Top 10 Sights to See in the Flint Hills – From a National Park to a Friday night jam session, there are plenty of ways to have fun in the Kansas Flint Hills!
- One of my favorite Top 10 Sights to See in the Flint Hills is the Friday Night Jam in Cottonwood Falls. This fun evening was hosted for years at the Emma Chase Cafe, 317 N. Broadway, before Sue Smith retired and closed her restaurant. Furthermore, these days you can find the fun right down the street at Prairie PastTimes, 220 1/2 Broadway in Cottonwood Falls. You are welcome to bring your instrument (any instrument) and join the jam. Also, you don’t need an instrument if you want to enjoy the music. This is some good old-fashioned fun.
- The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is a United States National Preserve located in the Flint Hills region of Kansas, north of Cottonwood Falls. Of the 400,000 square miles of the tallgrass prairie that once covered the North American continent, less than 4% remains, primarily in the Flint Hills. Moreover, the preserve protects this significant portion of the remaining tallgrass prairie ecosystem. My favorite part about this stunning location is the 40 miles of hiking trails. And bring your camera to this #2 on the list of Top 10 Sights to See in the Flint Hills!
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Top 10 Sights to See in the Flint Hills – Lots of Bison!
- The Flint Hills Scenic Byway (K-177) in central Kansas entertains 48 miles through the beautiful hills and tallgrass prairie. With some two dozen historic Santa Fe Trail sites, Council Grove anchors the northern end of the tour and you’ll end up at Cassoday on the south end. Also, you can find the byway map and more information about the Flint Hills Scenic Byway here. And I’ll repeat it, bring your camera!
- Wamego is a small community in northeast Kansas, surrounded by the Flint Hills. For a little place, Wamego packs in a lot of fun attractions! Aside from the drive to Wamego, my favorite aspect is the Oz Winery. At Oz Winery, you can purchase wine, cheese, chocolate–pretty much all a girl needs! It’s one-stop-shopping and #4 on my list of Top 10 Sights to See in the Flint Hills!
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Top 10 Sights to See in the Flint Hills – Beautiful Sunsets!
- If you like peaceful grasslands and the sweet aroma of the earthy woodlands, you’ll LOVE Marion Reservoir! This is a waterfowl wonderland located northwest of the wonderful town of Marion, along the Cottonwood River. The one-mile Willow Walk Trail at Cottonwood Point is the best way to experience the natural scenery.
- There is SO MUCH TO DO at my favorite State Park in Kansas, El Dorado State Park! Nestled just at the edge of the Flint Hills, El Dorado is rated one of the Top 20 State Parks in the USA, based upon boating, fishing, and family fun. I visit this park almost every week, in the spring, summer, fall, and winter. I love to watch the eagles, photograph the deer, and best of all, the sunsets and sunrises are some of my favorite subjects!
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Top 10 Sights to See in the Flint Hills – Beautiful Lakes!
- When you’re up north, go check out the Konza Prairie! The Konza Prairie is a research station where staff and students study the grassland ecology of the Flint Hills. They also provide valuable research on the restoration and maintenance of the tallgrass prairie. You can hike miles and miles of trails as you enjoy stunningly beautiful views. Enjoy the fauna and flora of the Kansas Flint Hills while you learn about its history and geology. It’s fascinating!
- While downtown Cottonwood Falls is only a few blocks long, it is packed with antique stores, museums, art galleries, and restaurants. In other words, at one end of Broadway is the historic stone bridge, and a couple of blocks away at the other end is the beautiful and distinctly designed Chase County Courthouse. Self-guided tours of the courthouse are available during normal business hours Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Top 10 Sights to See in the Flint Hills – Beautiful Barns!
- Another fun little town is Council Grove. The history here is amazing–packed with 25 Historic Sites; you’ll need some time to see this one! The Council Grove and Morris County self-guided tour brochure features sites such as the Seth Hays Home (constructed in 1867 by the town’s first settler, Seth M. Hays)
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- And last but not least, in Manhattan, Kansas, check out the Flint Hills Discovery Center. The Flint Hills Discovery Center has exhibits that explore the culture, history, and ecology of the Flint Hills in Kansas and Oklahoma. Specifically, the permanent exhibits are arranged in nine topical zones, including an interesting theater experience. For a lady who would rather be on a gravel road than in the city, I must say I love the architecture of this beautiful building!
There are many reasons why the Flint Hills are referred to as “The Crown Jewel of Kansas.” There is always beauty in each season, with spectacular sights from the north to south, from dawn to dusk.
