Winona KansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Winona, Kansas.
1. Smoky Valley Ranch
NATURAL PRAIRIE PRESERVE
Smoky Valley Ranch offers visitors a chance to experience the pristine natural beauty of Kansas prairie lands. The ranch features hiking trails where visitors can observe native wildlife and plant species in their natural habitat. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy bird watching, photography, and guided educational tours about prairie conservation efforts.
2. Buffalo Bill Cultural Center
WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM
The Buffalo Bill Cultural Center commemorates the famous buffalo hunting contest between William F. Cody and William Comstock that earned Cody the nickname 'Buffalo Bill'. The center features exhibits on frontier life, Native American history, and the significance of the buffalo to the development of the West. Visitors can view the impressive 16-foot bronze sculpture of Buffalo Bill on horseback that serves as a landmark for travelers along I-70.
3. Fort Wallace Museum
FRONTIER MILITARY HISTORY
Fort Wallace Museum preserves the history of one of the most important military outposts on the frontier during the Indian Wars. The museum houses numerous artifacts, photographs, and documents related to the fort's role in western expansion and railroad development. Visitors can explore multiple buildings containing exhibits on military life, Native American culture, and pioneer settlements in the region.
4. Fick Fossil & History Museum
ANCIENT OCEAN DISCOVERIES
The Fick Fossil & History Museum showcases an impressive collection of fossils discovered in the local area, which was once covered by an ancient inland sea. Visitors can view rare specimens including mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, and various marine creatures that inhabited Kansas millions of years ago. The museum also features historical exhibits about pioneer life and the development of the region.
5. The Winona Cafe
HOMESTYLE LOCAL DINING
The Winona Cafe serves as a gathering place for locals and travelers seeking authentic Kansas cuisine in a friendly atmosphere. The cafe offers homestyle cooking featuring hearty breakfast options, classic lunch specials, and freshly baked desserts that reflect regional culinary traditions. Visitors appreciate the welcoming service and opportunity to interact with local residents while enjoying affordable, satisfying meals.
6. Smoky River Rendezvous
HISTORICAL FRONTIER FESTIVAL
Smoky River Rendezvous is an annual event celebrating the frontier heritage of western Kansas with historical reenactments and demonstrations. Participants dress in period clothing to showcase traditional crafts, cooking methods, and lifestyles of early American settlers and fur trappers. Visitors can experience blacksmithing, candle making, and other historical skills while enjoying live music and food prepared using authentic frontier recipes.
7. JL Bar Ranch
WORKING RANCH EXPERIENCE
JL Bar Ranch offers visitors an authentic glimpse into the daily operations of a working Kansas cattle ranch. Guests can participate in activities such as horseback riding, cattle drives, and learning about sustainable ranching practices. The ranch provides a unique opportunity to experience the contemporary cowboy lifestyle while enjoying the expansive beauty of the Kansas prairie.
8. Winona Town Park
COMMUNITY RECREATION SPACE
Winona Town Park serves as the central gathering place for community events and outdoor recreation in this small Kansas town. The park features picnic areas, playground equipment, and open green spaces ideal for family outings and casual sports. Seasonal events including summer concerts, holiday celebrations, and local festivals are regularly hosted in this welcoming public space.
9. World's Largest Czech Egg
UNIQUE CULTURAL MONUMENT
The World's Largest Czech Egg stands as a colorful tribute to the Czech heritage prevalent throughout the region. This oversized painted egg measures 20 feet tall and features traditional Czech designs created using vibrant colors and patterns. Visitors from across the country stop to photograph this unique roadside attraction that celebrates the cultural contributions of Czech immigrants to Kansas.
10. Oz Museum
WIZARD OF OZ COLLECTION
The Oz Museum houses an extraordinary collection of memorabilia related to L. Frank Baum's beloved story and its many adaptations. Over 2,000 artifacts include original props from the 1939 MGM film, first edition books, and rare promotional materials spanning more than a century of Oz history. Visitors follow the yellow brick road through carefully crafted displays that bring to life the magic and wonder of Dorothy's journey from Kansas to the Emerald City.
11. Garden of Eden
ECCENTRIC FOLK ART
The Garden of Eden features the eccentric concrete sculptures created by S.P. Dinsmoor, a Civil War veteran who began this unique art installation in 1907 at the age of 64. The property includes over 200 concrete sculptures depicting biblical scenes, political statements, and evolutionary theories arranged throughout the garden surrounding Dinsmoor's unusual limestone cabin. Visitors can tour both the sculpture garden and the cabin, which also serves as the final resting place of Dinsmoor himself, whose body is displayed in a concrete coffin with a glass lid as he requested.
12. Flint Hills Discovery Center
TALLGRASS PRAIRIE MUSEUM
The Flint Hills Discovery Center immerses visitors in the natural history and cultural significance of the last remaining tallgrass prairie ecosystem in North America. Interactive exhibits include a dramatic multi-sensory experience that simulates the sights, sounds, and even smells of a prairie fire that rejuvenates the grasslands. The 35,000 square foot facility offers educational programming, rotating special exhibitions, and rooftop access providing panoramic views of the surrounding Flint Hills landscape.
13. National Orphan Train Museum
CHILDREN'S MIGRATION HISTORY
The National Orphan Train Museum preserves the poignant history of the 250,000 orphaned, abandoned, and homeless children who were relocated from East Coast cities to rural homes throughout America between 1854 and 1929. Exhibits display personal stories, photographs, and artifacts from riders who experienced this massive relocation program that forever changed their lives. Visitors gain insight into this significant yet often overlooked chapter of American history through interactive displays and an extensive research facility.
14. Wilson Reservoir
PREMIER OUTDOOR RECREATION
Wilson Reservoir offers world-class outdoor recreation opportunities across its 9,000 acres of clear blue water and 100 miles of scenic shoreline. Often called the 'Clearest Lake in Kansas,' it provides exceptional conditions for fishing, boating, swimming, and water sports throughout the warm season. The surrounding state park features hiking trails, camping facilities, and wildlife observation areas that attract nature enthusiasts year-round.
15. Prairie Trail Scenic Byway
HISTORIC DRIVING ROUTE
The Prairie Trail Scenic Byway guides travelers through a journey spanning prehistoric times to pioneer settlements across the beautiful Kansas landscape. The route passes through rolling hills, untouched prairie lands, historic sites, and charming small towns that reveal the region's rich cultural heritage. Visitors can explore attractions along the way including Swedish settlements, a historic mill, limestone formations, and protected natural areas that showcase the diverse ecology of the Kansas prairie.