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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.
As I devoured a chocolate cake donut and a melt-in-your-mouth glazed donut, customers came and went with brown bags filled with tasty early morning treats. A little boy stood on his tip toes while excitedly pointing at chocolate Long John while his grandmother looked on.
I noticed the bakery also sells a variety of muffins, turnovers, and fruit and cheese croissants. Coffee is available for $2.00. (The owner does not sell gluten-free donuts, but an employee told me she is developing the recipe.)
I was warmly greeted by a college-aged employee as Ed Sheeran played over the speaker in the background. I chose a house roast coffee and the Breakfast Croissant sandwich prepared with scambled eggs, diced onion, and bell pepper. The spread, a pepper fruit jam, added sweetness.
Diners can order from their sandwich menu all day, and I whole-heartedly recommend the Kettle Chicken on Ciabatta served with a side of your choice. I expected chunk chicken but the panini-pressed sandwich came with sliced deli meat, bacon, cheese, and fresh spring mix greens, which I appreciate.
PRO TIP: The Wi-Fi password is posted near the pickup counter. Additional seating is available on the patio behind the cafe.
Most people seem to use the drive-thru window, but I prefer eating breakfast inside while reading a magazine. Located near the community college’s stadium, it’s a convenient place to pick up a flavored Lotus Energy Drink before or after a game.
The menu features pages of burgers, comfort classics like ribeye or country fried steak dinners. My merlot mushroom cheeseburger was dripping with cheese served with a choice of side. I order the sweet potato fries to dip into homemade honey mustard sauce, a combo flavor bomb. The Happiness Burger and Philly Burger are also solid choices.
I usually choose a House Speciality menu selection like General Tso’s Chicken, but you can’t go wrong with Mongolian Beef prepared with tender steak and served with signature sliced potatoes.
When I noted their location parked at Walnut River Brewing Company, I showed up early to order the Blarney Fries served smothered in smoked corned beef, melted cheese, and sour cream. Their loaded fries are decadent shareable meal.
I returned to the taproom to grab as seat at the recycled wood bar for a flight of beer, and like always, I was more than happy with their flagship beers and rotators. Read more about my love of the brewing dating back to 2020 in this earlier 
The small-batch distillery serves tastings for $20 per person (no cocktails) Thursday-Saturday. I recommend the Barn Burner Cinnamon Rum or the Dodgy Fox six-year bourbon.
Expect single-batch barrel bourbon whiskey, bourbon, agave spirit, run and vodka. If you’re not charged a fee for your tasting experience, consider purchasing a bottle.
From aromatic candles and whole-bean coffee to live plants and seasonal displays, they carry it all. Don’t miss the discount plant table positioned in the rear of the store, accessible via the back door.
The first floor women’s clothing racks are organized by size and color, with handbags displayed nearby. Upstairs, shoppers will discover men’s casual and formal attire, children’s clothing, and a significant inventory of pre-owned and never-worn wedding dresses.
The store includes the collectibles of 50 vendors displayed throughout the store by theme. Unlike antique stores that carry mostly glassware or dishes, Antique Alley has something for every kind of shopper, ranging from old lanterns and fishing equipment to framed artwork and seasonal decorations.
Voted Best Antique Store by the Butler County Times-Gazette readers, it is open four days a week, and the inventory is often refreshed.
Owner Denise Wick is a talented, self-taught artist known for her jewelry creations, which incorporate stones and beads, and her clothing pieces are considered collectible, wearable art.
Catering to women’s fashion, the store also sells a few brands, such as plant-based Zum® laundry and body products.
From antiques to oddities, the store’s eclectic selection features a diverse range of items, curated by five booth vendors. I spotted a few collectibles, but the majority of the inventory on the day of my visit consisted of a diverse array of household items, similar to what you might find at a garage sale.
The back of the store is primarily for fiber arts creatives seeking hand-dyed yarn. Knitters will feel right at home relaxing on the couch, chatting with other creatives while brainstorming a new project.
Open Monday-Friday, the reader’s hangout includes a vault filled with El Dorado historical documents.
The nursery carries an impressive collection of succulent plants. Open seven days a week, the store also posts to a 
PRO TIP: Many of the sculptures are easily viewable by walking downtown, but don’t miss iconic creations on display at the historic train depot (430 N. Main Street) as well.
Located the Greetings from El Dorado mural at Central Avenue and Main Street. A new addition, Brickmob’s mural at 
Free to explore (donations appreciated), the exhibits are both permanent and temporary.
Admire cowboy fine art by Frederic Remington, Bill Walton, and Milo West upstairs, or look for the first and second floors’ exhibits showcasing a variety of artists’ styles.
Over the years, local oil companies and the 
PRO TIP: Don’t leave without taking a photo at the stadium’s baseball-themed mural.
I recommend viewing the explanatory video before perusing the room showcasing over one hundred years of oil equipment. Although it wasn’t yet open for the spring season, I’m told the museum’s grounds, featuring 23 replica buildings and oil drilling rigs, is worth the price of admission.
After the oil lease of 1918, multiple refineries operated throughout the county. Today, 
If you listen closely, you’ll hear the sound of an Aeolian harp’s changing notes as the wind passes over it.
A replica Statue of Liberty sits on the grounds, an installation by the Strengthen the Arm of Liberty campaign by the Boy Scouts of America in 1950.
Built in 1918, the red brick building resembles late 19th and 20th-century Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival design. Don’t miss the numerous statues installed on the grounds, including the town’s second Statue of Liberty replica and a 9/11 memorial.
An archery range, a BMX trail, playgrounds, and picnic areas are near 
You’ll have access to 
PRO TIP: Don’t own a boat? Rent one at the marina. Pack water shoes and swimsuits to enjoy two designated 
Taking advantage of the Wi-Fi, I kicked back while watching a movie after the sun set. The bed was firm but quite comfortable.
PRO TIP: Bring earplugs if your room is located near the ice machine.
I’m confident you’ll find plenty of fun things to do during your overnight stay in El Dorado, Kansas, whether you’re seeking outdoor adventures, award-worthy art, unique shopping, or rave-worthy dining.
Eventually, the invention of the telegraph ended the need for the Pony Express, which lasted 18 months from April 1860 to October 1861.
Entering the 
Once operated as a four-story luxury hotel opened in 1858, John Patee’s staff hosted travelers in 140 guest rooms. People from all over the world knew of the hotel within three years of its construction.
The museum offers numerous photo opportunities. Visitors can take photos of authentic saddles or peek through photo cutout stations.
Life-size faux horses are also positioned in the barn’s stables, making the Moment in Time exhibit a picture-worthy experience for all ages.
PRO TIP: Snap a photo of the 
As he led me from artifact stations to dioramas depicting Native American tribes who once resided in the area, I became increasingly impressed with the museum exhibits. 
Hands-on activity stations, designed for visiting children and groups of touring school kids, include animal pelts, sun-bleached bones, and cowboy apparel. Massive stagecoaches and farm equipment sit nearby, but once you venture into the original barn, it becomes clear how primitive life on The Great Plains was in the late 1800s.
PRO TIP: Mail a letter from the 
A relic of the Wild West, the museum covers the story of the town’s role as a stop on the Pony Express mail delivery trail 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, 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. I appreciated reading about how local women fed him baked goods. Since he was in a hurry, they added a hole to each one so he could hold the food easily while riding his horse. Perhaps it was the invention of the donut?
The museum is open Memorial Day to Labor Day, Tuesday through Saturdays. To guaranteed a tour, call (785) 294-6655 to schedule an appointment.
If it wasn’t for the brave riders who delivered mail in all types of weather around the clock for the Pony Express, society wouldn’t have experienced new innovations to replace it including faster communication via the telegraph. Today, we send messages in seconds via text and email.
PRO TIP: Pack hiking shoes. If weather permits, take a nature walk along the Tallgrass Trail, a scenic 1.5-mile loop with views of a pond and natural prairie. Walkers gain access to an open-air pathway leading to learning stations.
PRO TIP: Bring binoculars if you plan on driving designated roads to view waterfowl on a good weather day in the Cheyenne Bottoms.
Koch Exhibit Hall includes 3,500 square feet of walk-thru displays with hands-on visual and auditory stations. Birdwatchers will appreciate the Bob Gress Wildlife Observatory for spotting native songbirds, deer, or turkey.
The collection includes birds, wild animals, and Kansas native species. His collection of owls is particularly amazing, especially when in contrasted with big cats in close proximity.
Fossils, rocks, minerals, dinosaur bones, and aquariums with snacks, frogs, and bugs make touring the museum an immersive experience for all ages. A native Kansan, I loved the artifacts found in the Sunflower State, including massive geodes and crystals.
PRO TIP: Animatronic dinosaurs and life-size taxidermy may frighten the museum’s youngest visitors, so prepare your self-guided tour accordingly.
Ignite your curiosity on a self-guided tour of mammal skulls and taxidermy ranging from Arctic animals and the Rocky Mountains to the rain forest and the Kansas prairie.
Open year-round, Kansas nature centers offer visitors an opportunity to learn about native plants and animal species.
Also in Wichita, adults will appreciate 
In Andover, the entire family will find something to love at 
Outdoor landmarks worthy of touring include 
Other places to view well-known holiday light displays include 
You don’t have to be an experienced painter to appreciate the fun of adding paint to canvas at 
Hopefully, this list inspires you to add more delight to your Thanksgiving break spent with family. It’s the time of year when we’re reminded that quality time spent with family is important.
