Arcadia KansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Arcadia, Kansas.
1. Bone Creek Reservoir
SCENIC OUTDOOR RECREATION
Bone Creek Reservoir is one of the top attractions in Arcadia, Kansas offering visitors beautiful water views and outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, and wildlife observation throughout the year. The reservoir provides a peaceful retreat from city life with its natural surroundings and open spaces.
2. Cato Historic Stone School
HISTORIC EDUCATIONAL LANDMARK
The Cato Historic Stone School stands as a testament to Arcadia's educational heritage and architectural history. The stone structure offers visitors a glimpse into early Kansas schoolhouses and rural education. Its preserved features make it a point of interest for history enthusiasts and photographers alike.
3. Howell's Double Log House Site
PIONEER SETTLEMENT LANDMARK
Howell's Double Log House Site marks the location of one of the first settlements in what would become Arcadia, established in 1844. The historical site commemorates where a blacksmith named Howell, who had married a Cherokee woman, built his home and shop. This landmark represents the early frontier history of the region before Kansas statehood.
4. Hathaway Stage Stop
HISTORIC TRANSPORTATION HUB
The Hathaway Stage Stop was established by Phil Hathaway in the late 1850s as a rest point on the military road connecting Fort Scott to Fort Gibson. This historic site served travelers along the important route and represents early transportation infrastructure in Southeast Kansas. The stage stop and tavern played a crucial role in the development of the region during territorial days.
5. Arcadia Historical District
SMALL TOWN HERITAGE
The Arcadia Historical District showcases the architectural and cultural heritage of this small Kansas community. Visitors can explore various points of interest and landmarks that highlight the town's development since its early days. Walking through the district offers insights into how this Crawford County settlement evolved over generations.
6. Crawford State Park
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE PARADISE
Crawford State Park is a popular recreational destination featuring a 150-acre lake and numerous outdoor activities just a short drive from Arcadia. Visitors can enjoy camping, fishing, boating, swimming, and hiking throughout the expansive natural area. The park's scenic beauty and wildlife viewing opportunities make it a favorite getaway for both locals and tourists.
7. Miners Hall Museum
COAL MINING HERITAGE
The Miners Hall Museum preserves and shares the rich mining heritage of Southeast Kansas, including the area around Arcadia. Exhibits chronicle the lives, struggles, and contributions of the immigrant miners who worked in the region's coal fields. The museum offers fascinating insights into labor history, immigrant experiences, and the industrial development that shaped local communities.
8. Big Brutus
MASSIVE MINING MACHINE
Big Brutus stands as the world's largest electric shovel, a colossal 16-story mining machine that now serves as a monument to the area's coal mining past. Visitors can climb aboard this engineering marvel, explore its interior, and learn about its role in transforming the landscape of Southeast Kansas. The surrounding museum and park provide additional context about mining history and its impact on communities like Arcadia.
9. Pittsburg State University
HIGHER EDUCATION HUB
Pittsburg State University is a vibrant educational institution offering cultural events, sporting competitions, and artistic performances open to visitors from nearby communities like Arcadia. The campus features beautiful grounds, striking architecture, and facilities like the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts and the Kansas Technology Center. Visitors can enjoy gallery exhibitions, theatrical performances, and the university's natural history museum during their exploration.
10. Fort Scott National Historic Site
FRONTIER MILITARY HISTORY
Fort Scott National Historic Site preserves a pre-Civil War frontier military post that played a significant role in the opening of the West and the coming conflict over slavery. Visitors can tour restored buildings, watch living history demonstrations, and learn about this pivotal period in American history. The fort's connection to the military road that passed through Arcadia links these communities in the historical narrative of the region.
11. Girard Farmers' Market
FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE
The Girard Farmers' Market offers visitors and residents from Arcadia an opportunity to purchase locally grown produce and handcrafted items. Vendors from throughout the region gather to share their harvests, homemade foods, and artisanal creations. The market creates a community gathering space while supporting local agricultural and creative enterprises.
12. Frontenac Bakery
AUTHENTIC ITALIAN TREATS
Frontenac Bakery continues the Italian baking traditions brought to the region by immigrant miners who settled in communities near Arcadia. Visitors can sample authentic Italian breads, cookies, and pastries made using recipes passed down through generations. This culinary landmark celebrates the cultural heritage that enriches the region's identity and flavors.
13. Chicken Annie's Original
LEGENDARY FRIED CHICKEN
Chicken Annie's Original is part of Southeast Kansas' famous fried chicken restaurant tradition that draws diners from throughout the region, including Arcadia. The restaurant began in 1934 when Annie Pichler started serving meals to coal miners from her home after her husband was injured in a mining accident. Decades later, this culinary institution continues to serve its renowned fried chicken, German potato salad, and thin onion rings in a casual, family-friendly setting.
14. Kansas Crossing Casino
GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT
Kansas Crossing Casino offers gaming entertainment, dining options, and occasional live performances a short drive from Arcadia. The facility features slot machines, table games, and a poker room for visitors seeking gaming excitement. Additional amenities include restaurants, a hotel, and an event center hosting concerts and shows throughout the year.
15. Pittsburg Farmers' Market
LOCAL FOOD AND CRAFTS
The Pittsburg Farmers' Market provides a vibrant shopping experience featuring local produce, handmade goods, and artisanal foods from the region surrounding Arcadia. Shoppers can find seasonal fruits and vegetables, baked goods, jams, honey, and craft items while connecting directly with local producers. The market often features live music, demonstrations, and special events that create a festive atmosphere for visitors.