7 Awesome Things To Do In Northeast Kansas
If you’re planning a trip to Kansas and wondering where to start your adventure, I suggest beginning in northeast Kansas! This corner of the state will captivate you with its fascinating history and serene countryside landscapes — while charming the pants off you with the gracious hospitality the Midwest is renown for!
If Kansas conjures up images of neverending wheat fields, fair enough since Kansas is the nation’s leading wheat producer. However, the majority of the state’s wheat is grown in central Kansas. The northeast region on the other hand is nothing like the Kansas stereotype.
Northeast Kansas is home to the state’s larger cities like Topeka, Atchison, and Lawrence which all boast stunning architecture. This part of the state is also home to several fascinating, must-see historic attractions such as Brown v Board of Education National Historic Site.
But what will really make you fall in love with northeast Kansas is its wonderful scenery. You see, this region is inarguably the most beautiful corner of the state. The topography here features beautiful tallgrass prairies, broad stream valleys, and timbered hillsides. Are you curious yet?
Here are the top things to do in northeast Kansas that will make your trip a truly memorable adventure.
Best Things To Do In Northeast Kansas
1. Take a tour of the most haunted city in Kansas
Just 60 miles north of Kansas City is Atchison, a charming town that sits along the banks of the Missouri River. Atchison is known for its historic, well-preserved 19th century architecture. But lurking behind the beautifully restored Victorian homes are spine-chilling tales of murder and paranormal activity.
That’s right, Atchison is full of haunted houses! In fact, there are so many haunted houses here that Atchison has been dubbed one of the most haunted cities in America! So if you’re a fan of spooky destinations, Atchison is a place that you must visit!
You can learn all about Atchison’s haunted history on a Haunted Trolley Tour. On the tour you’ll visit a number of haunted houses in Atchison including the infamous Sallie House, a house with a tragic history about a young girl who died during a botched operation in the house.
Find out more about the haunted trolley tours here.
2. Visit Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum
You probably already know who Amelia Earhart is, but did you know she was a Kansas girl? If not, now you do! Amelia Earhart grew up in Atchison so it’s only fitting that she is commemorated in her hometown.
The Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum pays tribute to Amelia’s aviation legacy highlighting her journey as a child growing up in Atchison to becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
One of the highlights at the museum is Muriel, the world’s last remaining Lockheed Electra 10-E airplane which is identical to the plane Amelia flew on her final flight.
Another highlight here is the Virtual Reality Flight Experience where you can soar across the Atlantic and see what Amelia’s flight above the ocean was like during her voyage in 1932.
If you’re looking for more things to do in northeast Kansas that are related to this aviation pioneer, be sure to stop by the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum which is also located in Atchison.
Related: Soar To New Heights At Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum
3. Savor the best fresh-pressed apple cider in the Midwest!
Arguably the best place to get fresh apple cider in the Midwest is from Louisburg Cider Mill. This beloved family-operated business has been serving the northeast Kansas community since 1977!
All of the apples they use to make their cider come from orchards in Kansas (including apples from Louisburg Cider Mill’s own 80-acre farm) and Missouri. The apples are pressed onsite, you can’t get much fresher than that!
You can drop into Louisburg Cider Mill’s cute country store at any time of the year to find fresh apple cider. When you enter the country store, you’ll notice the sweet smell of sugar and spice wafting through the air. It is the smell of freshly-made apple cider donuts!
These homemade donuts are the perfect accompaniment to your fresh-pressed cider and there’s no doubt you’ll want to take a dozen or two home with you.
4. Follow the yellow brick road to Wamego
What’s the first thing that usually comes to mind when people think about Kansas? The Wizard Of Oz of course! Well, in northeast Kansas you can visit a small town that is considered to be the home of everything Oz.
Wamego is home to the official Oz Musem, a museum with an extensive collection of Wizard Of Oz memoribilia such as early books from the world-famous Baum series, playbills, and much more.
Visitors start their journey in the sepia-toned Auntie Em’s gift shop before entering the technicolor world of Oz. They then follow the yellow brick road to see a number of displays that cover the film’s history.
A visit to the Oz Museum is just the beginning of your adventure in Wamego. Afterwards you can grab tacos from Toto’s Tacos and guzzle on a glass of wine at Oz Winery.
There’s certainly no place like Wamego. And you certainly can’t leave Kansas without doing something Wizard Of Oz related!
5. Climb to the top of the tallest capitol building in the United States!
Topeka is home to the tallest state capitol building in America. Yes, the Kansas State Capitol building is even taller than the one in Washington D.C. But that’s not its only unique feature.
The Kansas State Capitol is the only capitol building in the USA that still allows visitors to climb to the top of the building’s dome. So if you’re looking for unique things to do in northeast Kansas, be sure to add a dome tour of the Kansas State Capitol to your northeast Kansas itinerary.
To get to the top of the dome you’ll need to climb a total of 296 steps. You’ll also need nerves of steel since the last set of stairs are suspended right underneath the dome. Whatever you do, don’t look down during this last stretch!
Related: Get High At Kansas State Capitol On A Tour Of Its Dome!
6. Knock back a few pints at Kansas’s first ever brewery since the Prohibition era.
If you’re traveling along I-70 through northeast Kansas, be sure to take the exit for Lawrence. Lawrence is not only home of the Univeristy of Kansas, but is also home to the first legal brewery in Kansas since the Prohibition era.
In 1989, Free State Brewing Company became the first brewery to open in Kansas in over a century! Therefore, if you are a beer devotee, you simply can’t miss stopping in at one of the Midwest’s pioneer breweries.
Their headquarters can be found on Massachusetts Street inside a beautiful two-story, limestone building. At the 14-barrel brewpub you’ll find four flagship beers that are available year-round; Free State Lager, Ad Astra Red Ale, Copperhead Pale Ale, and Oatmeal Stout. They also have seasonal brews that include IPAs, porters, and sours.
7. Experience life on a longhorn cattle ranch
Ever wondered what country life is like in Kansas? Well wonder no more because you can experience rural living at this longhorn cattle ranch!
Circle S Ranch is a very special property. The ranch has been in owner Mary’s family for five generations! Jacob and Elijah bought the property in 1860 and it has been passed on through their family ever since. The 800-acre tract of land has been a working cattle ranch the entire time!
In 1998, a bed & breakfast style inn was built here allowing guests to come stay and experience farm life. The inn is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for special or romantic things to do on your Kansas adventure.
There are twelve very different and distinct rooms to choose from. Each have their own name and theme such as the Cowboy Room and Garden Room. Outside there’s plenty of room to wander and soak in the gorgeous rolling countryside.
Guests are free to visit the horses, pony, pigs, and of course longhorns that live on the ranch. And if you’re lucky, the staff may even take you out on the side by side to feed the longhorns!
Book your stay at Circle S Ranch here.