket to watch a movie on the large sectional sofa using available Roku streaming, a comfy place to unwind when I wasn’t exploring Downtown Hays. The owner even left microwave popcorn and a handwritten note thanking me for “popping in” at Walnut Wonder.
The home’s amenities are top-notch, and because the hosts considered a guest’s stay, I didn’t need anything. If you’re seeking like-home lodging with comfortable amenities, reserve 
I appreciate when a clothier thoughtfully selects on-trend women’s apparel brands, and Simply Charmed carries a range of sizes up to 2X. Shopping for your children or grandkids? Pair a coveted Jellycat stuffed animal with an outfit as a gift. Sizes range from newborn to 7.
Refine is one of 115 national Liverpool destination stores that carry the jeans brand, One can expect to find clothing sizes 2-16, handbags, and shoes by well-known names such as Joseph Ribkoff, Katie Loxton, and Sorel.
The owner informed me she is closing her doors in January 2026, so she is offering mega discounts on select inventory items housed in a showroom upstairs. In the meantime, one can shop for seasonal decor or gifts for special occasions during regular business hours.
Beautiful, shimmering diamonds captured the overhead lights from beneath glass. The men’s wedding bands, available in a range of styles and metals, equally garnered the attention of shoppers. Couples hoping to find the perfect engagement rings and wedding bands will be pleased with the jewelry options.
I was impressed with how well the volunteers organized the inventory by category: clothing, household items, books, toys, and seasonal costumes and decorations.
Customers eagerly filled carts with donated garments and household supplies as I walked the aisles. A little girl tested out a small bicycle while a mother and son searched for pants in his size. Expect the store to be particularly busy on Saturdays.
If you think you know what you want but need design advice, Karen and her team are happy to chat with you in the Design Room with access to fabric and wood samples.
Aside from offering long-arm quilting services and classes, shoppers will be delighted to discover kits, fabric, batting, notions, thread, and patterns available for purchase.
I stopped by to select Le Grand chocolate truffles after a day of shopping downtown. The staff eagerly told me their favorite flavors, which were tempting, but I settled on a delectable white chocolate apple pie truffle.
The store’s candy bouquets include a variety of chocolate bars and hard candy designed for the sweet tooth in your life.
Donated furniture is restored and improved to become one-of-a-kind pieces. Beautiful artwork is created for the home. Each purchased piece is a compliment to the individuals who create them.
New products are added weekly. Women who prefer to shop for the latest in women’s fashions online can do so via the 
The shop’s owner had such success with her online shop that she decided to open a downtown Hays location. Trust me, you’ll want to swap your closet staples for selections from Azalea’s Avenue Boutique.
While sipping a Wicked Pickle Bloody Mary, the sound of the doorbell chimed as small groups arrived to dine. If you prefer lunch fare, order a sandwich with Kettle® chips to enjoy al fresco at a patio table.
While the French Onion Soup’s caramelized onions with cheese in a beef broth were rich in flavor, it was served so hot that I needed to wait to eat it. The refreshing pomegranate mocktail cooled my palate.
My order of Tacos De Barbacoa was served with tender, shredded beef, which I topped with an avocado cream sauce. I’m eager to return for dinner to try the day’s special with one of the five margaritas available.
PRO TIP: Don’t leave without eating dessert. The Tres Leches cake is a shareable, moist slice of heaven served with drizzled chocolate sauce.
I started my meal with appetizers: crab rangoon and salted edamame, followed by the day’s special, Golden State Rolls.
The crab-stuffed sushi rolls were presented on a dinner-size plate drizzled with eel sauce and Japanese mayonnaise. Each roll was large enough that I had to cut it in half.
The night of a concert at The Fox Theatre, I found one seat left at the bar for a pre-show German-style ale. Steaks, pasta dishes, and chicken entrees dominate the menu. I recommend the Smothered Bierock served with chips, a must if visiting Kansas for the first time.
Create your ice cream combination or order from a menu of signature selections. When in doubt, order the Founder’s Favorite®, and then watch as an employee mixes pecans, brownie, fudge, and caramel into sweet cream vanilla ice cream on a cold granite table.
During November, the Hays Arts Council hosts Block Party on the Bricks, an art auction featuring live music and art demonstrations to fundraise. At springtime, the galleries feature the Smoky Hill juried exhibition, which is an anchor event for the Spring Art Work.
The owner provides 
The multi-level building houses a spacious art gallery, and patrons are welcomed to help themselves to complimentary coffee while lounging with a book or magazine in a sun-drenched window seat.
PRO TIP: If you’re a Kansan or curious about the state’s history, venture downtown stairs to the Kansas Room. It contains a large inventory of books about the Sunflower State.
Other services provided at the spa include facials, light therapy, laser hair removal and waxing as well as lip fillers and Botox. View the services and reserve an appointment 
I photographed most of them while walking downtown, but you’ll likely want to drive to the few murals that are painted on buildings beyond Main Street.
Use the 
Over the years, I’ve increasingly loved his work, noticing how many of Felten’s masterpieces showcase animals, often tucked away at a sculpture’s base or hidden from view in the back.
Supporting local is paramount for me, which is why I chose to get to know the Svaty’s Produce farm family before buying a melon from them.
PRO TIP: Enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee, courtesy of 
They packed the theatre with country music fans on a lively Saturday night who sang along with hits from their album, Strange Hours.
Use the 
It’s worth hopping back into the car and making the short drive to 
Downtown Hays at The Bricks blends history and hospitality with a variety of entertaining things to do, proving that a small town can deliver big energy. It’s one of my favorite Kansas walkable districts for its shops, restaurants, and vibrant 
In Sweden (and Lindsborg!), families celebrate Lördagsgodis, which translates to “Saturday Sweets.” This tradition originated in the 1950s, becoming a way for children to look forward to enjoying special candies on the weekend.
So, it’s no surprise that the store became busy with families and visitors from out of town. I perused the shelves of Nordic chocolate bars and hand-crafted fudge, and I spotted a reach-in refrigerator of Grandpa Joe’s sodas and canned fizzy drinks.
I was in candy heaven, scooping a mix of Swedish fish, licorice, and soft watermelon bars into a to-go container. The variety of candy types, including ropes, salted candy, and soft foam treats, was unlike anything I’d seen before.
Visitors to the store will appreciate that Swedish candy doesn’t use artificial dyes for color. The owner also thoughtfully stocks gluten-free candy.
A fan of lingonberries, which are Scandinavian cranberries, I recommend ordering the Det Bästa croissant sandwich. It’s served warm with layers of Gouda cheese, turkey, bacon, and a thick layer of lingonberries jam.
I also recommend the sweet yet tangy Lingonberry Lemonade served over ice, a thirst quencher on a spring or summer day.
Pro Tip: After ordering at the counter, walk to the back patio to relax at a table under the grapevine-covered pergola to the backdrop of a trickling water fountain.
The aroma of handmade waffle cones greets you as you walk the brick pathway to the ice cream shop, which resembles an outdoor European patio.
Whether you prefer a cup, cone, sundae or ice cream sandwich, Indigo Moo’d Ice Cream’s flavorful selections will be a highlight of your Lindsborg visit. They also sell ice cream cupcakes, pies, and pints of available flavors.
Choose from flavors such as Blacksmith Coffee, Ligonberry Swirl, Kringler, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Key Lime Pie. Locals and visitors can enjoy a sweet treat six days a week, and the shop stays open late.
I’ve ordered coffee and breakfast at Blacksmith Coffee Shop & Roastery countless times, and one of their standout menu items is the warm berry cobbler served in a cast-iron skillet–ice cream is optional.
If you’re in the mood for a cold drink to take with you for breakfast or a midday treat, order the slightly sweet Lingonberry Smoothie with whipped cream. Take the totable drink with you as you stroll Main Street to shop locally owned boutiques.
PRO TIP: Avoid the morning rush. Order your food for quick pick-up 
The refrigerated baker’s case houses nearly a dozen pies and cakes baked fresh daily by the owner’s daughter.
I took my server’s suggestion and tried the old-fashioned Coconut Cream Pie. The thick, creamy coconut filling, topped with a mound of fluffy whipped cream and flaked coconut, satisfied.
Crown and Rye prepares fruit pies and cream-filled pies, so you will likely find a flavor you are craving. Additionally, individually wrapped homemade cookies are available for the road trip home.
PRO TIP: The 
One of my go-to selections is Nyakers Ginger Snaps, referred to as pepparkakor in Swedish. Traditionally served during winter, I eat the spicy, crunchy cookies year-round. The Swedish foods section of the store is well-stocked with imported spices, should you decide to prepare Swedish cuisine at home.
Savvy shoppers know to look inside the refrigerated reach-in coolers for traditional favorites, including frozen pies and tea ring cakes.
Don’t walk by end-of-the-aisle displays without getting a glimpse of packaged candy, ranging from salted licorice and Nordic fine chocolate bars.
And of course, you should not leave White’s Foodliner without purchasing a couple of jars of lingonberries. I add the tangy fruit spread to open-faced breakfast toast, pancakes, and charcuterie boards.
It is a Scandinavian tradition to enjoy a social coffee break, referred to as Fika, accompanied by sweet pastries. I love the thought of inviting my loved ones over for conversation over coffee and cookies.
Hemsjöld’s inventory not only includes imported cookies and culinary spices, but an extensive collection of coffee cups and pretty tableware for your Fika-themed gatherings.
Translated in Swedish to Sweet Dreams, the Dröm Sött Inn’s accommodations exceed my expectations every time I stay there.
The rooms are impeccably clean, and the plush bedding is so soft it feels like you’re sleeping on a cloud. (People adore the sheets so much, they sell bedding sets in the gift shop.) Quiet hours guarantee a good night’s slumber.
At check-in, guests are given two meal selections, and my choice this time was the Swedish pancakes served with warm maple syrup and a side of requested lingonberry sauce. Similar to crepes, the kitchen staff prepares them one at a time over a hot griddle in view of the dining room.
Last but not least, guests are gifted a homemade soft sugar cookie in the shape of a Dala horse as a parting gift. But since you know about the cookie gift, request it during your stay to enjoy with a glass of complementary wine in the inn’s secluded Wine Shelter.
I’ve also compiled 
The area is known for its 
Whether you’re sipping lingonberry lemonade on a sunny patio or savoring sticky buns at sunrise, your self-guided sweet eats tour promises memorable bites and cozy small-town moments.
If you’re searching for the best desserts in 
Dine under mason jar light fixtures surrounded by whimsical antiques, savoring appetizers like the Wichita Wings or Prairie Bison Slides. For the main course, Brisket Tacos or the Spicy Fried Chicken are solid choices, and pizza lovers will delight in the Bassano topped with wood-smoked chicken.
Located inside a historic building that was the Carey Hotel, where hatchet-wielding prohibitionist Carry Nation destroyed the bar in 1911, patrons can sip and savor a cocktail or espresso drink at The Workroom’s 
Immerse yourself in the Wichita experience by learning about the heritage of the Wichita Indians who gave the city its name. Tour a replica Victorian home, watch a movie about aviation history, and admire the electric guitar that made its debut in Wichita. Afterward, take in the tranquility of Heritage Square Park beyond the museum’s doors.
In 1899, Harry Dockum opened downtown drugstores, including one in the same building. Bartenders, also referred to as pharmacists, meticulously prepare small-batch cocktails using house-made bitters and fresh-squeezed juices. The Smoking Gun, a rye whiskey signature drink, emits earthy aromatics during its presentation.
To enter, follow the pharmacy signs to the hotel’s basement and knock on the door at your reservation time.
Aviation companies Cessna, Beechcraft, Learjet, and Stearman put Wichita on the map, and its central location made it the ideal location for a cross-country airport, Wichita Municipal Airport, now the 
Ascend the Control Tower for a bird’s eye view of the tarmac where 600 flights took off and landed during its heyday.
