Lyons KansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Lyons, Kansas.
1. Coronado Quivira Museum
RICH HISTORICAL EXHIBITS
The Coronado Quivira Museum features four main exhibits, including the Quivira exhibit and the Francisco de Coronado exhibit. It is touted as the "best small museum" in the state of Kansas, offering visitors a deep dive into local history. The museum provides educational insights into the Santa Fe Trail and the regional heritage of the area.
2. Celebration Centre Community Center
PREMIER EVENT VENUE
The Celebration Centre Community Center is a premier facility that hosts various events and activities in Lyons. Visitors are drawn to this venue for its versatile spaces suitable for meetings, trade shows, and community gatherings. The center is part of a larger complex that includes recreational amenities like a half-mile concrete nature trail, playground, and sand volleyball court.
3. Bar K Bar Arena
INDOOR RODEO VENUE
Bar K Bar Arena is an indoor venue that hosts horse shows, rodeos, and other regional events in Lyons. Located across the street from the Celebration Centre Inn & Suites, this arena draws visitors from throughout the region for various equestrian competitions. The arena is part of the Celebration Centre complex and contributes to the community's vibrant event calendar.
4. Davis Nature Trails
SCENIC OUTDOOR WALKING
Davis Nature Trails, located at 1145 E Hwy 56, offers visitors a natural escape in Lyons. The area features beautiful bronze sculptures, making it part of the broader bronze sculpture collection found throughout Rice County. Visitors can enjoy walking along the trails while appreciating both nature and art in one location.
5. Lyons Public Golf Course
RELAXING GOLFING EXPERIENCE
Lyons Public Golf Course provides recreational opportunities for golf enthusiasts at 100 E Blair Street. This public course offers accessible golfing for both locals and visitors to the area. The course contributes to the diverse recreational options available in Lyons alongside other outdoor activities.
6. Disc Golf Course
OUTDOOR SPORTING FUN
The Disc Golf Course at Lyons High School offers a recreational activity for disc golf enthusiasts visiting the area. Located at 601 E American Road, this course provides a casual sporting option for visitors of all ages. The facility contributes to the outdoor recreational offerings in Lyons alongside traditional golf and other activities.
7. Lyons Municipal Swimming Pool
SUMMER AQUATIC RECREATION
Lyons Municipal Swimming Pool at 901 S Terran offers aquatic recreation for visitors during the summer months. The pool provides a refreshing escape from the Kansas heat for families and individuals alike. This public facility complements the other recreational options available throughout the city.
8. The Slammer
HISTORIC ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
The Slammer is a unique attraction in Lyons that combines historic sites with game and entertainment offerings. Visitors can experience both historical elements and modern entertainment in one location. The venue has received positive reviews from travelers, making it a recommended stop for those exploring Lyons.
9. Brew 56
LOCAL CRAFT BEVERAGES
Brew 56 offers visitors to Lyons a taste of local craft beverages in a welcoming atmosphere. This establishment contributes to the dining and social scene in this progressive and friendly community. Visitors can enjoy refreshments while experiencing the hospitable nature of small-town Kansas.
10. Father Padilla Cross and Historic Marker
SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL MONUMENT
The Father Padilla Cross and Historic Marker commemorates an important piece of Kansas history near Lyons. This historical monument provides visitors with insights into the early European exploration of the region. The marker serves as a connection to the Spanish missionary presence in Kansas during the 16th century.
11. Buffalo Bill Mathewson's Well
PIONEER ERA LANDMARK
Buffalo Bill Mathewson's Well represents a tangible connection to the frontier history of the Lyons area. This historical site preserves the memory of William Mathewson, sometimes called the original "Buffalo Bill," who was a significant figure in Kansas history. The well serves as a reminder of the pioneer era and early settlement of the region.
12. Jose Antonio Chavez Marker
SANTA FE TRAIL HISTORY
The Jose Antonio Chavez Marker commemorates an important historical figure connected to the Santa Fe Trail near Lyons. This marker highlights the multicultural history of the region and the dangerous nature of frontier commerce. Visitors interested in the Santa Fe Trail's history will find this site educational and thought-provoking.
13. Quivira National Wildlife Refuge
NATURAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge is located 16 miles west and 3 miles south of Sterling, a short drive from Lyons. This expansive refuge provides habitat for numerous species of birds and wildlife in a protected natural setting. Visitors can observe migratory birds and native wildlife while exploring this important ecological preserve in the region.
14. Sterling Lake
RECREATIONAL WATER ACTIVITIES
Sterling Lake is situated just two blocks east of Broadway Avenue in Sterling, providing a scenic water feature near Lyons. The lake offers recreational opportunities including fishing and the Sterling Lake Disc Golf Course. This natural attraction serves as both a visual centerpiece for the community and a hub for outdoor activities.
15. Rice County Courthouse
HISTORIC COUNTY CENTER
The historic Rice County Courthouse serves as the anchor of the downtown shopping area in Lyons. This architectural landmark represents the city's role as the county seat for Rice County, situated at the junction of Highway 56 and 96. The courthouse contributes to the character of this progressive and friendly community with its favorable business climate for service, retail, industrial, and manufacturing ventures.