If groups have a few free hours to explore outside the meeting room during the day, attendees can take advantage of a variety of tour options to get better acquainted with Kansas’ different cities. Following are several great examples of the guided and self-guided tours available throughout the state.
Groups can experience urban art in Wichita by taking a self-guided tour to check out the dozens of murals painted on the sides of buildings across town, including one that looks like a postcard from Wichita and one that’s a tribute to Doctor Who.
In Lawrence, groups can visit the Reuter Organ Company for an hour-long tour during which attendees will learn how hand-crafted artistry and computerized technology mingle to produce pipe organs.
Groups meeting in downtown Dodge City are encouraged to take a walking tour of the Trail of Fame, which honors the historic and fictional characters of the city, including a life-size statue of Marshal Matt Dillon from the Western-themed television show, Gunsmoke, and a statue of Wyatt Earp.
Groups can also stop by the Visitor Information Center and hop on the Dodge City Trolley for a one-hour narrated tour of historic sites.
“It’s a perfect way to start your visit with a great overview of all Dodge City has to offer,” said Jenay Wallace, tourism coordinator with the Dodge City CVB.
Tour options in Kansas City, depending on the group’s interests, include Original Juan Specialty Foods, where attendees can browse the factory outlet store and taste hot sauces, and the Kansas Speedway, where they may also participate in the Richard Petty Driving Experience, watch a race and host an off-site gathering.
At Manhattan’s Flint Hills Discovery Center, the prairie grasslands of the central U.S. are a sight to behold, according to Michael Goens, communications coordinator for Visit Manhattan KS.
“Flint Hills Discovery Center features the whole hills-and-land story with an immersive film and interactive exhibits,” he said. “It’s fantastic fun for group tours to seek out learning experiences.”
