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Kansas curiosities—the mega-huge things—the quirky roadside attractions capture our gaze and make us ask, “Why?” The Sunflower State is home to numerous picture-worthy wonders, and these ten attractions are noteworthy. Which one will you seek out next?
GREENSBURG
World’s Largest Hand Dug Well
The Big Well Museum & Visitors Center (315 S. Sycamore St.) World’s Largest Hand Dug Well is a must-see attraction to add to your travel bucket list. I was amazed by its impressive size. Down, down, down…109 feet.
Visitors can walk down into the well via a sturdy staircase to get a closer look. Three million visitors visit one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas to descend into its depths and/or toss a penny to the bottom.
WICHITA
Muffler Man Statue
Roadside attractions don’t get much better than the Muffler Man at Brown’s Tire and Custom Wheel Center (4203 S. Broadway) in South Wichita.
He is holding a tire in his right hand; the oversized statue is so large that the tire he is holding looks small in comparison. You can’t miss him. He is dressed in blue denim jeans and a bright red shirt.
SENECA
Widest Historic Hand Dug Well
Seneca boasts the Widest Historic Hand Dug Well (301 N. 11th Street). No longer in use, it’s open for tours by appointment. Over 130,000 bricks and 100 cords of stone were used during construction in 1895.
The well is 34 feet wide by 65 feet deep, and the original pump remains on top of a service platform. Tours are available from May through October by calling the Nemaha County Historical Museum at (785) 336-6366.
Beloved Parrot’s Grave
During my tour of the well, I chatted with my host about odd roadside attractions. She mentioned the town’s beloved buried parrot in Seneca City Cemetery, and I had to see Beauty’s gravesite market for myself.
The subject of local folklore, the parrot belong to a Seneca resident Henry W. Fuller who admired it so much his feathered friend is buried next to him. He taught Beauty how to talk, and she was thought to have a 300-word vocabulary. She died at age 50.
ABILENE
World’s Largest Belt Buckle
They said it was big. They said it was worth pulling the car over for, and they weren’t kidding. The World’s Largest Belt Buckle (400 N. Pine Street) is 19 feet by 10.5 inches wide and 13 feet by 11.25 inches tall situated high on a frame with stairs.
A view from the top not only serves as an entertaining photo opportunity, but it provides views of Eisenhower Park & Rose Garden and an amphitheater.
WILSON
World’s Largest Czech Egg
In honor of Wilson’s heritage, the World’s Largest Czech Egg (2520 Ave. D) designed by artist Christine Slechta, stands 20′ tall by 15′ wide at Ed & LaVange Shiroky Park.
But perhaps the town’s most coveted Czech eggs are found indoors at The Midland Mercantile and Art Gallery, the home of Kepka Belton’s collection.
LUCAS
World’s Largest Souvenir Plate
The World’s Largest Souvenir Travel Plate (5496 K-18 Highway) serves as the welcome sign as you enter Lucas, an example of the whimsical artwork you can expect to see on display throughout town.
Park your car on either side of the road at a pull-off area, if you want to take an up-close photo.
Second Best Restroom in America
Referred to as “a mosaic patchwork potty, Bowl Plaza (121 S. Main Street), is more than a public restroom. The artists, Mri-Pilar and Eric Abraham, used pieces of broken pottery, glass bottles, toys, and more to adorn the pretty privy. Venture inside, even if you don’t need to use the facilities, and sign the guestbook.
Bowl Plaza earned recognition as 2nd Best Restroom in America by Cintas and Quirkiest Experience at the 2018 International Toilet Tourism Awards.
GOODLAND
World’s Largest Painting on an Easel
Most Kansans have heard of the Giant Van Gogh, the World’s Largest Painting on an Easel (1901-1917 Cherry Avenue). If you haven’t seen it, it’s worth taking Exit 17 into Goodland from KS I-70. The 24’x34′ replica of the artist’s sunflower painting sits directly behind the town’s visitor’s center. It was erected on site on June 19, 2001. ‘
A must-see attraction, it’s easy to walk up to it using the brick-lined sidewalk and get a glimpse. You can expect to see other tourists taking selfies and photos of it.
COLBY
Largest Barn in Kansas
A major reason for my visit to Colby was to step foot inside The Cooper Barn (1905 S. Franklin Avenue). The largest barn in Kansas stands 66′ wide, 114′ long, and 48′ high. Voted one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture, I had to look inside. I drew back one of the barn doors. The interior was impeccably clean.
The first floor’s exhibit, “Agriculture on the High Plains: High Dry,” encourages visitors to imagine farming during water scarcity. What’s on the third floor? You’ll have to see it for yourself when you visit Colby.
This list merely scratches the surface of unique attractions worth pulling over to see. In fact, I’ve yet to add twine to the World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Cawker City, so stay tuned for an update.
BONUS! Pull over in downtown Lyons, Kansas, to view the World’s Largest Salt Shaker, a nod to Central Salt, an area mine that produces rock salt and deicing chemicals for snow and ice control.
Some call Kansas a flyover state, but who would want to miss this? Bookmark this list for your next cross-country Kansas road trip; a trail of roadside wonders awaits.
In the meantime, check out my Facebook post for 10 more whimsical roadside wonders worth pulling over to see up close.
While strolling Douglass Avenue downtown, I noted the 1800s architecture and how local businesses are working to maintain its authenticity. What would Wyatt Earp, who allegedly walked these streets in 1873, think of it today?
The coffee shop sits adjacent to an active railroad track and the town’s downtown corridor, a bustling location for locals who stop in for a quick caffeine boost and delicious breakfast.
It was challenging to decide what I wanted to eat from the menu’s extensive list of affordable pub fare options, but I eventually settled on a simple but savory taco salad. We sat in the quiet company of a few locals who also stopped by for a late lunch.
The select-your-meal menu includes beef or chicken sliders or baskets of fried appetizers. Small but big in flavor, my Original Chicken Sliders reminded me of a Chick-fil-A meal. If you’re extra hungry, I suggest ordering extra sliders, as the combo meal with fries is a light lunch.
Of course, we had to try out 900 Club’s indoor golf simulator. The setup is available to the public to practice their swing, and the local high school team is known to use it when outdoor conditions are unfavorable for play.
PRO TIP: Museum-goers who like to stroll the grounds leisurely and its buildings will want to carve out at least two hours for a tour and, of course, allot time to shop the gift shop’s inventory of homemade goods.
I purchased a large container of pure raw honey produced by Sylvan Grove’s Labertew Honey Co., an affordable purchase given its size.
PRO TIP: Prefer to create art rather than shop for it? Check the 
Less than 1,000 people call Wilson home today. The tight-knit community is a welcoming town with a thriving Czech culture and tourism stops, which include a hometown eatery.
One can expect almost a dozen fruit flavors ranging from pumpkin to cherry. The Dutch Apple pie with added vanilla ice cream didn’t disappoint for its flaky crust and extra cinnamon and sugar.
Half of the store is devoted to home decor and gift merchandise, while the other half serves as gallery space featuring Betty Kepka’s artwork. The impressive collection features Czech folk art consisting of mostly handprinted eggs with various patterns. The Wilson native worked as an art teacher.
PRO TIP: The sister boutique to Midland Railroad Hotel, the store features a DIY Plant Bar. Visitors can purchase and build a terrarium using succulent plants. Check their 
Open seven days a week, the store stocks everything from candles and crafts to gift baskets and backed goods. A secondary room’s inventory includes colorful t-shirts of various designs and an assortment of books by Kansas authors.
Each time I visit Lucas, I discover something new to me. The positive messages and vibrant colors of the Lucas Public Library mural caught my eye, and I wasn’t leaving town without taking a selfie photo with the polar bear sitting on a Main Street bench. Yes, a polar bear.
I was enamored by the intricate wheat-weaving creations by Kansas artist Doris Johnson. All of the art is for sale, should you decide to bring home a shadow box featuring pin-cushion figurines, a stained glass window, or a framed photo of a Midwest landscape.
Other fascinating spaces to view while in town include 
The gallery’s featured artists rotate every two months, and the public is invited the 2nd Friday of the month to an exhibition reception. The artists give talks about their work.
PRO TIP: Walk to the gallery’s rear to shop the gift shop for affordable artwork.
PRO TIP: Arrive for dinner when they open. Locals fill up the dining room quickly. Save room for dessert. I wish I had tried the banana pudding or skillet cookie.
After a day of exploring, we sat in the one-time parlor, reading stories of the home’s first residents and the generations that followed. Then, a tour of each room containing family heirlooms completed the family’s story.
We were pleased with the home’s comfortable amenities, including high-speed WiFi, laundry facilities (robes provided!), a walk-in shower with toiletries, and a full kitchen (breakfast pastries and French press coffee, anyone?).
The home sleeps six people. Each bedroom contained a Queen-sized bed with plenty of space to store one’s belongings. We slept peacefully thanks to blackout curtains and the home’s peaceful surroundings.
Families will appreciate the home’s spaciousness and proximity to the park across the street. It’s a safe, lovely neighborhood. 
PRO TIP: Parking in front of the home on the gravel driveway. Read the house manual, located in the kitchen before unpacking.
