Family vacations in Kansas can be rewarding experiences or absolute disasters -- it all depends on pretrip homework. To make planning easier, we've done all the preparation. As part of a Huffington Post Travel series on traveling with children, here are recommended attractions for those planning Kansas family vacations.
Sedgwick County Zoo
The
is the largest zoo in Kansas, with more than 2,500 different animals spanning 500 species. Visitors can feed many of the animals at its petting zoo. Other highlights include the large hippo habitat, penguin exhibit and boat ride.
Address: 5555 W. Zoo Blvd., Wichita, KS 67212-1643Phone: 316-660-9453 Hours: Summer hours beginning March 1, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; winter hours beginning Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Price: Adults 12 to 61, $12; children 3 to 11, $7.50; children 2 and under, free
Exploration Place
is a children’s science center featuring hands-on exhibits that teach kids about science, natural history, aerospace and medieval life. This Kansas museum is housed in a three-story stone castle and also hosts traveling exhibits, so there is always something new for kids to discover.
Address: 300 N. McLean Blvd., Wichita, KS 67203-5901Phone: 316-660-0600 Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.Price: Adults, $9.50; seniors (65 plus), $8; children 4 to 11, $6; children under 4, free
Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center
The
has the actual Apollo 13 capsule in its collection, as well as classic spy airplanes and other exhibits detailing the history of space travel. There is also a planetarium, an IMAX theater and a science laboratory with fun experiments for visitors.
Address: 1100 N. Plum St., Hutchinson, KS 67501Phone: 620-662-2305Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 7 p.m.Price: Adults, $12; seniors (60 plus), $10; children 4 to 12, $10; children 3 and under, free
Dodge City
When visiting Kansas, there are not many places more iconic than Dodge City. The site of some of the most legendary events in the Wild West, the city retains its classic feel with store fronts that look like they came straight out of a Western movie. Also in town are Boot Hill Museum, the Coronado Cross and the Dodge City Trail of Fame. Make sure to plan a visit in the last week of July for the Dodge City Days Western Celebration, which includes concerts, a rodeo, carnival and parades.
Address: Dodge City, KS 67801Phone: 620-225-8186Hours: N/APrice: Visiting the town is free
Museum of World Treasures
The Museum of World Treasures houses a variety of exhibits, from ancient Egyptian mummies to pop culture paraphernalia -- props from "The Wizard of Oz" and sports memorabilia from athletes like Babe Ruth and Muhammad Ali. The three-floor museum even has a wing devoted to dinosaurs and other fossils.
Address: 835 E. First St. in Old Town, Wichita, KS 67202-2700Phone: 316-263-1311 Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.Price: Adults, $8.95; children 4 to 12, $6.95; children 3 and under, free
Snow Creek Ski Area
While technically located in Missouri, the Snow Creek Ski Area sits on the state line with Kansas, and has the best skiing in the region. Its slopes include eight intermediate trails, one trail for beginners, and a beginner learning area. There are also two triple chair lifts, a double chair lift and three rope tows to get you to the top of the mountain.
Address: 1 Snow Creek Dr., Weston, MO 64098-9067Phone: 816-640-2200Hours: Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Monday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m.; Friday, noon to 2 a.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.Price: Prices for adults vary depending on time of day and day of week; children 6 and under and seniors (70 plus), free
Dwight D. Eisenhower Library & Museum
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and Museum is a regional point of interest for World War II buffs and other fans of historical sites. Information about President Eisenhower’s family history, a large library and many other exhibits -- from his military career and administration -- are on display. Eisenhower and his wife are buried on the library grounds.
Address: 200 S.E. Foutth St., Abilene, KS 67410Phone: 785-263-6700 Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; closed on Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.Price: Adults, $8; children 8 to 15, $1; children 7 and under, free
Have you been to Kansas? What are your favorite attractions?
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.