Englewood KansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Englewood, Kansas.
1. The Rusty Junker
VINTAGE TREASURE HUNTING
The Rusty Junker is a highly-rated antique shop in Englewood that has earned a perfect 5.0 rating from visitors. Treasure hunters can explore a diverse collection of vintage items, collectibles, and unique finds that celebrate the region's history. The shop offers a nostalgic shopping experience with friendly staff who are knowledgeable about the stories behind their carefully curated merchandise.
2. Dalton Gang Hideout
OUTLAW HISTORY SITE
The Dalton Gang Hideout is a specialty museum that offers visitors a glimpse into the fascinating outlaw history of Kansas with a 4.0 visitor rating. This historical site preserves the location where the notorious Dalton Gang once took refuge during their crime spree in the late 19th century. Visitors can explore authentic artifacts and exhibits that tell the tale of one of America's most infamous outlaw groups.
3. Englewood Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION HUB
Englewood Park serves as a central outdoor recreation destination for locals and visitors alike. The park features multiple athletic facilities including a ball diamond and football field for sports enthusiasts of all ages. Families particularly enjoy the playground facilities and the scenic Englewood Lake area which provides opportunities for relaxation and wildlife viewing.
4. Beaver Dunes Park
NATURAL SAND ADVENTURES
Beaver Dunes Park is a natural attraction near the Kansas-Oklahoma border that has earned a 3.6 visitor rating. The park is known for its unique sand dune formations that create an unexpected desert-like landscape in the heart of the plains. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy activities like dune buggy riding, hiking, and photography in this distinctive natural setting.
5. Moore Ranch
AUTHENTIC WESTERN EXPERIENCE
Moore Ranch is a top-rated attraction with a perfect 5.0 visitor rating that offers an authentic glimpse into traditional ranch life in Kansas. Visitors can experience working cattle operations, horseback riding opportunities, and potentially participate in seasonal ranch activities. The ranch provides a genuine connection to the agricultural heritage that has shaped this region for generations.
6. Ellinwood Underground Tunnels
HIDDEN HISTORICAL PASSAGES
The Ellinwood Underground Tunnels offer visitors a fascinating journey beneath the streets of this historic Kansas town. These tunnels, built in the 1870s by German immigrants, once connected businesses and served various purposes including housing saloons and shops during the town's early days. Guided tours take visitors through the restored underground sections where they can see period-authentic rooms and learn about the unique history of this subterranean network.
7. The Historic Wolf Hotel
ICONIC LANDMARK LODGING
The Historic Wolf Hotel stands as an iconic landmark in Ellinwood, originally built in 1894 during the town's railroad boom period. This beautifully preserved establishment continues to operate as a hotel while also serving as a living museum of the region's past. Visitors can enjoy the period architecture, potentially stay overnight in historic accommodations, and dine in the hotel's restaurant that features regional cuisine.
8. Museum of Ellinwood
LOCAL HERITAGE COLLECTION
The Museum of Ellinwood houses a comprehensive collection of artifacts and exhibits showcasing the town's rich history and cultural heritage. Visitors can explore displays featuring pioneer life, railroad history, and the significant German immigrant influence on the region. The museum provides an educational experience through its carefully preserved items that tell the story of Ellinwood's development from frontier settlement to modern community.
9. Kansas Earth and Sky Candle Co
ARTISANAL SCENT CRAFTING
Kansas Earth and Sky Candle Co offers visitors a sensory shopping experience featuring handcrafted candles inspired by the natural landscapes of Kansas. The shop specializes in unique scent profiles that capture the essence of prairie wildflowers, open skies, and rural landscapes. Visitors can watch demonstrations of the candle-making process and select from a variety of locally-made aromatic products to bring home.
10. Two Chicks and Some Junk
VINTAGE DECOR SHOP
Two Chicks and Some Junk is a charming boutique shop specializing in vintage, repurposed, and handcrafted home decor items. Shoppers can browse through an eclectic collection of furniture, accessories, and unique gifts that blend nostalgic charm with modern sensibilities. The store's creative displays and ever-changing inventory make each visit a new treasure hunting experience for both locals and tourists.
11. Santa Fe Trail Tracks
PIONEER JOURNEY REMNANTS
The Santa Fe Trail Tracks preserve the visible wagon ruts from one of America's most significant pioneer trading routes that passed near Englewood. These historic tracks offer visitors a tangible connection to the 19th-century merchants and settlers who traveled this challenging route between Missouri and Santa Fe. Walking alongside these still-visible impressions in the earth provides a powerful historical perspective on the determination and hardship faced by early American pioneers.
12. Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area
PREMIER BIRD WATCHING
Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area is one of North America's most important wetland ecosystems located within driving distance of Englewood. This massive inland marsh serves as a critical stopover for millions of migratory birds, making it an internationally recognized birding destination. Visitors can observe hundreds of species from observation points and driving tours, particularly during the spring and fall migration seasons when the skies fill with spectacular numbers of waterfowl and shorebirds.
13. Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
PROTECTED NATURAL SANCTUARY
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 22,000 acres of diverse habitats including salt marshes, sand dunes, and grasslands that provide sanctuary to numerous wildlife species. Visitors can drive the auto tour route or hike designated trails to spot migratory birds, deer, and other native animals in their natural settings. The refuge's unique salt marsh ecosystem creates an unexpected landscape in the Kansas prairie that photographers and nature enthusiasts find particularly captivating.
14. Strataca Underground Salt Museum
SUBTERRANEAN MINING ADVENTURE
Strataca Underground Salt Museum takes visitors nearly 200 meters below the surface into one of the world's largest deposits of rock salt. The museum offers a unique underground adventure through former mining areas where visitors can learn about salt mining techniques, geology, and the history of this essential mineral. Exhibits include original mining equipment, multimedia presentations, and the chance to collect your own souvenir salt crystals from this remarkable subterranean environment.
15. Flint Hills Nature Trail
SCENIC PRAIRIE PATHWAY
The Flint Hills Nature Trail stretches 188 kilometers through some of Kansas' most beautiful tallgrass prairie landscapes near Englewood. This converted railway corridor provides opportunities for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding through diverse ecosystems teeming with native wildlife and wildflowers. The trail follows portions of the historic Santa Fe Trail route, allowing visitors to combine natural beauty with historical exploration as they travel through small prairie towns and open countryside.