Kansas Travel Itinerary #1

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. 

  • Whole Wall Mural: It is the longest sculpted mural in the nation with 24 county historical scenes carved into 6,400 bricks.

A - 10:30 a.m. National Orphan Train Museum, 300 Washington, 785.243.4471, orphantraindepot.org, $$. Video, depot displays, exhibits inside railcar. 

  • National Orphan Train Museum: From 1884 to 1929 more than 250,000 orphaned, abandoned, and homeless children traveled west on orphan trains to relocate from overcrowded cities in the East. This story is told in a depot and railroad car.  There are also dozens of orphan train statues and plaques around the city, including a large one at the Cloud County Tourism office.

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, $$.   

  • Rock City: 200 ancient and giant rocks are concentrated in this one area next to cropland—and is a designated as a National Natural Landmark. Browse inside the small info center. Walk around the 200 giant rocks. (8 Wonders of Kansas Geography)

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.

  • Camp Phillips: A tall concrete water tower is the only evidence remaining of this WWII army training and POW camp. 
  • Ammunition Storage Facilities: Old concrete ammo storage structures used when Camp Phillips was in operation can be still be seen.

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.

  • Renaissance Café: Fine dining is located in this former 1919 high school.


SALINA, population 46,716

   7 p.m. Salina Art Center Cinema, 242 S. Santa Fe, 785.827.1431, salinaartcenter.org. Indie films. 

  • Salina Art Center Cinema: Thought-provoking, imaginative, and artistic genres are shown in this small, downtown theater.  


   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. 

  • Eisenhower Museum: Updated displays tell the story of Eisenhower’s boyhood, military career, and days as President of the United States. His boyhood home is open for tours and the Place of Meditation where Ike, his wife Mamie and son Doud are buried.

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.

  • Brookville Hotel: The celebrated family-style fried chicken meal dates back to 1915. The present restaurant is a replica of the original hotel/restaurant in the small town of Brookville.

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.

  • Hildebrand Farms Dairy: You can buy glass-bottled flavored milk, soft serve ice cream, meats and other Kansas products in the retail store.  The dairy cows, milking barn, and processing plant can be open for tour.

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. 

  • Ice Age Monument: Located within the round square park is signage that tells about the oldest rocks in Kansas found in this region.  
  • Blue Rapids Museum: This low-budget, all-heart local museum has stories to tell about overland trails, the gypsum industry, and early floods.

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

  • Visit with the woodworkers, painters and glass etchers as you tour Lindsborg’s Dala Horse factory. 

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

  • Meet and get to know world renowned artist Birger Sandzén through his paintings, letters, and diaries at the Birger Sandzén Memorial Art Gallery.  Born and raised in Sweden, he is referred to as the Van Gogh of the prairie.

D – 3:45 p.m.


A – 4:00 p.m. Downtown Lindsborg

  • Explore the galleries, butiks, and Swedish specialty stores.  
  • Savor the flavor of Swedish Mörkrost coffee while taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of coffee roasting and brewing demonstrations at the Blacksmith Coffee Shop & Roastery.  One of the oldest buildings in Lindsborg, the Blacksmith Shop can be found on the National Register of Historic Places.  
  • Refuel with your favorite fair-trade, organic tea or coffee beverage from The White Peacock Tea & Coffee Company.
  • Visit Small World Gallery, home of National Geographic Photographer, Jim Richardson to learn more about his work around the world, capturing images, hosting tours and writing stories for this timeless publication!  Also in the gallery, Kathy Richardson offers a browsable collection of antique, vintage and contemporary glass, stone and metals that are used in designing her jewelry line called IBISwoman.  Guests may select from earrings, bracelets and necklaces from the gallery display tables – or they may wish to collaborate with Kathy or IBISwoman co-designer Briana Zimmerling on a made-to-order piece.

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!