Matfield Green KansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Matfield Green, Kansas.
1. Pioneer Bluffs
HISTORIC RANCHING HERITAGE
Pioneer Bluffs is a historic barn that showcases the ranching heritage unique to the Kansas Flint Hills. Visitors can tour the site to learn about the area's agricultural history and the significance of tallgrass prairie conservation. The preserved structures offer an authentic glimpse into early Kansas prairie life.
2. Bill McBride Studio
LOCAL ART GALLERY
Bill McBride Studio is an art gallery in Matfield Green featuring works that celebrate the beauty of the Flint Hills. The studio showcases artistic expressions inspired by the surrounding tallgrass prairie landscape. Visitors can experience world-class art in this unexpected rural setting.
3. The Gallery
PRAIRIE-INSPIRED ART
The Gallery in Matfield Green offers visitors a chance to view art inspired by the Kansas Flint Hills. The venue hosts rotating exhibitions featuring local and regional artists who capture the essence of prairie life. Art enthusiasts will appreciate the quality and diversity of works in this small-town setting.
4. The Bank Art Space
ART IN HISTORIC BUILDING
The Bank Art Space is housed in a converted historic bank building in Matfield Green. This unique gallery features contemporary art exhibitions that often contrast with the rural setting of the town. The juxtaposition of modern art within a historic prairie structure creates a memorable cultural experience.
5. Matfield Station
HISTORIC RAILROAD LODGING
Matfield Station offers visitors a chance to stay in beautifully renovated former BNSF 'casitas' with incredible views of the tallgrass prairie. The restored section house now serves as an Airbnb on 47 acres of mostly untilled native prairie. Guests can experience the unique combination of railroad history and natural beauty of the Flint Hills.
6. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
NATIVE PRAIRIE EXPERIENCE
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve protects one of the last remaining tracts of tallgrass prairie in North America, located near Matfield Green. Visitors can hike through rolling hills of native grasses, potentially spotting the preserve's bison herd. The site includes a historic ranch house and barn that tell the story of ranching in the Flint Hills.
7. Chase County Courthouse
HISTORIC LIMESTONE ARCHITECTURE
Chase County Courthouse is a stunning French Renaissance-style limestone building located in nearby Cottonwood Falls. Built in 1873, it is the oldest courthouse still in use in Kansas and features a grand staircase and beautiful architectural details. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about the courthouse's history and significance to the region.
8. Tallgrass Antiques
PRAIRIE TOWN TREASURES
Tallgrass Antiques offers a diverse collection of vintage items, collectibles, and prairie memorabilia in nearby Cottonwood Falls. Shoppers can browse through historical artifacts that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Flint Hills. The shop provides a nostalgic journey through Kansas history through its carefully curated selection.
9. Emma Chase Café
LOCAL CUISINE & MUSIC
Emma Chase Café serves homestyle Kansas cuisine in a charming historic building in Cottonwood Falls near Matfield Green. The café is known for its Friday night music jams, bringing together local musicians and visitors. This beloved local institution offers both authentic food and cultural experience of the Flint Hills region.
10. Grand Central Hotel & Grill
HISTORIC DINING EXPERIENCE
Grand Central Hotel & Grill occupies a beautifully restored 1884 limestone building in nearby Cottonwood Falls. The restaurant specializes in Kansas beef and local ingredients, offering fine dining in the heart of the Flint Hills. Visitors can enjoy a meal in the elegant dining room that retains much of its 19th-century character.
11. Knute Rockne Memorial
HISTORIC AVIATION SITE
The Knute Rockne Memorial marks the site of the 1931 TWA plane crash that killed the legendary Notre Dame football coach near Matfield Green. The memorial is accessible via a short hike through the tallgrass prairie, offering both historical significance and natural beauty. Visitors can reflect on this significant event in American sports and aviation history while taking in panoramic views of the Flint Hills.
12. Symphony in the Flint Hills
PRAIRIE CONCERT EXPERIENCE
Symphony in the Flint Hills is an annual outdoor concert held in rotating locations throughout Chase County, including near Matfield Green. The event features the Kansas City Symphony performing against the backdrop of the sweeping tallgrass prairie landscape. This unique cultural experience combines classical music with education about prairie ecology and draws thousands of visitors each June.
13. Z Bar Ranch
HISTORIC CATTLE RANCH
The Z Bar Ranch (Spring Hill Ranch) is a historic cattle operation now part of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve near Matfield Green. The limestone ranch house and barn, built in the 1880s, showcase the architectural style and ranching methods of early European settlers. Visitors can tour the buildings and learn about the ecological and cultural significance of cattle ranching in the Flint Hills region.
14. Cottonwood Falls Arts Market
LOCAL ARTISAN SHOWCASE
Cottonwood Falls Arts Market is a gathering of local artisans selling handcrafted goods, artwork, and Flint Hills-inspired creations. The market typically operates on weekends during spring and summer months in the downtown area near the historic courthouse. Visitors can purchase unique souvenirs while supporting local artists who capture the spirit of the prairie in their work.
15. Prairie PastTimes
REGIONAL CRAFT COOPERATIVE
Prairie PastTimes is an artist cooperative featuring handcrafted items from over 30 Kansas artists located in Cottonwood Falls near Matfield Green. The shop offers pottery, textiles, photography, paintings, and other locally-made crafts that reflect the culture and landscape of the Flint Hills. Visitors can find unique gifts and souvenirs while supporting the vibrant artistic community of the region.