Severance KansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Severance, Kansas.
1. Cross Timbers State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Cross Timbers State Park offers visitors a beautiful natural setting with hiking trails and water activities. The park features unique cross timbers forest ecosystems, which are rare transitional zones between eastern forests and western prairies. Visitors can enjoy camping, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing throughout the year.
2. Fall River State Park
SCENIC NATURAL BEAUTY
Fall River State Park provides a scenic escape with beautiful waterfront views and abundant wildlife. The park encompasses diverse habitats including prairie, woodlands, and river environments that support numerous recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, and bird watching in this picturesque Kansas landscape.
3. Shady Creek Marina
BOATING AND RECREATION
Shady Creek Marina offers boat rentals and water recreation opportunities for visitors to enjoy the local waterways. The marina provides convenient access to the lake with docking facilities and boating supplies. Visitors can spend the day fishing, boating, or relaxing by the water at this popular local destination.
4. Hubbles Rubble
UNIQUE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
Hubbles Rubble is a charming local shop known for its eclectic collection of antiques and curiosities. The store features a variety of vintage items, collectibles, and unique finds that attract both locals and tourists. Visitors enjoy browsing through the ever-changing inventory and discovering one-of-a-kind treasures.
5. Needle in a Haystack
CRAFTS AND COLLECTIBLES
Needle in a Haystack delights visitors with its selection of handcrafted items and local artisanal goods. The shop showcases the talents of regional craftspeople through a carefully curated collection of unique products. Shoppers can find everything from handmade quilts to custom jewelry and home decor items.
6. Severy City Park
COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE
Severy City Park serves as the heart of community activities and outdoor recreation in the town. The park features open green spaces, playground equipment, and picnic facilities for families to enjoy. Throughout the year, the park hosts various community events, seasonal festivals, and outdoor concerts that bring residents together.
7. Strataca
UNDERGROUND SALT MUSEUM
Strataca offers visitors a fascinating journey 650 feet underground into one of the world's largest salt deposits. The underground museum features exhibits on mining history, salt formation, and the various uses of salt throughout human history. Visitors can take guided tours through massive excavated caverns and even collect souvenir salt samples during their subterranean adventure.
8. The Keeper of the Plains
ICONIC CULTURAL MONUMENT
The Keeper of the Plains is a 44-foot tall steel sculpture standing at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers. This iconic monument honors the Native American heritage of the region with its impressive design and surrounding Plaza of the Keeper. Visitors can experience the Ring of Fire ceremony where firepots around the base of the sculpture are lit at specific times, creating a breathtaking display.
9. Kansas State Capitol Building
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT CENTER
The Kansas State Capitol Building stands as an impressive example of French Renaissance architecture with its distinctive copper dome and ornate interior. Visitors can admire the beautiful murals, including John Steuart Curry's famous depiction of John Brown, and the intricate details of the rotunda. Free guided tours are available, allowing guests to learn about Kansas history while exploring this magnificent historic structure.
10. Garden of Eden
QUIRKY CONCRETE SCULPTURES
The Garden of Eden features an extraordinary collection of concrete sculptures created by artist S.P. Dinsmoor in the early 1900s. This unique attraction combines religious and political imagery in whimsical concrete sculptures that have withstood the test of time for nearly a century. Visitors can take self-guided tours of this artistic wonderland that has made the small town of Lucas a destination for art enthusiasts.
11. Brandt's Meat Market
LOCAL CULINARY TREASURE
Brandt's Meat Market delights visitors with its selection of house-made sausages and specialty meat products. This local culinary institution has been serving the community with traditional recipes and quality meats for generations. Visitors to Lucas often stop by to pick up tasty snacks and locally-produced food items during their exploration of the town's artistic attractions.
12. Four-State Lookout
PANORAMIC REGIONAL VIEWS
The Four-State Lookout offers visitors spectacular panoramic views where Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa meet. This scenic viewpoint sits atop the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River valley, providing breathtaking vistas of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can enjoy the unique experience of seeing four states simultaneously from this impressive vantage point.
13. Glacial Hills Scenic Byway
PICTURESQUE DRIVING ROUTE
The Glacial Hills Scenic Byway takes travelers through northeastern Kansas's unique landscape shaped by ancient glaciers. The route winds through rolling hills, past farmlands, and along bluffs overlooking the Missouri River. Drivers can enjoy the changing scenery while accessing various historical sites and natural attractions along this picturesque roadway.
14. Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
HISTORICAL EXPLORATION PATH
The Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail follows the path of the famous expedition that explored the American West in the early 1800s. In Kansas, the trail runs along the Missouri River, where Lewis and Clark documented their observations of the landscape and encountered Native American tribes. Visitors can hike portions of the trail and learn about this important chapter in American history through interpretive displays and historic sites.
15. Pony Express National Historic Trail
LEGENDARY MAIL ROUTE
The Pony Express National Historic Trail commemorates the famous mail delivery service that connected the eastern United States with the western territories in 1860-1861. The Kansas portion of the trail includes several well-preserved stations and markers indicating the route taken by the brave riders. History enthusiasts can follow the trail to discover the stories of this short-lived but legendary chapter in American communication history.