Spring break trips that won’t break the bank

by Elizabeth Barker

Spring break is right around the corner. Where are you going? Have you thought about it? I’ve tried to. I’ve tried to come up with some ideas on close by destinations a family could drive to and that aren’t traditional places to go. Of course, we’d all love to hit the ski slopes or the beach – withthe economy the way it’s been, that’s not as easy as it once might have been.

So…where to? We looked at a bunch of different locations that are easy to pack up the family and hit the road. Locations where you’re not stuck in the car for too long and can still end up doing and seeing new things…hey, you might even LEARN something (but don’t tell the kids). Have you really spent a lot of time in Kansas and near by states looking at what we have to offer? Some great places to consider include:

Pittsburg, KS (165 miles)
Hutchinson (53 miles)
Dodge City (155 miles)
Oklahoma City (161 miles)
Springfield, MO (268 miles)
Abiline (107 miles)
Independence, KS (113 miles)
Lawrence (163 miles)
Liberal (212 miles)
Lincoln, NE (275 miles)
Manhattan, KS (131 miles)
We thought we’d take a closer look at
a few cities…

HAYS, KS (185 miles from Wichita)
Hays City was founded in the August of 1867 as the Union Pacific Railway Eastern Division worked its way west. The early days of Hays City were
wild and dangerous and skirmishes between some of the local “rough” citizens, the railroad workers and the soldiers only added to the reputation as
a lawless and tough “end of the tracks” town. The colorful lives and interesting stories of such notable names in history including: James Butler Hickok, General George A. Custer and his wife Libby, “Buffalo Bill” Cody and “Rattlesnake Pete” Lanahan, are an exciting part of the early days of Hays City.
Today, you can visit the historic Chestnut Street District for a taste of history with a more modern appeal. It’s full of unique art galleries, retail, restaurants and specialty shops. Hays is also home to three great museums covering its rich past and noteable names.

GOODLAND, KS (330 miles from Wichita)

Located in the far northwest corner of Kansas, at the Colorado line, and one county south of the Nebraska line, Sherman County claims the rightful title of “hub” of a tri-state area. Sherman County and Goodland are rich in history and culture. Goodland has its own Art Center that is full of beautiful crafts and products made by local artisans and Sherman County has its own historical society with several tours to enjoy.

The Big Easel Project began in 1996 when an artist and teacher, Cameron Cross, decided to contribute a work of art to the city in which he was teaching, Altona, Canada. Cross decided an enlarged hand painted reproduction of one of Vincent van Gogh’s sunflower paintings, a public domain painting, resting on an enormous easel would make an appropriate landmark for the city. The project soon began to take on a much larger scope. Cross decided to expand the project to seven easel’s with the easel acting on an internationally recognized symbol of art. With two easels already completed (Altona, Manitoba, Canada and Emerald, Queensland, Australia) Cross approached the city of Goodland, KS., for the third easel site.
Visit Goodland and sign your name in the book underneath the painting and become part of the project!

SCOTT CITY, KS (243 miles from Wichita)
Scott City was originally known as Scott Center as it is located at the very center of Scott County. It is also located equal distances between the states of Oklahoma and Nebraska and just sixty miles east from the state of Colorado. Scott County is full of history, some in the form of fossils from prehistoric times, the first building in Kansas, a pueblo, was erected about the time of Columbus, and the last battle in Kansas between the U.S. Cavalry and Indians in which an officer was killed occurred here. Camping and recreation vehicle facilities are offered at Scott Lake State Park which allows you to fish, boat, and hike. Wild game is everywhere with pheasants, turkeys, jack rabbits and deer. Scott City offers a progressive business
district with lots of restaurants and terrific retail.

TULSA, OK (180 miles from Wichita)
Older than Oklahoma itself, Tulsa has held many titles: “The Oil Capital of the World,” “America’s Most Beautiful City,” and “The Birthplace of Route 66.”
Not all of its history is as beautiful as the Art Deco architecture that adorns its downtown - notably, the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921. For over a century, Tulsa has not only made history, it has honored and preserved it. Make a little history of your own by visiting the world’s largest, most comprehensive collection of art and artifacts of the American West, the largest collection of Judaica in the American Southwest or the Italian Renaissance collections at one of five U.S. museums housed in a historic mansion with formal gardens. Tulsa’s ready to entertain you. Check what’s playing at the Performing Arts Center, the Brady Theater, the IMAX or our many stadium-seating movie theaters. Visit the aquarium, air and space museum or zoo - voted America’s favorite. Shopping is great at Utica Square or you can always hunt for antiques along Cherry Street. Just about any way you slice up the map, you can head in any direction and find something you’ve never done before. Pack up the family and try something new this year…it’s only a car ride away.