Standout scenery might not be the first vision that comes to mind when thinking about Kansas, so planners exploring the Sunflower State for the first time are likely in for a pleasant surprise.
From innovative gardens to eye-catching campuses and pristine parks, the hub of America’s heartland is rich with photogenic alfresco options, whether your group is seeking an excursion or just a great place to host an event.
Here’s a roundup of scenic settings all over the state, with an emphasis on group-friendly opportunities.
Wichita
Wichita and its surrounding environs are a veritable wonderland of alluring landscapes, according to Cynthia Wentworth, Visit Wichita’s vice president of marketing.
Her top picks include Botanica, The Wichita Gardens; the Grace Hill Winery, in Whitewater; and the Great Plains Nature Center. Botanica is particularly group-friendly, with a trove of diverse outdoor oases to explore—from a butterfly garden to a railroad garden complete with running model trains—plus several function areas ranging from meadows to pavilions and even a party barn.
At Grace Hill, guests can enjoy free tours and tastings, or host their own reception for up to 140 at a charming event building with large windows overlooking the vineyard. And at Great Plains Nature Center, groups will find a family-friendly site complete with exhibit halls, a wildlife observatory, gift shop and more.
Wentworth also advises checking out the new ICT Pop-Up Park downtown, which she says would be a great option for smaller groups during fair weather. She also suggests a visit to Wichita State University’s 330-acre main campus.
Lawrence
“If you are looking for something different, a little quirky, something unexpected, you’re going to love what Lawrence, Kansas, has to offer,” says Explore Lawrence spokesperson Toni Dixon. “Lawrence offers a variety of venues with outdoor settings and views that will convince you our part of Kansas is not flat.”
Dixon touts the city’s pristine parks, as well as special venues like the gorgeous Castle Tea Room, a handsome brick edifice dating to 1894 and available for private events. She also highlights the rooftop terrace and dining spot atop The Oread Hotel—The Nest—as the best view in town, and recommends exploring the campuses at the town’s two universities, the University of Kansas flagship campus and the Haskell Indian Nations University-Lawrence.
Dixon says in addition to all the photogenic sights, Lawrence also takes pride in its fiery Civil War history, vibrant art and music scene, and its array of boutique hotels and chef-owned restaurants.
Dodge City
Dodge City is a hub of scenic and iconic settings—including the famed Boot Hill cemetery. Sandie Masden, publicist for the city’s CVB, knows some great spots for mixing business (and pleasure) with breathtaking views.
“Our current conference center [at the United Wireless Arena] is on a hill on the outskirts of Dodge City and basically overlooks the town from the West,” she says. “It gets great views of sunsets and sunrises.”
For smaller groups, Masden highly recommends Mariah Hills Golf Course, which she says boasts a meeting room with spectacular views of the links and the city; and the same venue is home to a popular fine-dining restaurant upstairs, Prime on the Nine, which seats 140 and showcases the region’s famed array of steaks.
Masden adds that a new hotel will break ground in the coming year that will be adjacent to the city’s largest park, Wright Park, and its new waterpark, the Long Branch Lagoon.
“It will be located in the Downtown Heritage District of Dodge City and within walking distance to our world famous Boot Hill Museum,” she says. “It should have a great view of those items.”
Kansas City
Kansas City boasts countless fresh-air forays of all kinds, but when it comes to taking in some breathtaking vistas, a trio of options particularly leaps to mind.
Wyandotte County Lake Park provides 1,500 forested acres to explore, a 456-acre lake with marina and picnic coveys, boat rentals, concessions, fishing and ample wildlife on display. In addition to the panoramic nature, the park also has an intriguing history, with parts of it created by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s.
Even richer heritage can be relished at Kaw Point, a stopping place for Lewis and Clark at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers. The Kaw Point Park today boasts great views of downtown, offers enchanting trails, and—in warmer months—plenty of wildflowers and wildlife. The park also has a well-equipped outdoor amphitheater for performances and special events.
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And for attendees seeking a “zoom with a view,” Kansas City’s only metro area zipline park includes lines starting from a 65-foot tower with vistas of downtown and the Kansas River. The adventure sprawls across 143 acres and hits speeds of up to 45 mph.
Overland Park
A glorious garden is at the heart of Overland Park’s sumptuous scenery, with a unique golf venue definitely worth an honorable mention, according to CVB spokesperson Amy Garton.
“Located in the southern part of Overland Park, just 10 minutes from hotels, the all-season, 300-acre arboretum is a serene and tranquil place to host events while enjoying nature,” she says, referring to the acclaimed Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. “Regardless of the time of year, the arboretum offers unique and unexpected pleasures.”
Visitors here can enjoy a variety of themed gardens, according to Garton, including the Erickson Water Garden, Train Garden, Children’s Discovery Garden, Monet Garden, Legacy Garden, International Sculpture Garden and several others. The venue offers classroom space for up to 100 and an outdoor amphitheater for up to 125, with a variety of other outdoor expanses available for events as well.
Overland Park is also now home to a TopGolf venue, where groups can play golf year-round while lounging about with compelling food and cocktails as well. The three-story compound shows off lush views from its golf bays and alfresco rooftop patio.
Topeka
Kansas’ capital is an uncommon blend of creative commerce and captivating landscapes, according to Visit Topeka President and CEO Brett Oetting.
“Topeka is a unique place,” Oetting explains. “We are a political city with innovative industry, yet the smell of fresh air, beautiful sunsets, peace and quiet surround us. Anyone can experience this by visiting one of our many high-quality parks. Within minutes of leaving the hotel, visitors can be right in the middle of nature.”
A pair of expansive outdoor settings—each loaded with ample added lures and activities—form the foundation of the city’s scenic sizzle.
Lovely Lake Shawnee has pluses that include a marina, tennis and sand volleyball courts, an 18-hole golf course, shelter houses, a swimming beach and numerous water activities. Another huge bonus is the picturesque Ted Ensley Gardens, spanning nine-plus acres and offering sweeping vistas of Lake Shawnee from its western shore. Its numerous spaces include a meditation garden and rock gardens, water gardens, rose gardens and cascading waterfall fountains. And an attractive gazebo and a pergola are available for event rental.
Lake Shawnee is also unexpectedly event-friendly, with function venues that include rustic Reynolds Lodge, with great views and seating for up to 200 people; the Garden House, ideal for groups of 50-70 people; the Lakewood Shelter House, with a full kitchen and restrooms and a capacity of 90; and even the recently launched Lake Shawnee Event Center, set within the Bettis Family Sports Complex and hosting up to 200 guests.
As for Gage Park, nestled in the heart of downtown, planners will find a 160-acre hub of splendid spaces and eclectic attractions, including rose and rock gardens, the Topeka Zoo, Helen Hocker Theater and family-friendly fun like a carousel and mini-train. Gage has its own array of rentable function venues, too, including a rustic cabin hosting 70, two shelter houses (with space for 70 and 300) and an outdoor amphitheater.
Also worth a note is the recent genesis of Kaw River State Park, Kansas’ newest state park. Its trails connect with the extensive hiking/biking paths at Cedar’s Crest (the Governor’s Mansion), set on its own gorgeous 244-acre estate.
Manhattan
This Manhattan boasts expansive starry nights and rolling hills and prairies, not towering skyscrapers, a real breath of fresh air for attendees used to metropolitan meets.
“When meeting in Manhattan a must-see is the Flint Hills Discovery Center,” says Karen Hibbard, vice president for the Manhattan CVB, adding that the venue is perfect for receptions as well as understanding the last stand of the tallgrass prairie.
“Experience the four seasons as you are immersed in the region,” Hibbard suggests. “Host a reception on the open terrace of the Flint Hills Discovery Center and be amazed at the expansiveness of the night skies.”
She adds that the attraction is located near ample lodging and meeting venues, just a few blocks from the city’s historic downtown district. The “Little Apple” showcases several other scenic spots worth exploring as well, such as Sunset Zoo, Tuttle Creek State Park, Prairiewood Retreat & Preserve and Wildwood Outdoor Adventure Park. The latter attraction is a newcomer to the area, comprising seven ziplines intertwined with hiking paths—plus a “free-fall” experience—that provides a scenic and scintillating Flint Hills excursion.
Junction City/Geary County
While Geary County and its seat of Junction City might be best-known for historic gems like Fort Riley and the Eisenhower Presidential Library, it also appeals as a place of unspoiled natural beauty. Much of that lure is due to a massive outdoor oasis known as the Milford Wildlife Area.
The setting covers more than 19,000 acres and is hugely popular for fishing and hunting enthusiasts due to expansive Milford Lake and an animal array including turkey, deer, rabbits, ducks and geese. A permanent wildlife refuge of more than 1,000 acres awaits on the areas’ northern edge, and thousands of other acres are designed for hikers and other wildlife viewers.
Elsewhere nearby, Acorns Resort at Farnum Creek is building the Milford Lake Conference Center along the water, which promises to offer groups some vibrant views of its own.
