museum

Putt Putt to the Pizza Hut Museum

May 3, 2021 by Vanessa Whiteside Leave a Comment

Do you have fond memories of dining at Pizza Hut as a kid?

Just thinking of hanging out at Pizza Hut brings back fond memories for me. I’ll never forget the time my neighborhood friends and I were old enough to dine there without our parents. We pooled our money together and bought a pizza to share. We were living the dream.

Today, I still can’t believe that the internationally known pizza restaurant was founded in my home city, Wichita. In 1958, two Wichita State University students, Dan and Frank Carney, opened the first restaurant located on the east side of town staffed by family, fellow fraternity brothers, and friends. What started as a humble side hustle for a couple of college students has grown to 18,000 Pizza Hut restaurants in over 100 countries (Source: Yum! Brands, 2021).

Pizza Hut enthusiasts will get a kick out of visiting the Pizza Hut Museum on Wichita State University’s Innovation campus – the original “Home of the Hut.” It is the actual original Pizza Hut building! Open to the public and free to tour, the interactive museum showcases everything you love about the business from authentic artifacts to chronological timelines.

How did it all start? The Carney brothers borrowed $600 from their mom to open the first restaurant location at Kellogg and Bluff streets. When they eventually sold the business to Pepsi Company in 1977, it was worth $300,000,000. Now, that’s how you build a business! As they say, “no one loves pizza more than Pizza Hut.” To read more about the company’s growth, visit their blog page.

Recognize the dining chairs and Tiffany-style lamp? Hessco Manufacturing, located in Hesston, Kansas, made the furniture for the restaurant chain from the 1960s to-1970s.

Over the years, the brand has evolved to align with pop culture trends. (Does anyone remember the commercials featuring celebrities?) They made history as the first company to deliver food to space. Additionally, they influenced childrens’ love of reading. I was a product of the BOOK IT program, a literacy initiative that encouraged students to read and helped kids get access to books. After I finished reading a book, I was awarded a gold star sticker to place on my Pizza Hut BOOK IT button. Once I completed all five stars on the button, I earned a Personal Pan Pizza®! Perhaps that explains my love of reading and why I eventually became a high school English teacher?

What Pizza Hut merchandise did you own as a kid?

Pizza Hut’s influence can be seen as you tour the museum. You’ll appreciate the interactive space offering visitors a chance to take a walk down memory (pizza!) lane. You’re encouraged to experience the Tactile Library and take a selfie with the restaurant chain’s original mascot, Pizza Pete. Warning: By the time you exit the building, you’ll crave a slice of pizza. What will you order for dine-in or delivery?

Speaking of delivery, did you know that Pizza Hut delivered pizzas to The White House in 1989 after First Lady Barbara Bush decided to host a pizza party? A favorite meal choice of Americans, the company launched online ordering in 1994 making getting a pie delivered to your door that much easier.

Pizza Pete, a one-time mascot for the franchise, was once made into a kids toy.

Don’t forget! The Pizza Hut Museum is open to the public and admission is free! Review the museum’s hours and plan your visit to the original Home of the Hut. Consider yourself the ultimate Pizza Hut fan? Stay up to date to learn about product releases and campaign launches via their Press Room page. Perhaps you can’t make it to Wichita to visit the museum? Take a virtual journey here.

Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have a Meat Lover’s® pizza to order.

The Cosmosphere: An Out-of-this-World Experience

April 23, 2021 by Vanessa Whiteside Leave a Comment

Disclosure: The Cosmosphere sponsored this post, however, all opinions are my own. Some of the photographs were provided by the Cosmosphere and others were taken by me.

At the Cosmosphere (1100 N. Plum, Hutchinson, Kansas) you can experience the story of the Space Race through the largest combined collection of U.S. and Soviet-era space artifacts in the world. People travel from across the globe to enjoy Kansas’ only Smithsonian-affiliated museum and science education center.

From the moment you walk into the Hall of Space Museum, you are greeted by a SR-71 Blackbird spy plane and that is only the beginning of what is an awe-inspiring visit. Other on-site artifacts include the Gemini X, authentic Apollo 13 Odyssey, V-1 and V-2 rockets, and Sputnik. As you walk through the museum, you can expect to see an actual Apollo 11 Moon rock, astronaut suits, space equipment, and a scaled lunar module.

Other attractions include a 4k digital, two-story dome theater, Dr. Goddard’s Lab (rocket science brought to life!), planetarium, and CosmoKids. The Cosmosphere puts an emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education. The CosmoKids interactive play area includes hand-on activities from air rockets to a gravity well for young explorers to enjoy.

Only 50 miles from Wichita, the Cosmosphere is open Wednesday-Sunday.

Not only is the space museum fun for the entire family, but young visitors can register for Cosmosphere Camps. From building a better lander to flying a drone to battling programmed robots, the educational opportunities teach kids about problem-solving and exploration.

I had the opportunity to go behind the scenes and learn more about Cosmosphere Camps, an opportunity for youth grades 4-10 to learn more about the journey to space and exploration. It was an incredible experience that I’ll never forget! I highly recommend that parents register their children for one of the camps. All of the sessions let kids enjoy the thrill of space while having fun at camp! Get a glimpse of what kids can expect here.

Mission Control Astro Lab: Complete a mission to dock with the Astro Lab using both the Cosmosphere’s Mission Control Center and Astralis spacecraft simulator. Photo: Cosmosphere, Hutchinson, KS, cosmo.org.

CAMPS

LUNAR BASE (Entering 4-5 Grade, 4 Half Days)

Campers discover the exciting challenges of living on the Moon as they work with their team to create a lunar colony and experience science hands-on. From learning how to make ice cream from liquid nitrogen to studying the phases of the Moon using Oreo cookies, Lunar Base camp opens kids’ minds to the journey of space travel.

During my experience at Lunar Base, I learned how to build a better lander. I was provided a set of supplies to handcraft a moon lander that (hopefully!) would withstand a two-story drop without harming the astronauts (aka marshmallows). Only one astronaut survived, so in retrospect, my lander should have been designed with better shock absorbers, a lesson in engineering!

Following the exercise, a STEM educator took me on a tour of the Hall of Space Museum and explained the historical significance of the Space Race. The experience during Lunar Base is one that I think all kids would enjoy in this age group. Learn more and register here.

Lunar Base: Campers experience making liquid nitrogen ice cream. Image: Cosmosphere, Hutchinson, KS, cosmo.org

MERITS OF SPACE III (Entering 8-10 Grade, 6 Days, 5 Overnights)

During this camp, scouts work to complete a mission to observe the Moon from lunar orbit. They launch high-powered rockets, pilot drones, program robots using code, and produce a press conference to report their findings from the mission. Campers can expect to work to overcome obstacles while working with technology as well as use their communications skills.

I tried my hand at flying a drone for the first time while experiencing the benefits of Merits of Space III. Not only did I have to use hand-eye coordination to master flight, but it taught me to listen to others for instructions while navigating a drone obstacle course. I felt a sense of accomplishment when I was able to skillfully fly the drone through hoops without crashing it. Mission accomplished!

Later, I competed against a Cosmosphere employee in a Battlebots challenge! Using programmed robots made of Legos, we watched as one robot eventually pushed the other one outside of a boundary line. Although my robot’s design couldn’t withstand the strength of my competitor’s, it was extremely fun and it reinforced a lesson about how to create a design that can tolerate challenges.

Consider registering your child in the Merits of Space III space camp, an opportunity they’ll never forget. Learn more and register here.

Merits of Space III: Campers program and operate robots to complete specific tasks. Image: Cosmosphere, Hutchinson, KS, cosmo.org

MISSION: ASTRO LAB (Entering 9-10 Grade, 6 Days, 5 Overnights)

Astro Recruits have a goal to establish life on another planet, but first, they must learn how to successfully live in outer space. Working as a team, they send crews to the Astro Lab, work with companies to make space accessible, and ensure working conditions in space. Astronauts must train for weightless, so Astro Recruits are introduced to SCUBA and complete high altitude balloon experiments to prepare for their mission. Mission: Astro Lab is the ultimate camp experience and it gives youth a chance to work on STEM and career skills at the same time.

While at the Cosmosphere, I sat in the Astralis spacecraft simulator while communicating with Mission Control to perform a launch. 3-2-1…go! As waited for prompts from Mission Control and flipped switches, the virtual sky changed colors and the stars appeared. Afterward, I climbed the ladder into the HAB where I performed an experiment using neon light to study the lifecycle of a star.

While listening to the Cosmosphere’s Mission Control, I docked the Astro Lab from inside the Astralis spacecraft simulator. IMAGE: Cosmosphere, Hutchinson, KS, cosmo.org

I can’t emphasize enough how rewarding this experience is for participants. Campers who sign up for Mission: Astro Lab have the opportunity to run experiments and test their skill set, unlike anything they’ve done before. They also get to use virtual reality technology, a digital 3D mapping system, conduct medical flight tests like astronauts, and build communication and problem-solving skills on the Cosmosphere’s Low Ropes Course. Discover the possibilities and register here.

Astro Lab: Campers train for weightlessness with an introduction to SCUBA training. Image: Cosmosphere, Hutchinson, KS, cosmo.org

THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE

Aside from day camp educational opportunities, the Cosmosphere provides visitors of all ages the chance to virtually travel through time and space. The Hall of Space Museum is divided into several galleries giving museum-goers a chance to learn more about the history of space travel on a self-guided tour.

The German Gallery details how Hitler’s Germany laid the groundwork for space travel. You can view V-1 and V2 rockets in the WWII exhibit. Visitors can also learn about the impact of high altitude and high-speed flight while walking around the X-Plane Gallery. Inside the Cold War Gallery, onlookers can discover how the U.S. and Soviet space programs competed to make significant strides during the Space Race.

The Cosmosphere makes learning about American heroes and Soviet secrets fascinating inside the Mollett Early Spaceflight Gallery. The actual Apollo 13 command module, Odyssey, is a major highlight of the Apollo Gallery. Visitors can also imagine what life was like as an astronaut as they gaze upon approximately 100 artifacts in The Astronaut Experience.

Apollo 13, Odyssey. Image: Cosmosphere, Hutchinson, KS, cosmo.org

Ready for takeoff to the Cosmosphere? The best way to get the most out of your visit is to opt for the All-Access Mission Pass, which includes access to the Hall of Space Museum, CosmoKids, a movie viewing inside the Carey Digital Dome Theater, a show in the Justice Planetarium, a Dr. Goddard’s Lab experience, and one ride on the naviGATOR Simulator. Launch the ultimate museum experience here!

Do you have questions about the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas, or the youth camps? Add it below and I’ll answer it for you! Visiting the Cosmosphere and participating in the interactive activities are out-of-this-world experiences you’ll always remember.

Visiting Doc, B-29 Superfortress in Wichita, Kansas

February 1, 2021 by Vanessa Whiteside Leave a Comment

I’ve never spent so much time in a museum that I was the last to leave, but then again, I had never seen something as amazing as Doc, a B-29 Superfortress.

The last of two remaining fly-worthy military bombers, Doc sits on display in a permanent hanger and education center in Wichita, Kansas. Boeing, located in my home city that is considered the Air Capital of the World, produced 1,644 B-29 Superfortresses for bombing missions during World War II. Currently, only other air-worthy Superfortress is FiFi.

Doc was meticulously restored and brought back to operational status thanks to dedicated volunteers — many of whom are past aviation workers, veterans, and active-duty retirees. The volunteers, referred to as Doc’s Friends, spent over 400,000 hours working on it.

The mission of Doc’s Friends, a non-profit, is “to honor the men and women who sacrificed so much for the freedom of others, including those who designed, built, maintained and flew the B-29 during and after WWII” and to “connect people with the rich heritage of the B-29 and allow aviation enthusiasts to experience the thrill of a B-29 up close.”

Doc B-29 Superfortress — Nearly every inch of Doc was restored — every inch of wiring and every control panel. It is massive. To give you an idea of its size, look how tall the tires are compared to us.

The B-29 was considered the most technically advanced aircraft of its time and was used primarily to drop bombs over Japan during World War II until they eventually surrendered. You can read more about its history here.

As a Wichitan, I was amazed to learn that much of the work done of the B-29s were by Wichita in my community. The assembly line crew pushed out about four B-29s every day at the height of its production. The city’s population exploded during the 1940s-1960s during what was considered an economic boom due to high demand for aircraft production.

Doc was the last restorable B-29 in the world. The production of jets eventually put the bombers out of service.

During our visit, we met Doc’s friends who told us fascinating stories about the bomber’s restoration and years in service. In total, volunteers spent over 16 years bringing Doc back to life after it was found in the Mohave Desert in 1987 by Tony Mazzolini. After 42 years of sitting in the desert suffering from target practice and extensive weather damage, Mazzolini led the effort to return it to its original home in Wichita. You can read about the bomber’s final active mission here.

B-29 nose — A view from the second floor.

If you visit Doc at the hangar ($10 admission for adults), I highly recommend spending an extra $5 for the opportunity to climb into the cockpit and take a look around. A volunteer will lead the tour and describe each compartment of the bomber. Our tour guide typically sits in one of Doc’s gunner windows when in flight and he was a wealth of information.

During the cockpit tour, I sat in the navigator’s seat nestled close to a table covered in maps and equipment. While you can’t sit up front in the left or right seats of the cockpit, you get a very close view of it. I was amazed by the controls panels, wiring (Doc did not operate on hydraulics), and what must have been thousands of rivets. Over my shoulder, I spotted a Rosie The Riveter statue. The fictional pop-culture character is a representation of the many hard-working women who worked on the assembly lines during World War II.

rosie the riveter — One of the original “Rosies,” Connie Palacioz, worked on Doc in the 1940s and volunteered to help restore it decades later.

I’m so glad I finally carved out time to visit the hanger and learn the history of Doc and the men and women who brought it back to life after nearly 30 years.

To see the warbird up close is breathtaking, but to witness it flying above Wichita is truly incredible. You definitely hear it before you see it. Today, Doc flies to air shows and provides 30-minute rides to lucky passengers of all ages. Interested in visiting the education center in Wichita? It’s best to make sure Doc is at home before you plan your visit. Can’t make it to Wichita to see it in person? Visit the Doc & Friend’s website to view it via a live streaming video.

Do you love aviation history? I encourage you to also read a post I wrote honoring National Aviation Day and Wichita’s contribution to the legacy of flight. If you find yourself in Wichita and want to experience the city like a local, let me be your virtual tour guide. I’ve also crafted a post detailing great restaurants and attractions.

If you have questions about visiting Doc or want to learn more about Wichita’s aviation history, by all means, leave your questions below. I’m happy to answer them, and if I can’t, I’ll direct you to the best resource!

3 Ways to Foster Your Creativity

February 23, 2020 by Vanessa Whiteside 2 Comments

Do you remember what it was like to be a child who let their imagination run wild?

As adults, we are so busy “adulting” that we seldom give ourselves the time or opportunity to tap into the creative part of our brain that allows for free expression and discovery. Watch a child at play. They are amazing! You’ll witness their carefree behavior resulting in simulation of scenarios and exploration of ideas.

“Creativity isn’t necessarily a characteristic you’re born with; it’s a trait that can be honed through habit.”
Deep Patel, Entrepreneur.com “9 Ways to Rewir e Your Brain for Creativity”

Everyone’s outlet for creativity looks different. For me, I enjoy writing, cooking, photography, and design. How do you express your creativity?

In a moment of creative immersion, I get lost in the process. I will often cook multiple dishes at the same time while watching Food Network re-runs. Sometimes I’ve been know to crank out multiple blog posts in a weekend rather than my less than stellar one article per month. And I’ve been known to mentally design flower beds, shop for flowers, and completely overhaul our landscaping in one day. It’s a feverish pace that is undeniable and yet so enjoyable. I’m lost in the creative process.

However, I know what it’s like to lose the passion to create.

I write all day at work, so I sometimes struggle to convince myself to sit down again at a laptop and blog or journal at night. Similarly, cooking to get dinner on the table on a weeknight looks very different than creatively exploring recipes on a Sunday. So how do I make sure I’m allowing myself to get back into “the pocket” and to escape the mundane daily work for one of creativity? I declare it! “Today is the day you’re just going to be creative.” I think it, and then I do it.

Do you need a gentle nudge to surrender to your own creative thoughts? Try applying one of these recommendations this week. Designate a day dedicated to carefree thinking and discovery!

ADD COLOR TO YOUR WORLD

Whether it’s grabbing some colored pencils and simply doodling on an open page or arranging flowers in a vase, express yourself with color. Perhaps the day starts with pairing colorful clothing together for your outfit. Maybe you flip your interior design and add seasonal pops of color to your home. The addition of color to your environment will strongly influence your thinking!

GET YOUR HANDS MOVING

Some of my best creative moments have come from working in the dirt while gardening. Perhaps you’ve neglected an instrument you once played or haven’t allowed yourself the time to journal in ages. Maybe you would like to take up sewing or drawing again. Whatever it is that fuels your creativity, it most likely involves using your hands.

GO SOMEWHERE NEW

How much time do you spend at home? Naturally, some people are “home bodies” preferring to remain in the comfort of their home rather than visiting a space like a museum or exploring the outdoors. I get that. Some days that’s all I want to do, too. Yet, convincing myself to sit down on the park bench next to our neighborhood’s walking trail while watching nature ignites new thoughts and curiosities. And in doing so, I’m often intrigued to learn more through reading or viewing a documentary about that topic. Just think: Where could you transport yourself today?

You can’t use up creativity. The more you use the more you have.
Maya Angelou

Looking for more ways to be creative today? Consider making a new recipe or crafting a DIY project! Enjoy your time!

Tulsa, Oklahoma: A Must-See City

October 4, 2018 by Vanessa 4 Comments

Have you ever visited Tulsa, Oklahoma? If you’ve never been, you’re missing out! If given the opportunity to take in the city, I recommend making time to tour their world renowned art museums and galleries, enjoy the local restaurants and breweries, and get outside to enjoy the city’s newest park. Again, don’t assume it’s another midwestern city. It has so much to offer for every traveler. It’s a must-see city!

ART

Philbrook Museum of Art

Having passed up an opportunity to visit the museum a couple years ago, I wasn’t going to miss my opportunity this time to tour the world class museum. Originally built by the Phillips family (as in the super wealthy oil family that owned Phillips 66), the 72-room mansion on 23 acres of grounds were constructed with the plan to eventually gift it as an art center for Tulsa. What a gift to the city!

Look closely. You’ll find markers like this one on the grounds that honor those who had a hand in building it.

The museum’s interior and gardens were kept nearly the same as they were when the Phillips family lived there. As you walk through all three levels of the museum, you can’t help but imagine the wealthy family entertaining friends in the parlor while the organist played, a room which now houses European paintings. I found myself gazing longingly at two Picasso paintings (that’s me below in awe of his work). Having never seen a Picasso, I was surprised how close to it (and all the other work in the museum) I could get to it. No velvet ropes. No security personnel. Just me and two Picasso paintings. It was amazing!

I was admiring a Picasso, and I was left without words.

While on a self-guided tour of the museum, we admired all types of original artwork from African art to Contemporary works and Native American artifacts to American artwork. The museum has it all! If you’re moving quickly through the rooms, you can probably see the museum’s interior in a little over an hour. However, if you don’t view the garden behind the Philbrook, then you may regret it later. Actually, while the artwork was breathtaking, the outdoor sitting areas and garden were my favorite space on the grounds. We spent about 2 hours in the museum and the gardens, so I recommend dedicating more time to your visit so you can enjoy it all.

Plan for extra time when visiting the museum to give yourself the chance to truly appreciate the immense art collection. Not all rooms provide benches for sitting, but each room’s artwork is worthy of your attention.

Despite the other small groups of tourists and two groups of high school students, we were easily able to navigate our way through perfectly pruned shrubs and around meticulously manicured flowers. I’m from the midwest so I thought I’d recognize all of the botanicals on the grounds, but I saw many types of flowers and shrubs that I had never seen previously.

View of the gardens from the museum’s back patio.

I know we’ll return to the museum again, but next time we’ll plan our visit during one of the museum’s movie nights hosted on the Film Lawn. All I can say is that you need to see the Philbrook for yourself. The artwork, the history, and the grounds are fascinating and worthy of your visit. Learn more about the Philbook Museum of Art and view its hours here.

Spectacular stained glass windows adorn the museum.

We visited the museum during its 80th anniversary so we took the chance to play vinyl 80s records. The station was located outside of the main galleries and near the gift store.

THE OUTDOORS

The Gathering Place

Before we arrived in Tulsa, we knew we were going to enjoy the outdoors at Tulsa’s newest park, The Gathering Place. Built entirely from $400 million in donations, the park’s 66 acres was constructed to attract a diverse cross-section of people, hence the name “A Park for Everyone.”

You can enter the interior of the park from all sides, which are well marked with signage.

Others cities should take note of Tulsa’s beautiful park project. It’s vast acreage spans includes areas built entirely for kids (or adults at heart!), an outdoor music venue for concert-loving crowds, and is dotted with state-of-the-art sports equipment. Not feeling athletic? No problem! Many areas of the park offer moments for relaxing and serenity. Read my complete review of the park and see bonus photos here.

BREWERIES

If you’ve viewed my Instagram, then you’ve seen what a craft beer fan I’ve become over the last year. Somehow in 48 hours, we drank at 5 breweries (and one German biergarten).

Hungry for dinner and a beer, we made our way to Growler City in Tulsa Hills, a center for big name retail stores and restaurants. The bar/restaurant has a 3 menu that includes 100 draft beers! It’s a feast for the eyes. Luckily, the menu is categorized by types of beer and if unsure what you want to order, the bartender is quick to give you sample or three. Go there for the beer, not so much for the food.

We spent Saturday on a self-guided brewery tour. Having done some research, we knew which breweries served beers that we would enjoy and had the vibe we wanted. Our first stop took us to Cabin Boys Brewery “Crafted for the Community” situated in a blue-color factory neighborhood outside the city’s downtown area.

The tasting room pales in size to the brewery space, but we easily found two seats at the bar and were served quickly by their friendly staff. Honestly, I could have had multiple beers there but we had other breweries to try and so after several competitive games of Connect 4, we packed it in and made our way to the next stop.

Marshall Brewing Company Tap Room was our next brewery visit, a brewery that is considered the first production craft brewery in Tulsa and one that has seen steady growth since its launch.

The two-tiered tap room is a newly renovated space in the heart of the city’s blue collar district. If you’re looking for a spacious tap room with TVs in nearly every corner so you can watch the game and fun game spaces, this is a must-stop.

This photo was take just before I narrowly lost a game on shuffleboard. I blame the tilted table.

Don’t miss the hops wall that allows visitors to inhale that true hoppy smell!

Our last brewery tour stop took us to a another new tap called Nothing’s Left Brewing Company, a one time old school gas station. Our visit took place during the brewery’s grand opening weekend, and it was so worth the visit! Brewing since 2015, their craft beer menu has something for every beer drinker. I was so pleased with my go-to brew Yabba Dabba Brew, which tasted like Fruity Pebbles cereal (it sounds insane but it was delicious!), that a bomber (22 oz.) to bring home to Kansas. Bonus? The brewery also includes a pup-friendly patio!

Side Note: If you’re not a fan of craft beers, you may enjoy Fassler Hall located in the Blue Dome District. Constructed to resemble a German beer hall that includes an outdoor biergarten, weekend goers can order a German beer served in a glass stein or take advantage of their elaborate bottomless Bloody Mary bar. They also serve a full menu of standard bar food but up the ante by offering German sausages and sides.

The Blue Dome District is made up of locally owned art galleries, restaurants, and bars. A little rough on the edges, it is still worth the visit. In this downtown Tulsa neighborhood, brick exposed buildings are covered in hand painted murals and visitors will enjoy the variety of entertainment options.

I recommend stopping at Andolini’s Pizzeria, if you’re looking for a quick slice of New York style pizza or a decadent serving of homemade gelato.

Tulsa, Oklahoma is a city with a vibrant arts community, beautiful outdoorsy area, and a place that offers countless options for any foodie. Traveling from the north, be sure to swing by The Pioneer Woman’s Mercantile in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Read about our visit there.

I was traveling with a part-time pilot instructor, so of course we also pulled the car over to check out The Tulsa Air and Space Museum & Plantetarium. Aviation aficionados will fall hard for the museum’s gallery of notable pilots and the restored antique planes. Make sure to nab a volunteer to take you inside the MD-80.

Abilene, Kansas: The Boyhood Home of President Dwight D. Eisenhower

July 25, 2017 by Vanessa 8 Comments

“The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene.” – President Dwight D. Eisenhower

The 34th president of the United States and 5-Star General was raised in Abilene, Kansas. Founded in 1857, the town grew when the railroad and the Chisholm Trail intersected causing it to become the first cowtown in America. Today, the small but bustling town draws history enthusiasts and day-trippers looking for an afternoon of entertaining tourist stops.

Just east of Salina on Highway 70, the town that raised a president includes sites for the young and old. Full of tourist stops and antique shops, you’ll be hard-pressed to see everything the town offers visitors in one day.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home, 200 SE 4th Street.

Tourists can explore all three sites on 22 acres of land that include five buildings housing artifacts and documents that trace his life from his childhood to his final days. In fact, Eisenhower and his immediate family were laid to rest on the property, a memorial that visitors can also visit. Across from his library, the museum houses far more than nostalgic “I Like Ike” buttons. The museum curators painstakingly collected nearly everything bearing his name to the clothing he wore while at war.

After slowly making your way through his museum passing by artifacts documenting his achievements and his family life, you can step outdoors and see his small boyhood home in the distance. Visitors are able to tour the interior of the home led by a tour guide about every thirty minutes. Sightseers awaiting the next tour should sit outside on one of the shaded benches until the next free tour begins.

The three-bedroom 19th-century home is situated on its original site and the bottom level is open to visitors. The house and its contents look exactly as his mother left them before she passed on. It feels surreal to stand in a president’s boyhood home. You will feel a real connection to Eisenhower by the end of your tour.

A man liked by nearly everyone who met him or admired his career, you’ll find yourself looking up to the man in more ways than one while standing near his statue.

You will be enamored by this house from it’s size (it housed his whole family!) to the family’s rich traditions recorded inside.

See the blue ceiling on the porch? It’s supposed to mimic the sky. A famous photograph of the family taken on this porch is on display in the museum.

This stained glass window is part of the Eisenhower Memorial where his wife and children are buried.

Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, 201 NW 2nd Street

This quaint visitor’s center employs one super helpful tour guide! Ask her anything. She is a proud resident prepared to give you historical facts and free maps too. The building is actually a historical Union Pacific Depot that is open seven days a week. If you stop here first before beginning your tour of the town, you can watch an introductory video or gather materials for your journey. Don’t forget to take your photo inside an original bright red phone booth located just outside of the center. A farmer’s market selling produce and homemade wares take place on the grounds on Saturday mornings.

The original Union Pacific Railroad Depot, Abilene’s Visitor Center is small in size but big on personality.

Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Excursion/Dinner Train, 888-426-6687, 200 SE 5th Street

You can also ride the historic rails in Abilene from the 1887 Rock Island Depot and Gift Shoppe. After buying your ticket for the next scheduled dinner train tour, you can tour the depot’s artifact museum. The walls of the depot show the writings of railroad workers of the past. Have a question about the historic rails? Ask the depot’s employee, a kind woman behind the counter who knows quite a bit about the town’s history. The dinner train departs at 6:30 pm four times each summer and at 6:00 pm four times each fall.

Diesel, steam locomotives, a caboose, and gondola care are also on display for viewing or riding. Fares for kids three and under are free, children up to age 11 $7.50-$15, and adults $15-$30.

Be sure to head over across the depot to see the recreated Old West downtown watch the gunfighter show starting at noon each day. The volunteer impersonators interact with the crowd and shoot blanks at one another to tell the story of the wild west.

Located outside the front doors of the Old West saloon, the “bartender” took our photo and served us cold root beer and freshly made popcorn for the gunfighter show.

Heritage Center, 412 S. Campbell Street

This national historic landmark was voted one of the Eight Wonders of Kansas and includes over 100 years of telephone history on site. It is a short walk from the Eisenhower complex. You’ll see early models of telephones to modern-day advances in technology. It’s mind-blowing.

Behind the museum visitors can take themselves on a self-guided tour of log cabins, the 1901 C.W. Parker Carousel (rides available!), a one-room schoolhouse, and much more! The operator of the carousel has worked as a volunteer there for years and smiles ear-to-ear while sharing the history of this stunning restored piece of local history. Don’t forget to have him take your photo!

We were the only people riding, but that just made it more special.

This print shop interior exhibits the original letterpress used to print the town’s newspaper.

You can go inside this one-room school house, a work of art restored by volunteers. Ring the bell too!

I worked in secondary education for over a decade, seven of those years as a high school teacher. This one-room schoolhouse speaks to me. I love every inch of it.

Greyhound Hall of Fame, 407 S. Buckeye

Missing your family pet while on the road? Stop by a building dedicated to the history of the greyhound breed and its racing history. Two greyhounds on-site serve as the welcoming committee. If you don’t have time to visit, cruise through the parking lot. You might just find one of the dogs in its kennel outside the building waiting for you to pet him!

Ike’s Place Bar and Grill, 100 NW 14th Street

Dark and cool inside, this expansive sports bar’s walls are covered with black and white framed photos of Eisenhower’s life. The menu features typical sports bar grub but also includes homestyle entrees such as homemade soups and their famous meat chili. The waitress recommended several sandwiches and the chili as the most popular eats. This restaurant’s customer service was friendly but a little slow, but the reasonable prices and tasty lunch made up for it. You’ll enjoy the added Eisenhower history lesson from the wall artifacts and menu trivia included in your visit.

Having just scratched the surface of Abilene, I look forward to returning to check out the infamous Brookville Hotel (hot fried chicken and family-style side dishes) and the enormous Seelye Mansion.

Do you know of a fun day trip excursion in Kansas? Comment below with your favorite detour stop! A proud Kansan, I’m ready to visit another great destination in the Sunflower State.