ViaMei

　　Kansas is one of those places that, as a kid, you did not want to hear your parents tell you that you were visiting on vacation. As a long-time resident of the Kansas City area, I remember watching the Kansas tourism ads while I was growing up and thinking, “People will come here to see this?” But they did, and do, which just goes to show you that people who live in Kansas are not the target audiences for those advertisements.
　　So when I was asked to write this article talking about Kansas as a travel destination I was a little worried, because I had all of these memories from childhood that made it seem like the non-vacation. Then, as I pored over the documentation our research team gave me, I realized that the problem was not that Kansas wasn’t a great tourist location, but rather that what makes Kansas a great tourist location also makes it hard for locals to recognize it as such. Kansas is “Hometown USA.” Nostalgia never became nostalgic – it’s still everyday life.
　　The fact that you can occasionally see tractors on the roads, cows in the street, kids at play in front yards — that’s America, and it’s here. Did you know there are still neighborhood welcoming committees here? Women who bake real pies – from scratch – and deliver them to you just because you moved in?
　　Like all of America, Kansas’ history began long before the European colonization. The word Kansas comes from the Sioux Indian word for “south wind people.” Anyone who has ever been in Kansas in the spring, when that warm wind from the Gulf of Mexico streaks in can attest to the appropriateness of that moniker.
　　Settlers, cowboys, railroad barons and numerous lesser-lights gave Kansas its Old West mystique, and it’s never lost its renegade frontier spirit.
　　Contrary to popular myth, most Kansans speak with little or no accent, which travelers to the area should appreciate, because it means not having to train your ear to understand what people are saying. In fact, many national newscasters come from the Midwest because of their “neutral” accents.
　　Kansas’ dedication to agriculture predates even its statehood. In fact, the Sunflower State had the very first Agricultural Society in the country. The society’s records were reportedly destroyed during William Quantrill’s infamous attack on Lawrence on August 21, 1863. Fortunately, the farmers’ legacy lived on. That early organization became the basis for the state agricultural societies of all fifty eventual US states.
　　With 90 percent of the land in Kansas being dedicated to farming of one kind or another, it is little wonder that agriculture has remained very important.
Kansas’ rich soil has made it an ideal place to grow crops and raise livestock, and Kansas leads the nation in the production of grain sorghum, silage, and wheat. And while most tourists don’t come to Kansas to see wheat or sorghum fields, driving across the state, surrounded by waving grain and nodding sunflowers as far as the eye can see is a Zen-like and therapeutic experience.
　　So let me introduce you to Kansas, one space tourist area at a time, and share my thoughts on the state I call home.

　　As is the case with many U.S. state capitals, Topeka is far from the largest, most populous or most industrialized city in Kansas. What it does have to offer tourists, however, is a rich history, a thoroughly genuine and accessible political experience, and a few charming venues.
　　The Kansas Museum of History is a great place to start your visit, as it will give you a fantastic overview of the state’s proud history and a glimpse of what the region has to offer. Visit the museum’s Web site for an overview of the city, the state’s history, exhibits and some other travel and tour ideas at http://www.kshs.org/places/museum.htm.
　　The dome of the Kansas Capitol is actually a few feet higher than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The building was completed in 1903, just 40 years after the Statue of Freedom was placed atop the U.S. capitol’s dome. In 2002, Kansas’ dome got its own statue, a bronze depiction of the Kansa Indian warrior, Ad Astra.
　　A visit to the Capitol will give you an opportunity to view some lovely and well-kept grounds, statuary and memorials. The building itself is open for tours, and an on-site gift shop will give you the opportunity to procure some great souvenirs of your trip.
　　In the interior of the building, be sure to look up — way up — and take in the gorgeous view of the glass and copper dome. You can look up from the bottom, second or third floor — or go all the way to the top and get the additional bonus of a bird’s eye view of the city of Topeka. For the complete “dome experience,” take the Dome Tour.
　　Students of art and history, as well as those who simply appreciate looking at dramatic depictions of historical events on canvas will want to check out the murals by renowned artist John Steuart Curry. Curry’s artistic contemporaries included such giants as Thomas Hart Benton and Grant Wood, and while Curry may not be as widely known as they are by the gen eral public, his work caused as much stir in its own circles when it was created. Rather than taking the safe road, Curry chose to depict subjects like slavery and abolition and religious violence in his rich and vibrant works. They are well worth taking the time to view while you are seeing the sights.
　　Also in Topeka you will find Cedar Crest — the governor’s residence. If you are into gorgeous grounds, ponds, picturesque views of the Kansas River and hiking trails, this is the place for you. Public tours of the estate, which sprawls over 200 immaculately maintained acres, are available weekly and are free. Private tours can be scheduled a few weeks in advance through the tour director’s office.
　　If history and politics aren’t really your style, you can still find things to do in Topeka. Gage Park provides a sweet and relaxing transport back to simpler times with its minitrain, theater and historic carousel.
　　The park itself has been around for more than a century, and has maintained is quiet charm for all that time. You can tour the park’s lush greenery and beautiful scenery on a short minitrain ride, past historical markers and bubbling waters, until finally you arrive at the jewel of the park: a fully-restored carousel from 1908 (one of only 185 left in the country). There are thirty-six dashing steeds from which to choose, and two benches for those who are not of the “riding persuasion”, so saddle up and enjoy this timeless pleasure. The music you hear while you let the world spin by is played on authentic paper music scrolls in the carousel, lending a nostalgic authenticity to the experience. Don’t let this trip back in time pass you by.
　　Seventy-seven miles west of Topeka is Fort Riley. This active military base near the town of Manhattan is home to several small museums, including the Cavalry Museum, the Fort Riley Regimental Museum and the Custer House. For information on visiting the Fort, please see the website at http://www.riley.army.mil/. Manhattan and the fort are nestled in Kansas’ little known Flint Hills region, well worth a look while you are in the area. Kansas State University is also located here, with a bustling university district definitely worth exploring. For more on touring in and around Manhattan, see the city’s web presence at http://www.manhattancvb.org/index.asp?NID=10.

　　Kansas City is both here — and there. There are two Kansas Citys, one in Kansas and one in Missouri. The sprawling mid-sized metropolitan area is home to such giant corporations as H&R Block, Sprint, Hallmark, YRC Worldwide, Cerner, Applebee’s and Garmin, but it has retained its small-town identity.
　　While the Missouri side gets credit for much of the art and culture — and is home to the area’s most notable professional sports teams, the Royals and the Chiefs — the Kansas side is worthy of note and growing.
　　Wyandotte County, where Kansas City, Kansas, is located, is home to the Kansas Speedway, where NASCAR Nextel Cup, Busch, Craftsman Truck and Indy Racing League events take place. The track also offers driving classes and hosts car shows and other events and exhibitions throughout the year.
　　Looking to make a wager? Just down the road from The Speedway is The Woodlands racetrack, which features both dog and horse racing. You can also bet it all on “red,” play a hand or two of blackjack or slip a few coins in the slots at any of Kansas City, Missouri’s riverboat gambling casinos.
　　In all, you should find a visit to Kansas City to be a fulfilling and rewarding all-around experience with a little something for everyone.