Northeast Kansas Road Trip: 4 Day Itinerary Starting From Kansas City

This Northeast Kansas road trip will take you to some of the state’s most historic and charming cities. By visiting these destinations you’ll uncover Kansas’s fascinating history; from its beginnings as a gateway to the west, to its role in the Civil War and anti-slavery movement.

On this four day road trip itinerary you will travel through bucolic rural Kansas, visit quaint cities, discover architectural treasures that date back to the 1800s, and indulge in traditional Midwestern food.

If you have never visited Kansas before and want to tick this state off your bucket list, this road trip is a great introduction to the Sunflower State!

It’s also a great itinerary for you if you live in the Kansas City area and want to escape for a few days because you won’t have to go too far or spend too much money.

This road trip covers all of the highlights in the northeast corner of Kansas. The four day driving itinerary allows enough time to explore destinations at a leisurely pace, and to thoroughly enjoy stays at accommodations that are recommended for this trip. You could easily condense this trip into three days if necessary.

Northeast Kansas Road Trip: 4 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Atchison, Kansas

• KANSAS CITY TO ATCHISON
• DISTANCE: 50 miles
• DRIVE TIME: 1 hour

Welcome to the most haunted city in Kansas! Atchison is full of stories about ghostly sightings and apparitions. There are so many spooky tales about this place that it has been featured in the Travel Channel’s tv show about haunted towns.

In fact, many tourists come from all over the country in an attempt to encounter unearthly experiences here. So if you’re looking for a spooky destination to visit for Halloween, Atchison should be a place at the top of your list!

Atchison is situated on the western banks of the Missouri River which marks the Kansas-Missouri state line. This historic town once hosted over 1,600 wagons per day as settlers made their way to the goldfields of California during the 1850s. 

The once-bustling transportation hub and launching point for westward migration eventually became a pioneering railroad town. During Atchison’s glory days, railroad magnates and wealthy lumber merchants walked the streets.

These wealthy merchants built grand Victorian homes with carriage houses and transformed Atchison into one of the most beautiful cities in Kansas, complete with cobblestone streets that are still here today. So you see, this destination in northeast Kansas has more to it than spine-chilling lore.

Atchison County Historical Society Museum: There is no better place to begin your exploration of Atchison than at Atchison County Historical Society Museum.

This museum has a wide range of fascinating exhibits that tell the story of Atchison County including displays on Lewis and Clark, Jesse Stone, and Amelia Earhart. There is also a military collection with over 200 weapons spanning both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.

The museum is located inside the historic Santa Fe Freight Depot, a handsome stone building constructed in 1880 which is a must see!

Haunted Trolley Tour: Atchison has had a reputation for being haunted since the late 1800s. There have been many tales of paranormal activity happening inside the stately homes built in this pioneering railroad town.

So much so that supernatural enthusiasts have been flocking to Atchison for decades. Today, Atchison is still a hotspot for ghostly occurences and several travel channels have touted this city as one of the most haunted places in America.

You can learn all about Atchison’s haunted history on a Haunted Trolley Tour! The tours will take you to a number of haunted homes including Atchison’s most famous haunted house, the Sallie House.

Whether you’re into spooky attractions or not, this is a fantastic tour to take because you’ll get to see some of the most impressive and picturesque homes in Kansas.

Pete’s Steakhouse: Pete’s Steakhouse is the place to go for lunch or dinner in Atchison! This restaurant is a favorite among local residents not only for its steaks, but Greek food too.

Although Pete’s offers a range of locally sourced hand-cut steaks, soups, salads and pastas, it is their Greek dishes that keep diners coming back for more. Specifically the Saganaki. In case you’re not familiar, Saganaki is a Greek cheese that is hand-breaded and flambeed right at your table! It is not only fun to witness, but delicious to eat too!!

Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum: About three miles west of downtown Atchison is the brand new (as of April 2023) Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum. The 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.

At the museum you’ll find a range of interactive exhibits that explain how pilots navigate the skies using constellations and radio waves. The centerpiece of 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.

On your way from Kansas City to Atchison, be sure to take the detour along U.S. Highway 75. The stretch between Leavenworth and Atchison is part of the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway.

Day 2: Topeka, Kansas

• ATCHISON TO TOPEKA
• DISTANCE: 55 miles
• DRIVE TIME: 1 hour

Topeka, situated along the Kansas River in the northeast corner of the state, was first established in 1854. It is the capital city of Kansas and is therefore worth visiting for its historical and political significance.

The city is full of beautiful architecture and home to one of the most stunning state capitol buildings in the USA. Other notable buildings to see include Topeka High School and the First Presbyterian Church.

Topeka also has a growing art scene. Art lovers will enjoy the NOTO Arts District which is known for its colorful murals and art galleries.

Kansas State Capitol: If there’s one place you shouldn’t miss seeing in Topeka it’s the Kansas State Capitol! It is considered an architectural treasure in Kansas, and easily one of the most beautiful buildings you will ever see!!

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Capitol building is constructed entirely of Kansas limestone. Construction of the building began in 1866 and it took a total of 37 years to complete.

While the building’s exterior is stunning, wait until you see what it looks like inside! The interior is nothing short of magnificent. Visitors are allowed to take self-guided tours Monday through Saturday.

You can also take a free guided tour which will cover history of the capitol’s construction. These tours are conducted every hour. If you have time, consider joining a group-led tour to the very top of the Kansas State Capitol.

Brown v Board Of Education National Historic Park: Brown v Board of Education National Historic Park commemorates the landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to end racial segregation at American public schools in 1954.

The museum is housed inside former Monroe Elementary School which was one of Topeka’s four segregated schools. At the museum you can explore galleries that examine the barriers African-Americans faced while trying to recieve a formal education and explore the Civil Rights Movement that followed in the aftermath of the Brown v Board decision.

Admission to the museum is free. After visiting the museum, be sure to cross the road to see the impressive mural on the corner of – streets.

The Pennant: Time for lunch! And the best place to eat in Topeka is at The Pennant!! Located in downtown Topeka, this restaurant is notable for its tasty burgers and decadent milkshakes.

The burgers here are loaded with pulled pork, crispy fried onion strings, portobello mushrooms, beer cheese, and whatever else you can think of. If you love fries, there are seven different variations to choose from.

But the highlight here would have to be the over-the-top milkshakes. Think shakes blended with burnt marshmallow dip, peanut butter ice cream, and topped with coconut cotton candy or whipped cream and graham crackers.

Day 3: Lawrence, Kansas

• TOPEKA TO LAWRENCE
• DISTANCE: 26 miles
• DRIVE TIME: 30 minutes

Lawrence is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kansas. This town is full of character and known for being a little on the quirky side. It is a college town, home to not one but two universities — The University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University.

Lawrence boasts an authentic main street lined with locally-owned fashion stores, art galleries, book shops, and restuarants. It also has a great live music scene which has been given a mention in Rolling Stone magazine in the past.

Founded in 1854, this small town is one of the best preserved and unique communities in America. The architecture here is fascinating and greatly varied. Some of the architectural styles you will come across during your visit include Victorian, Gothic Revival, Tudor, and Romanesque.

Massachussets Street: Massachussets Street (often referred to as Mass Street by locals) is the main street that runs through Lawrence’s downtown district. It is a slice of Main Street, America, that continues to thrive as a commercial hub for residents.

The 600 through 1200 block of Massachusetts Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Most of the buildings here were built between 1856 and 1953. That’s why your first order of business in Lawrence should be to go for a stroll along Mass Street to check out the historic architecture.

Along your stroll you can pop into some of the unique and locally owned shops and boutique stores. They offer one of a kind craftwork, art, and clothing you won’t find anywhere else.

The Merchant Pub & Plate: The Merchant Pub & Plate is a gastropub on Mass Street in downtown Lawrence. This restaurant is the local hotspot for so many reasons. Not only is the food top notch, but the establishment itself is located inside a former bank with an interior design that can only be described as utterly charming!

Firstly the food. Every dish on the menu uses locally grown ingredients. Because of this farm to table approach, the menu is ever-changing with the seasons. What’s on the menu can be described as distinctly Midwestern but with a re-imagined, gourmet twist.

Think pork belly burnt ends, cauliflower tikka masala, and local sirloin steak frites. However the most popular dish on the menu is their award-winning brussels sprouts — a sweet and savoury combination with dried apricots and cashews.

Not only is Merchant’s the place to go for a meal, but it’s also an excellent place to grab a drink. They offer 30 craft beers on tap! You can sample some of the best brews in Kansas without ever leaving Lawrence!!

Besides beers, there is a solid wine list, as well as delicious hand-crafted cocktails on offer too.

You can sample these Midwest-inspired dishes and drinks inside an old bank that dates back to the late 1880s. The historic building features handsome stone and high ceilings. Rumor has it that the infamous Bonnie and Clyde kicked off their bank robbing career by robbing this one first!

Free State Brewery: Free State Brewing Company first opened in 1989 as the first legal brewery in Kansas in over 100 years. You can sample the state’s historic brew right here Lawrence.

The 14-barrel brewhouse offers a range of staple and seasonal beers. Flagship beers includes the award-winning Ad Astra Ale, Free State Lager, Stormchaser IPA, Copperhead Pale Ale, and Oatmeal Stout.

Day 4: Louisburg, Kansas

• LAWRENCE TO LOUISBURG
• DISTANCE: 55 miles
• DRIVE TIME: 1 hour

Louisburg Cider Mill: Louisburg Cider Mill is a third generation, family-owned business that has been producing delicious apple cider ever since 1977. The family’s business which started out as a roadside stand has since grown into a beloved country store and popular attraction in northeast Kansas.

At the Country Store, visitors can sample fresh apple cider, hot apple cider, cider slushies, and even hard cider! And what pairs perfectly with apple cider? Apple cider donuts of course! And you can get them fresh daily here!! They are so good you’ll likely want to take a dozen or two home with you.

The Country Store is open year-round and stocked with all sorts of goodies like jams, jellies, preserves, candies, root beer, and more.

Although any time of year is a good time to visit the Country Store, fall weekends at Louisburg Cider Mill are the most fun! This is because from mid-September through the end of October, the Cider Mill comes alive with a host of fall activities where you can catch live bluegrass music onstage, and watch how they press apples into cider in the Pressing Barn. Kids will enjoy the corn maze and pumpkin patch.

Isinglass Estate: Isinglass Estate is a 600-acre property situated 20 miles south of Louisburg. The estate produces its own organic wine which you can enjoy at their recently built tasting room.

Relax inside a spacious and tastefully decorated room that overlooks the property while sampling on a flight of red or white wines. If the mood suits, you can wander outside and take a peek at the 35 acres of vineyards.

What’s impressive about this place is that the entire wine making process, from growing the grapes to producing the wine, bottling, and even labeling the bottles, all happens right here!