Latimer KansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Latimer, Kansas.
1. Latimer Lutheran Church
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS LANDMARK
Latimer Lutheran Church stands as the only remaining business in the small town of Latimer. The church has served as a spiritual center for the community for generations, providing a gathering place for the approximately 30 residents who call Latimer home. Its continued presence represents the resilience of this small Kansas community despite the town's decline over the decades.
2. Union Pacific Railroad
HISTORIC RAILWAY LINE
The Union Pacific Railroad runs through Latimer, continuing the railway tradition that helped establish the town in the 1880s. Originally built by the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway, this historic line has changed ownership multiple times over the years, including the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway that locals still refer to as the 'Rock Island.' Train enthusiasts can watch the modern Union Pacific trains pass through this small Kansas town, connecting it to the wider rail network.
3. Former Latimer State Bank Building
HISTORIC TOWN LANDMARK
The Former Latimer State Bank Building represents an important piece of the town's early economic history. After serving as a financial institution until the Great Depression forced its closure, the building was repurposed as Herbert Glancy's grocery store. Though no longer in commercial use, the structure stands as a reminder of Latimer's more prosperous days when the town first established itself along the railroad.
4. Monument Rocks
NATURAL CHALK PYRAMIDS
Monument Rocks, also known as the Chalk Pyramids, is a remarkable natural landmark located about 100 miles west of Latimer. These 70-foot tall chalk formations are the remnants of what was once the Western Interior Seaway, a vast body of water that extended from the Gulf of Mexico through Canada. Though situated on private property, the owners graciously allow visitors to experience this awe-inspiring national natural landmark that dates back approximately 80 million years.
5. Fort Larned National Historic Site
PRESERVED MILITARY OUTPOST
Fort Larned National Historic Site preserves one of the best-maintained Indian Wars-era military posts in the United States. Originally constructed in 1860 to protect travelers and mail couriers along the Santa Fe Trail, the fort remained in service until 1878 and offers visitors a glimpse into frontier life. The well-preserved stone buildings and interpretive exhibits tell the story of the complex relationships between settlers, Native Americans, and military personnel during western expansion.
6. Keeper of the Plains
ICONIC NATIVE AMERICAN SCULPTURE
The Keeper of the Plains is a magnificent 44-foot tall steel sculpture standing at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers in Wichita. This iconic landmark, created by Native American artist Blackbear Bosin, represents the sacred land that has been important to indigenous peoples for centuries. Visitors can experience the dramatic 'Rings of Fire' that illuminate the sculpture in the evenings, creating a stunning visual display that honors Native American heritage.
7. Council Grove Historic District
SANTA FE TRAIL TOWN
Council Grove Historic District, located about 20 miles from Latimer, features over 25 historic sites related to the Santa Fe Trail. Visitors can explore landmarks such as the Last Chance Store, Hays House Restaurant (oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi), and the Kaw Mission. The charming downtown area offers a window into 19th-century frontier life when Council Grove served as the last supply stop before traders headed west across the prairie.
8. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
NATIVE PRAIRIE ECOSYSTEM
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve protects one of the last remaining expanses of tallgrass prairie that once covered 170 million acres of North America. Visitors can explore nearly 11,000 acres of native grasses that can grow up to 8 feet tall, diverse wildflowers, and roaming bison herds that have been reintroduced to the landscape. The preserve offers hiking trails, guided tours of the historic Spring Hill Ranch, and opportunities to experience the vast, open Kansas prairie as it appeared to early settlers.
9. Hays House Restaurant
HISTORIC DINING ESTABLISHMENT
Hays House Restaurant, established in 1857, holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi River. The historic building has served as a restaurant, trading post, mail distribution point, courthouse, and community meeting hall during its long history. Today, diners can enjoy classic American cuisine while surrounded by the authentic atmosphere of a genuine Santa Fe Trail landmark.
10. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY CENTER
The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum commemorates the life and legacy of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States. The complex includes Eisenhower's boyhood home, presidential library, museum, and final resting place, offering visitors a comprehensive look at his remarkable journey from small-town Kansas to Supreme Allied Commander and ultimately to the White House. Exhibits showcase personal artifacts, military memorabilia, and interactive displays that tell the story of Eisenhower's significant contributions to American and world history.
11. Exploration Place
INTERACTIVE SCIENCE MUSEUM
Exploration Place offers an engaging science center experience with interactive exhibits focused on flight, geography, Kansas ecosystems, and human body systems. The striking building, designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie, sits along the Arkansas River and features a distinctive sailing ship-inspired profile. Families particularly enjoy the hands-on activities, digital dome theater presentations, and outdoor play areas that make science education entertaining and accessible.
12. Flint Hills Discovery Center
REGIONAL NATURE MUSEUM
The Flint Hills Discovery Center celebrates the geology, ecology, and cultural history of the distinctive Flint Hills tallgrass prairie region. The center's immersive exhibits include a dramatic multimedia experience that simulates the seasonal changes and prairie fire cycles essential to this unique ecosystem. Visitors gain appreciation for the natural and human history of the region through interactive displays, educational programming, and the opportunity to view the actual Flint Hills landscape from the rooftop observation area.
13. Kansas State Capitol
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Kansas State Capitol showcases stunning architecture and impressive artwork including the famous John Steuart Curry murals depicting Kansas history. Visitors can take free guided tours of the recently restored building, including the opportunity to climb 296 steps to the dome's observation deck for panoramic views of Topeka. The Capitol grounds feature monuments and memorials that further illuminate Kansas history and complement the majestic limestone structure built between 1866 and 1903.
14. Maxwell Wildlife Refuge
BUFFALO AND WILDLIFE PRESERVE
Maxwell Wildlife Refuge offers visitors the rare opportunity to see American bison and elk roaming freely in their natural prairie habitat. The 2,500-acre preserve maintains herds of approximately 200 bison and 50 elk, continuing conservation efforts that began in the 1940s to save these iconic Great Plains species. Visitors can experience guided tram tours that provide close-up views of the massive bison while learning about prairie ecology and wildlife management.
15. Old Cowtown Museum
LIVING HISTORY EXPERIENCE
Old Cowtown Museum recreates life in Wichita during the 1870s with more than 50 historic and reconstructed buildings spread across 23 acres. Costumed interpreters demonstrate period crafts, trades, and daily activities while interacting with visitors in this immersive living history setting. The authentic environment includes a working farm, business district, residential areas, and entertainment venues that bring the challenges and opportunities of frontier Kansas vividly to life.