ITINERARY #1
From Nebraska - Two Days
DAY ONE
CONCORDIA, population 5,261
A - 9:30 a.m. Cloud County Tourism office and Whole Wall Mural, 130 6th, 785.243.4303, cloudcountytourism.com, bathrooms. Overview of Concordia, displays, gift shop.
A - 10:30 a.m. National Orphan Train Museum, 300 Washington, 785.243.4471, orphantraindepot.org, $$. Video, depot displays, exhibits inside railcar.
A - 12:00 p.m. For groups, enjoy a catered lunch at the community center. (Arrangements through Cloud County Tourism, 785.243.4303).
D - 1:15 p.m. (Other Concordia options: Brown Grand Theatre, POW Museum, Nazareth Motherhouse)
ROCK CITY
A - 2 p.m. Rock City, 1051 Ivy, near Minneapolis. 785.392.2092, kansassampler.org/8wondersofkansas-geography/mushroom-state-park-rock-city-ellsworth-ottawa-counties, $$.
D - 3 p.m.
SMOLAN AREA
A - 3:45 p.m. Enjoy a drive-tour to Camp Phillips remains (former POW Camp), the
ammunition storage facilities. For larger groups, contact Smoky Hill Museum for step-on guide contact, 785.309.5776.
D - 4:30 p.m.
A - 4:50 p.m. Renaissance Cafe (Thursday-Saturday), 210 N. Center, Assaria, 785.667.5535,
Renaissancecafeassaria.com, $$. Fine dining, order ahead. Reservations necessary most evenings.
SALINA, population 46,716
7 p.m. Salina Art Center Cinema, 242 S. Santa Fe, 785.827.1431, salinaartcenter.org. Indie films.
Lodging: salinakansas.org/where-to-stay.html
DAY TWO
ABILENE, population 6,300
Breakfast at motel
D - 8 a.m. Contact Julie 785.263.2231, abilenekansas.org.
A - 9 a.m. Eisenhower Museum Complex, 200 S.E. 4th, 877.746,4453, eisenhowerlibrary.gov,
$$, bathrooms. Introductory video, Eisenhower Museum, Ike’s boyhood home, Place of Meditation.
D - 11:30 a.m.
A - 11:45 a.m. Brookville Hotel (8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine), 105 E. Lafayette, 785.263.2244,
brookvillehotel.com.
D - 1:15 p.m.
OPTION #1 GEARY COUNTY
A - 1:30 p.m. Hildebrand Farms Dairy, 5210 Rucker Road, Junction City, 785.762.6455,
hildebrandfarmsdairy.com. Tour, retail.
D - 3:30 p.m.
BLUE RAPIDS, population 1,007
A - 4:45 p.m. Blue Rapids round square, Ice Age Monument and Museum (36 Public Square) on square. Bringing a group? Enjoy a catered meal in community center. Contact museum (Nancy, Pat) for arrangements, 785.363.7949.
D - 7 p.m.
OPTION #2 LINDSBORG, population 3,801
Contact Holly for meal and activities arrangements. 888.227.2227, visitlindsborg.com
A – 2:00 p.m. Hemslöjd (8 Wonders of Kansas Commerce),, 201 N. Main St., 785-227-2053
D – 2:45 p.m.
A – 3:00 p.m. Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery (8 Wonders of Kansas Art), 401 N. 1st St., 785-227-2220
D – 3:45 p.m.
A – 4:00 p.m. Downtown Lindsborg
D – 5:30 p.m. Depart for home.
*All stops have been vetted by the Kansas Sampler Foundation. For more in-depth information about each stop, or stops in between, consult the Kansas Guidebook 2 for Explorers. Purchase the book at kansassampler.org. The Kansas Sampler Foundation duo of Marci Penner and WenDee Rowe hit the road for parts of four years to look in every town, city, and in hundreds of other dots on the map and countryside to assemble this 480 page book that features all 105 counties, 515 cities, 4,500 attractions, 843 eateries and 1,600 color photos. Use the detailed directions, descriptions, and websites to help you choose and arrive at your destination!