Kansas
We went road tripping over Memorial Day weekend to Kansas City for my cousin Olivia’s graduation party. Megan and I are always looking for any excuse to go see our awesome cousins. This time around we thought we’d go check out Kansas for a day while down there. Special thanks to Matt & Kristin for lodging and to Bob & Adrianne for throwing a great party!
Topeka
We started our day trip into Kansas in Topeka, their capitol city. To be honest, there’s not much going on here in our minds, but it was still fun to see!
Milk & Honey
We quickly bopped into a chain breakfast restaurant while scooting through Topeka called Milk & Honey. This coffee shop still makes you feel like you’re going to a local hang out, as it is inside of an old bank building it seems. A good choice for breakfast on the go!
Milk & Honey Coffee Shop
Cozy seating!
Definitely doesn’t feel like a chain!
Milk & Honey Coffee Shop
Cozy seating!
Definitely doesn’t feel like a chain!
Lake Shawnee/Ted Ensley Gardens
We took our breakfast sandwiches to a nearby Lake Shawnee shoreline park by the name of Ted Ensley Gardens, which was a great call. We were the only ones in this garden while the sunrise came up over the lake and it was extremely peaceful. We wandered around the grounds in a full circle taking in a variety of plant life and then continued our journey.
A great place for an early morning stroll!
Kansas State Capitol
An obvious drive by site to see while in Topeka is their capitol building. It appears to be pretty grand, even from the street as we didn’t get out of the car. We would have gotten out and gone all the way up to the top of the dome for a nice overlook of the city through their “dome tour”, but unfortunately it was still closed due to covid regulations.
Kansas State Capitol
Brown v. Board of Education
The last brief stop in Topeka was the Brown v. Board of Education historical site. Again, a drive by tour for us, as the building appeared closed still in the early morning hours. My shotgun rider opted to read through the historical aspects of this case while we made our longest drive of the day!
Brown v. Board of Education
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
When in Kansas, you have to make it to a prairie. It’s just a must. So, we wanted to go to the largest and most protected one of course – the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. There’s a small visitor center at the main entrance, along with a cool looking older barn. Beyond that, it is straight up rolling hills of grass for days. And bison, lots and lots of bison. We walked into this park as far as the bison would let us until they blocked the path, and we didn’t feel like getting gored.
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
The Visitor Center
These animals are what this place is known for!
These animals are massive!
But we do have our limits…
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
The Visitor Center
These animals are what this place is known for!
These animals are massive!
But we do have our limits…
Manhattan
After getting a taste of the rolling hills, and the strong winds that come with it, we drove straight north up to the college town of Manhattan.
Kansas State
Kansas State University calls Manhattan home. This is where my cousins went to school, and their father, my Uncle Bob, before them. Megan and I self-toured around the old football stadium, the student union, and inside of Ahearn Field House. This is where Uncle Bob played basketball for the Wildcats back in the day!
KSU
One of the coolest soccer-football stadiums we’ve seen!
Where Adam’s uncle played basketball!
KSU
One of the coolest soccer-football stadiums we’ve seen!
Where Adam’s uncle played basketball!
Flint Hills Discovery Center
We also visited the Flint Hills Discovery Center while in Manhattan, which is a great little museum charting the history of the Great Plains and why they are so important to our world. A visit here made us appreciate the vast rolling prairies that still remain even more.
Flint Hills Discovery Center
Learning about the plains helped us to appreciate them even more!
View of Manhattan from the top of Flint Hills!
Flint Hills Discovery Center
Learning about the plains helped us to appreciate them even more!
View of Manhattan from the top of Flint Hills!
Varsity Donuts
Our cousin Andrew provided us with the next three Manhattan stops on our list and none of them disappointed! We started lunch at Varsity Donuts, which is a fun and delicious donut shop alone. But what really makes this place stand out is the sneaky backyard food truck it operates for late night drunk food.
Varsity Donuts!
Adam eyeing up which one he wants!
We were very bummed that this is only a late-night spot…
Varsity Donuts!
Adam eyeing up which one he wants!
We were very bummed that this is only a late-night spot…
Manhattan Brewing
Strolling down what seemed to be the main drag of Manhattan, we hit up Manhattan Brewing Co. for a quick beer sample to take in their vibes, and they passed our test. The IPAs stuck out in my mind along with the chill atmosphere.
Found Manhattan Brewing on the main drag!
Bourbon & Baker
Actual lunch took place just down the road from the brewery at a restaurant called Bourbon & Baker. This is definitely a go to spot for locals and tourists. Their whiskey menu is wicked, and their tapas (shareable plates) were out of this world. We liked everything we had.
Bourbon & Baker
Great tapas and whiskey!
Bourbon & Baker
Great tapas and whiskey!
Lawrence
The last stop in Kansas for the day was in Lawrence, home of Kansas University.
KU
Megan and I drove right into the heart of the campus upon getting to Lawrence because we had about 5 minutes to spare before our sports tour started at 1:30 PM! Somehow, we made it, and if you or anyone in your family likes Kansas sports, go on this tour 100%. The highlight for us was simply seeing the original rules of basketball, but all the college facilities are impressive themselves.
We found the original rules of basketball!
They also wrote them on the outside of this building!
Adam wandering the Hall of Fame.
Our tour guide giving us all sorts of info!
KU Practice Court
KU Locker Room
KU Game Court!
Seeing how our wingspans size up!
We found the original rules of basketball!
They also wrote them on the outside of this building!
Adam wandering the Hall of Fame.
Our tour guide giving us all sorts of info!
KU Practice Court
KU Locker Room
KU Game Court!
Seeing how our wingspans size up!
Free State Brewing
Prior to crossing back over the Missouri border, we took in the busy main drag of Lawrence on Massachusetts St to see where everyone hangs out. We stopped into Free State Brewing for another quick beer sample, and off we went. Fun fact: Free State is the first post-prohibition brewery in Kansas.
Free State Brewing
The first post-prohibition brewery in Kansas!
Free State Brewing
The first post-prohibition brewery in Kansas!
Olivia’s Grad Party!
Getting back in the late afternoon to Kansas City, we made it just in time for the start of Olivia’s graduation party. It was so fun to hang out well into the night with our extended family and catch up. It is always a blast. Congrats Olivia and best of luck in Bozeman!