What lies beneath the surface is intriguing because discovering it requires curiosity. Each of these Kansas destinations reveals fascinating spaces, from hidden tunnels to speakeasies.
Will you check off each one from your travel bucket list?
Kansas Underground: Fascinating Spaces Beneath the Surface
Take a Tour
Ellinwood Tunnels
The best part about saying “yes!” to adventure is discovering a destination you didn’t know existed. That was my experience after visiting Ellinwood, Kansas, to tour the town’s underground tunnels and the Historic Wolf Hotel and Events Center.
Established by German immigrants in 1870 along the Santa Fe Trail, the town was designed to include two blocks of main-street stores, with stairs leading underground to additional retail spaces, saloons, brothels, a bathhouse, and Jung’s Barbershop.
Ellinwood’s Underground Tunnels allow visitors to walk some of the original passageways while tour guides share early prohibition and entrepreneurship stories in the area.
I was enthralled by the antique relics of the past found deep within the tunnels. The town’s early residents used the tunnels for refuge during WWI, possibly to bootleg alcohol during Prohibition, and to support cowboys and families traveling through the area by providing services.
The tunnels lead to The Underground Saloon/Bar, a transformed venue that was once Ellinwood’s first public library from 1940 to 1960.
Dalton Gang Hideout
Located in Meade, the Dalton Gang Hideout features a tunnel beneath a home that the gang used to move in and out undetected by law enforcement.
Visitors can walk the 95-foot-long tunnel year-round. Other attractions include Eva Dalton’s furnished house, Old Town gunfighter reenactments, barn, and Heritage House.
PRO TIP: Visit the Dalton Graves in Coffeyville at the Elmwood Cemetery. The graves of Bob Dalton, Grat Dalton, and Bill Powers lie in rest near a marker. The Dalton Defenders Museum features authentic artifacts from the shoot-out and rooms filled with collected local memorabilia.
Strataca Underground Salt Museum
In Hutchinson, descend via an elevator, aka “The Hoist,” 650 feet to explore the Strataca Underground Salt Museum, an active salt mine operating since the 1920s.
I’m not a fan of dark, enclosed spaces, but I donned a hard hat and made the elevator journey with other passengers below the Earth’s surface.
What awaited was worth it.
To my surprise, the mine was spacious and brightly lit.
The guided tours are well worth the admission fee for learning about geology and the mining industry. You sit comfortably in a tram car while learning from your guide as you meander through the mine.
Also home to the Underground Vaults & Storage, a guided tour reveals official movie props and historical artifacts that will impress.
Sip a Cocktail in a Basement
John Brown’s Underground
John Brown’s Underground in Lawrence transports you to a surreal environment with low lighting, mood music, and a menu that reads like an excerpt from someone’s diary. A friendly server helped me choose a cocktail recipe from a long list of options.
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.
Employees are passionate about the tavern’s mission to create a welcoming atmosphere, best exemplified by John Brown’s chair. Ask your server about the chair’s history.
The Principal’s Office
In Topeka, Salut Wine and Cocktail Lounge features a basement bar, The Principal’s Office. Unsure how to enter the speakeasy? Look for the back door marked with a paddle.
I’ve yet to visit, but I’m told that guests should be prepared to answer “what naughty thing you did to deserve this” before entering the low-lit lounge.
Somerset Schoolhouse
Imagine a renovated one-room schoolhouse converted into a home goods retail shop, complete with a speakeasy in the basement.
Built in 1920, Somerset Schoolhouse in Paola is more than just a place to visit for a shopping trip; it’s a destination for leisure travelers who appreciate a touch of elegance set in a casual atmosphere.
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.
Oliver’s Lounge
Oliver’s Lounge in Wichita is an upscale cocktail bar serving high-end cocktails. Regulars know the best seating is in the basement, where guests can lounge and savor a seasonally-inspired or classic libation.
You won’t find televisions airing a sports event or families gathering with kids. The lower-level lounge attracts small groupings of adults or couples on dates.
Dockum
Sip cocktails in secret at Dockum, a speakeasy that’s easy to find if you follow the pharmacy logo signs to the Ambassador Hotel’s basement.
Every cocktail I’ve ordered at Dockum was made with house-made bitters and fresh-squeezed juice. Enjoy jazz music from a leather couch or bar table. If you can’t decide which drink to order, I recommend The Smoking Gun if you appreciate whiskey.
PRO TIP: Most speakeasies require reservations due to limited seating, so I recommend calling ahead.
Are you ready to dig deeper into more adventures while on the road? You’ll enjoy reading Lawrence, Kansas: A Historical Tour, and when visiting Dockum, be sure to use 5 Places to Visit in Wichita Before You Die as a travel guide.
It’s ranked as a Guest Favorite on Airbnb for a good reason. The stylish property, beautifully renovated in a historic building, offers guests the comforts of home.
After a good night’s sleep, I awoke to make a steaming cup of coffee and watch the sun rise through the downstairs window with plants. The loft’s welcome book provided a list of things to do in the area, and a basket supplied on-the-go snacks for the day’s adventures.
Overall, my stay at
The baker arrives at 3 a.m., well before guests arrive, to make cinnamon rolls, chocolate-filled croissants, pies, and freshly baked bread. The short-order cook ringing the bell is audible from the kitchen. Servers pour coffee refills into diner-style mugs.
I listened to the news on a nearby television while enjoying a vegetable omelet and perfectly cooked hashbrowns. Full from my breakfast, I eagerly requested a to-go box for baked goods.
I stopped by for lunch and, after seeing the daily specials board, I chose the Mushroom Swiss Burger with a side of curly fries. As soon as my order was called back to the kitchen, I heard the sizzle of a flat-top grill and the bubbling of a hot fryer.
After eating my tasty lunch, I paid for my meal and headed out to explore Girard. In the parking lot, locals gathered around cars to chat about the day’s events and local news.
The coffeehouse also serves as a gathering spot for locals who want to use the high-speed Wi-Fi while drinking coffee.
Open Wednesday through Saturday, the restaurant is known for its inventive weekly specials and seasonal menus featuring fresh ingredients.
The appetizer exceeded my expectations for quality and flavor, setting the stage for the main course. But first, the server insisted I sample the day’s special: an Asian-inspired orange chicken with broccoli over rice, made fresh to order and delicious.
I listened to lively guests’ chatter and jazz cover songs until my dinner selection arrived. Smoked pork loin, coleslaw, and sautéed mushrooms made for one of the best meals I’ve eaten in Southeast Kansas.
Opened in 1971, the restaurant offers dinner specials that draw locals and out-of-towners to Girard from Wednesday through Sunday.
The chicken is hand-breaded and fried fresh to order, served with side dishes such as fried onion strings, mashed potatoes, green beans, and coleslaw.
Local folklore says the deer sculpture stands on the exact spot where a Pennsylvanian, Dr. Charles H. Strong, shot a deer. Moments later, he added a stake in the ground, declaring possession of the land.
Established in 1867, the courthouse makes the town the official county seat. The grounds feature a 
I’ve always told people that the best way to immerse oneself in a town is to start their visit at a historical museum. Museum exhibits showcase the town’s history using artifacts from 1868 to the present.
Girard has a long history of publishing, operating the largest presses west of the Mississippi.
The church alone is a magnificent example of late-19th-century architectural design. Its stained windows, made in Missouri, cascade colorful beams of light onto the church floor on a sunny day.
From the pulpit, one can fully appreciate the windows, which feature Christian symbolism.
PRO TIP: Girard Veterans Memorial Park hosts holiday events honoring military heroes.
I ascended the stairs to the top floor to view the books for adult readers, the same spot where monthly game nights and craft nights are hosted.
Shoppers will be delighted to discover Amish soaps, candles, jams, jellies, and jarred salsa rounding out the inventory.
One shouldn’t leave the store without visiting the bathroom to see its wallpaper, a nod to Girard’s history, told through old photographs and advertisements.
PRO TIP: Inquire about the retro soda pop brands available for purchase, located in the refrigerator near the candy cart.
The rear of the store features women’s clothing, jewelry, purses, body care products, and kitchen essentials.
Founded in 1886, 
The memorial honors the miners who lost their lives in the worst mining disaster in Kansas history at the Cherokee and Pittsburg Coal and Mining Company Mine No. 2 on November 9, 1888. Family members gathered at the mine’s entrance, distraught and waiting for news about their loved ones, many of whom did not survive the dust explosion.
Whenever I approach a memorial, I vow to read every name inscribed on it, and this time was no different.
PRO TIP: Clear your calendar to attend Frontenac’s 140th birthday at Mining Days on June 5-7, 2026. The Heritage and Homecoming Celebration is an annual event featuring family-friendly activities and historical tours. Don’t miss 
Frontenac residents have a lot to be proud of, and you owe it to yourself to visit the Heritage Hall Museum at the 
Original artifacts curated from local families added a storytelling quality, enhancing the high-quality exhibits. I was amazed by the attention to detail, from the testimonials of miners to the newspaper clippings about business openings.
The history of Southeast Kansas, and Frontenac in particular, is the story of European immigrants, miners, bootleggers, religious devotees, and family members who looked out for one another and supported the community.
Walking inside the bakery, I felt as if I were a customer seeking to buy a loaf. Tools of the miner’s trade and newspaper clippings about the worst mining disaster in history adorned a room dimly lit by lanterns. A peek inside a replica chapel revealed the history of long-standing Catholic and Methodist communities.
Another aspect of the museum that makes it better than most is that the director thought to include an interactive component, adding visual and audio stations, making it more accessible for visitors. Due to the museum’s proximity to the Frontenac Public Library, its artifacts are deeply rooted in the area’s genealogy.
Former and current Frontenac residents will relish the displays featuring curated Raiders memorabilia. Peering inside the displays, it was as if I could hear the football players and cheerleaders rooting for the Raiders to win the high school’s first-ever state football championship over Stockton in 1994.
Visiting the Heritage Hall Museum, located inside the Frontenac Public Library, is well worth it, offering visitors a glimpse into the cultural legacy and mining history of Frontenac and the greater Southeast Kansas region.
The locally owned coffee shop sells 
During my visit, a steady stream of locals came and went, accompanied by music playing from a Bluetooth speaker.
The dining room was already filled with locals when I stopped by on a weekday for a midday meal of boneless chicken wings coated in Sully Sauce. With my choice of side dish, my meal was appetizing and one I’d order again.
On Saturday nights, Shooters Neighborhood Bar & Grill is a popular hangout attracting diners seeking the Chef’s Choice special. Happy Hour specials are served Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
And for the kids (and young-at-heart), there’s a self-serve candy station, perfect for mixing and matching your favorite sweets by the pound. It’s the ultimate sugar-fueled pit stop for your Kansas adventure.
I would refer to the shop’s 
In addition to slicing deli meat by the order, refrigerated glass cases house homemade sausage, pasta meals, and pre-made sandwiches. A few tables provide a place for lunch-goers to sit down and savor a panini prepared with bread from the local bakery.
