Characterised by vast waves of wheat swaying in the breeze, the Great Plains state of Kansas is famously flat — and looms large in the popular imagination as a land of yellow brick roads and tornados. This striking Midwestern destination is, in fact, home to artsy cities, beautiful landscapes and a rich — if turbulent — history. Great for guests of all ages, the state boasts an array of accommodation options, including everything from simple cattle ranch cabins to swish city hotels, fit for a whole host of tastes and budgets. Whilst many of the best places to stay in Kansas sit within the lively cities of Topeka and Wichita, some of our favourite hideaways are tucked away in altogether more rural locations.
If you’re in Kansas on business or looking for a cultural city break, consider the state capital of Topeka. Highlights include the neoclassical Kansas State Capitol Building, the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site and Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site. The Topeka Zoo & Conservation Centre makes for a fun family day out.
Wichita, on the Arkansas River to the south-west, is known as the Aircraft Capital of the World. See the Kansas Aviation Museum, Exploration Place, the Wichita Art Museum and the Old Cowtown Museum, for art, science and history. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Allen House is also very special. Cosmosphere, an amazing museum detailing the race to the moon, is an easy day trip away from the city. Fort Larned National Historic Site, on the other hand, is two hours’ drive to the west.
Venture to the Home on the Range Cabin, in northern Kansas, for a glimpse of the magic which inspired Brewster M Higley to pen the iconic song of the American West. Hikers and wildlife enthusiasts will adore the 11,000-acre Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, whilst keen mountain bikers, horse riders, anglers and kayakers will find ample opportunity to discover Kansas’ trails, lakes and rivers over the course of their holidays. Some of the best places to stay in Kansas are remote lodges surrounded by hundreds of acres of wilderness — perfect for nature lovers.