Hunnewell KansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Hunnewell, Kansas.
1. 101 Ranch Historic Site
COWBOY HERITAGE LANDMARK
The 101 Ranch Historic Site in Hunnewell marks where George W. Miller of the famous Oklahoma 101 Ranch bought 93 acres in 1885 for shelter, feed storage, and cattle pens. This historic site was once a bustling hub where Miller shipped green horses and maintained a year-round breaking crew. The location played a significant role in Hunnewell's history as a cattle shipping center, with over 1,500 loads of cattle shipped out in 1889.
2. Cherokee Outlet Registration Site
LAND RUSH HISTORY
The Cherokee Outlet Registration Site in Hunnewell was established in September 1893 as a registration booth for the historic land rush. This historic location once saw approximately 15,000 people gathering to make the run, with every incoming train adding hundreds more to the crowd. On September 16, 1893, horses and vehicles three and four deep amassed along the starting line, marking a pivotal moment in the region's settlement history.
3. Hunnewell Historic Downtown
OLD WEST MAIN STREET
Hunnewell's Historic Downtown represents the area that once supported several retail stores, a mill, an elevator, and a bank during the town's peak around 1900. The downtown area stands as a testament to the town's evolution from a thriving cattle shipping center to a quieter rural community. Visitors can explore the remnants of what was once a bustling commercial hub that served as the economic center of the community.
4. Strataca
UNDERGROUND SALT MUSEUM
Strataca is an underground salt museum located 650 feet below the surface in Hutchinson, Kansas. Visitors can explore the fascinating underground world of an active salt mine through interactive exhibits and rides. The museum offers a unique educational experience about salt mining history and geology that costs around $7 to enter and is widely considered worth the price of admission.
5. The Keeper of the Plains
ICONIC NATIVE AMERICAN STATUE
The Keeper of the Plains is a 44-foot tall steel sculpture standing at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers in Wichita. This iconic statue by Blackbear Bosin represents the spiritual connection between earth, air, water, and fire, with fire pots around the base that are lit for special ceremonies. The surrounding plaza includes educational displays about local Native American tribes and offers spectacular views, especially during the evening Ring of Fire lighting.
6. Kansas State Capitol Building
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT CENTER
The Kansas State Capitol Building in Topeka features impressive architecture with a distinctive copper dome that rises 304 feet above the ground. Visitors can take guided tours to see the rotunda, the House and Senate chambers, and the stunning murals including John Steuart Curry's famous depiction of John Brown. The building underwent a comprehensive restoration completed in 2014, revealing original details and architectural elements that had been covered for decades.
7. Old Cowtown Museum
LIVING HISTORY VILLAGE
Old Cowtown Museum is an immersive living history museum that recreates life in Wichita during the 1870s with over 50 historic and recreated buildings. Visitors can experience stagecoach rides, blacksmith demonstrations, and tours of historic homes and museum exhibits. The open-air museum brings the cattle town era to life through costumed interpreters and hands-on activities that showcase daily life on the frontier.
8. Johnson County Museum
REGIONAL HISTORY CENTER
The Johnson County Museum provides an informative experience about the history of the region and features the first all-electric house. This museum showcases the development of suburban life in Kansas through interactive exhibits and preserved artifacts. Visitors can step back in time and explore how technological innovations like electricity transformed daily life in the mid-20th century.
9. Fort Leavenworth
HISTORIC MILITARY INSTALLATION
Fort Leavenworth is a historic military installation that has evolved from an active fort to an old soldiers' home over its long history. Many original buildings remain on the grounds, preserving the architectural heritage and military history of the area. Visitors can explore the fort's museums and monuments that document its significant role in westward expansion and military history.
10. Dodge City Trail of Fame
WILD WEST HERITAGE
Dodge City Trail of Fame features statues and monuments that bring the Wild West era to life for visitors who may previously have only seen such historic figures and scenes in movies. The attraction celebrates the city's famous residents and visitors, including lawmen, outlaws, and entertainers who contributed to Dodge City's legendary status. Walking the trail provides an immersive experience that connects visitors with the authentic history of one of America's most famous frontier towns.
11. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
NATIVE GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve protects one of the last remaining areas of native tallgrass prairie in North America, once covering 170 million acres of the continent. Visitors can explore hiking trails through rolling hills of grass that can grow up to six feet tall, home to diverse wildlife including bison herds. The preserve includes a historic 1881 ranch house and limestone barn that tell the story of cattle ranching in the Flint Hills.
12. Monument Rocks
NATURAL CHALK FORMATIONS
Monument Rocks, also known as the Chalk Pyramids, are impressive natural chalk formations that rise up to 70 feet above the surrounding plains. These ancient seabed deposits formed 80 million years ago when Kansas was covered by an inland sea, creating unique geological formations including arches and buttes. The site was designated as the first National Natural Landmark in Kansas and offers spectacular photo opportunities and fossil hunting experiences.
13. Boot Hill Museum
WILD WEST EXPERIENCE
Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City recreates the famous frontier town from the 1870s and 1880s with authentic and replicated buildings including the Long Branch Saloon. Visitors can enjoy live gunfight reenactments, can-can shows, and interactive exhibits that bring the Wild West era to life. The museum takes its name from the original Boot Hill Cemetery, where many who died with their boots on during Dodge City's wild days were buried.
14. Botanica, The Wichita Gardens
URBAN BOTANICAL OASIS
Botanica, The Wichita Gardens spans over 18 acres featuring more than 30 themed gardens and exhibits that showcase thousands of plant species. Highlights include the Downing Children's Garden with its monster tree house, the Butterfly House filled with native species, and the spectacular Illuminations holiday light display held annually. The gardens host seasonal events throughout the year, including concerts, educational programs, and plant sales that attract visitors of all ages.
15. Kansas Cosmosphere
SPACE MUSEUM AND EDUCATION
The Kansas Cosmosphere houses one of the most significant collections of U.S. and Russian space artifacts in the world, including the Apollo 13 command module Odyssey. Visitors can experience immersive exhibits, a planetarium, and a dome theater that brings space exploration history to life. The museum offers hands-on STEM education programs including space camps that have inspired generations of future scientists and engineers.