History is always something easily interesting, especially if you live somewhere where a lot of settlers and Native Americans lived and fought. This trip will take you through some of Kansas’ best historical sights if you’ve got the yearning for learning. Road trip, anyone?
Today’s adventure can begin from either side of our mapped trip, but feel free to start and stop wherever is easiest for you. We’re off to visit some of the best historic sites known to Kansas.
OnlyInYourState/Google Maps
- Santa Fe Trail Tracks
IndySig/TripAdvisor You can still see the marks left behind by all of the wagons traveling across the Santa Fe Trail, as they passed over the ridges near what is now Dodge City. It’s a must-see!
- Fort Larned National Historic Site
Judith V/TripAdvisor Walking across the bridge, you’ll be transported to another time — especially if there are reenactments happening. People in period appropriate uniforms can make this historic section of our history even better.
- Seelye Mansion
StephMacy/TripAdvisor Seelye Mansion is arguably the most popular mansion, hiding out in Abilene. It’s been featured on the History Channel, but to truly appreciate it, you’ll have to take a tour.
- Chase County Courthouse
danamc01/TripAdvisor The oldest operating courthouse in Kansas certainly deserves a visit — and it helps that it’s beautiful to boot.
- Old Cowtown Museum
brandonbohnsack/TripAdvisor If this counts as a museum, there’s nothing more fun than exploring it. Each building is unique and part of this replica town’s history.
- Little House on the Prairie Museum
Bryan L/TripAdvisor Not only can you see a replica of the little house in question, but also a few other mid/late 1800s era buildings. One of them is even an old schoolhouse!
- Fort Scott National Historic Site
Janet R/TripAdvisor At this historic site, there’s an amazing self-guided tour that you can take at your leisure and everything is beautifully-restored. It’s a miniature blast from the past like you’ve never seen.
- Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site
management/TripAdvisor Not only is this great history museum perfect for a dive into the past, they also host volunteer events where you can experience life on the farm.
- Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum
Mustangdad1961/TripAdvisor Our beloved Amelia Earhart’s childhood home is full of memorabilia and the story of her adventures. It’s a beautiful home with a beautiful story, so make sure you take the tour.
For a link to the road trip map you see below, click here.
OnlyInYourState/Google Maps
IndySig/TripAdvisor
You can still see the marks left behind by all of the wagons traveling across the Santa Fe Trail, as they passed over the ridges near what is now Dodge City. It’s a must-see!
Judith V/TripAdvisor
Walking across the bridge, you’ll be transported to another time — especially if there are reenactments happening. People in period appropriate uniforms can make this historic section of our history even better.
StephMacy/TripAdvisor
Seelye Mansion is arguably the most popular mansion, hiding out in Abilene. It’s been featured on the History Channel, but to truly appreciate it, you’ll have to take a tour.
danamc01/TripAdvisor
The oldest operating courthouse in Kansas certainly deserves a visit — and it helps that it’s beautiful to boot.
brandonbohnsack/TripAdvisor
If this counts as a museum, there’s nothing more fun than exploring it. Each building is unique and part of this replica town’s history.
Bryan L/TripAdvisor
Not only can you see a replica of the little house in question, but also a few other mid/late 1800s era buildings. One of them is even an old schoolhouse!
Janet R/TripAdvisor
At this historic site, there’s an amazing self-guided tour that you can take at your leisure and everything is beautifully-restored. It’s a miniature blast from the past like you’ve never seen.
management/TripAdvisor
Not only is this great history museum perfect for a dive into the past, they also host volunteer events where you can experience life on the farm.
Mustangdad1961/TripAdvisor
Our beloved Amelia Earhart’s childhood home is full of memorabilia and the story of her adventures. It’s a beautiful home with a beautiful story, so make sure you take the tour.
To explore more Kansas history that might not be here forever, you should check out these covered bridges while they still stand.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: US-400, Dodge City, KS 67801, USAAddress: Fort Larned National Historic Site, 1767 KS-156, Larned, KS 67550, USAAddress: Seelye Mansion, 1105 N Buckeye Ave, Abilene, KS 67410, USAAddress: 300 Pearl St, Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845, USAAddress: 1865 Museum Blvd, Wichita, KS 67203, USAAddress: 2507 3000 Rd, Independence, KS 67301, USAAddress: Market, Fort Scott, KS 66701, USAAddress: Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop-Farm, 1200 E Kansas City Rd, Olathe, KS 66061, USAAddress: 19201 W 23rd St S, Goddard, KS 67052, USA
