Sawyer KansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Sawyer, Kansas.
1. Pratt Fish Hatchery
AQUATIC WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
Pratt Fish Hatchery is a popular conservation facility near Sawyer that allows visitors to observe various fish species being raised for Kansas waterways. Visitors can tour the hatchery ponds and learn about aquatic wildlife management and conservation efforts in the state. The facility offers educational experiences for all ages with opportunities to see fish at different stages of development.
2. Lemon Park
FAMILY RECREATION DESTINATION
Lemon Park is a beloved recreational area featuring playgrounds, walking paths, and picnic facilities for families to enjoy. The park is known for its impressive Christmas light display during the holiday season, drawing visitors from surrounding communities including Sawyer. Its scenic setting and variety of amenities make it a perfect spot for outdoor activities throughout the year.
3. Woody's Sports Bar and Grill
LOCAL DINING HOTSPOT
Woody's Sports Bar and Grill serves as a popular gathering place for locals and visitors near Sawyer looking for casual dining and entertainment. The establishment offers a menu of American favorites, cold beverages, and a lively atmosphere to watch sporting events. Its reputation for friendly service and good food makes it a staple in the local dining scene.
4. Vernon Filley Art Museum
REGIONAL ART SHOWCASE
The Vernon Filley Art Museum displays an impressive collection of artwork with a focus on Kansas artists and regional themes. Visitors can explore rotating exhibitions featuring both historical and contemporary pieces in a beautifully designed space. The museum provides cultural enrichment to Sawyer and surrounding communities through its exhibits, educational programs, and special events.
5. Pratt County Historical Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE CENTER
Pratt County Historical Museum preserves and showcases the rich history of the area, including nearby Sawyer, through artifacts, photographs, and exhibits. The museum houses collections reflecting pioneer life, agricultural development, and the evolution of local communities. Visitors can step back in time through immersive displays that tell the story of the region's past.
6. Wilson State Park
SCENIC OUTDOOR RECREATION
Wilson State Park offers exceptional water recreation opportunities in the scenic Smoky Hills region of Kansas. The park features camping facilities, hiking trails, fishing spots, and boating access to Wilson Reservoir. Visitors from Sawyer and beyond are drawn to its natural beauty and variety of outdoor activities available throughout the year.
7. Hays Aquatic Park
SUMMER WATER FUN
Hays Aquatic Park is a premier water recreation facility featuring water slides, a lazy river, competition pool, and diving boards. The park offers refreshing summer entertainment for families looking to escape the Kansas heat with a variety of aquatic attractions. Visitors from communities like Sawyer can enjoy spacious facilities designed for swimmers of all ages and abilities.
8. Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum
ROUTE 66 HISTORICAL MUSEUM
The Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum showcases the city's rich history from its early days as a trading post through its Civil War significance and beyond. Exhibits include a replica of the town's first post office, Civil War artifacts, and a collection of vintage vehicles. This cultural institution provides visitors from areas like Sawyer with insight into an important piece of Kansas history.
9. Historic Route 66
ICONIC AMERICAN HIGHWAY
Historic Route 66 passes through Kansas, offering a nostalgic journey along America's most famous highway. Travelers from Sawyer can experience this piece of Americana with its classic roadside architecture and historic landmarks like the Marsh Arch Bridge built in 1926. The route attracts road trippers and history enthusiasts seeking to connect with an important part of American travel culture.
10. Baxter Springs Riverside Park
RIVERSIDE RECREATION AREA
Baxter Springs Riverside Park provides a tranquil natural setting along Spring River with opportunities for fishing, hiking, and camping. The park features playground equipment and picnic areas, making it ideal for family outings and outdoor recreation. Visitors from communities like Sawyer can enjoy this scenic destination that showcases the natural beauty of southeastern Kansas.
11. Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center
SPACE EXPLORATION MUSEUM
The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center houses one of the most significant collections of U.S. and Russian space artifacts in the world. Visitors from Sawyer can explore full-sized replicas of spacecraft, actual flown spacecraft, and interactive exhibits detailing the history of space exploration. The center also features a state-of-the-art planetarium and IMAX theater that provide immersive educational experiences.
12. Strataca Salt Mine Museum
UNDERGROUND MINING ADVENTURE
Strataca offers visitors the rare opportunity to descend 650 feet below the surface into a working salt mine. This unique attraction near Sawyer features underground train rides, exhibits on mining history, and displays of artifacts preserved in the mine's perfect conditions. The museum provides a fascinating glimpse into both geological wonders and industrial heritage in a truly extraordinary setting.
13. Great Plains Nature Center
PRAIRIE WILDLIFE EDUCATION
The Great Plains Nature Center showcases the diverse ecosystems and wildlife of the Kansas prairies through interactive exhibits and educational programs. Visitors can explore indoor displays and then venture onto walking trails that wind through Chisholm Creek Park to observe native plants and animals. This center provides those from smaller communities like Sawyer with opportunities to connect with and learn about the natural environment of the region.
14. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
PROTECTED NATIVE GRASSLAND
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve protects one of the last remaining areas of undisturbed tallgrass prairie in North America. Visitors from Sawyer can explore over 40 miles of hiking trails through rolling hills where bison herds roam freely among native grasses and wildflowers. The preserve offers a glimpse into the vast grassland ecosystem that once covered 170 million acres of North America but now exists in less than 4% of its original range.
15. Keeper of the Plains
ICONIC NATIVE AMERICAN SCULPTURE
The Keeper of the Plains is a 44-foot tall steel sculpture standing at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers, representing the spiritual connection between earth, air, water and fire. Each evening at sunset, the Ring of Fire surrounding the base of the statue is lit for 15 minutes, creating a spectacular display for visitors. The adjacent Mid-America All-Indian Center provides educational exhibits on Plains Indian cultures, making this a significant cultural destination for visitors from communities like Sawyer.