Wilmore KansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Wilmore, Kansas.
1. Wilmore Carousel
FREE VINTAGE ITALIAN RIDE
The Wilmore Carousel, located at 210 N. Main, offers visitors a free ride on a beautiful carousel made in Venice, Italy when they honk their horn. Ernie and Christy Griffin, who are usually home from April-June and October-December, will come out at the sound of your horn and start the 13 horses running. The carousel features spinning tea cups, a sleigh, and is housed in a bright yellow-and-red gazebo, making it especially beautiful to ride at night with its twinkling lights.
2. Catalog House
HISTORIC 1913 SEARS HOME
The Catalog House at 210 N. Main in Wilmore is a restored 1913 Sears home purchased and renovated by Ernie and Christy Griffin. This historical building showcases the unique mail-order homes that were popular in early 20th century America. Visitors can appreciate the architectural details and historical significance of this well-preserved structure.
3. Kiowa County Historical Museum and Soda Fountain
HISTORY WITH NOSTALGIC TREATS
The Kiowa County Historical Museum and Soda Fountain offers visitors a glimpse into the local history while enjoying treats from an authentic soda fountain. The museum houses artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of Kiowa County and the surrounding areas. Visitors consistently rate this attraction highly, giving it a 4.4/5 rating for its unique combination of historical education and nostalgic refreshments.
4. The Big Well
WORLD'S LARGEST HAND-DUG WELL
The Big Well is a marvel of engineering known as the World's Largest Hand-Dug Well and has become one of Kansas' most famous attractions. Visitors can descend into the 109-foot deep well via a spiral staircase and learn about its construction in 1887 as well as the devastating 2007 Greensburg tornado. With a 4.6/5 rating from over 100 reviews, this unique historical site offers both educational value and an unusual experience.
5. Twilight Theatre
RESTORED HISTORIC MOVIE THEATER
The Twilight Theatre in Greensburg is a beautifully restored historic movie theater that continues to show films and host community events. After being destroyed in the 2007 tornado, the theater was rebuilt and now serves as both an entertainment venue and a symbol of the town's resilience. Visitors have awarded this community landmark a 4.5/5 rating for its charm, reasonable prices, and importance to local culture.
6. Moore Ranch
AUTHENTIC KANSAS RANCH EXPERIENCE
Moore Ranch provides visitors with an authentic Kansas cattle ranch experience where they can learn about contemporary ranching practices and western heritage. The ranch offers tours, demonstrations, and sometimes hands-on activities that showcase rural life in the heart of America. With a perfect 5.0/5 rating, guests consistently praise the educational value and hospitality they encounter at this working ranch.
7. M.T. Liggett Art
QUIRKY ROADSIDE FOLK ART
M.T. Liggett Art displays the eccentric and politically-charged metal sculptures created by the late local artist Myron Thomas Liggett. The outdoor art installation features hundreds of whirling totems and cutouts made from scrap metal, representing political figures, personal acquaintances, and social commentary. This unique roadside attraction offers visitors a glimpse into one man's creative expression and political viewpoints through raw, unfiltered folk art.
8. Protection Golf Course
AFFORDABLE RURAL GOLFING
Protection Golf Course offers an affordable golfing experience with its 9-hole course in rural Kansas. Visitors can enjoy one round or play all day with green fees of just $15 per day, making it an accessible recreational option. The course provides a relaxing environment for both beginner and experienced golfers looking to enjoy the game surrounded by Kansas countryside.
9. Garden of Eden
ECCENTRIC CONCRETE SCULPTURES
Garden of Eden in Lucas showcases the imaginative concrete sculptures created by S.P. Dinsmoor, blending religious and political imagery that has endured for nearly 100 years. Visitors can take self-guided tours of this whimsical artistic display, which includes unique concrete cladding on the house exterior and a designed landscape that complements the sculptures. The free attraction (donations welcome) has been described as a 'delightful artistic menagerie' that art aficionados will appreciate.
10. Giant Toilet
QUIRKY PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION
The Giant Toilet in downtown Lucas is an unusual public art installation featuring mosaic designs that exemplify the town's artistic spirit. This quirky attraction has become one of the must-see stops in the art-centric community known for its unconventional public art. Visitors to Lucas often combine seeing the toilet with other local artistic attractions for a unique small-town art experience.
11. Brandt's Meat Market
ARTISANAL LOCAL SAUSAGES
Brandt's Meat Market in Lucas offers visitors a taste of authentic house-made sausages and other specialty meat products. This local butcher shop has become a culinary destination for travelers exploring the art attractions of Lucas. Visitors often stop here to enjoy tasty handcrafted sausage snacks that provide a delicious complement to the town's visual experiences.
12. Miniatures Museum
TINY DETAILED ARTISTIC CREATIONS
The Miniatures Museum in Lucas houses an impressive collection of small-scale artistic creations that showcase incredible attention to detail. Visitors can marvel at the craftsmanship and imagination displayed in these tiny works of art. The museum adds to Lucas's reputation as an unexpected art destination in the middle of Kansas.
13. Oz Museum
WIZARD OF OZ COLLECTION
The Oz Museum celebrates Kansas's connection to the beloved Wizard of Oz story with an extensive collection of memorabilia and artifacts. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring items from the original books, the classic 1939 film, and the many adaptations that followed. This charming museum embraces Kansas's most famous fictional association and provides a nostalgic journey down the yellow brick road.
14. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
PROTECTED NATIVE GRASSLANDS
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve protects one of the last remaining areas of native tallgrass prairie in North America, offering visitors a glimpse of the vast grasslands that once covered much of the continent. Hiking trails wind through rolling hills where visitors can spot bison herds and diverse prairie wildlife in their natural habitat. The preserve combines natural beauty with historical elements including a 19th-century ranch complex that tells the story of cattle ranching in the Flint Hills.
15. Fort Scott National Historic Site
PRE-CIVIL WAR MILITARY POST
Fort Scott National Historic Site preserves a pre-Civil War military post that played a significant role in the opening of the West and the coming conflict over slavery. Visitors can explore 20 historic structures, including officers' quarters, barracks, and other military buildings restored to their 1840s appearance. The site offers living history demonstrations, educational programs, and exhibits that bring to life the turbulent period when Kansas was at the center of the national debate over slavery.