Hospitality and Tourism

It’s a common perception, one seen from 30,000 feet: Kansas is a flat, monochrome expanse to be passed over on the way elsewhere else. But to those in the know, that view from the airplane window is a grand illusion. Look closer, at a map of the state, and you’ll see a different story—a story not of emptiness, but of opportunity. 

Its 82,000 square miles, neatly arranged like a game board of 105 counties, are filled with unique landing spaces, each offering a chance to roll the dice on an authentic, affordable, and accessible American experience. For 2025, the state’s hospitality and tourism sector is poised to prove that what Kansas lacks in ocean beaches or soaring mountain ranges, it more than makes up for in character, history, and wide-open wonder.

The critics of that storied KC-to-Denver drive are relentless, but their hurry is your loss. Slowing down reveals a state of geographic marvels that defy the “flatlander” stereotype. The Flint Hills, one of the last remaining tallgrass prairies on earth, is a rolling sea of green and gold that burns with breathtaking vibrancy at sunrise and sunset. Further west, the Red Hills offer a painted landscape of rugged buttes, while the north-central Smoky Hills live up to their hazy, dreamlike name. And in Gove County, the Chalk Pyramids stand as silent, awe-inspiring monuments—geological oddities that erupt from the plains, leaving every visitor to marvel at nature’s whimsy.

This landscape cradles a history both ancient and deeply human. The Museum of Natural History at the Univ. of Kansas is a portal to a prehistoric world, where the colossal mosasaurs of the Cretaceous period captivate young and old alike. The Sternberg Museum of Natural History in Hays offers deep dives into the paleontology and geology that shaped the state through the millennia. 

This rich narrative continues into recorded history, preserved in the charming, small-town accommodations that dot the prairie. Places like the Grand Central Hotel in Cottonwood Falls or the historic Wolf Hotel in Ellinwood offer cozy getaways where modern comfort meets the rustic elegance of a bygone era, often at a surprisingly budget-friendly price.

The cultural pulse of Kansas beats strong, from the down-home to the downright spectacular. Each September, Winfield becomes the acoustic music capital of the world during the Walnut Valley Festival, where the air thrums with the skilled picking of banjos and guitars. On a more formal note, the symphonies of Topeka and Wichita provide a higher musical plane. 

The latter’s signature event is its annual, cannonade-capped rendition of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, a thunderous conclusion to the massive Wichita River Festival. This early-June extravaganza draws hundreds of thousands to the banks of the Arkansas River for a celebration of community and spirit. 

For a taste of the state’s agricultural soul, the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson each September showcases the very best in livestock, baking, crafts, and rodeo, all set to the joyful screams from the carnival midway.

For those who prefer retail therapy or the call of the wild, Kansas delivers. Defying the trend of dying malls, Wichita’s Towne East Square continues to thrive, while the Village West development in Kansas City remains the state’s top tourist destination, a powerhouse of outlet shopping, dining, and major sporting events. 

When it’s time to escape into the great outdoors, Kansas offers a surprising array of options. Though natural lakes are few, the state is dotted with massive federal and state-run reservoirs that are hubs for boating, camping, and fishing. Whether you seek a primitive site under a canopy of stars or a full-hookup RV spot with the comforts of home, there’s an outlet for every style of camping life.

This vibrant tapestry of experiences is more than just a pleasant surprise for visitors; it’s the bedrock of a powerful economic engine. The hospitality and tourism industry employs over 66,000 Kansans and generates an estimated $11.8 billion in direct and indirect economic impact, ranking it alongside the state’s legendary agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

So, the next time you find yourself looking down on Kansas from above, remember: the real journey begins when you land. From its spectacular vistas and historical treasures to its musical celebrations and cozy Main Streets, there is always something going on in the middle of America. For the discerning traveler in 2025, Kansas isn’t a state you fly over—it’s a destination you seek out.