Kansas Travel Itinerary #8

ITINERARY #8

From Nebraska - Two Day


DAY ONE


BELLEVILLE, population 1,924

A – 9 a.m. Boyer Gallery of Animated Carvings, 1205 M, 785.527.5884, kansassampler.org/8wondersofkansas-art/boyer-museum-of-animated-carvings-belleville.

  • Boyer Gallery: Folk artist Paul Boyer created motion machines for 75 years. One must stand and stare to fully appreciate Paul’s attention to detail and to catch his humor in these clever animated carvings.

D – 10 a.m.


CONCORDIA, population 5,261

A - 10:30 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.

D – 11:30 a.m.


BENNINGTON, population 660

A – 12:15 p.m. The Linger Longer, 119 N. Nelson, 855.378.7632, thelingerlonger.com.

  • The Linger Longer: With a pressed-tin ceiling and wood floor, this restored soda fountain with a 912 solid oak back bar and a 1920s counter is a classic—and is filled with Dr. Pepper memorabilia. Need a lunch menu for a group?  Call ahead and ask owner Sharolyn Wagner.


LINDBSORG, 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 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.

A – 5:30 p.m. Crown & Rye, 121 N. Main St., 785-227-8422

  • Formerly known as The Swedish Crown, Crown & Rye has been an iconic staple in downtown Lindsborg.  The menu highlights the best of Swedish cuisine, featuring dishes such as Svensk Köttbullar (Swedish meatballs), Ärtsoppa (yellow pea soup), and Ostkaka (Swedish custard like dessert) as well as traditional American dishes, some with a Swedish twist. $$


D – 6:45 p.m.



MCPHERSON, population 13,077

Overnight. visitmcpherson.com/458/Stay. Contact Joni Regnier, Visit McPherson for assistance, 620.245.2535.


DAY TWO

McPherson

Eat breakfast at motel.

D – 8 a.m.


MARQUETTE, population 643.

A – 8:30 a.m. Kansas Motorcycle Museum, 120 N. Washington, 785.546.2449, ksmotorcyclemuseum.org.

  • Kansas Motorcycle Museum: More than 100 motorcycles from eras past and present are found here with historical photos and posters that capture the vigor and living-on-the-edge tension of motorcycle racing. The museum was inspired by local Stan Engdahl who raced for parts of six decades. 

D – 9:30 a.m.


Prairie Vistas Scenic Byway: Between Lindsborg to Marquette and on to Ellsworth you’ll be traveling on the Prairie Trail Scenic Byway most of the way. The mixed-grass prairie to the Smoky Hills will give you plenty of scenic views.


MUSHROOM ROCK (8 Wonders of Kansas Geography)

A – 10:15 a.m. Mushroom Rock State Park. From K-140, 2 miles south on K-141, then 2 miles west on K. Sandy road.  Unattended.

  • Mushroom Rock State Park: These mushroom-shaped rocks are a geologic phenomenon of sandstone spheres. They likely served as meeting places and landmarks for American Indians and early pioneers. 

D – 11:15 a.m.


WILSON, population 763

A – 12 p.m. Lunch at Made from Scratch, 527 27th, 785.658.3300, Facebook.

  • Made from Scratch: The food here is made from scratch—from the jellies to the ice cream. Bierocks, homemade pies, and kolaches are served daily.

World’s Largest Czech Egg, 27th and D.

  • Largest Czech Egg: In this Czechoslovakian community, small eggs have been painted in the traditional kraslice style for decades. The local art teacher and volunteers have now created the World’s Largest Czech Egg. It measures 20x15 feet and is located outdoors. A kiosk stands nearby and provides more information. Great for photo opps.

D – 1:15 p.m.


LUCAS, population 390

The whole town was voted in as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Art because of their grassroots art.

A – 1:45 p.m. Choose from below and coordinate through the Garden of Eden.

  • Garden of Eden: 305 E. 2nd, 785.525.6395, gardenofedenlucas.org, $$. The anchor of grassroots art, S.P. Dinsmoor built his limestone and concrete log cabin home and Garden of Eden sculptors from 1907 to 1929 using 113 tons of cement. The sculptures are Dinsmoor’s interpretation of life, the Bible and politics. 
  • Miller’s Park, just east of the Garden of Eden. Roy and Clara Miller collected rocks and shells during their 1930s-1960s travels and transformed them into miniature Lucas buildings.
  • Grassroots Art Center: 213 S. Main, 785.525.6188.grassrootsart.net, $$.  See tickle-your-fancy grassroot art exhibits here including Herman Divers’ life-sized motorcycle made so sturdily from pop-can tabs that you could sit on it!  Outside is a Post Rock Courtyard with displays of distinctive native limestone architecture.
  • Bowl Plaza, 100 block of S. Main. Mosaics of colorful tiles and glass, toy cars, dominoes, badges, wine corks, and more adorn the walls in this public restroom voted the second most beautiful in the United States.
  • Erika Nelson’s Roadside Sideshow Expo, 214 S. Main, 785.760.0826, erikanelson.cargo.site.  This is the place to come to become familiar with Erika’s World’s Largest Collection of the World’s Smallest Version of the World’s Largest Things. 
  • Brant’s Meat Market (8 Wonders of Kansas Commerce), 125 S. Main, 785.525.6464, brantsmarket.com. See fresh meats in an old-fashioned cooler in this meat market that dates back to 1922. Rest your foot on the counter’s brass rail while you ponder your purchases.

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!