2012 Summer Travel Preview

Fun day trips and longer stays for summer 2012.

Flint Hills

Rolling Hills Refuge

What’s inside Sunday, May 20, 2012 Special Supplement

C.W. Parker Carousel Museum

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Tour of Lawrence

Leavenworth ���������������page 14 Topeka ���������������������������������page 15 Flint Hills ���������������������������page 16 Wichita ���������������������������������page 17 Salina ����������������������������������� page 18 Hays ���������������������������������������page 19

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Kansas City

By Jeffrey Alderman Special to the Journal-World Why go there: To be sure, Kansas City is a unique place with a uniquely American story.

From the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the Border War to gangster wars to the flood of 1977, this metropolis once known as the “crossroads of the world” has seen quite a lot in its 160 year history.

Now nicknamed the “Heart of America,” metro Kansas City is home to about 2 million people in 15 counties encompassing 130 cities in two states.

What to see there: The city has plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, but the downtown is primarily divided into three distinct entertainment districts including the Power & Light District, Crown Center, and The Country Club Plaza.

Power & Light District Located adjacent to the center city business area, the Power & Light District is an energetic dining and shopping area. With more than 50 restaurants, bars and shops packed into only nine blocks, it offers something for everyone.

• This is where many of big events take place with the Sprint Center the main attraction. Marquee concerts and sports such as the Big 12 Basketball Tourney are held here. The College Basketball Experience is a must-see.

• The Garment District showcases locally made fashions like Zafar Salon, Spa & Boutique with haircare, manicures, pedicures, and massage services along with women’s casual and professional clothing and swim wear.

• When it comes to dining options, you can go formal or dress down. For the former, it’s the 801 Chophouse or Bristol Seafood Grill. For a lively meal, you’ll want to pop in at the Flying Saucer Draught Emporium which has more than 300 beers, Bar Louie or the Gordon Biersch Brewery.

Crown Center Located in the heart of downtown, Crown Center has various attractions surrounding the world headquarters of Hallmark Cards. It begins with more than 60 one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants that make their home at Crown Center Square at 2450 Grand Blvd. There is the Crayola Store which is joined by two family friendly attractions, the Kansas City Sea Life Aquarium and

LEGOLAND Discovery Center.

Directly across from Crown Center is Union Station. Through Sept. 3, Union Station is hosting the display, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the world’s largest ship. Union Station is also an Amtrak stop.

• The Liberty Memorial and National World War I Museum will take you on an epic journey that connects you with the Great War which left more than 9 million dead and changed the world forever. Complete your visit by ascending to the top of the 217foot Liberty Memorial Tower for a spectacular view of the city.

• The Kauffman Center for the

Continued page 4

sunday, may 20, 2012

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Kansas City Continued from page 5

J.C. Nichols Fountain in the Plaza district of Kansas City.

• Performing Arts is the newest jewel of downtown and home to the ballet, symphony and opera with two lavish concert halls.

Country Club Plaza Country Club Plaza was the first shopping center in the world built to accommodate shoppers arriving by car and is a kaleidoscope of architectural and cultural treasures. Designed by J.C. Nichols and modeled after Seville, Spain, “The Plaza” as it is affectionately known, is home to high-end shops, upscale restaurants and exclusive residences. Located about four miles straight down Main Street from Power & Light, The Plaza offers plenty to do and see with numerous sculptures, breathtaking tile murals, sparkling fountains, and other sightseeing delights.

Right outside of The Plaza is The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Recognized as one of the finest general art collections in the world, the museum boasts more than 30,000 works of art with the vast majority available online.

18th & Vine Historical Jazz District Located just outside of the downtown loop is the 18th and Vine historical district and is a well-known hot spot for jazz and amazing barbeque.

• The Negro Leagues Baseball

04 summer travel preview

Museum chronicles the remarkable careers of greats Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Gus Greenlee, and Buck O’Neil among others.

• Sharing the same building is the American Jazz Museum (americanjazzmuseum.com).

Other Attractions • The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum pays tribute to our 33rd president and is highlighted by a new 10,500-squarefoot core exhibition.

• The Kansas City Royals will also play host to the MLB All Star game on Tuesday, July 10.

• Sporting KC is our successful Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise that plays in the stunning LIVESTRONG Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

• Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun is an evolving amusement and water park or Schlitterbahn Water Park with its famed river tubing adventure are sure to be a favored escape for the kids.

Follow Kansas City on Facebook/ Twitter Like “Kansas City” on Facebook or @VisitKC on Twitter for more tips and insight about this amazing city. For more about what’s on the menu in KC, visit kcrestaurantguide.com.

Legends and Bonner Springs

By Caroline Boyer Why go there: With shopping, professional sports, indoor and outdoor water parks, concerts, museums and more, there’s something for everyone.

What to do there: Shop. There’s the plethora of stores at The Legends Outlets of Kansas City, which is next to Nebraska Furniture Mart and Cabela’s. But there’s also entertainment for all ages with two professional sports stadiums, Schlitterbahn Vacation Village & Waterpark and the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway.

Things you must see there: The central fountain water show at The Legends; the new Livestrong Sporting Park and growing fandom for the Sporting KC professional soccer team, which will have one to two games each week over the summer, usually on Wednesday and/ or Saturday. The Kansas City T-Bones baseball team also plays at Legends.

Things to do with the kids: Get drenched at The Great Wolf Lodge’s indoor water park or at the Schlitterbahn Vacation Village & Waterpark. Just to the south in Bonner Springs, watch marbles being made and find other vintage and novelty toys at The Moon Marble Co. Pocketbook friendly: Brush up on local history at the Wyandotte County Historical Museum and the National Agricultural Hall

Western Wyandotte County’s Village West and Bonner Springs

of Fame, or play some Frisbee golf, all in Wyandotte County Park.

Save the date: Buzz Beach Ball music festival at Livestrong Sporting Park June 2; Warped Tour at Cricket Wireless July 9; Tractor Daze Mud Run at the Ag Hall July 14; Tiblow Days in Bonner Springs, Aug. 23-25.

Online/Twitter/Facebook links: • Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre cricketwirelessamp.com • Kansas Speedway & Hollywood Casino kansasspeedway.com, twitter.com/kansasspeedway, facebook.com/KansasSpeedway; Hollywoodcasinokansas.com; twitter.com/HollywoodCKS; facebook.com/HollywoodCKS • Legends Outlets of Kansas City legendsshopping.com, facebook.com/LegendsOutlets, twitter.com/LegendsShopping • The Moon Marble Co. moonmarble.com, facebook.com/The-Moon-Marble • Schlitterbahn Vacation Village & Waterpark schlitterbahn.com/kc, twitter.com/SchlitterTweet, facebook.com/SchlitterbahnWaterparks • Sporting KC sportingkc.com, twitter.com/ SportingKC, facebook.com/sportingkc • T-Bones Baseball tbonesbaseball.com, twitter.com/tbonesbaseball, facebook.com/tbonesbaseball

Did you know?

Wyandotte County is the smallest county in the state, but Kansas City, Kan., is the state’s third-largest city; The Village West area has more than 115 businesses, including 28 restaurants.

Those businesses employ nearly 5,700 people and generated more than $610 million in retail sales in 2009.

How to get there: Most of the

“Village West” attractions are at the northwest corner of Interstate 70 and Interstate 435.

Also near: Kansas City, Mo., and its attractions, like the Royals, Power & Light District, National World War I Museum, The Plaza, Union Station, Crown Center and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. For Kansas City metroarea attractions, visit 360kc.com.

sunday, may 20, 2012

05

Shawnee Why go there: Shawnee is one of the 10 largest cities in Kansas and, typical of a Johnson County suburb, is known for its schools and parks. But unlike many suburbs, Shawnee goes back more than 150 years, giving it a colorful background and reputation as a big, small town. It’s full of family-friendly opportunities.

What to do there: Visit Shawnee Town 1929, 11501 W. 57th St., to experience long-ago living in the city of Shawnee and working on a typical truck farm (vegetable farming was once among Shawnee’s biggest industries). The grounds — complete with a restored farmhouse, chicken coop, barn, icehouse and other buildings — are open for selfguided tours from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday through Sunday all summer.

Cost is $3 per adult or $1 per child.

For details, see shawneetown.org.

Next to Shawnee Town, at 5700 King Ave., is Wonderscope Children’s

By Sara Shepherd

Museum of Kansas City, offering interactive exhibits for children 10 and younger. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $7 for ages 3-63, with discounts for older and younger visitors. For details, see wonderscope.org. The Johnson County Museum of History — where exhibits include the 1950s All-Electric House — also is located in Shawnee, at 6305 Lackman Road. The museum’s website is jocomuseum.org.

For active types, Shawnee is home to acres of parks and miles of pedestrian and bicycle trails. Shawnee Mission Park has a lake, marina, trails and picnic shelters. Mill Creek Streamway Park has 17 miles of pedestrian and bike trails connecting several Johnson County cities, and Shawnee’s portion includes a bluebird restoration project.

For details and maps, visit jcprd.com.

Shawnee also is home to Kansas City Ice Center, kcicecenter.com, one of only

Lylith Wilhite, 4, of North Kansas City, Mo., watches a balloon tethered to her wrist at Old Shawnee Days 2011.

Jeremy Shady of Denton Enterprises fence company attaches wire to a hedge fence at the edge of the Shawnee Town 1929 Truck Farm in May of 2011. The hedgeposts’ weathered look is authentic — Shady estimated they were about 40 years old.

three indoor ice rinks in the Kansas City metropolitan area, and Shawnee Mission Beach Volleyball, smbv.com.

Theatre in the Park, located inside Shawnee Mission Park, presents Broadway musicals throughout the summer. For a schedule and ticket information, visit theatreinthepark.org. The first show, “Sweeney Todd,” opens June 8.

is set for Sept. 9. This year’s Shawnee Great Grillers Blues & Barbeque State Championship will be Sept. 21-22.

Things to do with the kids: There’s hardly anything in Shawnee you CAN’T do with kids.

Did you know?

Shawnee hosts the annual rolle bolle state championship tournament. The obscure outdoor game hails from Belgium, as do many of Shawnee’s founding fathers.

Pocketbook friendly: Johnson County Museum, Shawnee Town 1929, parks and trails.

Save the date: Old Shawnee Days — Shawnee’s biggest annual event — is June 1-3.

The festival features a parade, concerts, carnival and contests. The Flags for Freedom display will stretch from Merriam through downtown Shawnee June 30 through July 7. The Wheels and Dreams Car, Truck and Bike Show

Online/Twitter/Facebook links: The city’s website, cityofshawnee.org, features a community calendar and links for visitors. The city is on Facebook and Twitter, facebook.com/CityOfShawnee and twitter.com/CityOfShawneeKS.

How to get there: Kansas Highway 7 and Interstate 435 run through Shawnee. Interstate 70 lies a few miles north and Interstate 35 just east of the city limits.

Also near: Downtown Kansas City, Mo., and the Village West development in Kansas City, Kan., are only minutes away.

Make us part of your summer plans!

Enjoy a fun night of great music and drink specials. Matt Snook, national country recording artist performs: June 26, July 24 and August 28, 7-11pm Banquet Room Available for all your gatherings Oldest Restaurant in Shawnee Since 1969

61st & Nieman • Shawnee, KS 66203 913.631.5716

Specials available at www.shawneepizza.com

06 summer travel preview

www.backnthyme.com

1100 South 130th Street • Bonner Springs, Kansas 66012 • 913-422-5207

Sunflower Embroidery & Quilting

Locally owned independent pharmacy serving Wyandotte County since 1928.

• We accept all major insurance coverage.

• FREE delivery in the Bonner Springs and Edwardsville area from our Bonner Springs store.

• Large selection of over the counter medications.

• Nice selection of gifts and home decor items, soft drinks, ice cream and a photo processing kiosk.

• Embroidery Services for Hats, Shirts, Linens and more.

• Large Assortment of Fabrics for Clothing, Quilting & Crafts.

• Quilt Kits & Quilt Blocks • Classes for: Embroidery, Quilting & Sewing (913) 422-4501 • 207 OAK - BONNER SPRINGS, KS 66012 • WWW.SUNFLOWEREG.COM

202 Oak - Bonner Springs, KS 66012 • 913-422-3066 • www.DeGoler.com

Time to Relax?

BUY ONE ADMISSION & GET ONE FREE!* 630 Hall of Fame Dr. Bonner Springs, KS 2 MILES WEST of KS SPEEDWAY

AGHALLOFFAME.COM • 913-721-1075

up to two free admissions

*Second free admission must be of equal or lesser value of the first admission. Valid Apr. 19 - Nov. 1, 2012

WINE BAR 111 Oak Street • Bonner Springs sunday, may 20, 2012

bottle12.com

07

Lawrence Why go there: Whether it is to relive great battles on the basketball court or commemorate the bloody conflicts that led up to the Civil War, Lawrence is a hub for area and national history.

What to do there: Lawrence’s downtown offers both shopping and public art. Kansas University’s campus plays hosts to athletic events, musical performances and lectures from dignitaries around the world. The city’s outdoor scene is robust too, with miles of hiking and biking trails throughout the city and 7,000-acre Clinton Lake west of town.

Things you must see there: An appreciation for the past can begin with a walk down Massachusetts Street. It is a must-do activity for any Lawrence visitor. Named one of the 10 best streets in the nation by the American Planning Association, Massachusetts Street is lined with historic buildings, independent

By Chad Lawhorn

merchants and restaurants that give Downtown Lawrence a nostalgic feel.

While in downtown, visitors can get a sense of how sparks in Lawrence and the surrounding area helped ignite the Civil War. A permanent exhibit by the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area is on display in the renovated Carnegie Library building at Ninth and Vermont streets, including information about Missouri raider William Quantrill and Kansas abolitionist John Brown.

But perhaps no Lawrence historical figure has had more of an impact on the nation — at least in March — than longtime Lawrence resident James Naismith. The inventor of the game of basketball was the first basketball coach for Kansas University, and he is buried in Lawrence’s Memorial Park Cemetery. To get a full dose of basketball history — including Wilt Chamberlain’s record-breaking tenure at KU — visitors should travel to the Booth Family Hall of Athletics. As a bonus, the Hall of Athletics is adjacent to Allen Fieldhouse, consistently

08 summer travel preview

Kevin Anderson/Journal-World Photo. Jacey Yanek helps her 21-month-old daughter Reagan jump into the water Wednesday afternoon after the Lawrence Aquatic Center reopened after being closed for repairs on the pump system.

touted as one of most hallowed sporting venues in the country.

Things to with the kids: The city-operated Prairie Park Nature Center, 2730 Harper St., includes a variety of displays of snakes, prairie dogs, a rare black-footed ferret and other animals that call the Kansas outdoors home.

The Natural History Museum on KU’s campus also is a haven of kidfriendly displays.

Pocketbook friendly: A trip to the renovated Union Pacific Depot in North Lawrence won’t cost you a dime. The building, which now

Continued page 9

Lawrence Mike Yoder/Journal-World Photo Participants in the Men’s Category 3 event ride through downtown during one of the Tour of Lawrence bicycling events.

Continued from page 8 serves as the community’s visitors center has a theater that shows a short film about the “Bleeding Kansas” period of history that engulfed Lawrence in violence leading up to the Civil War. The depot and its French-themed gardens are a great place to do some train watching.

Save the date: Lawrence is one of the few places in the Midwest where visitors can watch professional cycling. From June 29 through July 1, the city will host the 4th annual Tour of Lawrence cycling races. Amateur and professional racers will tackle courses both on the KU campus and in downtown, while competing for prizes of more than $20,000. Sunday’s downtown race is particularly a sight to see as a pack of cyclists just inches apart round downtown corners at high rates of speed.

Online/Twitter/Facebook links: • visitlawrence.com • Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Visit-Lawrence/54533986253?ref=ts • Twitter: twitter.com/#!/visitlawrence Did you know?

Lawrence was the setting for the 1983 television movie “The Day After,” which depicts the United States following a nuclear war. Much of the movie was filmed in Lawrence.

How to get there: Lawrence is between Topeka and Kansas City along Interstate 70, which also is the Kansas Turnpike. From the south and north U.S. Highway 59 leads into the city. Amtrak’s Chicago-to-Los Angeles Southwest Chief also stops in Lawrence.

Also near: Baldwin City, home to historic Baker University and the Quayle Bible Collection, featuring a host of rare Bibles.

Experience our fine cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Patrick Chow-Yuen.

746 Massachusetts Street 785.843.4111 WWW.TELLERSLAWRENCE.COM

Bonnie & Clyde

The robbery of the First National Bank in Lawrence (now Teller’s) was the first in a string of robberies carried out by the gang that would later be known as the Bonnie and Clyde Gang.

Mon –Thurs • 11am to 10pm Fri - Sat • 11am to 11pm Sun • 10am to 9pm

sunday, may 20, 2012

09

Baldwin City

By Elvyn Jones Why go there: With its many older homes, brick streets lined with maple trees and historic downtown, Baldwin City offers small-town charm. The city of 4,500 began as a stop on the Santa Fe Trail in Kansas territorial days. It is also the home of Baker University.

What to do there/things you must see: Midland Railway offers 20-mile roundtrip passenger car rides from Baldwin City’s historic Santa Fe Railroad Depot to Ottawa Junction. In addition to the Sunday and Saturday rides that begin in March and go through October, the summer schedule adds Thursday rides from June 14 to Aug. 30.

The Quayle Bible collection can be viewed at Baker University’s Collins Library. A rare first-edition St. James Bible from the collection was recently featured on the cover of National Geographic magazine.

Appointments to view the collection can be made by calling 785-5948414. Downtown has brick streets and many old storefronts. One of those, the Lumberyard Arts Center, has been renovated into a community home for the visual and theatrical arts.

Douglas County State Lake just northeast of the city offers fishing, hiking, biking or camping. It is nested in a rare Kansas eastern deciduous forest, the Baldwin Woods.

Three miles east of Baldwin City is the Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park, the site of a skirmish between Free State and Pro-slavery forces that heralded the Civil War. Santa Fe Trail wagon ruts can be viewed in the prairie park.

For the kids: Midland Railway each June is the host of Day Out With Thomas, featuring a reproduction locomotive of Thomas the Tank Train of PBS fame. The city’s

modern swimming pool features zerodepth entry, slides and a kiddie pool.

exhibits, June 2; downtown art walks, June 15 and July 20.

Pocketbook friendly things to do: Visitors can take in a free art exhibit at the Lumberyard Arts Center, 718 High St. Osborne Chapel on the Baker University campus is also open to the public. Once located in Sproxton, England, the chapel was disassembled and rebuilt in 1996 on the campus.

The Baldwin City Community Theater annually has a summer outdoor musical. Although dates for this year’s performances have not yet been set, the musicals have traditionally been performed in late June.

Online resources: • Midland Railway’s Website, midland-ry.org; • Baldwin City Community Theater, baldwincitytheater.com; • Lumberyard Arts Center, lumberyardartscenter.org; • Baker University, bakeru.edu/index.php; • City of Baldwin City, baldwincity.org/government • facebook.com/pages/City-ofBaldwin-City/6541; • Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce, baldwincitychamber.com; • Baldwin City Signal, baldwincity.com.

Save the date: Day Out With Thomas the Tank Engine, June 1, 2 and 3 and June 8, 9 and 10; Shadow of the Civil War-Black Jack Battlefield Event, a free daylong celebration of the battle with tours and living history

Did you know?

Baker University, founded in 1858, is the oldest university in Kansas.

Order tickets online before the event & save on the price of each ticket!

25 minute ride with a full size Thomas the Tank Engine Meeting Sir Topham Hatt Storytelling, Magic Shows, Build with Mega Bloks® and Much More!

TM

Midland Railway 1515 W. High Street, Baldwin City, KS 66006

June 1-3 & 8-10th, 2012 www.midland-ry.org For tickets and information, visit www.ticketweb.com/dowt or call 866.468.7630 Tickets are $20 for ages 2 and up.

Advance purchase is recommended.

Ticket sales are final. Events are rain or shine.

10 summer travel preview

HISTORICAL LECOMPTON

TERRITORIAL CAPITAL OF KANSAS 1855-1861

PRE-CIVIL WAR HISTORY CONSTITUTION HALL

National Landmark Kansas Historical Site 10-5 p.m. Wed-Sat • 1-5 p.m. Sun

Actors with Baldwin City Community Theater perform a scene last June from “Alice the Musical.” The community theater group annually presents an outdoor musical each June in downtown Baldwin City.

How to get there: Baldwin City is on U.S. Highway 56, four miles east of that highway’s intersection with U.S. Highway 59. Travelers on Interstate 35 can reach the community by exiting the freeway at the U.S. 59 north exit in Ottawa or by exiting north on Kansas Highway 33 in Wellsville to U.S. 56.

Also near: Lawrence, home of Kansas University and many shopping opportunities, is 10 miles north of the U.S. Highway 56-59 intersection, and Ottawa with its many historic downtown storefronts is 10 miles south of that intersection. Vinland is a village four miles north of Baldwin with houses and storefronts dating from the early 20th century and five buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.

Vinland also has a small general aviation airport.

TERRITORIAL CAPITOL MUSEUM National Historic Site Eisenhower’s Parents Marriage Site 11-4 p.m. Wed-Sat • 1-5 p.m. Sun

TERRITORIAL DAYS

June 22-23 Pre Civil War Battle of Fort Titus June 23 • 2:00pm

Tours 887-6148

LECOMPTON TURNPIKE EXIT

A SHAWNEE TRADITION • FOUR FUN-FILLED DAYS Thursday through Sunday

MAY 31 –JUNE 3

Carnival and Games Live Music Saturday Parade Great Food FREE ADMISSION

SATU

RDAY

EDDIE

OLDSHAWNEEDAYS.ORG sunday, may 20, 2012

FEAT

URIN

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Follow us today!

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Atchison Atchison boasts more than 20 sites on the National Register of Historical Places, five museums, a downtown shopping district, myriad dining possibilities and a jam-packed schedule of events.

History Originally home to the Kansa Indians more than 300 years ago, the Lewis and Clark expedition passed through the area on July 4, 1804.

With one of the best steamboat landings on the Missouri River and home of the Santa Fe Railroad, the city began to steadily grow in the late 19th century and soon attracted some of the earliest millionaires.

Atchison Trolley One of the best ways to see Atchison and learn about its history, points of interest or its paranormal intrigue is aboard the Atchison Trolley or RiverCity Coach, both of which provide narrated tours during summer months. Tickets

By Jeffrey Alderman Special to the Journal-World

can be purchased at the visitor’s center ($6 per adult and $2 per child up to 10 years old). Children under 4 ride free.

Save the Date • Major annual events start in earnest on Memorial Day weekend, specifically Saturday, May 26, with an antique and experimental aircraft fly-in demonstration.

• A weekly summer concert series is held every Tuesday evening in June (5, 12, 19, 26) and features different musical themes each week in the 500 block of the Commercial Street Mall.

• June 15-17 is The International Forest of Friendship Celebration, which is a living, growing memorial to the World History of Aviation and Aerospace.

• On Saturday, June 23, Atchison hosts a garden tour. The following day is the Amelia Earhart Century bike ride which helps fund local scholarships and has rides ranging from 35 to 100 miles.

21st McLouth BBQ Blowout Friday, June 1st, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Saturday, June 2nd, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Prairie Park, McLouth, KS Fun for the Whole Family!

- ABATE BBQ Run Motorcycle Show - Jayhawk Model Masters Demo - The Great Pie Bake Off & Homemade Pies & Ice Cream For Sale - A to Z Educational Petty Zoo & Pony Rides Friday night and Saturday - 1st Annual Remembering Justin Johnson 5K Run, Saturday, June 2nd Go to www.justiceforjustin.org to register - It’s not to late to enter the BBQ Competition.

- Contact Cliff Weeks at 913-796-6122 or Cheryl Wonnell 785-843-2200

NE Kansas State BBQ Championship

Sanctioned by KC Barbeque Society Sponsored by McLouth Recreation Commission &

Grand Prize Raffle Two Tickets to the Sunday Concerts Only

FREE ADMISSION & FREE PARKING Visit the Cookers in “Smoker’s Alley” | Concessions available Visit us at : www.mclouthBBQ.com

12 summer travel preview

The “Forest of Friendship” in Atchison honors aviation heroes from around the globe, including a memorial statue of Amelia Earhart, an Atchison native who put her hometown on the map with her flier’s exploits.

• The Atchison County Fair will be held the week of Aug. 7-11.

• Friday, Sept. 21, brings A Taste of Atchison with a celebration of cuisine by local eateries and extended shopping hours.

• Haunted University takes place from Sept. 25-29 with paranormal Christopher Moon.

• Haunted tours happen monthly and the happenings take on a whole new meaning in October.

• With too many events to list here, check-out an online schedule of all upcoming Atchison happenings at www.atchisonkansas.net.

• Amelia Earhart Festival The summer calendar is highlighted each year during the third weekend in July with the annual Amelia Earhart Festival, which annually draws 50,000 visitors.

This year’s festival is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, July 20-21, and will include live entertainment, a downtown fair, arts and crafts, carnival rides, aerobatic performances, aviation displays as well as many more family friendly activities all culminating on Saturday evening with a spectacular fireworks show over the Missouri river, which is set to music and is often referred to as a “concert in the sky.”

Amelia Earhart Earthwork Another noteworthy attraction is The Amelia Earhart Earthwork which is a one-acre portrait created by famed Lawrence artist Stan Herd. Situated on a hillside overlooking Warnock Lake, it is composed of permanent plantings, stone and other natural materials.

Benedictine College Atchison is home to Benedictine

College, a Catholic liberal-arts college with a 100-acre campus populated by numerous historic buildings, sculptures, and landmarks including the Marian Grotto, one of three outdoor devotional areas on school grounds.

Other Attractions When visiting Atchison, don’t forget these other attractions: • Warnock Lake (Swimming, fishing, camping with RV hookups) 913-367-4179 • Golf at Bellevue Country Club 913-367-3835 or Pineview Country Club 913-367-4775 • Lions Public Swimming Pool 913-367-1018 • West Lanes Bowling Center 913-367-4775 Accommodations While there are several national motels in the area, try one of two bed & breakfast alternatives including the Tuck-U-Inn at Glick Mansion, which is in a national registered home built in 1873. For reservations, call 913-3679110 or visit www.glickmansion.com.

Or try The Inn on Oak Street, which is another beautiful mansion built in the Victorian district. For more information, call 913-367-7501.

Follow Atchison on Facebook/ Twitter You can follow on Atchison on Facebook at “Get Atchison” or on Twitter at @atchisonks.

Glacial Hills Byway If there’s extra time, take U.S. 73 between Atchison and Leavenworth that is part of the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway which follows K-7 northward from Atchison.

Cray Historical Home Museum Admission: $3.00/person Hours: May - Oct., open daily Mon - Sat: 10am-4pm Sun 1-4pm

Muchnic Art Gallery 704 N. 4th St. Atchison KS 66002

(913) 367-4278 www.atchison-art.org

- Closed for the winter months

805 N. 5th St. - Atchison KS - (913) 367-3046

Atchison County Historical Society Museum Open daily.

Donations appreciated.

200 S. 10th St. | Atchison KS (913) 367-6238 | www.atchisonhistory.org

Open afternoons on Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday; Closed January - March. Minimal fee.

Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum Museum Entry Adults - $4.00 | Children (12 & under) - $1.00 Museum Hours Mon - Fri: 9 am - 4 pm, Sat: 10 am - 4 pm, Sun: 1 pm - 4 pm

223 N. Terrace St. | Atchison KS

(913) 367-4217

www.ameliaearhartmuseum.org sunday, may 20, 2012

13

Leavenworth Why go there: If you love history, Leavenworth just might be the place for you. Founded in 1854, it’s the first city incorporated in Kansas and Fort Leavenworth, just north of the First City, is known as the “post that opened the West.”

What to do there: Downtown Leavenworth has many specialty shops and eateries — including a brewery. At 11 a.m. every Saturday, a trolley ride takes you on a one-hour guided tour of Leavenworth.

You also can visit the historic Leavenworth County Courthouse.

Renovations in recent years included the addition of three murals painted inside.

Things you must see there: Fort Leavenworth, established in 1827, is the third-oldest active military installation in the nation.

Some of its sights include the National Cemetery, on of the first 10 national cemeteries President Abraham Lincoln established, as well as Berlin Wall

By Shawn Linenberger

and Buffalo Soldier monuments.

Anyone 16 or older must show a valid driver’s license to enter the fort.

Another landmark is the United States Federal Penitentiary just west of the fort, but it can only be viewed driving by.

Speaking of landmarks, the Carroll Mansion should be on your list. The Victorian home and now museum was finished in 1882 and also offers a gift shop.

Things to do with the kids: Children can ride a restored antique merry-go-round at the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum, which the Kansas Sampler Foundation named one of its 8 Wonders of Kansas Customs. It’s also where the trolley rides start every Saturday, weather permitting, from April through December.

Pocketbook friendly: There are several museums that have minimal fees or ask for free-will donations, including the Richard Allen Cultural Center, a museum dedicated

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to Black history locally and nationwide.

It’s across the street from the Bethel AME Church, which was part of the Underground Railroad.

Save the date: • July 14, Downtown Leavenworth Loft Tour, sidewalk sales and architectural scavenger hunt.

• June 9, July 14 and Aug. 11, free outdoor concert series at Haymarket Square.

• Sept. 7 and 8, Buffalo Bill Days in and around Haymarket Square. Westernthemed community festival.

Online links: The Leavenworth Convention and Visitors Bureau is online at lvarea.com.

Did you know?

Grammy award winner Melissa Etheridge grew up here and is a 1979 Leavenworth High School graduate.

Fred Harvey, who founded the network of Harvey House restaurants along railroad lines, hailed from Leavenworth. Waitresses at Harvey Houses were known as Harvey Girls.

Harvey also developed the dining car system on American railroads.

A museum in his former home is in the works.

Contributed photo. The first city in Kansas is known for its historic downtown. Leavenworth has an array of specialty shops, restaurants and more in its downtown district.

How to get there: Leavenworth, the county seat of Leavenworth County, can be accessed from Interstate 70. The city is north of I-70 on Kansas Highway 7.

Also near: Kansas City is just down the road, with The Legends retail and entertainment district in Kansas City, Kan., about 20 miles away to the southeast.

Lawrence, meanwhile, is about 40 miles southwest.

Topeka Why go there It’s the capital of Kansas, steeped in history, dotted with interesting neighborhoods and home to a growing arts community, especially in NOTO, which is the North Topeka arts district. Topeka is a cooler destination than most people think.

What to do there Topeka offers a wide range of activities. For race fans, there is Heartland Park, and 20 miles north of Topeka is the Prairie Band Casino.

If you’re looking for culture, there are several stage theaters, numerous live music venues, art galleries and distinctive museums. There are at least a half-dozen major shopping areas and lots of cozy little coffee shops and neighborhood bars. For outdoor enthusiasts, Topeka has beautiful parks, including Lake Shawnee, hike and bike trails, and the newest state park — Kaw River State Park — that wraps along the Kansas River.

By Scott Rothschild

Things you must see there Despite the ongoing renovation work, a visit to the Statehouse is a must. It features John Steuart Curry’s historic murals, House and Senate chambers that will produce oos and ahs, a weird basement tunnel, and a cage elevator that is a delight to kids. Plus, it’s free.

If you get there while the Legislature is in session, don’t be intimidated by the hustle bustle. It’s your tax dollars at work.

Another must see is the Brown v.

Board National Historic Site. There you can learn about the 1954 case that ended segregation in public schools and is seen as one of the major legal decisions in history. The site always offers interesting programs.

The Kansas Museum of History is also a great place to spend time for adults and children. In addition to the museum, there are hiking trails, an old time school house and the state archives.

Another impressive museum is the Great Overland Station, a former Union Pacific Station, which details Topeka’s railroad heritage.

Things to do with the kids Fairly new and popular is the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center with interactive exhibits that teach kids while they are having fun. The center is at Gage Park, the city’s jewel. With 160 acres, Gage Park features a variety of family attractions, including a carousel, mini train, zoo, picnic areas, fishing ponds, and a huge outdoor swimming pool.

Also check out a turn-of-the century village at Old Prairie Town at Historic Ward-Meade Park.

Pocketbook friendly It doesn’t cost to look at the gorgeous Tiffany windows at First Presbyterian Church, just a few blocks from the Statehouse. If your taste runs more to motorcycles, there are 30 rare Harleys at the Harley-Davidson — Yesterday’s Motorcycle Museum, which is free.

Aside from the cost of a bicycle or running shoes, you can hike or bike for free Topeka’s many miles of trails, including the Shunga, Landon, Deer Creek, Soldier and Lake Shawnee trails.

Save the date The ever-growing Fiesta Mexicana starts with a parade on July 6 and then the carnival runs from July 10-14. The Fiesta features great food, musical acts,

contests, dancing and the carnival. It’s in the Oakland neighborhood, all as a fundraiser for Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. The city and fiesta operators set up a park and ride system to get there so you don’t have to deal with traffic congestion. Go for the food but stay for just the pleasure of walking around and seeing all the fun.

Online/Twitter/Facebook links • VisitTopeka.us • Facebook.com/VisitTopeka • Twitter.com/#!/VisitTopeka Did you know?

In 1998, Topeka was the site for the American release of Nintendo’s Pokemon game.

How to get there Interstates 70, 470 and the Kansas Turnpike all go through Topeka, as do U.S. Highways 24, 40 and 75. Amtrak’s Chicago-to-Los Angeles Southwest Chief stops in Topeka.

Also near Go to Lecompton, which was the territorial capital of Kansas, and learn about the political warfare that led up to the Civil War. Lecompton is about 15 miles east of Topeka.

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Flint Hills Why go there: While Kansas is known for being flat, a trip to the rolling Flint Hills will quickly change that notion. The eastcentral Kansas region boasts trees, tallgrass, waterfalls, lakes, buffalo herds, wildflowers and beautiful sunsets. The Flint Hills run through 22 counties and about 90 towns, including Marysville,

By Karrey Britt

Manhattan, Abilene, Cottonwood Falls, Emporia and El Dorado.

What to do there: The area offers a variety of outdoor activities such as swimming, fishing, canoeing, horseback riding, zoos and nature centers. There are museums galore that explain the area’s rich history. A

must-see would be Manhattan’s new Flint Hills Discovery Center which opened April 14. The facility houses 10,000 square feet of interactive exhibits which display the ecology, biology and history of the region. And there’s plenty of places to shop and eat. Abilene is home to the Brookville Hotel, which is famous for its fried chicken. In fact, it was named one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine.

Things you must see there: Cottonwood Falls is among the most popular destinations. The city, which has a population of about 900, is located in the center of the Flint Hills. It’s home to the Chase County Courthouse, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and the oldest working courthouse in Kansas.

The French Renaissance building was built in 1872 and made out of native limestone. There are several charming places to spend the night including the historic Grand Central Hotel and Grill which is famous for its steaks. There’s also the Millstream Resort Motel and Campground, where visitors can enjoy the Cottonwood River from the porch of the motel. Then, there’s Emma Chase Cafe. Not only does it serve up homestyle cooking, but it has been selected as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Customs.

Every Friday night it hosts a music jam session that draws a crowd.

Things to do with the kids: Abilene, home of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and his presidential library and museum, offers a 10-mile train ride through the Smoky Hill River Valley and an hour-long trolley tour of the town.

It’s also home to the hand-carved C.W. Parker Carousel which was built at the turn of the century and is a national landmark. For a treat, visit the 1950s-era Bankes Soda Fountain. Brown’s Park features Frisbee golf and nature trails.

The Great Plains Theatre offers yearround productions. On tap this summer: “All Shook Up,” “Oklahoma!” and “Guys

& Dolls.” Check abilenecityhall.com for schedule of train rides and other events.

Pocketbook friendly: The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is located in northern Chase County, just two miles north of Strong City on scenic Kansas Highway 177, and there’s no charge for programs or activities. It offers 90-minute, ranger-led bus tours of the prairie, tours of a historic limestone ranch house, three nature trails and plenty of hiking trails. Children can earn a badge by completing five or more activities. For first-time visitors, there’s a 10-minute site orientation film. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/tapr.

Save the date: Country Stampede, June 21-24 in Manhattan; Milo Festival, Aug. 18 in Beattie; and Big Blue Barbecue Championship, June 1-2, in Marysville.

A popular event — hence why tickets sell out early — is Symphony in the Flint Hills which is held each summer in a different location. This year’s event is June 9 near Bushong.

The event includes covered wagon rides, food, music and dancing. Next year’s event has not been set.

Online links: http://kansasflinthills.travel, http:// byways.org/explore/byways/2095, http:// www.naturalkansas.org/FlintHills.htm.

Facebook page: supportkonzaprairie.

Did you know?

Explorer Zebulon Pike coined the name the Flint Hills in 1806 when he entered into his journal, “passed very ruff flint hills.” The underlying bedrock of the hills is a flinty limestone.

How to get there: There are many ways to get to the Flint Hills, including taking Interstates 70 and 35. But the best drive is the Flint Hills Scenic Byway — or Highway 177 — from Council Grove to Cassody, which is 114 miles from Lawrence on I-35.

VISIT COUNCIL GROVE & MORRIS COUNTY EXPLORE WHERE HISTORY HAPPENS!

Washunga Days

Photos courtsey of Harold Gaston/Kanscape Photography

www.councilgrove.com • 620-767-5413 • chamber@tctelco.net

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30th Annual Celebration June 15-17, 2012

Wichita Why go there: As the largest city in Kansas, Wichita is home to numerous museums, festivals and attractions. The city offers more than 1,000 restaurants, eight shopping districts and a range of lodging options, including hotels and bed and breakfasts, as well as campgrounds.

Visitors don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun there, either.

Wichita’s affordability has been recognized by both NBC’s “Today” show and Forbes.com.

What to do there: Wichita is known for Old Town, a historical arts and entertainment district in the downtown area of the city that includes restaurants, night spots, theaters and art galleries.

Visit one of the Museums on the River, a collection of five museums located along the Arkansas River that flows through the city. Or find out more about Wichita’s history by taking a trip on the Historic Wichita Trolley Tour, an

By Melissa Treolo

hour and a half-long, narrated tour of historical spots in the city by way of a 1920s-inspired trolley.

Other sites of interest include the Kansas Aviation Museum and the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.

Things you must see there: A visit to Wichita may not be complete without taking time to visit the city’s landmark, the Keeper of the Plains monument — a 44-foot tall statue depicting a Native American chief that pays homage to the area’s very first Native American inhabitants. The best time to visit is when boulders with fire pots surrounding the statue are lit up in what is called the “Ring of Fire.” The fire lasts for about 15 minutes and happens on a daily basis. Times are available at wichita.gov/cityoffices/culture/keeper.

Things to do with the kids: For less than $10 per child, visitors can find about 400 different species

Pocketbook friendly: Entertainment doesn’t get much more inexpensive than the city’s annual Riverfest — nine days of events, that include a parade and fireworks display, for the one-time price of a $5 button per person. This year, the festival kicks off June 1.

Other pocketbook-friendly options include free admission on Saturdays at the Wichita Art Museum and the Go Card. Purchase full admission at one of the 10 participating locations and receive a Go Card that offers $2 off admission at another location.

Visit gowichita.com/gocard for a list of participating locations.

Save the date: • Wichita Riverfest, June 1-9, downtown Wichita Admission: $5 • 78th annual National Baseball Congress World Series, Aug. 1-11, Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, 300 S.

Visit historic Osawatomie!

A City of History and Promise

Sycamore. Admission: information about tickets, passes and packages can be found online at nbcbaseball.com • More events can be found online at gowichita.com.

of animals at the Sedgwick County Zoo — one of the largest zoos in the country. Exhibits at the zoo include Amphibians & Reptiles, the Cessna Penguin Cove and the KOCH Orangutan & Chimpanzee Habitat.

Online/Twitter/Facebook links: Find more information about Wichita at gowichita.com, facebook. com/gowichita or twitter.com/#!/ gowichita Did you know?

Wichita is known as the Air Capital of the World for being the site where nearly 40 percent of the world’s general aviation aircraft is built. It’s also the birthplace of White Castle and Pizza Hut. In fact, visitors can still get a look at the original Pizza Hut building, now on the grounds of Wichita State University.

How to get there: Wichita is in south-central Kansas and can be accessed by taking Interstate 70 or Interstate 35.

Also near: Nearby cities include Hutchinson, El Dorado and Emporia.

HALLOWED GROUND • 1856 pre-Civil War battleground • Soldiers Monument • Old Stone Church – est. 1861 HERITAGE SITES • John Brown Museum State Historic Site (Adair Cabin) • Original Adair cabin site • Osawatomie History and MoP RR Depot Museum • Early land office/Trail of Death monument HISTORIC BRIDGES • Asylum Bridge – only Parker reverse pin truss bridge in US • Carey’s Ford Bridge – camelback and Warren pony spans • Creamery Bridge & Pottawatomie Bridge – 2 of 8 Marsh triple arch bridges in KS

JOHN BROWN HISTORIC SITE | 913.755.4384

Find out more online at osawatomieks.gov or osawatomiechamber.org

sunday, may 20, 2012

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Salina Why go there: It’s an easily drivable city right in the middle of Kansas that features plenty of opportunities for families, couples and art lovers.

What to do there: In the summers, try the Kenwood Cove Aquatic Center, 701 Kenwood Park Drive. It’s got seven water slides, a lazy river, a wave pool and a kids’ area.

It is open from the Saturday before Memorial Day until mid-August.

Things you must see there: Don’t miss the cultural opportunities, said Sylvia Rice, director of Visit Salina.

The Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts features live performances of all sorts, including comedy, drama and other shows. The Salina Community Theater also has a full complement of shows, and will feature “Footloose” this summer.

Things to do with the kids: The Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure

By Andy Hyland

is just six miles west of Salina off Interstate 70 on 625 N. Hedville Road.

It features both an outdoor zoo and an indoor wildlife museum. Kids can feed the goats and giraffes, ride in the tram and experience a 360 degree domed theater experience in the indoor museum.

Pocketbook friendly: An annual outdoor sculpture tour is free, and features 24 sculptures from around the world. They’re all for sale, and the public can vote on their favorites. The city of Salina will purchase the sculpture that wins the most votes.

The sculptures are unveiled in late May and stay up for a year.

Save the date: This summer, the Smoky Hill River Fest runs from June 7-10. The festival is a celebration of all kinds of the arts, including music, fine art and crafts.

Children 11 and under are admitted for free. In July, the city hosts the Kustom Kemps Leadsled Car Show from July 2729, featuring custom cars of all sorts.

{

• Shopping • Arts & Entertainment • Downtown Historic District

Downs Annual Celebration July 5, 6 & 7, 2012 Intersection of Highway US 24 & KS 181

18 summer travel preview

Did you know?

A city with a large manufacturing base, Salina is home to several of the “world’s largest” producers. Schwan’s Global Foods, Phillips and Exide Battery all have a presence in the city, the world’s largest producers of frozen

pizza, light bulbs and auto batteries, respectively, Rice said.

How to get there: Salina is easily reachable at the junction of Interstate 70 and Interstate 135, and can be found on exits 250 to 253 on I-70.

Also near: Abilene (30 miles to the east), Wichita (80 miles to the south) and Hays (90 miles to the west).

94 different Lavender products with natural ingredients made on the farm.

KANSAS

• Lodging

Online: The Visit Salina staff at the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce operates a Visit Salina Facebook page and is online at visitsalina.org.

Prairie Lavender Farm

Downs

• Dining

Sixty-five acres of prairie six miles west of Salina is home to the Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure, where visitors can board a tram or stroll on foot to see 300-plus animals from 80 species.

Annual Lavender Harvest Festival

SAT. JUNE 16TH • 9AM-5PM

}

Gift Shop open: Tues.-Sat. 9-12 or visit our online shop Look U www.dow p Downs! nschambe r.com

Call for appointments for tours.

785-488-3371 www.prairielavenderfarm.com

Hays Why go there Hays — 20,000-person city in central Kansas — was a finalist for one of the “8 wonders of Kansas History,” and has a rich history in wild west lore stemming from its mid-1800s start as a railroad station town. “Wild Bill” Hickok, General George Custer, “Buffalo Bill” Cody and “Rattlesnake Pete” Lanahan are all rumored to have spent time in Hays. In addition to Fort Hays, the city is also home to Fort Hays State University.

What to do there Hays offers a wide variety of attractions for visitors, such as art galleries, military historical exhibits — such as the Boot Hill Cemetery, along with numerous agricultural and animal attractions. Hays even boasts its own Buffalo herd.

Things you must see there Gella’s Diner & Brewing Co., featuring fine dining and handcrafted beers in historic downtown Hays.

By Shaun Hittle

Things to do with the kids For little animal lovers, Hays is home to both the Blue Sky Miniature Horse Farm and Fairview Farms Alpacas, which offer modestly priced tours.

Pocketbook friendly Art aficionados will find several free art galleries in Hays, including the Hadley Art Collection and the Hays Arts Council. And don’t forget to check out the Kansas Postcard Collection.

Save the date The Wild West Festival, June 3-7; Ellis County Fair July 14-18; Summer Slam Triathlon Aug. 4.

Online/Twitter/Facebook links: Check out a list of attractions at www.haysusa.com, or follow the City of Hays on Twitter @cityofhays.

Did you know?

Founded in 1867, Hays’ early days were filled with the rough and tumble characters of the Wild West. In fact,

Donna and Marion Schmidt — owners of the Blue Sky Miniature Horse Farm — groom one of their horses. The horse farm offers reasonably priced tours at 10 a.m. and noon everyday.

many of the city’s first businesses “were saloons, brothels, gambling houses, dance halls or other liquor establishments. Skirmishes with some of the local ‘rough’ citizens and the soldiers only added to the reputation as a lawless and tough ‘end of the tracks’ town,” according to the Hays visitor’s brochure.

How to get there Hays is along Interstate 70, and is about 230 miles west of Lawrence.

Also near The Garden of Eden sculpture garden and stone log cabin, as well as the Grassroots Art Center in Lucas.

small town charm

Whether you need a golf/spa getaway for you and that special someone, an exciting dinosaur adventure with the kids, or something in between....

www.haysusa.net 1-800-569-4505 sunday, may 20, 2012

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