Winter is upon us, and that means it’s time to enjoy some of the best indoor and outdoor recreation opportunities Kansas has to offer. We’ve put together this short list of some of our favorite winter getaways to help you get started this holiday season.
1. Visit Lawrence
Check out this town in northeastern Kansas on Dec. 1 and 2 this year to participate in its annual Winter Wonder Weekend. There are several events scheduled for 2018, including a Festival of Trees at Liberty Hall, a Gala Auction Party, an old-fashioned Christmas buffet dinner, and a gingerbread festival.
Naturally, the star of the show is the 26th Annual Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade. You’ll get to see authentic horse-drawn carriages decked out in full holiday regalia and pulled by some of the most beautiful horses in the state. There are also lots of shopping and dining opportunities in the area. Best of all, Lawrence is just a little over two hours from Wichita, making it an easy trip.
2. Journey to Manhattan
Also about two hours from Wichita is the city of Manhattan, Kansas. This is a great place to be during the winter season. The nearby Konza Prairie and Flint Hills offer spectacular landscapes; rolling, pastoral farmland blanketed in fresh snow greets the eye everywhere you turn. You can also check out the Flint Hills Discovery Center to learn about this environment.
We recommend seeking solace from the cold with a warm cup of coffee at the nearby Radina’s Coffeehouse and Roastery. Alternatively, if you’d rather be out and about, try ice skating at Wefald Center in City Park.
3. Stay at the Great Wolf Lodge
Stay at this posh lodge right in Kansas City, Kansas, which is about two hours and 45 minutes from Wichita. The tastefully decorated rooms make for a great retreat from harsh winter weather.
You can check out any number of nearby attractions while you’re here, but you might not want to leave the premises when you see the amazing Christmas decorations. There are fully lit Christmas trees right in the lobby, and snowflakes hang from the ceiling and sparkle in the warm glow of the fireplace. Best of all, the Great Wolf Lodge has an expansive indoor water park that will make you forget all about the cold weather.
4. Seek Respite at the Cedar Crest Lodge
Book a room at the Cedar Crest Lodge and enjoy a view of rural Pleasanton, Kansas, which is just under three hours from Wichita. Spring for the Country Meadow room if you want the utmost in luxury. This suite features a king-size bed, refrigerator, DVD player, and two-person corner soaking tub. If you’re staying during a particularly cold winter, you’ll really appreciate the heated floors and towel warmer.
No matter which room you choose, this charming bed and breakfast lodge is a great place to enjoy the views of more than 100 acres of walking trails, trees, and ponds.
Whether you’re looking for an open-ended destination that will allow you to shop, dine, and have fun at your leisure or an all-inclusive lodge experience, there are plenty of great choices in the state of Kansas. Any of these four winter getaways will make this a season to remember.
Image via Flickr by thigpen.robert
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