Ensign KansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Ensign, Kansas.
1. Santa Fe Trail Tracks
HISTORIC WESTERN TRAIL
Santa Fe Trail Tracks in Ensign offers visitors a glimpse into the historic trade route that connected Missouri with Santa Fe. Visitors can walk along preserved sections of the original trail where countless wagons once traveled during the 19th century. The site provides interpretive signs that explain the significance of the Santa Fe Trail in the westward expansion of the United States.
2. Stauth Memorial Museum
GLOBAL TRAVEL EXHIBITS
Stauth Memorial Museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts and memorabilia gathered from around the world. The museum showcases the travels of Claude and Donalda Stauth who visited over 100 countries during their lifetime. Exhibits include cultural artifacts, photographs, and displays that bring global experiences to this small Kansas town.
3. Boot Hill Casino & Resort
GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT
Boot Hill Casino & Resort offers visitors a premier gaming and entertainment experience near Ensign. The facility features slot machines, table games, and multiple dining options in a western-themed environment. Visitors can enjoy the excitement of casino gaming while experiencing the historic charm of Dodge City's Wild West heritage.
4. Strataca
UNDERGROUND SALT MUSEUM
Strataca takes visitors 650 feet below the surface to explore an active salt mine converted into a fascinating museum. The underground attraction features original mining equipment, exhibits on salt mining history, and galleries displaying artifacts preserved by the mine's unique environment. The Dark Ride and Train Ride attractions offer visitors an immersive experience in the vast underground chambers.
5. The Keeper of the Plains
ICONIC NATIVE AMERICAN STATUE
The Keeper of the Plains stands as a 44-foot tall steel sculpture at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers. The iconic statue, created by Native American artist Blackbear Bosin, represents the spiritual connection between earth, air, water and fire. Each evening, the surrounding Ring of Fire is lit, creating a dramatic display that honors the region's Native American heritage.
6. Monument Rocks National Landmark
DRAMATIC CHALK FORMATIONS
Monument Rocks National Landmark features massive chalk formations rising dramatically up to 70 feet above the surrounding prairie. These striking natural sculptures, formed approximately 80 million years ago when Kansas was covered by a vast inland sea, are considered one of the state's most significant natural landmarks. Visitors can hike around the formations and experience breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape while learning about the area's geological history.
7. Garden of Eden
WHIMSICAL CONCRETE SCULPTURES
Garden of Eden showcases the imaginative concrete sculptures created by artist S.P. Dinsmoor in the early 1900s. The site features unique religious and political imagery that has withstood nearly a century of exposure to the elements. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the whimsical displays and the distinctively concrete-clad house that serves as the centerpiece of this artistic landmark.
8. Nicodemus National Historic Site
AFRICAN AMERICAN SETTLEMENT
Nicodemus National Historic Site preserves the only remaining western town established by African Americans during the Reconstruction Period following the Civil War. The historic site includes several original buildings including the First Baptist Church, a schoolhouse, and the Nicodemus Museum displaying artifacts of the town's unique history. Visitors can explore the visitor center to learn about the struggles and achievements of the residents who settled this frontier community.
9. Kansas State Capitol Building
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT ARCHITECTURE
Kansas State Capitol Building stands as an impressive example of French Renaissance architecture with its distinctive copper dome rising 304 feet above the ground. The interior features ornate murals, including John Steuart Curry's famous depiction of John Brown, as well as beautiful marble staircases and rotunda. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about both the architectural significance and the governmental functions that continue in this historic structure.
10. Massachusetts Street
HISTORIC SHOPPING DISTRICT
Massachusetts Street serves as the vibrant heart of downtown Lawrence with its collection of historic buildings housing unique shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The street dates back to the 1850s when the town was founded and has retained much of its historic character through careful preservation efforts. Visitors can spend a day exploring locally-owned boutiques, dining at independent restaurants, and experiencing the cultural atmosphere of this college town.
11. Augusta Historic Theater
VINTAGE MOVIE PALACE
Augusta Historic Theater stands as a beautifully preserved example of a classic 1930s movie palace that continues to operate today. The theater features its original art deco styling, including the distinctive marquee and ornate interior details that transport visitors to the golden age of cinema. Visitors can enjoy current films and special events while experiencing the nostalgic atmosphere of this community landmark.
12. Coronado Heights
SCENIC STONE CASTLE
Coronado Heights features a picturesque stone castle built by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s atop a prominent hill. The site commemorates the expedition of Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado who searched for the mythical Seven Cities of Gold in the region. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding Smoky Hill River Valley while picnicking or exploring the hiking trails around this distinctive landmark.
13. Seelye Mansion
OPULENT HISTORIC HOME
Seelye Mansion showcases the opulent lifestyle of a successful patent medicine businessman in this 25-room Georgian-style home built in 1905. The mansion contains original furnishings including pieces from the 1904 World's Fair and early Edison light fixtures that were cutting-edge technology at the time. Guided tours reveal the fascinating history of Dr. A.B. Seelye and his family while highlighting architectural details and period decorations that have been meticulously preserved.
14. Brandt's Meat Market
ARTISANAL SAUSAGE SHOP
Brandt's Meat Market offers visitors a taste of authentic house-made sausages and meat products prepared using traditional methods. The small-town butcher shop has been serving the community for generations with recipes passed down through the years. Travelers stopping in Lucas for its art attractions frequently mention the market's tasty offerings as a culinary highlight of their visit.
15. Geodetic Center of North America
GEOGRAPHIC SURVEY LANDMARK
Geodetic Center of North America marks the original reference point used for all land surveying in North America established in 1891. The site features a small monument indicating this significant geographic location that served as the foundation for mapping the continent. Visitors can stand at this precise point and contemplate how this humble marker influenced the development of accurate maps and property boundaries across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.