Barnard KansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Barnard, Kansas.
1. Barnard City Park
RECREATION AND PICKLEBALL
Barnard City Park features newly created pickleball courts that have become a popular recreational spot for locals and visitors. The park offers green spaces for relaxation and community gatherings throughout the year. Its recent renovations reflect the community's commitment to providing quality outdoor spaces despite the town's small size.
2. Barnard Murals
COMMUNITY ART DISPLAY
The Barnard Murals are recently completed public art installations that showcase the town's history and cultural heritage. These colorful murals are spread throughout the small community, creating an outdoor gallery experience. Each mural represents different aspects of Barnard's identity and serves as a point of pride for local residents.
3. Barnard Lion's Club Events
LOCAL COMMUNITY GATHERINGS
The Barnard Lion's Club hosts popular fundraisers including their famous Fish Fry that brings the community together. These events support local activities and infrastructure improvements throughout Barnard. Visitors can experience authentic small-town Kansas hospitality while contributing to community development.
4. Gurley Salt Marsh
NATURAL WILDLIFE AREA
The Gurley Salt Marsh near Barnard is open for public access between March 2 and August 31 for various outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy hunting, hiking, and birdwatching in this unique natural setting. The marsh represents one of the area's most distinctive ecological features and attracts nature enthusiasts from around the region.
5. Lincoln County Court House
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Lincoln County Court House is a highly-rated historic government building with a 4.5-star rating from visitors. This architectural landmark showcases the region's governmental history and design aesthetics of its era. The courthouse continues to serve as both a functional government facility and a point of interest for history enthusiasts.
6. Post Rock Scout Museum
LOCAL SCOUTING HERITAGE
The Post Rock Scout Museum preserves and displays the rich history of scouting in the region. Exhibits showcase memorabilia, photographs, and artifacts chronicling the development of scout troops in Lincoln County and surrounding areas. The museum offers visitors insight into how scouting has shaped youth development in rural Kansas communities.
7. Baker Bros. Lumber Yard Historical Site
PIONEER BUSINESS LOCATION
The Baker Bros. Lumber Yard was the first business established in Barnard after being relocated from Milo. This historic site marks the beginning of commercial development in the town during its founding period in 1887. Today, visitors can appreciate the historical significance of this location in Barnard's early economic growth.
8. Keeper of the Plains
ICONIC CULTURAL MONUMENT
The Keeper of the Plains stands as an iconic 44-foot tall steel sculpture at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers in Wichita. This impressive monument, created by Native American artist Blackbear Bosin, represents the spiritual connection between earth, air, water and fire. Visitors can experience the Ring of Fire ceremony where firepots around the base are lit for 15 minutes each evening at sunset (weather permitting).
9. Old Cowtown Museum
LIVING HISTORY EXPERIENCE
Old Cowtown Museum is an immersive living history museum that recreates life in Wichita during the 1870s. The open-air museum features over 50 historic and reconstructed buildings populated with costumed interpreters demonstrating period crafts and activities. Visitors can step back in time while exploring blacksmith shops, a one-room schoolhouse, and other authentic structures from frontier Kansas.
10. Frank Lloyd Wright's Allen House
ARCHITECTURAL MASTERPIECE
Frank Lloyd Wright's Allen House stands as a masterpiece of Prairie House design in Wichita. Tours of this historic home offer visitors a glimpse into Wright's architectural genius and the lifestyle of the early 20th century. The house exemplifies Wright's organic architecture philosophy with its integration into the surrounding landscape and innovative use of space.
11. Kansas Aviation Museum
FLIGHT HISTORY SHOWCASE
The Kansas Aviation Museum, located in a former airport terminal, chronicles Wichita's pivotal role in the aviation industry. Its extensive collection includes historic aircraft, photographs, and unique artifacts that highlight the city's contributions to flight technology and manufacturing. Visitors can explore the evolution of aviation from early experimental aircraft to modern aerospace innovations with roots in Kansas.
12. Riverside Park
URBAN NATURAL RETREAT
Riverside Park offers visitors tranquility with its lush greenery, walking paths, and scenic river views in Wichita. It provides an ideal setting for relaxing strolls or enjoying nature within an urban environment. The park serves as a peaceful retreat where visitors can observe wildlife, participate in outdoor recreation, or simply unwind amid natural surroundings.
13. Wichita State University Campus
CULTURAL EDUCATION HUB
Wichita State University's campus represents more than just an educational institution; it's a vital part of the region's cultural and historical identity. With its numerous public artworks and historical markers, visitors can connect with the ongoing story of Kansas education and development. The campus grounds offer an attractive setting for exploring academic architecture while appreciating outdoor sculptures and memorial installations.
14. Downtown Wichita Historic District
ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE WALK
Downtown Wichita features a rich tapestry of history with its preserved theaters, hotels, and architectural landmarks. Visitors can take self-guided walking tours to appreciate the diverse building styles spanning multiple eras of American design. The district combines historic charm with modern amenities, offering shopping, dining, and cultural experiences alongside architectural appreciation.
15. Barnard Historical Townsite
EARLY SETTLEMENT STORY
The Barnard Historical Townsite was first surveyed and laid out in September 1887 by the Kaw Valley Town Company. Named for John Fiske Barnard, a Santa Fe Railroad manager, the town developed alongside a rival settlement called Nealeigh, creating an interesting local rivalry. Today, visitors can explore what remains of this once-principal community in Lincoln County that has faced declining population over the decades but maintains its historical significance.