Víkend House Guidebook
Sightseeing
It's just not a complete trip to Wilson, without seeing the egg and hopefully learning a little bit about the heritage of the immigrants who settled the area.
Worlds Largest Czech Egg
2520 Ave DIt's just not a complete trip to Wilson, without seeing the egg and hopefully learning a little bit about the heritage of the immigrants who settled the area.
The round limestone jail is behind Grandma's Soda shop in Wilson. It's worth a stop if you're walking around downtown.
Wilson Old City Jail
The round limestone jail is behind Grandma's Soda shop in Wilson. It's worth a stop if you're walking around downtown.
There's an egg in front of the office, but the draw is an actual working phone booth and pedestal mounted pay phone. Take the kids and see if they can operate the phone, and or the phone booth doors.
Wilson Communications
2504 Avenue DThere's an egg in front of the office, but the draw is an actual working phone booth and pedestal mounted pay phone. Take the kids and see if they can operate the phone, and or the phone booth doors.
First thing, if you're heading to the lake, download an area map and/or state park maps onto your phone or take paper copies. Cell service can be sketchy. Take a $5 bill so you can pay on your way into the park.
-For mountain biking the easy loop, make your way to the shower house parking lot for the Switchgrass Campground. It's a good overlook with a big lot.
-For kayak/sup, if you're not bringing your own, set up a reservation with Kayak Zach at Knotheads Bait Shop or call ahead at 785-658-2166.
-For hiking, download a copy of the state park maps and plan accordingly for supplies and often fast changing weather. This part of Kansas isn't flat.
-For boats, there's a marina at the lake and boat ramps and way too much info to list here.
Wilson State Park
3 State Park RoadFirst thing, if you're heading to the lake, download an area map and/or state park maps onto your phone or take paper copies. Cell service can be sketchy. Take a $5 bill so you can pay on your way into the park.
-For mountain biking the easy loop, make your way to the shower house parking lot for the Switchgrass Campground. It's a good overlook with a big lot.
-For kayak/sup, if you're not bringing your own, set up a reservation with Kayak Zach at Knotheads Bait Shop or call ahead at 785-658-2166.
-For hiking, download a copy of the state park maps and plan accordingly for supplies and often fast changing weather. This part of Kansas isn't flat.
-For boats, there's a marina at the lake and boat ramps and way too much info to list here.
North 40 Alpacas is north of Osborne on Hwy281. If you have kids, Vickie may let them out in the barn to feed the girls. Call ahead to see if she is open and has time for this. The store has wonderful finished goods and skeins of the softest alpaca wool you've ever handled. This small business is worth the trip.
North 40 Aplacas
460 S U.S. 24North 40 Alpacas is north of Osborne on Hwy281. If you have kids, Vickie may let them out in the barn to feed the girls. Call ahead to see if she is open and has time for this. The store has wonderful finished goods and skeins of the softest alpaca wool you've ever handled. This small business is worth the trip.
Great place for local art, but also for gifts and t-shirts. They're located at 423 27th St, Wilson, KS. Look them up on facebook or google for current hours.
Midland Mercantile and Art Gallery
423 27th StreetGreat place for local art, but also for gifts and t-shirts. They're located at 423 27th St, Wilson, KS. Look them up on facebook or google for current hours.
Bait shop and Kayak/SUP rentals through Kayak Zach. The shop is near the entrance for the lake and is hard to miss.
Knotheads @ Wilson Lake LLC. Your Adventure Begin's @ Knotheads!!
132 East Shoreline RoadBait shop and Kayak/SUP rentals through Kayak Zach. The shop is near the entrance for the lake and is hard to miss.
City/town information
Lucas is the grassroots art capitol of Kansas. You'll find all sorts of things around town, even on the light posts. Don't miss the Switchgrass Art Co-Op at 208 South Main St. The Garden of Eden is a well-known landmark, but don't miss the public bathroom downtown; it's quite a sight. The K-18 cafe is a wonderful diner throwback and has great food if you're out that way. If you're in need of some snack sticks, don't miss Brant's Market. Lucas has a movie theater that's run by volunteers, so look it up and check to see if something's playing.
Lucas
Lucas is the grassroots art capitol of Kansas. You'll find all sorts of things around town, even on the light posts. Don't miss the Switchgrass Art Co-Op at 208 South Main St. The Garden of Eden is a well-known landmark, but don't miss the public bathroom downtown; it's quite a sight. The K-18 cafe is a wonderful diner throwback and has great food if you're out that way. If you're in need of some snack sticks, don't miss Brant's Market. Lucas has a movie theater that's run by volunteers, so look it up and check to see if something's playing.
Food scene
Go have dinner here or at least visit the barn bar! This hotel/restaurant/bar is worth the trip. Plan for Saturday night prime rib and drink specials. Heck, plan on staying in the hotel for a day and enjoy the woodwork and charm - we do!
Midland Railroad Hotel & Restaurant
414 26th StGo have dinner here or at least visit the barn bar! This hotel/restaurant/bar is worth the trip. Plan for Saturday night prime rib and drink specials. Heck, plan on staying in the hotel for a day and enjoy the woodwork and charm - we do!
Show the kids a working soda fountain and local teenager behind the bar might just show you how it's done. The food and sodas are great. Share a bierock just to say you did!
Grandma's Soda Shop & Diner
2524 Avenue EastShow the kids a working soda fountain and local teenager behind the bar might just show you how it's done. The food and sodas are great. Share a bierock just to say you did!
Don't skip breakfast. If you're the type of traveler who seeks out restaurants where most of the farm trucks in the county end up in the mornings, then this is your spot. Everything on the menu is good. Breakfast and lunch only - closed Mon/Tues. Check before you go.
Made From Scratch
527 27th StDon't skip breakfast. If you're the type of traveler who seeks out restaurants where most of the farm trucks in the county end up in the mornings, then this is your spot. Everything on the menu is good. Breakfast and lunch only - closed Mon/Tues. Check before you go.
Wilson Foods is the local grocery store with most anything you'll need for a lake visit. It's walking distance to the house and has a little of everything. The meat counter and deli always have something good. In the back there's a small hardware store for this and that without having to drive to Ellsworth.
Wilson Foods
2546 Avenue EastWilson Foods is the local grocery store with most anything you'll need for a lake visit. It's walking distance to the house and has a little of everything. The meat counter and deli always have something good. In the back there's a small hardware store for this and that without having to drive to Ellsworth.
Consejos para la ciudad
Antes de que te vayas
Street Drainage/Launch Ramps
Please watch carefully and go slowly through town. The sides of the streets, especially N/S streets, are used as rain drainage and can damage your vehicle if you aren't ready for them.
Antes de que te vayas
Blue Hills Bikes in Osborne
Blue Hills is the only area bike shop we've found. It's a small shop run by wonderful, helpful people. John is a coach for the youth mountain biking team NCK Raptors. Make sure to build some time in to your trip, John and Laura are a fonts of local trails and other knowledge and you'll burn an hour just swapping stories. They can be reached at (785) 346-6156.
Antes de que te vayas
Marine Specialty
You'll pass this shop if you're heading to/from the lake. They work on post 1980 boats. Their address is 275 Hwy 232 Wilson, Kansas 67490 and they can be reached at 785-658-3626. They are closed on Sundays, so plan accordingly.
No te pierdas
Cozy Inn Salina
If you're headed to Wilson from the east, the Cozy Inn in Salina is a good stop if you like onion-ey loose-meat sliders. They sell them by the sack and if you don't want to go in, there's a walk-up window. If you're traveling with a GPS, you can call in about 20 minutes out and they'll have you ready. They're at 108 N 7th St, Salina, KS 67401 and can be reached at (785) 825-2699.