Highest-rated free things to do in Kansas, according to Tripadvisor

STACKER - It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.

That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.

It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Kansas.

Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.

To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Kansas using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.

Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!

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#30. Oak Park Mall

- Rating: 4/5 (127 reviews)
- Address: 11149 West 95th St. Overland Park, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#29. David Traylor Zoo of Emporia

- Rating: 4.5/5 (93 reviews)
- Address: 75 Sodens Road Emporia, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#28. Louisburg Cider Mill

- Rating: 4/5 (149 reviews)
- Address: 14730 K68 Hwy Louisburg, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#27. Booth Family Hall of Athletics

- Rating: 5/5 (109 reviews)
- Address: 1651 Naismith Drive Allen Fieldhouse‎ Lawrence, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#26. Lee Richardson Zoo

- Rating: 4.5/5 (129 reviews)
- Address: 312 Finnup Drive Garden City, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#25. Overland Park Farmers Market

- Rating: 4.5/5 (110 reviews)
- Address: 7950 Marty St. Overland Park, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#24. Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo

- Rating: 4.5/5 (108 reviews)
- Address: Wells Drive At the intersection of Oak St. and Park Boulevard Independence, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#23. Konza Prairie Research Natural Area

- Rating: 5/5 (88 reviews)
- Address: McDowell Creek Road 5 miles northeast of I-70 Junction City, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#22. Coronado Heights

- Rating: 4.5/5 (155 reviews)
- Address: 12th Ave. and Coronado Heights Road Lindsborg, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#21. Santa Fe Trail Tracks

- Rating: 4/5 (161 reviews)
- Address: West Hwy 50 Dodge City, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#20. The World's Largest Ball of Sisal Twine

- Rating: 4.5/5 (135 reviews)
- Address: Wisconsin St. 1/2 block west of Lake Drive Cawker City, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#19. Arkansas River Trail

- Rating: 4.5/5 (113 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#18. Oz Winery

- Rating: 4/5 (161 reviews)
- Address: 417A Lincoln St. Wamego, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#17. Fort Larned National Historic Site

- Rating: 4.5/5 (177 reviews)
- Address: US Highway 156 Larned, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#16. Giant Van Gogh Painting

- Rating: 4/5 (181 reviews)
- Address: 1998 Cherry Ave. Goodland, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#15. Great Plains Nature Center

- Rating: 4.5/5 (120 reviews)
- Address: 6232 East 29th St. North #2200 Wichita, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#14. Kansas Star Casino

- Rating: 3/5 (500 reviews)
- Address: 777 Kansas Star Drive Mulvane, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#13. Ft Leavenworth Army Installation

- Rating: 4.5/5 (118 reviews)
- Address: Metropolitan Ave. Leavenworth, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#12. Boothill Casino and Resort

- Rating: 3.5/5 (333 reviews)
- Address: 4000 West Comanche St. Dodge City, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#11. Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway

- Rating: 3.5/5 (489 reviews)
- Address: 777 Hollywood Casino Blvd. Kansas City, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#10. Gage Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (252 reviews)
- Address: 635 Southwest Gage Blvd. Topeka, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#9. Lake Shawnee

- Rating: 4.5/5 (238 reviews)
- Address: 3137 Southeast 29th St. Topeka, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#8. Fort Scott National Historic Site

- Rating: 4.5/5 (231 reviews)
- Address: U.S. Highways 69 and 54 Fort Scott, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#7. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

- Rating: 4.5/5 (246 reviews)
- Address: 2840B KS Hwy 177 Strong City, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#6. Legends Outlets Kansas City

- Rating: 4.5/5 (315 reviews)
- Address: 1843 Village West Pkwy Kansas City, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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#5. Massachusetts Street

- Rating: 4.5/5 (478 reviews)
- Address: Lawrence, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#4. Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (350 reviews)
- Address: 1515 Southeast Monroe St. Topeka, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#3. Monument Rocks

- Rating: 4.5/5 (262 reviews)
- Address: Oakley, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#2. Kansas State Capitol Building

- Rating: 4.5/5 (588 reviews)
- Address: 10th and Jackson Topeka, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#1. The Keeper of the Plains

- Rating: 4.5/5 (876 reviews)
- Address: 339 Veterans Pkwy Wichita, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.

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