Kansas is a state located in the United States of America. It is located in the southwestern corner of the West North Central states.
In this article, you’ll learn where to find Kansas on a map, some fun facts about the state, and some great places to visit in Kansas.
Where is Kansas?
Kansas is located in the Midwest region among the 48 contiguous states in the United States of America.
Other Midwest states which border it include Nebraska to the north and Missouri to the east. The Southern state of Oklahoma borders it to the south and the Western state of Colorado borders it to the west.
What Are Some Odd Kansas Laws?
In Kansas, it is illegal to shoot a rabbit while riding in a motorboat and you cannot use mules for duck hunting.
Another quirky law from the capital city of Topeka states that it is illegal to wander the city streets during the night while singing the alphabet. A law that is no longer in effect also forbade cherry pie to be served with ice cream on top.
What Native American Tribes Are Native to Kansas?
Kansas is historically home to at least nine major Native American tribes including the Cheyenne, Kansa, Osage, Sioux, Pawnee, Wichita, Kiowa, Comanche, and Arapaho.
In fact, the state itself is named for one of these tribes – the Kansa, which means “people of the wind.”
Is Kansas in the Middle of the Country?
The city of Lebanon, Kansas marks the geographic center of the United States of America. Whenever a surveyor checks property lines, the point of reference they use is located in Lebanon, Kansas.
Does Kansas Have Any Scenic Byways?
Despite the bad reputation Kansas gets for being boring and flat, it is home to twelve beautifully scenic byways including the Frontier Military Historic Byway which takes you past historically important sites such as Fort Scott, Marais des Cygnes Massacre Park, John Brown Museum, Mine Creek Battlefield, and Fort Leavenworth.
The Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway offers views of vast wheat fields and expansive wetlands which are home to many different species of birds and mammals.
One of the most famous historic byways is Kansas’ Historic Route 66 Byway which offers stops along the way to Nelson’s Old Riverton Store, the Southeast Kansas Nature Center, Schermerhorn Park, and Marsh Arch Bridge.
Other Kansas byways to travel include Flint Hills National Scenic Byway, Glacial Hills Scenic Byway, Land and Sky Scenic Byway, Post Rock Scenic Byway, Western Vistas Historic Byway, Smoky Valley Scenic Byway, Prairie Trail Scenic Byway, Native Stone Scenic Byway, and Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway.
What Are Some Historical Attractions to Visit in Kansas?
There are a multitude of museums and historic sites to visit in Kansas which offer a glimpse into America’s past, forts which preserve part of Kansas’ military history, and heritage sites to learn about the pioneers and people who shaped Kansas’ countryside.
Popular museums to visit include the C. W. Parker Carousel Museum in Leavenworth, Old Cowtown and Mid-America All-Indian Museums in Wichita, Oz Museum in Wamego, and the Mid-America Air Museum in Liberal.
Historic sites worth visiting include the Goodnow House State Historic Site in Manhattan, Mine Creek Civil War Battlefield State Historic Site in Pleasanton, First Territorial Capitol State Historic State in Fort Riley, and the Hollenberg Pony Express Station State Historic Site in Hanover.
Visit the two active military forts of Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley in addition to the two forts which are state historic sites – Fort Hays and Fort Larned.
Freedom Frontier’s National Heritage Area is a great place to learn about the pioneers who traveled through Kansas to settle in California, the Mormons who settled in Utah, and the countless number of brave souls who traveled along the Oregon Trail.
Additionally, this is a great place to learn about the struggles for freedom which begin with the Civil War and the Missouri/Kansas Border War which played a large part in the start of the Civil War for that region.
What State Parks Are in Kansas?
Kansas boasts numerous state parks which offer a variety of recreational activities including boating, camping, fishing, and more.
Most of Kansas’ state parks are clustered in the eastern part of the state near Topeka including Perry Reservoir State Park and Wildlife Area, Kaw River State Park, Clinton Reservoir State Park and Wildlife Area, Melvern Reservoir and Wildlife Area, Eisenhower State Park, Hillsdale Reservoir State Park and Wildlife Area, Pomona Reservoir State Park, and Prairie Spirit Trail.
Parks located in the southeastern corner of the state include Mined Land Public Fishing and Wildlife Area, Neosho State Fishing Lake, Crawford State Park, Elk City Reservoir State Park and Wildlife Area, and Fall River Lake State Park and Wildlife Area.
Central Kansas state parks include Cheney Reservoir State Park and Wildlife Area, El Dorado Reservoir State Park and Wildlife Area, Glen Elder State Park, Lovewell Reservoir State Park and Wildlife Area, Milford Reservoir State Park and Wildlife Area, and Mushroom Rock State Park.
Lastly, state parks located on the western side of Kansas include Meade Lake State Park and Wildlife Area, Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park, Keith Sebelius Reservoir, Norton Wildlife Area, Prairie Dog State Park, Historic Lake Scott State Park and Wildlife Area, and Cedar Bluff Reservoir State Park and Wildlife Area.
What Are Some Fun Activities to Do With Kids in Kansas?
Kansas is home to many fun amusement and water parks which your kids will love including McPherson Water Park, Sky Trampoline Park, Coffeyville Aquatic Center, Urban Air Trampoline Park, and Salt City Splash Aquatic Center.
Kansas also plays host to several zoos and wildlife refuge centers which are fun for kids to visit including the K-State Insect Zoo, Sedgwick County Zoo, Rolling Hills Zoo, Sunset Zoo, and Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center.
Let your child discover new worlds at the Cosmosphere, Exploration Place, and Flint Hills Discovery Center.
