I need some advice about the roads (stops, things to see, places
to stay) for my son and husband who plan to drive from Davis CA to Lawrence KS. Anyone from Kansas has any experience doing this stretch? Any comments, suggestions and help would be much appreciated.
Cross Country driving (California to Kansas)
The area near I-70 crossing Kansas has a lot of interesting spots, but most people never get off the Interstate and see them.
In the western part of the state there are two fascinating chalk formations: Castle Rock and the Chalk Pyramids. Both are on range land and undeveloped. I%26#39;ve never seen anyone else at them, it is almost feels you discovered them. http://www.kansastravel.org/chalkkansas.html
Hays has the Sternberg Museum of Natural History at Fort Hays State University. Fossils and life sized recreations of dinosaurs %26amp; other creatures that used to roam western Kansas.
Lucas is a Mecca for lovers of Grassroots art. It has the Garden of Eden, Grassroots Arts Center and other wonderful odd art. http://www.kansastravel.org/lucaskansas.htm
Abilene has the Eisenhower home, museum, presidential Library %26amp; museum. Across the street is the Greyhound Hall of Fame. All but the museum are free.
Fort Riley has United States Cavalry Museum, Custer House, Regimental Museum, First Territorial Capitol of Kansas and more. All free! http://www.kansastravel.org/fortriley.htm
There are other places but that will give them a start.
Neat places to eat include the Brookville Hotel or Kirby House in Abilene, Pusan Restaurant in Junction City, Cozy Inn in Salina, and Bunker Hill Cafe in Bunker Hill. All are 5 miles or less from I-70.
The 83 year old Cozy Inn sells hamburgers by the sack. The tiny burgers are prepared on the original grill that is only used to cook these burgers. The Bunker Hill Cafe serves tremendous steaks (get Elk if they have it) in a 1917 limestone building that is only open 4 evening a week.
Cross Country driving (California to Kansas)
Thank you so much Lighthouselovertoo for your reply.
Well its both, i.e. the need to transfer furntirue etc. and to use this opportunity and see some sights as this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
I think they might drive 5 days or so and I saw its about 1750 miles.
So they will try and see what they can and still try and be in Lawrence in time for the family to settle in.
NBG.---There is a rather impressive church in Victoria, It is just off I-70 between Hays and Russell Ks. It was built from locally quarried limestone. This also ';Wild Bill Hickok'; and General Custer territory.
Does the University of Kansas enter into your plans? In my humble opinion Lawrence is the best place to live in Kansas.
Pat
Hi Pat,
Yes, I hope you are right, my son just got a job at the U of Kansas in Lawrence and we are all very excited about it.
On their way from California to Lawrence they wanted to do some quick sightseeing as it seems a once in a lifetime chance.
Nora.
Nora, Trust me, I am right.
If you are a basketball fan this is a great place to be. Rock Chalk Jayhawk.
Pat
IIRC, Wakeeney (KS) is about half way between Denver and Kansas City, and might be a good stopping place. Goodland, Kansas, is also on the way from Denver and has decent food and places to stay. Someone mentioned the church near Victoria; it%26#39;s known as the Cathedral of the Plains due to the architecture, and it%26#39;s pretty awesome, knowing the story of how it was built. There%26#39;s also Dodge City and Hays/Ft. Hays. Interesting history, museums, and the like.
I too like Cozys as well as the Brookville Hotel (best fried chicken dinners ever, hands down!) which used to be in Brookville but is now in Abilene. Also the Eisenhower museum/boyhood home/final resting place in Abilene is a very interesting place to visit.
Lawrence is quite beautiful and has good shopping downtown as well as in the outlying areas.
OK, I%26#39;m getting all nostalgic now! I grew up in Kansas and still love the state.
If your son is in Kansas for some time, he%26#39;ll have a chance to visit many interesting and historic places. The State Museum in Topeka always has good exhibits. I highly recommend subscribing to Kansas! Magazine, as it has articles about the many things to do and see in Kansas.
Zoey1996,
The Capital Building now offers free tours of the dome, all the way to the top. Lots of interesting graffiti up there.
Thanks again all of you who replied to my query.
It seems that they will have one big problem and its crossing the Sierras and its the elevation.
The problem is the u-haul on one side and
the high elevation as a health issue on the other side. So I guess
we shall need to re-consider all possibilities how to cross safely
from California to Kansas. I have noted all your suggestions and thank you for it.
The Kansas Guidebook for Explorers by Marci Penner would be a great gift for someone new to Kansas or anyone traveling across Kansas.
http://kansasguidebook.com/
The author traveled all over the state to the very smallest of towns, to find things of interest. She reviewed restaurants and stayed in various lodgings, particularly bed and breakfasts. She writes about 500 small towns, listing sights to see and things to do. Many are intriguing, such as the quirky Garden of Eden at Lucas, some listings are the home-grown shops that dot the landscape, and some tell where to find yummy home-baked pies or other made-from-scratch goodies. Something for everyone and every interest!
Thanks Kathy, I think I will buy it.
