Stark KansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Stark, Kansas.
1. Strataca
UNDERGROUND SALT MUSEUM ADVENTURE
Strataca is a remarkable underground museum located 650 feet below ground level inside one of the world's largest rock salt deposits. Visitors can explore salt walls that are 275 million years old and view an impressive collection of Hollywood memorabilia stored in the mine due to its consistent temperature and humidity. The two-hour tours include a 30-minute educational Dark Ride through lit areas and a Salt Mine Express Train Ride that offers a glimpse into a world where time stopped 50 years ago.
2. The Keeper of the Plains
ICONIC NATIVE AMERICAN SCULPTURE
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. The impressive statue, 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, creating a stunning visual display.
3. Kansas State Capitol Building
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT ARCHITECTURE
The Kansas State Capitol Building is a magnificent domed structure featuring stunning architecture and elaborate interior design. Visitors can take guided tours to see the beautiful rotunda, legislative chambers, and historic murals including those by John Steuart Curry. The Capitol's dome tour allows adventurous visitors to climb 296 steps for a breathtaking panoramic view of Topeka.
4. Hollenberg Pony Express Station
HISTORIC MAIL ROUTE STOP
Hollenberg Pony Express Station is the only remaining original and unaltered Pony Express station still standing in its original location. This historic structure served as a way station for the famous mail delivery service that operated for just 18 months in 1860-1861. Today, visitors can explore the preserved building and learn about this fascinating chapter in American frontier history through exhibits and interpretive displays.
5. Fort Leavenworth
HISTORIC MILITARY INSTALLATION
Fort Leavenworth is the oldest active United States Army post west of the Mississippi River, established in 1827. The fort houses several museums including the Frontier Army Museum which displays artifacts from the frontier Army period and early 20th century. Visitors can tour the historic grounds, see the Buffalo Soldier Monument, and learn about the fort's significant role in western expansion and military history.
6. Oz Museum
WIZARD OF OZ COLLECTION
The Oz Museum houses the world's largest collection of Oz memorabilia, including Oz-inspired dolls, movie posters, and an eight-foot-tall Tin Man. Inside, visitors can see the Wicked Witch's legs beneath Dorothy's house, photos signed by Judy Garland, and watch the legendary movie in a small screening room. The wheelchair-friendly downtown museum offers a truly 'Oz-some' experience, especially during their annual OZtoberfest celebration.
7. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
WORLD-CLASS ART COLLECTION
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art features an expansive collection spanning 5,000 years of human creativity and includes the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park with its iconic giant shuttlecocks. The museum houses more than 42,000 art objects including significant collections of Asian art, European paintings, and modern sculpture. Visitors can enjoy both permanent collections and rotating exhibitions in this cultural landmark that has served the Kansas City area since 1933.
8. Constitution Hall State Historic Site
TERRITORIAL KANSAS HISTORY
Constitution Hall State Historic Site is where the controversial Lecompton Constitution was drafted in 1857, proposing that Kansas enter the Union as a slave state. The historic building served as the territorial capital and played a pivotal role in events leading to the Civil War. Today, visitors can tour the preserved structure and learn about Kansas' tumultuous territorial period through exhibits and interpretive displays.
9. Sumner Elementary School
CIVIL RIGHTS LANDMARK
Sumner Elementary School is a National Historic Landmark as one of the schools involved in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case that ended legal segregation in American public schools. The former school building represents a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement and America's journey toward equality. Visitors can learn about this important historical site and its role in shaping American history and civil rights.
10. Red Rocks State Historic Site
PRESIDENTIAL SUMMER WHITE HOUSE
Red Rocks State Historic Site was once the summer White House for President Dwight D. Eisenhower during his time in office. The distinctive red brick mansion served as a retreat where Eisenhower could relax and conduct presidential business away from Washington. Visitors can tour the historic home and grounds while learning about the 34th president and the significance of this Kansas landmark in American political history.
11. El Cuartelejo
ANCIENT PUEBLO RUINS
El Cuartelejo is the northernmost pueblo ruin in the United States and became a National Historic Landmark in 1964. The restored ruins feature interpretive markers that help visitors understand the significance of this unique archaeological site. The pueblo was built by Pueblo Indians who fled Spanish rule in the Southwest during the late 1600s, making it an important historical connection to indigenous history in Kansas.
12. Rosedale Memorial Arch
WORLD WAR I MONUMENT
The Rosedale Memorial Arch is a stunning architectural monument modeled after France's Arc de Triomphe, built to honor local World War I veterans. Standing atop a bluff in Kansas City, Kansas, the arch offers visitors not only historical significance but also panoramic views of the surrounding area. The memorial was later expanded to include tributes to veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, making it a comprehensive tribute to military service across generations.
13. The Scout
HISTORIC NATIVE AMERICAN STATUE
The Scout is an iconic bronze statue depicting an American Indian on horseback, located in Penn Valley Park overlooking downtown Kansas City. Created by sculptor Cyrus E. Dallin and installed in 1922, the statue has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Kansas City. Visitors can enjoy not only the impressive artwork but also what many consider to be the most scenic view in the entire metropolitan area.
14. Community Christian Church
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT DESIGN
Community Christian Church is a remarkable Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building featuring the distinctive Steeple of Light, a shining beacon that projects from the rooftop dome. The architectural masterpiece showcases Wright's innovative design principles and his unique approach to religious spaces. Visitors can admire both the architectural significance of the building and experience the rapturous illumination of the Steeple of Light which creates a stunning visual effect.
15. Memorial Park
SERENE OUTDOOR SPACE
Memorial Park in Olathe is a lovely outdoor green space offering residents and visitors a peaceful retreat from urban life. The park features walking paths, beautiful landscaping, and commemorative areas honoring those who served their community and country. Visitors can enjoy recreational activities, quiet contemplation, or community events in this well-maintained public space that serves as a gathering place for the Olathe community.