At Fort Hays State Historic Site, limestone buildings that housed the U.S. Army during the 19th century pierce a quiet prairie backdrop. To imagine it as a supply depot during the American Indian Wars, watch the site’s short film Clash of Cultures before embarking on a tour of artifacts and

Picture this: It’s dawn on the Kansas frontier, and passengers are boarding a stagecoach on the Santa Fe Trail. Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site sets the scene for imagining life during pioneer days in 1860. Engaging living-history demonstrations, friendly farm animals and stagecoach

Start the weekend with a roaring good time at Lee Richardson Zoo. Make new friends with a Bactrian camel in Wild Asia, a kangaroo in Down Under and a menagerie of other creatures in 50 landscaped areas. Guests can walk through the park for free or drive through for a fee.

Skip the ordinary food

Follow the stories of artists, pioneers and dreamers throughout Wichita’s Museums on the River district. Events, tribal flags and some 3,000 artifacts honor Indigenous peoples at the Mid-America All-Indian Museum. Journey to the city’s frontier era at the Old Cowtown Museum. Reenactors portray 1800s

The animals tend to be most active in the morning at David Traylor Zoo, a habitat for 80 species of birds, mammals and reptiles. Playful prairie dogs, big cats and winged creatures entertain among the zoo’s lush plants. A canopy of trees at Peter Pan Park provides a shaded respite for playing disc

In Manhattan’s lively Aggieville district, wake up with Varsity Donuts, serving a maple-frosted Scouts Honor doughnut with toasted coconut. After indulging, pedal off the calories on one of the city’s rentals—perhaps to the Flint Hills Discovery Center. An immersive short film,

Our specialty is the unconventional. Astonishing outdoor experiences that defy presumptions. Rock formations that tower over our skylines. Museums filled with wonder. Charming communities begging to be photographed. Things happen when adventure leads you off the beaten path. The beauty of exploring

Farm-fresh ingredients find their way onto menus across the countryside and cityscapes of The Sunflower State. Here are three handpicked favorites from each of the state’s six regions.

This was written in collaboration with Cecilia Harris, Debbie Leckron Miller, Lauren Sieben, and Gary Thompson.