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By Barbara Oringderff Americans have been driving cars for years now, and we all know how much the automo-bile has changed during this time. Well, itisn’t only cars themselves that have changed, the roads have changed too, and with the advent of better roads have come constantly improv-ing accommodations for the tourist. The now multi-million dollar industry of catering to the motoring tourist began with Askin’s Cottage Camp, erected in 1901 at Douglas, Territory of Arizona. Mr. Askin charged 50 cents a night plus 25 cents for coal to fuel the heating-cooking stove in the room. I don’t have any 1920 motoring information about Southwest Kansas, but according to a 1927-’28 Kansas Highway map belonging to the late Mrs. Hugh Andrews of Pierceville, near-ly every town in Kansas had a “tourist camp” by 1927. Of course, in some of the small places that may have meant a place to pitch a tent, but some of the larger towns like Dodge City and

Garden City did have cabin camps — the forerunners of our modern motel industry. “DODGE CITY: Population 10,400 —HYS. 45, 154, 50-S and 31, TOURIST CAMP. Green-wich Village, 1 mile N. Dodge City on U.S. 50-S. a new creation in living quarters designed exclusively for the traveling public. Built out where the air is pure. 2-bedroom cottages with individual garages.” “CIMARRON: Population — 1,200 — HWY. 50-S. TOURIST CAMP. Dickerson’s famous foods homemade candies, baked goods, fountain service, ladies rest room — catering to tour-ists. W. E. Taylor, Dodge & Plymouth agcy., gen. rep., wrkr, Srv., Standard prts., Goodyear tires, phone 168.” “MONTEZUMA: Population 600 — HWY. 45. TOURIST CAMP. White Way Café, best place in town to eat. “Let us prove it. ‘trst hdqtrs., road info, Smith’s Serv. Sta., White Eagle gas, Quaker St., Mobil Oil, Goodyear tires, vulc., new cabins, gas & oil.” “GARDEN CITY: Population 6,500 — HWYS. 83, 50-N, 50 and 50-S. TOURIST CAMP. Five-points Cottage Camp on U.S. 50 west of Garden City, clean comfortable, heat, shwrs., groc., gas, oils Mecca Cottage Camp, 2 mi. W. of Garden City on Hy 50, clean comfortable, shwrs., soft water, groc., gas, oils.” “SCOTT CITY: Population — 1.750 – HWYS. 83 and 96. TOURIST CAMP. Great Plains Tourist Camp. So. Side of town on 83, swimming pool, cottages, tent space, groceries. New-some Bros., Jct., 83-96, Ford Sales and Service, town-in, phone 1, White Eagle gas, Pennzoil, ladies’ restroom. Wright Chevrolet Co., 1 blk. W. Jct. 83-96. Wrkr., RV., Phone 94, complete auto repair, Ouaker St. Oil, ladies’ rest room.” “SYRACUSE: Population — 1,500 – HWYS. 50 and 27. TOURIST CAMP. Harry Ford, Chev. Co., and on the trail, general representative for Texaco prts., Quaker St., Pennzoil, Goodyear tires, rest rooms.” “LEOTI: Population — 800 – HWYS. 54, 22. TOURIST CAMP. Ackerman Oil Co., Shell gas, Quaker St., Mobil Oil, Mohawk, tires, vulc., restrooms, car washing, brake service. North End Cottage Camp and Grocery, cabins with enclosed garage. Shell gas and oils, groc. & provisions.” According to advertisements on my map, prices have already started to rise in 1927. That year, Kansas cabin rates ran something like this: $1.25 for a single, double $1.75. With bath - $1.75 for a single, double $2.50! If that doesn’t make you long for the “Good Old Days”, nothing will.

Lamar, located on the mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail, has a unique place on the plains. Lamar’s original red brick Santa Fe Railroad is a great place to visit for a peek into the past, and information on the present. The brick station has been beautifully restored, an today is open to the public as a Colorado Welcome Center which is open to the public, and offers FREE brochures and information on all tourist destinations in Colorado. (719-336-4379).

Between Lamar and La Junta, on Colorado 194 EAst, visit the spectacular re-creation of Bent’s Old Fort, a cultural crossroads on the Santa Fe Trail, It will definitely amaze and de-light you, with the living historians who explain the way early trappers, traders and Plains Indians lived. (Bent’s Old Fort is a National Historic site operated by the National Park Ser-vice, LaJUnta, Co. (719-383-5010).

La Junta is home to the marvelous Koshare Indian Museum (719-384-4411) call for museum hours and for summer performance dates for the famous Koshare Indian Dancers in the Koshare Kiva.

Southeastern Colorado

1920s Tourism

For a scheduled trip or directions to the Dinosaur Tracks, Contact Commanche National Grassland Headquarters in La Junta, CO (719-384-2181)

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Abilene, Kansas Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Chisholm Trail and explore all Abilene has to offer. Visit Abilene for the Trails, Rails and Tales celebration on Labor Day weekend to experience a real longhorn cattle drive through town, historic re-enactors, story tellers, western music performers and more!

Explore the Old West in Abilene! Where the historic Chisholm Trail meets one of the greatest transportation projects of all time: Eisenhower’s Interstate System, Abilene offers visitors a unique and quality experience for families.

Eisenhower Presidential LibraryChisholm Trail and the Cowtown that Raised a PresidentApril 2017 - May 2018 Celebrate the Chisholm Trail Sesquicentennial as part of the tristate celebration with Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. See rare artifacts and historic photo-graphs. Learn about the “square meal,” “real McCoy,” origins of the cowboy boot, and “the wickedest town in the West.” Discover stories behind the legends of T.C. McInerney, Bear River Smith, and Wild Bill Hickok among others. Find out why Dwight Eisenhower developed a love for all things western and the Cowtown that raised a President!

Dickinson County Heritage Center Discover the history of the wild frontier, the days of Tom Smith and Wild Bill Hickok, and the wild and woolly days of the cattle drives to Abilene at the end of the Chisholm Trail. Also explore the stories of the early pioneers as they settled the Great Plains and turned the great American desert into their home. Extensive archival documents/records, historic displays, antique carousel, blacksmith shop, cowboy history, family research, and telephony museum.

Old Abilene Town Relive the Old West with reconstructed buildings that will take you back in time. Watch gunfighters duel each other every weekend in the summer or can-can dancers perform in the Old Alamo Saloon while drinking a cool glass of sarsaparilla.

Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Ride the rails of history on the Excursion Train as it tours through ten miles of the beautiful farmland and scenic Smoky Hill River countryside between Abilene and Enterprise. Using a vintage diesel-electric locomotive, a century-old wooden sided passenger/diner, open air observation cars, and a caboose, fami-lies with kids of all ages will enjoy this interactive adventure perfect for a casual family outing or picnics in the summertime. The train travels at a leisurely 10-15 miles an hour, so there is plenty of time for passengers to take pictures, and visit with the other passengers or train crew.

Five Star Events:Make sure to visit Abilene for these Five Star Events:

1. Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Steam Engine Rides – Train rides Memorial Day weekend, 4th of July, National Day of the Cowboy & Labor Day weekend. Diesel engine runs May-October. 2. Symphony at Sunset Annual D-Day Commemoration – Eisenhower Presidential Library. The outdoor concert is held on 22- acre campus with the bronze statue of General Eisenhower overlooking the events. This patriotic event is the perfect oppor- tunity to pay tribute to all veterans. This year’s concert will also pay tribute to the Chisholm Trail 150th Celebration featuring fiddler Mike Ito as the guest artist. Ito just retired his show in Branson after 46 years in the country and western music field. Over the years, he has played with many of country music’s legends including Buck Owens, Willie Nelson, Conway Twitty and Waylon Jennings. June 3, 20173. Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo – Frequently named one of the top 5 professional outdoor rodeos in America. August 2-5, 20174. National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo and Chisholm Trail Western Music Show – Enjoy some of the best cowboy poetry you can see in one place! August 3-5, 2017 5. Trails, Rails & Tales – Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Chisholm Trail in Abilene. September 1-3, 2017

Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau • 201 NW Second • Abilene, KS 67410 • 785-263-2231 • www.abilenekansas.org

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At Exit 53 & I-70, the Colby Visitor Center is built around a grain bin, which is part of the facility and used as a photo gallery. Colby, referred to as the “Oasis on the Plains”, is just 53 miles east of the Colorado line and located on the High Plains of Northwest Kansas. The original county seat of Thomas County, Colby was laid out in 1885 and named after J. R. Colby, one of the oldest settlers in the county. Today’s progressive community of cultural, commercial, medical and educational facilities shows visitors a friendliness and western hospitality, as well as interesting places to visit. The Prairie Museum of Art and History Museum complex covers 24 acres and is the site of 1930’s farmstead, a sod house, one-room school and the Lone Star church. The Cooper Barn, largest barn in Kansas (114’ x 66’ x 48’) now houses the exhibit, “Prairie Grasses to Golden Grain” featuring farm implements, vehi-cles and photographs depicting the history of agriculture during the past cen-tury. The cavernous upper level is used for social activities. The main museum building was added in 1988. Surrounded by a berm of buffalo grass, this unique building houses over 28,000 artifacts collected from around the world by Nellie Kuska, a former Colby resident. Textiles, furniture and antiques, as well as a very rare doll collection are just a small part of the exhibits. Thomas County archives are also located in this building. Built in 1906, the Thomas County Courthouse is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The architectural Renaissance Revival style features exten-sive period woodwork. Of notable interest is the Seth-Thomas eight-day, one hour strike movement clock with a 1,000 pound bell. Purchased for $12,000, and facing all four directions, the clock was installed in the tower in August, 1907 and is still working today. At the entrance is the statue, “Spirit of the Prairie” by artist Charlie Norton. This was a Centennial project funded with donations of the people of Thomas County. The annual Great Oasis Cookoff, the last weekend of April. Come join us for a Savory Meat Smoking competition and a weekend full of live music and great food. Feel free to enter the competition. Colby is also host to the annual “Pickin’ on the Plains” Bluegrass Festival, each July at the Thomas County fairgrounds. Nation-ally-known bands gather for the pleasure of Bluegrass fans. Visitors also will want to attend the Thomas County Fair in July. Fair activities include a parade, carnival, BBQ and rodeo. Visit www.oasisontheplains.com for more information.

Colby, Kansas

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Concordia, Kansas Recently branded “The Orphan Train Town,” Concordia is home to the National Orphan Train Museum, which tells the story of the Orphan Train Movement from 1854-1929. For 75 years more than 250,000 orphaned or abandoned children from New York were “placed out” in homes among all 48 states. The National Orphan Train Museum is the single biggest reason visitors stop in Concordia. It’s estimated that 1 in 25 people know, or are related to, an orphan train rider. During WWII, 16 POW camps dotted Kansas. Camp Concordia, the largest, housed 4,000 German prisoners and 1,000 staff. Today, visitors can see, by appointment, the stone guard tower, the Guard Post building and tour a museum inside T-9 warehouse. Towering over the Concordia landscape is the Nazareth Convent, home to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia. Built in l903 and listed on National Register of Historic Places, the stained glass windows, stunning architecture, and extensive collection of art make it a real treat to tour. Also on the National Register is the Brown Grand Theatre. Built by Colonel Napoleon Bonaparte Brown, the restored theatre has been Concor-dia’s civic and cultural gathering spot ever since it opened in l907. The French Renaissance interior boasts balconies, box seats, vintage theatrical drop curtains, and original color scheme. Concordia’s “Whole Wall Mural” is the longest sculpted brick mural in the U.S. At one hundred forty feet, the 6,400 “really big” bricks tell the history of Cloud County. After viewing the “really big” piece of public art from the parking lot, step inside the Cloud County Museum Annex and Cloud County Tourism office to find out the “rest of the story. “ The Cloud County Museum has extensive exhibits including a 1928 Lincoln Page biplane, a Martha Washington letter and two rooms devoted to POW Camp Concordia. Then there’s the new Broadway Plaza and splash pad in downtown Concordia , the Orphan Train Statue Stroll plus the Dog Park and Disc Golf at Airport Park. What’s Up in Concordia? Quite a bit. Stop by Cloud County Tourism at 6th & US81 and see for yourself.

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A perfect oasis after the long dusty trail, Get the Heck INTO Dodge and check out the Long Branch Lagoon. Dodge City’s western-themed water park opened May 28, 2016. Over 27,000 square feet of fun, and exciting family aquatic adventure await. Float along Cowboy Creek, or relax and feel the waves at Wrangler Rapids wave pool, but that’s not all. Drop slides, diving towers, Olympic sized lap pool, water basketball and the list goes on. Positioned in Wright Park and the downtown Heritage District, Long Branch Lagoon is close to the world’s famous Boot Hill Museum, historic downtown, the Santa Fe Depot, the newly-opened Guymon Petro Bar & Grill and the only distillery in Southwest Kan-sas. Take some time to tour the Boot Hill Distillery while you are here. So come and enjoy a day or several days and experience all Dodge City has to offer. Dodge City’s history is centered around the opening of the Santa Fe Trail, the arrival of the railroad and the cattle drives from Texas. Present-day preservation efforts and promotion of that western heritage is what puts Dodge City on True West Magazine’s “Top 10 True Western Towns” list. The railroad brought more commerce to the area, making Dodge City a major shipping point for the cattle barons. To commemorate the cattle drives of the 1870s, a large bronze Texas Longhorn statue was erected. “El Capitan” greets visitors to the downtown, along with statues of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday! Visitors will want to take the downtown historical walking tour by following the sidewalk medallions on the ”Trail of Fame”. Don’t miss the old-fashioned Independence Day celebration in Dodge City. A day packed full of ac-tivities including a watermelon feed, sack races, free live music and a spectacular fireworks display. Dodge City Days, July 28-August 6, 2017 is a western-themed 10-day celebration. Events include the top-rated Dodge City Days Rodeo, professional barbecue contest, western parade, classic car show, cattle drive, arts and crafts show and much more. Walk back in time at Boot Hill Museum enjoying visual programs and interpreted exhibits. The museum is on the grounds of the original Boot Hill Cemetery. Have a sarsaparilla at the Long Branch Saloon and stick around for the show. Each summer visitors are treated to gunfight reenact-ments and the Long Branch Variety Show with Miss Kitty & the Can Can Girls. The show runs from Memorial weekend through mid-August. The Wild West theme is carried out at the Boot Hill Casino. With nearly 700 slots and 18 gaming tables, there is plenty of casino action for everyone. Near the Casino, you can also visit the Wild West Heritage Foundation Buffalo and Longhorn exhibit and the Walk of Fame. Adjacent to the Casino is the United Wireless Arena and Boot Hill Casino Conference Center. This indoor event center offers sports, concerts, luxury suites, conventions and meeting rooms. The Arena is home to the “Dodge City Law” professional indoor arena football team. This hard-hitting, action-packed team has brought excitement and enthusiasm for the sport enthusiast to Dodge City. Located to the south is the Western State Bank Expo Center offering a variety of new and exciting events as well as the annual 3i Show, (Oct. 12-14, 2017) one of the largest agriculture shows in North America. Check out the Gunfighters Wax Museum and Teachers Hall of Fame, with the newly restored One Room School on the property. Step out on the Santa Fe Trail tracks, then visit the Home of Stone or the Windthorst Church. Take a one-hour narrated Trolley Tour to many historic sites. The his-toric, restored Santa Fe Depot once housed the famed Harvey House Hotel and Restaurant, offers an opportunity to see first-rate dinner theater productions, at the Depot Theatre Company. Liberty Garden, located in Wright Park, is designed to commemorate the tragedies of September 11. Historical memorabilia are on exhibit for the public including a piece of “I” beam from the World Trade Center, a piece of limestone from the façade of the Pentagon, and sandstone from the hemlock grove of the United Flight #93 crash site. While in Wright Park, you’ll want to visit the Dodge City Free Zoo, where you can view a real live longhorns, bison, and many other animals. Dodge City Raceway Park with its 3/8-mile dirt track hosts thousands of racing fans each season and boasts an impressive racing schedule. There are featured events such as the National Sprint Tour, World of Outlaws, Midgets and Winged Sprints. Satisfy your need for speed! For more information on events and attractions in Dodge City, call 1-800-653-9378 (1-800-OLD-WEST) or visit www.visitdodgecity.org

Dodge City, Kansas

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Ever since the first golf course in the U.S., St. Andrews in New York, opened on November 18, 1888, the beauties of the game have fascinated Americans from across the country, and that includes Southwestern Kansas. In fact, some of the best golf in the U.S. can be found right here in Garden City. The Buffalo Dunes Golf Course was ranked the No.1 municipal-owned golf course in the country by Golf Digest magazine, and has been recognized by Golf Magazine as one of the nation’s most challenging, enjoyable, and affordable courses. Nestled among the historic sand hills 6 miles south of Garden City, Buffalo Dunes provides the golfer with a bit of a Scottish feel with its bluegrass fairways, well-maintained bent grass greens and native grasses that challenge the golfer. Each year this course is co-host, with the course at The Golf Club at Southwind, to the longest running tournament in Kansas, the Southwest Kansas Pro-Am that brings golfers to Garden City the first week of August. The Golf Club at Southwind, designed by renowned golf course architect Donald Sechrest, has hosted championship events at all levels including several Kansas state Amateur championships. The Golf Club at Southwind’s rolling bent grass, fairways, and well-placed bunkers give it a visual appeal from the tee, while a slight elevation change on approach shots and multi-level greens make proper club selection a key to success. Southwest Kansas offers a four-season climate and golf can be played on these courses throughout the year, weather permitting. If golf is not your thing, Garden City is home to the area’s largest zoo. The Lee Rich ardson Zoo has 50 acres of discovery, with over 350 animals from around the world and a variety of botanicals from the area. The zoo takes an active role in global conserva-tion programs aimed at protecting the many rare and endangered species. Look for the species survival plan symbol throughout the zoo. For your convenience, a cell phone tour is available to guide you through the zoo, and as an AZA accredited (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) facility, you are assured you are visiting a place that is dedicated to providing excellent care for the animals and a great experience for you and your family. After a long hot day at the zoo, cool down at the World’s Largest Hand Dug Pool (aka ‘THE BIG POOL”) that is one city block of pure refreshment for visitors and the community to enjoy. The pool was built in 1922 as a part of President Roosevelt’s work program, and is still making a huge splash nearly 90 years later. Always moving forward, Garden City added a new splash park to further enhance the pool park. If you are looking for entertainment all year long for the family, come enjoy our new indoor waterpark “Parrot Cove”, which is equipped with a lazy river, slides that suspend the riders outside of the building, a rock-climbing wall, and an arcade! Garden City is also host to several festivals such as Beef Empire Days and a PRCA Rodeo, the Tumbleweed Music Festival, and the Garden City Charity Classic, just to name a few. Finally, top your evening off with us at one of Garden City’s many fine eateries. With such a diverse communi-ty base, you can travel the world from restaurant to restaurant: foods from Vietnam, Mexico, that good ol’ Southwest Kansas steak and anything else your heart de sires. Check into one of our fine hotels and rest peacefully, as you are treated like family in any of our lodging facilities. We invite you to come experi ence Garden City, Kansas. For more information, please call 1-800-879-9803 or visit us on the web @ www.finneycountycvb.com

Garden City, Kansas

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There’s something for everyone, right here in the middle of Kansas! Let Great Bend embrace, entice and entertain your whole family! With all of our fun activities and attractions, summer is a wonderful time to visit our community for a weekend escape! Our season starts before school gets out, with our annual Cinco De Mayo Festival, annual Downtown Art & Wine Walk, and NHRA races at the historical SRCA Dragstrip. But to really celebrate summer we host the 6th annual K-96 June Jaunt festival, each year the first weekend of June is jam packed with fun starting Friday evening. A Cruise Main & Car Show and free outdoor movie, baseball, Lucas Oil races, vendors, jumbo yard games, live music, beer gardens, garden tours, Frisbee golf tournaments, sand volleyball and so much more! With so many of these activities taking place downtown in Jack Kilby Square, be sure to check out all of the great stores and restaurants which are excited to roll out the red carpet for you! Great Bend is well known for many other attractions, so be sure to check out the following: • Outdoor Fit Trail: Enjoy your workout outside at Veterans Memorial Park with the new outdoor fit trail. This group of workout equipment is free to use and available every day, sun up to sun down. This feature is a fun way to get in a daily workout while feeling like a kid at a playground again! • Cheyenne Bottoms & Kansas Wetlands Education Center (KWEC): Our wetlands are what put Great Bend on the map; we are the “Water- fowl Capitol of Kansas” with both hunting and/or bird watching options. As the middle of the bird migration path, the KWEC is a great stop to learn and enjoy more about our amazing natural wetlands. • The Great Bend Sports Complex: Great Bend has a long history of being a baseball community, and that’s something that is not changing any time soon. Watch a game at the Sports Complex, offering 5 fields, shaded areas and concessions, or check out our new minor league team, the Great Bend Bat Cats, playing at Al Burns Memorial Field, kicking off their season during June Jaunt on June 2nd. • SRCA Dragstrip: Home of the first NRCA national races, this former B-29 runway is now a drag- strip that gives racers and spectators alike the chance to see all different types of vehicles. Feel the wind in your hair, the rumble of the engines, and the fun that an old fashion hot rod race can bring. • “My Backyard” Playground: A one-of-its-kind playground in the area that offers equipment and fun for children of all ages and abilities, this playground has zip line swings, netted climbing struc- tures, sit in merry-go-round and four-person teeter-totter. Take a break during the day to play and explore at this fantastic playground destination! • Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo & Raptor Center: Our free zoo is a local favorite, and brings you the op- portunity to learn about the animals up-close with our friendly zoo keepers, take a break in the picnic or play areas, and find a treasure at the gift shop to remember a fun trip to the zoo. • The Wetlands Waterpark: From 12:30 to 5:30 pm seven days a week, seven slides, spray features, water wars, tipping bucket, concessions and shady spots, this waterpark is a great option to cool off on a hot summer day. • Jack Kilby Square: With a newly updated band shell and free splash pad, Jack Kilby Square is ready for you to experience the City Band Concerts, the Summer Street Stroll farmers market, and free outdoor movies! • Unique Shopping Choices: See what the individually owned and chain stores have to catch your eye and help you finish any shopping list with unique gifts, apparel, specialty items, all while enjoy- ing fantastic customer service. As summer comes to an end, Great Bend finishes it out with a bang! Join us on August 12th for Party in the Park at Veterans Memorial Park. The party starts with mud volleyball tournament, a wet/dry parade, dog park obstacles, car show, inflatable kids zone, food eating contest, food vendors, an outdoor concert, and a spectacular fireworks display! It’s the party that everyone will be talking about so don’t miss out! Great Bend is ready to showcase our hospitality. Our great restaurants, stores and hotels welcome you to join us for a day or multiple stays. Our lodging options include: Baltzell Lodge, Best Western An-gus Inn, Comfort Inn, Days Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Quality Inn, Traveler’s Budget inn & Travelodge. Let our facilities be your home away from home while you enjoy the attractions and events that bring you to Great Bend! The City of Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau is ready to help you find what you are looking for in order to make Great Bend your perfect summer destination! Please feel free to contact our CVB at (620) 792-2750 or at cvb@visitgreatbend.com with any questions. Shop, stay, play and explore Great Bend this summer as your destination of choice!

Great Bend, Kansas

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Year-’round, you can be entertained in Hays with its selection of specialty shops, unique art gal-leries, clothing boutiques, and restaurants cooking the best meals you can find. Don’t forget about the annual events like Wild West Fest and Oktoberfest or new events that are sure to become classics like The Taste and Brews on the Bricks. Hays isn’t your typical Western Kansas town. Kansas’ oldest arts council is in Hays and is home to several talented artists along with an award-winning arts program at Fort Hays State University. The Arts Council sponsors seasonal Gallery Walks each season which brings the community down-town to take in, and possibly take home, wonderful pieces of art created in Hays. The Bricks in Downtown Hays is the quickest way to sample of all that Hays has to offer. Whether it is the world-renowned brewery, shopping you won’t find anywhere else, mouth-watering food, or historical tours, the Bricks is the perfect stop on your long road-trip or best way to spend a weekend away. The Sternberg Museum of Natural History features both permanent and revolving exhibits, from mammoths to arrowheads. The museum is rich with natural history of the Hays area and visitors are encouraged to visit the hands-on Discovery Room. You will want to see the world-class fossil collection from a time when Kansas was covered by the Cretaceous Sea. There is a replicated chalk cave and the permanent display of the famous “fish-within-a-fish” exhibit, discovered in 1952 by George F. Sternberg. Ellis County Historical Society Museum has a replica of a traditional limestone home of the Volga German settlers, and harness and shoemaking shops are on display. Other artifacts depicting the history of the early town include saddles from the local and area ranches, as well as items from the frontier saloons. The museum has many railroad artifacts from that region as well, since it was nec-essary in the growth of early Hays. Don’t miss out on the hands-on area in the Learning Center for children! Historic Fort Hays Museum has the original blockhouse, guardhouse and officers’ quarters for visitors to view. Built for protection of those traveling the Smoky Hill Trail, the museum now offers visitors a look into the past through artifacts and photographs that show the early-day pioneers and military stationed at the fort. Historic Fort Hays completed a brand new “face-lift” in 2010 featuring interactive displays, new informative videos, and interpretative ironwork throughout the grounds. For more information about Hays call our office at 1-800-569-4505 or visiting our website at visi-thays.com.

Hays, Kansas

Live Music and Festivals

Shop Downtown

Act like a German at Oktoberfest

Cheer on theFort Hays State Tigers

PLAN YOUR TRIP!

800.569.4505 www.VisitHays.com

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Junction City, known as the “Hometown of Fort Riley”, is located in the “Heart of the Kansas Flint Hills”, A place where historic adventures and outdoor experiences await those who travel to Junction City and Geary County. One of the first things you will notice is the use of limestone. Some say the downtown area of Junction City has some of the best lime-stone structures in all of Kansas. Visitors to Topeka will also find Junction City limestone in our state capitol as well as the new underground parking. More native Kansas limestone from the Junction City area, has been used in the entry of the building on the ground level. Memorials and statues are scattered throughout Heritage Park, located at 6th St. and Washington St. Visitors can view the Civil War Arch, State of Kansas Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Desert Storm Memorial and the Junction City/Geary County Law Enforcement Memorial. Discover the history of the 9th and 10th Buffalo Soldier Regiments. The Buffalo Soldier Memorial depicts a Buffalo soldier preparing to mount his horse. One block from the park, at the corner of 7th St. and Jefferson St. is the C. L. Hoover Opera House. Built in 1882, a multi-million dollar renovation has once again made the C. L. Hoover Opera House the “Jewel on the Prairie”, where live theater and performing arts take center stage. Located at 6th St. and Adams St. is the Geary County Historical Museum. In 1904 to 1929, it served as the high school. Special galleries and displays feature the history of early-day pioneer life. There is a depository for family and communities’ histories in the Jeffries Research Center, and an extensive collection of 1800s newspapers as well as vintage photos. During the summer, “Play ball” can be heard at historic Rathert Stadium. Recently renovated, the original 1930s structure is now the home of the Junction City Brigade baseball team, Junction City high school Bluejays and the Junction City American Legion ball teams. Starting in June, visitors have the chance to take in a game. Nearby Fort Riley, the home of the 1st Infantry Division, offers visitors a true look at military life from the 1800s to now. You can visit the 1st Territorial Capitol of Kansas, U.S. Cavalry Museum, Custer House, First In-fantry Division Museum and many static displays of old military vehicles. Visitors to Fort Riley can apply for a pass or badge, depending on their purpose for visiting the installation. For questions about Fort Riley access control procedures, call the Directorate of Emergency Services Security Branch/Visitor Control Center at 785-239-2982 or 785-239-3138. You may also contact the Visitor Control Center via email at  usarmy.riley.im-com-central.mbx.des-vcc@mail.mil. The Visitor Control Center (Bldg 885) is located just prior to the Henry Gate Access Control Point (Exit 301, U.S Interstate Highway 70), and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Many species of birds and waterfowl are found in the scenic Flint Hills. In addition to birds the wildlife is plentiful and not hard to see. Located to the east of Junction City, on McDowell Creek Rd. is KONZA Prairie. KONZA has three trail systems, varying in length from 2.5 miles to 6 miles. Pets are not allowed on the trails, but be sure to bring your camera. To the northwest of Junction City is Milford Lake. It is the largest lake in the state and known as “The Fish-ing Capital of Kansas.” Anglers can catch bass, catfish, walleye, crappie, wipers and whitebass. With its open water and sandy beaches, it’s a great place for boaters and jet-skiers. Below the dam is the Milford Nature Center and Fish Hatchery. On the east side of the lake is one of the largest motorcycle and ATV off-road areas in Kansas. For those looking to camp or spend the night, plenty of RV sites are located around the lake, as well as cabins. Junction City and Geary County – It Is That Good! For a free Visitor Information packet about the history, outdoors and special events, contact the Junction City/Geary County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800.528.2489, Extension 53

Junction City, Kansas

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Kansas City, KS is a premier Midwest destination like you’ve never experienced before! Immerse yourself in a getaway filled with culture, history, adventure and family fun. Enjoy unforgettable attractions, shopping, dining and entertainment in a place where big city thrills meet small town charm. Kansas City, KS is located just off I-70, along the eastern border of the state. The city sits on the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers, so just look to the east and you’ll see neighboring Kansas City, Missouri, part of the larger Kansas City metropolitan area. Incorporated in 1872, Kansas City, KS has been a fusion of cultures from its roots. The rich history shines about the city as museums and sites that depict the area’s role in prominent sto-ries of the past. Walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark at Kaw Point Riverfront Park, a camping site for their expedition in 1804. Or see the ruins at Old Quindaro Town, port of entry for free soil immigrants on the Underground Railroad. Delight in diverse eats like ethnic sausages and desserts, Vietnamese food, and fresh street tacos and other Mexican cuisine. If you’re searching for world renowned barbecue, there’s a lo-cal spot just about everywhere you turn to sink your teeth into mouth-watering burnt ends, made famous by Kansas City itself. The Village West area is one of the most popular tourists destinations in Kansas, as it caters to people with an array of interests. Ready to get in the game? Village West is home to three sports stadiums including: CommunityAmerica Ballpark, home to the Kansas City T-Bones, Children’s Mercy Park, a state-of-the-art complex where you can catch the MLS team Sporting Kansas City, and Kansas Speedway, a venue for NASCAR races and the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Soak up some sun at the action-packed Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark, or splash around Great Wolf Lodge Kansas City, a woodland-themed resort and indoor waterpark. For more luxurious amusements, Legends Outlets Kansas City is the ultimate stop where designer-lovers can find their favorite brands at discounted prices. With more than 100 stores, restaurants and attractions, Legends Outlets is sure to keep everyone in your family entertained for hours on end. Of course being family-friendly is a top priority in Kansas City, KS. That’s why dining, lodging and activities remain affordable, while still giving you that vacation experience that is sure to cre-ate lasting memories There’s always more to explore in Kansas City, KS. Check out VisitKansasCityKS.com and begin planning your next adventure today.

Kansas City, Kansas

Kansas

KansasCity

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Your adventure begins atvisitkansasCitykS.com800.264.1563

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Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Dorothy’s official hometown of Liberal, Kansas, where you can become a part of the “Wizard of Oz” story. Skip with your Dorothy tour guide as you visit her home, a farmhouse built in 1907, carefully restored and furnished to replicate the house shown in the movie, reproducing the warmth of the farm where Dorothy realized, “There’s no place like home.” Then fly into the Land of Oz, 5,000 square feet of good and bad witches, Munchkins, talking trees, winged monkeys, and of course, Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and Toto, too. History buffs will also get a chance to tour Coronado Museum, where the history of Seward County comes alive with displays dating back to Coronado’s travels as he searched for the seven cities of gold. To reach Dorothy’s House and the historical museum just turn north off Highway 54 on Yellow Brick Road and travel one block. Try your hand at being the pilot at Mid-America Air Museum, is the largest general aviation museum in Kansas and one of the largest in the nation. Aircraft, flight simula-tors, hands-on exhibits and educational videos make this a place to spend hours learning about all aspects of flight. Dwight Eisenhower’s Air Force One, a Beech Starship, LTV A-70 Corsair II and a 1937 Rearwin Sportster 7000 are just a few of the over 100 aircraft you will see. Come visit anytime, but if you come on Fat or Shrove Tuesday, you are in for a treat as you can watch the International Pancake Race, a friendly competition with Olney, England, bringing the USA and the United Kingdom together in a symbol of peace and unity. A tradi-tion since 1950, the women of Liberal and Olney square off in a fun, fast-paced race to the finish line carrying skillets complete with pancakes inside. While the race is the featured event, the 4-day Pan-cake Day Festival also includes eating and flipping contests, a talent show, All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast, children’s and men’s rac-es, a Shriving Service, Live Video Chat with England and a parade. Kismet, the only other town in Seward County, is also well known for a long standing local event—the Little World’s Fair. A truly fami-ly event, the Little World’s Fair kicks off Saturday evening of Labor Day weekend with an old-fashioned street dance featuring a live band. Labor Day kicks off early with 5K and 10K runs and breakfast. Other events throughout the day include a parade, free ham and bean feed, turtle races, bike, trike and stick horse races, water bal-loon toss, three-legged race and a carnival. Events are added and substrated each year to keep the event fun for those who always at-tend and those who are coming for the first time. For more information go to VisitLiberal.com or call 1-800-Liberal.

Liberal, Kansas

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Nestled in the heart of Central Kansas is a unique community, a place where events and attractions showcase the heart and soul of its residents. McPherson is the ideal location for a one-day shopping trip, a weekend getaway or an extended stay. McPherson is also a popular destination for statewide meetings and conventions. Let the McPherson Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) help you plan the perfect itinerary. The CVB is located at the McPherson Museum where the community’s heritage is preserved in a modern 26,383 square-foot facility. Exhibits depict the historical people, places and endeavors of McPherson County. The site also houses the newest Kansas Travel Information Center. Consider jumping aboard the McPherson Trolley, which offers nostalgic tours and is available for weddings, reunions, conven-tions and holiday tours. Discover the perfect blend of modern amenities and old-fashioned charm while strolling along his-toric Main street. Storefronts offer enticing displays. Art galleries amuse the imagination. And specialty shops boast the latest trends while serving shoppers of all ages. The Downtown District plays host to All Schools Day, an annual celebration commemorating education in McPherson County. Established in 1914, the event is the longest running celebration of its kind in the United States. Downtown McPherson is also home to six murals documenting the town’s history. Be sure to check out the Globe Refiners mural documenting the first-ever Olympic gold medal basketball championship team. Other murals highlight local veterans, Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, McPherson College Automotive Restoration, All Schools Day and Central Christian College. The McPherson County Courthouse and McPherson Opera House were constructed during the late 1800s and offer classic examples of 19th century architecture. At the Courthouse, visitors are greeted by a bronze equestrian statue of General James Birdseye McPherson, a Civil War Union officer for whom the city and county is named. A major renovation in the 1990s saved the Opera House from demolition and the building now serves as a premier performance venue and rental facility. Visitors often spend an afternoon at the McPherson Water Park floating on the 500-foot lazy river or zipping down the 188-foot water slide. Families play in one of our 15 parks, including the new Bremyer Dog Park. And golfers enjoy gorgeous bluegrass fairways at Turkey Creek Golf Course. No matter what the season, hometown pride abounds in McPherson and is driven by individuals who are passionate about telling the community’s story through attractions, events and genuine hospitality. With eight hotels offering more than 450 rooms, an overnight stay is just the beginning of a meaningful small-town adventure. It won’t be long before you discover the many reasons why there’s no place like McPherson!

McPherson, Kansas

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The Oakley area offers several attractions that are worth seeing time and time again!! The Monument Rocks, one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas, is Kansas’ first National Natural Monument, formed by deposits left by the western interior sea that covered the area in ancient days. The Monument Rocks, called Pyramids by the locals, are located just 25 miles south of Oakley on Highway 83. These cretaceous chalk formations are stunning to capture from sunrise to sunset. Many fossils and other attractions are on display at the Fick Fossil and History Museum and Keystone Gallery. The Fick Fossil and History Museum is one of America’s top 25 museums, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, making this a must see attraction. Walk through history, from the prehistoric to the 21st century. See the bones of the oldest most complete mosasaur skull, witness an American soddie and remember life from the past. Oakley has been designated as Fossil Capital of Kansas thanks to the world class fossils in the Fick Museum. The Buffalo Bill Cultural Center is also one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Art. A twice-life size, 9,000 pound bronze sculpture tells the story of William F. Cody on his horse Brigham in pursuit of a buffalo, and the legendary hunt that took place near Oakley that won Cody his infamous title of Buffalo Bill. Western Kan-sas artists completed the sculpture after three years of steadfast commitment and the project was entirely funded by private contributions. It is one of the largest of its kind anywhere in the world. The Nature Conservancy’s Smoky Valley Ranch expands over 16,800 acres of shortgrass and mixed grass prairie in Logan County. It also serves as a working model and catalyst for shortgrass prairie conser-vation. The chalk bad-lands along the Smoky Hill River contain a rich fossil record of animals that lived in a vast inland sea that covered Kansas during the Cretaceous Period. Recreation abounds in the area. We have a challenging nine-hole golf course. A modern, clean municipal swimming pool with slides and diving boards. The Annie Oakley Park includes playground equipment, a nine-hole disc golf course, relax in the gazebo, and use the exercise equipment as you stroll along the light-ed trail. We also have the Benny Claudel Ball Complex

Oakley, Kansas

April: Girls’ Day Out, LLC Spring Craft Show Last Saturday in AprilMay: Run For The Wall-3rd Sunday in May Memorial Day Services At The Cemetery-Memorial DayJune: Logan County Healthcare Foun- dation Twin Fun Run/Walk-Sat- urday after Memorial Day Butterfield Trail Ride-1st full weekend in June Drive For Health Golf Tourna-

Annual Events . . . www.discoveroakley.com ment-1st Friday in June Tri-County Cruisers Car Show, Quilt RoundUp, City-Wide Garage Sale,VFW Craft Show, 2nd weekend in JuneJuly: Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks Display-July 4th Logan County Fair, Oakley Idol Contest & Free BBQ-3rd full week in JulySeptember: Russell Springs Old Settlers’ Day- Sunday of Labor Day Weekend

October: Corn Cook-Off-Friday before Corn- husking Contest Kansas State Cornhusking Contest, Girls’ Day Out, LLC Fall Craft Show & Open House-2nd Saturday in October Halloween Costume Parade & Trunk or Treat.-Details on WebsiteNovember: Fabulous Christmas Light Parade & Supper with Santa-Friday after Thanksgiving.December: VFW Craft Show-1st weekend in December

Image by Michele Hockersmith

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Salina, Kansas There are so many reasons to choose Salina for a quick getaway. The arts are alive with concerts, com-edy, live theatre, exhibits, cinema, galleries, and festivals…all adding to your unique experience when you travel to the crossroads of I-135 & I-70 – Salina! The Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts presents diverse entertainment in a beautiful, intimate set-ting. Upcoming concerts: Salina Symphony, Toto, The Avett Brothers, Gladys Knight, Reckless Kelly, Ste-phen Stills with Judy Collins, The Piano Guys, John Prine. Comedian and poet Garrison Keillor and Peppa Pig Live are also coming to the Stiefel. There is still time to catch a favorite at Salina Community Theatre as they present “9 to 5, the Musical” in June. Watch for their new season, soon to be announced. New this summer is the Salina Comic Con to be held at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center (former Bicentennial Center) June 17-18 and will feature comics, toys, cards, artwork and much more! SculptureTour Salina is always open downtown! This outdoor exhibition of sculptures on loan from across the country won’t disappoint. On May 6, the 2017 installation and Unwrap Party introduces 22 new pieces for you to enjoy. Salina Art Center presents exciting exhibitions, an artist-in-residence program, and their Cinema exceeds all expectations of a small city in Kansas. The Smoky Hill River Festival gets underway the second weekend of June each year. You’ll be immersed visually from the Fine Arts area to the Four Rivers Fine Crafts Market and Artist Demonstration Area, and the installations throughout Oakdale Park. Music, food, and fun for all ages – THAT is The Festival! Art of another variety, the ‘kool’ and fast kind, rolls into Salina July 27-30 with the KKOA Leadsled Spec-tacular. More than 2,000 hot rods, classics and ‘kustoms’ are expected here for the weekend in beautiful Oakdale Park. The four-day event includes a Thursday evening cruise down Santa Fe Avenue, car show in the park Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plus the popular ‘run what you brung’ drags on Friday, and enter-tainment on Saturday night. Rolling Hills Zoo is a must-see! Kansas’ newest zoo also features a wildlife museum, creating two un-forgettable experiences in one destination. Check out a special exhibit, “The Robot Zoo” through Septem-ber 4. Have lunch at the Overlook Restaurant or picnic outside the zoo grounds. Don’t miss the Elephant’s Trunk for taking home that perfect souvenir. Special event days coming up include the Father’s Day Car Show June 18. History buffs will want to explore our regional heritage at the downtown Smoky Hill Museum with its changing exhibits, the newest one is “Wired,” which runs through August 31. The Museum opened The Curiosity Shop in March. It’s a dynamic and vibrant space with interconnected experiences designed to spark creativity, curiosity and imagination. You will find many eclectic items of agricultural history at the Yesteryear Museum, where also on the grounds are a one-room school house, an old country church, and playground equipment from days past. Relax, soak up the sun, and spend the day at Kenwood Cove Aquatics Park (late May to mid-August),

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which features a lazy river, zero-entry pool, kiddie area and 1,400 feet of slides – a wet and wild adventure! Or if golf is your idea of fun, you’ll find three 18-hole courses. The Salina Municipal is public, GreatLife Golf & Fitness is semi-private, and the Salina Country Club offers reciprocal member-ships. Whether you prefer quaint and quirky specialty shops in our historic downtown, or the major retailers of our retail centers and malls, Salina has what you’re looking for. Your visit won’t be complete until you en-joy a great meal at a local eatery, and stay at one of our comfortable hotels and inns. So, make a plan to create a YOUNIQUE experi-ence as you Visit Salina. Go to www.VisitSa-lina.org to see our online Visit Salina Guide for more information and ideas!

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Scott City, Kansas Travel to the place where the last Indian battle in Kansas was fought. Punished Woman’s Fork, at Battle Canyon, is about one mile south of Lake Scott State Park, a State and National Historic Site off of Hwy. 95. A monument overlooks a cave, a canyon, and the bluffs where the Northern Cheyenne hid, waiting to ambush the U.S. Cavalry. The creek no longer flows as it did in 1878, but one can still sense the historic drama that took place here. Duff’s Buffalo Ranch Tours take a ride on the wild side with a buffalo tour! Get up close and personal with some of the most magnificent animals ever created. In the spring you will have a chance to see the buffalo cows with their new calves. Duff’s Buffalo Ranch gives tours you won’t soon forget in the midst of a great buffalo herd! Hidden in the Western Kansas prairie, Lake Scott State Park is a startling oasis of natural springs, deep wooded canyons, and craggy bluffs. The 1,020-acre park surrounds the 100-acre, spring-fed Lake Scott. Nature trails accommodate hikers, horseback riders and naturalists and provide opportunities to observe wildlife in natural habitats. Nearly two centuries before the Steeles homesteaded the area, a group of Taos Indians fleeing Spanish rule migrated to the park region. In 1664 they constructed pueblos and cultivated crops with irrigation ditches from a nearby spring. From the pueblos came the name El Quartelejo, meaning “home away from home”. It is the northernmost pueblo in the United States. Herbert Steele first came to Scott County in 1888 and found the present state park area to be an ideal location for home-steading. The Steele Home has been preserved much as it was over a hundred years ago, and serves as a museum display-ing the furnishings and tools used by early settlers. El Quartelejo Museum is a unique timeline museum. It leads the visitor through the history of Scott County from the fossil remains of the inland sea over 80 million years ago through modern-day agriculture. A second building houses vintage trac-tors & buggies and miscellaneous household and farming artifacts. Jerry Thomas Gallery houses a beautiful array of original artwork by the re-nowned artist. Jerry’s penchant for realism, incredible detail and historic research and facts has become legendary. His work resides in private and corporate collec-tions in the U.S. and abroad. View the breath-taking Monument Rocks, also known as the Chalk Pyramids. The natural formations are 18 miles north of Scott City, then turn east at Keystone Gallery. This site is the first National Natural Landmark in Kansas designated by the Depart-ment of Interior on October 31, 1968. These limestone formations stretch to 50 feet in height. Monument Rocks also has been chosen as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas. Keystone Gallery is a combination museum, art gallery and gift shop. The muse-um section contains an extensive, scientific collection of local Kansas fossils, includ-ing a 20-foot Mosasaur and a 14-foot Xiphactinus.