White City KansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near White City, Kansas.
1. Historic Stone Store Bed & Breakfast
HISTORIC ACCOMMODATION EXPERIENCE
The Historic Stone Store is a two-story building that has been converted into a charming bed & breakfast in White City. Visitors can experience a piece of local history while enjoying comfortable accommodations. The Stone Store represents an important part of White City's heritage and offers a unique lodging option for travelers exploring the area.
2. KATY Railroad Rail Car Museum
RAILROAD HISTORY PRESERVED
The KATY Railroad Rail Car Museum showcases the important role of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad in White City's development. Visitors can explore historic rail cars and learn about the railway that was built in 1868, predating the town itself. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into transportation history and the railroad's influence on settlement in the region.
3. Baxter School House Museum
EDUCATIONAL HERITAGE SITE
The Baxter School House is a preserved one-room schoolhouse that now serves as a museum in White City. Built in 1873 for $1,200, it represents the early educational history of the community. Visitors can step back in time to experience what school life was like for pioneer children in rural Kansas.
4. Katy Park
COMMUNITY RECREATION SPACE
Katy Park serves as a central recreation area for residents and visitors in White City. The park offers open spaces and facilities for outdoor activities and community gatherings. It represents an important part of the small-town living experience that White City prides itself on providing.
5. White City Public Library
KNOWLEDGE AND COMMUNITY HUB
The White City Public Library serves as an important cultural and educational resource for the community. Visitors can access books, resources, and community programs in this local institution. The library embodies the town's commitment to education and community service.
6. Commercial Hotel
HISTORIC HOSPITALITY LANDMARK
The Commercial Hotel in White City has a rich history dating back to the early days of the settlement. Originally built to accommodate guests, railway travelers, and settlers viewing homesteads, it represents an important piece of local heritage. The hotel stands as a reminder of White City's development as a railroad town in the 1870s.
7. Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area offers excellent fishing and hunting opportunities near White City. The area features a beautiful lake surrounded by natural landscapes that attract outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, and other recreational activities in this serene natural setting.
8. Kaw Mission State Historic Site
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE
The Kaw Mission State Historic Site preserves a mission built in 1851 to educate children of the Kaw (or Kansa) tribe. Located in nearby Council Grove, this limestone structure now serves as a museum telling the story of the Kaw people and the Santa Fe Trail. Visitors can explore exhibits about Native American history and the cultural interactions that shaped the region.
9. Freedom Park - Atomic Cannon
MILITARY HISTORY DISPLAY
Freedom Park features an impressive Atomic Cannon, a unique piece of Cold War military history. Located near White City in Junction City, the park displays this massive artillery piece designed to fire nuclear shells. Visitors interested in military history will find this rare artifact a fascinating glimpse into America's atomic-age military development.
10. Atlas Ad Astra Adventure Resort
CONVERTED MISSILE SILO EXPERIENCE
Atlas Ad Astra Adventure Resort offers visitors the unique opportunity to explore inside a converted missile silo near Wilson, Kansas. This extraordinary attraction transforms Cold War military infrastructure into an adventure destination not far from White City. Guests can discover the underground world of nuclear deterrence while enjoying modern resort amenities in this one-of-a-kind setting.
11. Council Grove Downtown Historic District
SANTA FE TRAIL HERITAGE
The Council Grove Downtown Historic District preserves numerous historic buildings related to the Santa Fe Trail. Located near White City, this well-preserved district features limestone buildings, museums, and sites dating to the mid-1800s. Visitors can walk the streets where traders, settlers, and Native Americans once conducted business and diplomacy.
12. Hays House Restaurant
KANSAS' OLDEST RESTAURANT
Hays House Restaurant, established in 1857, claims the title of Kansas' oldest continuously operating restaurant. Located in nearby Council Grove, this historic eatery served as a gathering place for Santa Fe Trail travelers, and now offers traditional Kansas cuisine in a historic setting. Diners can enjoy home-style meals while surrounded by artifacts and memorabilia from the restaurant's 160+ year history.
13. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
NATIVE PRAIRIE ECOSYSTEM
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve protects nearly 11,000 acres of native tallgrass prairie, one of the last remaining examples of this ecosystem. Located within driving distance of White City, visitors can explore hiking trails through rolling hills where bison now roam once again. The preserve offers a glimpse of what the vast American prairie looked like before European settlement.
14. White City Mercantile
LOCAL SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
White City Mercantile serves as a convenient local grocery store for residents and visitors alike. The store embodies the friendly small-town merchants that are highlighted as part of White City's appeal. Shoppers can find essential items while experiencing the community atmosphere that makes White City special.
15. White City Hometown Newspaper Office
LOCAL NEWS HEADQUARTERS
The White City Hometown Newspaper Office produces the local publication that keeps residents informed about community events and news. Visitors interested in local history and current events can stop by to pick up a copy or learn about the town's stories. The newspaper represents the strong community connections and small-town values that define White City.