Kansas Travel Itinerary #7

ITINERARY #7

From Missouri - Two Days


DAY ONE


LINDSBORG, population 3,801

Contact Holly for meal and activities arrangements. 888.227.2227, visitlindsborg.com

A – 9:00 a.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 – 9:45 a.m.


A – 10:00 a.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 and 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 – 11:30 a.m. Lunch at Coronado Heights (8 Wonders of Kansas Geography),,, Coronado Avenue (Highway 4) 3 miles north of Lindsborg to Coronado Heights Road (unpaved). Go 1 mile west, just past Smoky Hill Cemetery and turn right at the stone gate, Open 8 AM to 11 PM

  • Coronado Heights: southern-most bluff in a series of seven, known as the Smoky Hills. The hill is located northwest of Lindsborg. It is believed that Francisco Vasquez de Coronado and his men viewed the prairie from this lookout point 300 feet above the valley floor. Chain mail from Spanish armor was found in the area by Bethany college professor J.A. Udden in 1915. Others have found Spanish coins, a bridle, and lead bars in the valley.  Sandstone Castle on the property was built as a 1936 WPA project, still providing the best vantage point of the Smoky Valley.
  • Pack a picnic dinner or call ahead to White's Foodliner to have a Swedish buffet delivered to the castle for your large group.



Mentor, unincorporated

A – 1 p.m. Rex’s Antique Car Museum, 856 E. Mentor, Mentor, 785.452.3089, rexsmuseum.wixsite.com/home

  • Rex’s Antique Car Museum: Rex Russell’s collection includes steam cars and other rare vehicles. You’ll enjoy his passion as he gives you a tour.  Call ahead.

D – 2:45 p.m.


Council Grove, population 2,275

A – 4 p.m. Neosho River Walk, Main and Union.

  • Neosho River Walk: Stretch your legs by walking this quarter-mile-long sidewalk along the Neosho River. The Guardian of the Grove, an impressive bronze sculpture of a Kanza warrior, serves as the anchor. 

D – 5 p.m.


Volland, unincorporated

A – 5:40 p.m. The Volland Store (program and meal), 24098 Volland, 620.271.2953, thevollandstore.com.

  • Volland Store: This 1913 red-brick two-story building has been restored into a trendy space with exposed red-brick walls, two-story open space with window lighting and gleaming wood floors. Excellent for exhibitions and talks. 


Native Stone Scenic Byway: From Volland to Alma, the route comprises winding, stair-stepping roads past stone fences and buildings and undulating Flint  Hills pastures. 


MANHATTAN, population 53,678

Overnight. manhattancvb.org/231/Stay


DAY TWO

Breakfast at motel.

D – 8:30 a.m.


A – 8:45 a.m. The Gardens, 1500 Denison on KSU campus, 785.532.3271, ksu.edu/gardens.

  • The Gardens: A 1933 limestone dairy barn provides a historical focus to this botanical landscape and 1907 Victorian style conservatory. A fountain, gazebo, and sculptures are charming backdrops for an explosion of colors, especially in the Daylily, the Iris, and the Rose Collections. Inside the barn is an Insect Zoo.

D – 9:45 a.m.


A – 10 a.m. Flint Hills Discover Center, 315 S. 3rd, 785.587.2726, flinthillsdiscovery.org, $$.

  • Flint Hills Discovery Center: Displays and a video helping further understanding about the Flint Hills nuances of the grasses, wildflowers, prairie burning, the cattle, the cowboys, and much more.

D – 11:30 a.m. 


A – Walk or drive. 11:40 a.m. Lunch at Radina’s Bakehouse, 227 Blue Earth Place, 785.537.2345, radinascoffee.com. Bringing a group for lunch? If so, call ahead.

  • Radina’s Bakehouse: The classically trained bakers here use only fresh and real ingredients, and most of the grains and flour are grown and milled in Kansas.

D – 1 p.m. 


WAMEGO, population 4,603

A – 1:30 p.m. Oz Museum, 511 Lincoln, 785.458.8686, ozmuseum.com, $$. Bringing a large group?  Start half at the Oz Museumand half at the Oz Winery, then switch. They are next door to each other.

  • Oz Museum: One of the largest collections of Wizard of Oz memorabilia is found here from books and toys to film artifacts. Gift shop.

Oz Winery, 417 Lincoln, 785.456.7417, ozwinerykansas.com.

  • Oz Winery: A fine tasting area and retail shop make for an appealing stop. Wines named Blue Gingham Dress, Poppy Fields, Surrender and Squished Witch make buying wine fun.

D – 3 p.m.


TOPEKA, population 127,679


A – 3:45 p.m. Head home or one more stop--- Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, 1515 SE Monroe, 785.354.4273, nps.gov/brvb.

  • Brown V. Board of Education: The story of the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka is interpreted inside Monroe Elementary School, one of four black schools in Topeka at the time of the ruling. The Court’s decision in 1954 legally ended segregation in public schools. The museum offers visitors an experiential journey into the struggles of blacks before and during the Brown v. Board era and the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s.

D – 5 p.m.


*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!