This gorgeous fairytale road trip is great for a two or three-day tour of many magical places in Kansas. Waterfalls, food, gardens, and more! We’ve picked out a place to stay along the way and two great spots to eat at, but you’re welcome to extend the trip, add your own stops, and make it your own. What matters is the fun! Come along and see why there’s no place like Kansas.

Welcome to our next Only In Kansas road trip! For this one, you’ll spend about 5-6 hours driving and much more time exploring.

Google Maps/ClaryFeyArt These scenes are some of our most beautiful, and even though many don’t think of Kansas as a fairytale, we do. Stick around for a map at the end to look at all the locations and trip route.

  1. Santa Fe Lake Falls - Augusta

Devin Zell/Google Starting off with a beautiful waterfall is a great way to wake you up in the morning for a refreshing start to your day. Why not enjoy some time listening to the rushing water? Santa Fe Lake, 11367 SW Shore Dr, Augusta, KS 67010, USA

  1. Beautiful Day Cafe - Wichita

Ali Davis/Google Speaking of beautiful, this cafe really sets the bar. Attached to the cafe is a garden, and when available, they use the produce grown there to make food. As a bonus, there’s a miniature library inside! EDITOR’S NOTE: Beautiful Day Cafe has unfortunately closed, but open at the same location is ​​Nourish ICT, a farm to table meal prep company. Enjoy local food in the comfort of wherever you might be staying! Nourish ICT, 2516 E Central Ave, Wichita, KS 67214, USA

  1. Dyck Arboretum - Hesston

Ryan Dirks/Google This stunning botanical garden is well cultivated to be beautiful, and if you think hard enough, those butterflies look a little bit like fairies. Dyck Arboretum of the Plains, 177 W Hickory St, Hesston, KS 67062, USA

  1. Coronado Heights Castle - Lindsborg

Brad Nagel/Google This mini castle is fun for all ages, especially if you’ve never had the pleasure of visiting. It’s a gorgeous spot for a picnic, but looking over the wide expanse of hills and farmland is a treat for your eyes as well. Coronado Heights Castle, Walking Trail, Falun, KS 67442, USA

  1. Victorian Inn Bed & Breakfast - Abilene

InTriKitt/Google This gorgeous bed & breakfast fits the scenery in Abilene, as well as the road trip. A relaxing night in fairytale beauty is just what we need before another day on the road! Visit the Victorian Inn Bed and Breakfast ​​website for all the information you need to plan your stay. 820 NW 3rd St, Abilene, KS 67410, USA

  1. Geary State Fishing Lake - Junction City

Aaron Lette/Google This beautiful lake which is perfect for a day out on the water, also happens to have a waterfall we can’t pass up on our trip. Though it’s pretty rocky and might be slick in places, if you’re good at climbing, it might be a fun time. Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area, US-77, Junction City, KS 66441, USA

  1. Deep Creek Waterfall - Manhattan

Vincent Parsons/Flickr At the Pillsbury Crossing Wildlife Area, you can dip your feet into the water for a quick refreshing dip as long as the water’s not too dried up this year. Imagine taking a covered wagon over this area! Manhattan, KS, USA

  1. The Wheel Barrel - Topeka

Steven Melancon/Google Stop for a bite to eat with these fanciful grilled cheese sandwiches, which come in all sorts of varieties. Alongside it, relax with a brew from the tap or a flight of them to enjoy during your meal. Check out The Wheel Barrel’s ​​Facebook page for all the latest information on hours and current menu! The Wheel Barrel, 925 N Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66608, USA

  1. The Japanese Friendship Garden - Lawrence

Ruslan B/Google Next on our list is the beautiful Japanese Friendship Garden, made to tie two cultures together across the world. Lawrence matches gardens with Hiratsuka, who has been their “sister city” for years. The Japanese Friendship Garden, 1045 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044, USA

  1. Castle Tea Room

Chris Cooke/Google Last on our list but never least is Castle Tea Room, a special events venue that is a beautiful spot to visit even from the outside only. Built in 1894, this beauty stands tall and simply stunning. 1307 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044, USA

If you need a link to the map below, just click here.

Google Maps/ClaryFeyArt

These scenes are some of our most beautiful, and even though many don’t think of Kansas as a fairytale, we do. Stick around for a map at the end to look at all the locations and trip route.

Devin Zell/Google

Starting off with a beautiful waterfall is a great way to wake you up in the morning for a refreshing start to your day. Why not enjoy some time listening to the rushing water?

Santa Fe Lake, 11367 SW Shore Dr, Augusta, KS 67010, USA

Ali Davis/Google

Speaking of beautiful, this cafe really sets the bar. Attached to the cafe is a garden, and when available, they use the produce grown there to make food. As a bonus, there’s a miniature library inside! EDITOR’S NOTE: Beautiful Day Cafe has unfortunately closed, but open at the same location is ​​Nourish ICT, a farm to table meal prep company. Enjoy local food in the comfort of wherever you might be staying!

Nourish ICT, 2516 E Central Ave, Wichita, KS 67214, USA

Ryan Dirks/Google

This stunning botanical garden is well cultivated to be beautiful, and if you think hard enough, those butterflies look a little bit like fairies.

Dyck Arboretum of the Plains, 177 W Hickory St, Hesston, KS 67062, USA

Brad Nagel/Google

This mini castle is fun for all ages, especially if you’ve never had the pleasure of visiting. It’s a gorgeous spot for a picnic, but looking over the wide expanse of hills and farmland is a treat for your eyes as well.

Coronado Heights Castle, Walking Trail, Falun, KS 67442, USA

InTriKitt/Google

This gorgeous bed & breakfast fits the scenery in Abilene, as well as the road trip. A relaxing night in fairytale beauty is just what we need before another day on the road! Visit the Victorian Inn Bed and Breakfast ​​website for all the information you need to plan your stay.

820 NW 3rd St, Abilene, KS 67410, USA

Aaron Lette/Google

This beautiful lake which is perfect for a day out on the water, also happens to have a waterfall we can’t pass up on our trip. Though it’s pretty rocky and might be slick in places, if you’re good at climbing, it might be a fun time.

Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area, US-77, Junction City, KS 66441, USA

Vincent Parsons/Flickr

At the Pillsbury Crossing Wildlife Area, you can dip your feet into the water for a quick refreshing dip as long as the water’s not too dried up this year. Imagine taking a covered wagon over this area!

Manhattan, KS, USA

Steven Melancon/Google

Stop for a bite to eat with these fanciful grilled cheese sandwiches, which come in all sorts of varieties. Alongside it, relax with a brew from the tap or a flight of them to enjoy during your meal. Check out The Wheel Barrel’s ​​Facebook page for all the latest information on hours and current menu!

The Wheel Barrel, 925 N Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66608, USA

Ruslan B/Google

Next on our list is the beautiful Japanese Friendship Garden, made to tie two cultures together across the world. Lawrence matches gardens with Hiratsuka, who has been their “sister city” for years.

The Japanese Friendship Garden, 1045 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044, USA

Chris Cooke/Google

Last on our list but never least is Castle Tea Room, a special events venue that is a beautiful spot to visit even from the outside only. Built in 1894, this beauty stands tall and simply stunning.

1307 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044, USA

Have you been to any of these attractions? Which was your favorite? There are a lot of magical places in Kansas, and if you know of any we missed, let us know in the comment section. We would love to hear from you. Also, consider telling us about them here on this nomination form!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Places To Visit In Kansas November 25, 2022 Katie Feldkamp Where are there some hidden gems in Kansas? There’s no shortage of hidden gems in Kansas. When wondering what there is to see and discover, consider the following:

Little Pyramids in Scott City Grassroots Art Center in Lucas Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City Paul Boyer Museum of Animated Carvings in Belleville

For additional information about these and other hidden gems in Kansas, check out this article. What is the best road trip in Kansas? There’s a lot of beauty to be had, and a lot of roads to be driven in the state of Kansas. Because of that, it’s hard to single out the one and only best road trip in Kansas. But also because of that, here are some of the best trips depending on the time of year and your interests:

Here are 7 quick road trips you can take this weekend in Kansas. You won’t forget this creepy road trip in Kansas. Take in the colorful leaves on this fall foliage drive through Kansas. When hunger strikes, check out this Kansas restaurant road trip. You won’t break the break on this thrift store road trip in Kansas.

If you still need more ideas, check out this list of unforgettable Kansas road trips.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Places To Visit In Kansas

November 25, 2022

Katie Feldkamp

Where are there some hidden gems in Kansas? There’s no shortage of hidden gems in Kansas. When wondering what there is to see and discover, consider the following:

Little Pyramids in Scott City Grassroots Art Center in Lucas Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City Paul Boyer Museum of Animated Carvings in Belleville

For additional information about these and other hidden gems in Kansas, check out this article. What is the best road trip in Kansas? There’s a lot of beauty to be had, and a lot of roads to be driven in the state of Kansas. Because of that, it’s hard to single out the one and only best road trip in Kansas. But also because of that, here are some of the best trips depending on the time of year and your interests:

Here are 7 quick road trips you can take this weekend in Kansas. You won’t forget this creepy road trip in Kansas. Take in the colorful leaves on this fall foliage drive through Kansas. When hunger strikes, check out this Kansas restaurant road trip. You won’t break the break on this thrift store road trip in Kansas.

If you still need more ideas, check out this list of unforgettable Kansas road trips.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

There’s no shortage of hidden gems in Kansas. When wondering what there is to see and discover, consider the following:

  • Little Pyramids in Scott City
  • Grassroots Art Center in Lucas
  • Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City
  • Paul Boyer Museum of Animated Carvings in Belleville

For additional information about these and other hidden gems in Kansas, check out this article.

What is the best road trip in Kansas?

There’s a lot of beauty to be had, and a lot of roads to be driven in the state of Kansas. Because of that, it’s hard to single out the one and only best road trip in Kansas. But also because of that, here are some of the best trips depending on the time of year and your interests:

  • Here are 7 quick road trips you can take this weekend in Kansas.
  • You won’t forget this creepy road trip in Kansas.
  • Take in the colorful leaves on this fall foliage drive through Kansas.
  • When hunger strikes, check out this Kansas restaurant road trip.
  • You won’t break the break on this thrift store road trip in Kansas.

If you still need more ideas, check out this list of unforgettable Kansas road trips.