Linda’s Guidebook To Nearby Attractions
Nearby Restaurant Recommendations
Local favorites to enjoy covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. If you are arriving later in the evening I'd recommend to double check dining hours via their websites/social media.
Orozco's: Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner. Excellent homemade Mexican food in nearby small town, Kanopolis, KS. Tamales, chili carne with pork and super crispy homemade chips at prices from the last decade. Stop by after a visit to Mushroom State Park or Fort Harker. A hidden gem.
**Only accepts cash! Closed Mondays.
Orozco's Portales Cafe
117 North Kansas AvenueOrozco's: Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner. Excellent homemade Mexican food in nearby small town, Kanopolis, KS. Tamales, chili carne with pork and super crispy homemade chips at prices from the last decade. Stop by after a visit to Mushroom State Park or Fort Harker. A hidden gem.
**Only accepts cash! Closed Mondays.
Paden's Place: A local favorite for lunch or dinner! It's simple, down-to-earth, with friendly people and great food! Try the chicken fried steak special or fried cauliflower with ranch! There are 2 sides to Paden's Place (one for family atmosphere and the other for a bar atmosphere; full menu available on either side). Draft beers come in a frozen mug!
Paden's Place Restaurant
120 North Douglas AvenuePaden's Place: A local favorite for lunch or dinner! It's simple, down-to-earth, with friendly people and great food! Try the chicken fried steak special or fried cauliflower with ranch! There are 2 sides to Paden's Place (one for family atmosphere and the other for a bar atmosphere; full menu available on either side). Draft beers come in a frozen mug!
Hattie Jo's: Small town coffee shop located in downtown Ellsworth, KS. Featuring all of your favorite espresso drinks, house blend coffees, teas, and breakfast! Open Tuesday - Saturday 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
Hattie Jo’s Coffee House
113 Wn Main StreetHattie Jo's: Small town coffee shop located in downtown Ellsworth, KS. Featuring all of your favorite espresso drinks, house blend coffees, teas, and breakfast! Open Tuesday - Saturday 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
Gambino's: Great pizza for dine-in or carry-out! A specialty of the Ellsworth Gambinos is their "Italian Cheesesticks." This title can be deceiving as you essentially get a regular cheese pizza BUT with the addition of Italian salad dressing as the sauce. It's delicious and all in Ellsworth swear by it! Hamburgers, salads, and sandwiches also available.
Gambino's Pizza
105 North Lincoln AvenueGambino's: Great pizza for dine-in or carry-out! A specialty of the Ellsworth Gambinos is their "Italian Cheesesticks." This title can be deceiving as you essentially get a regular cheese pizza BUT with the addition of Italian salad dressing as the sauce. It's delicious and all in Ellsworth swear by it! Hamburgers, salads, and sandwiches also available.
El A De Oros: Another local favorite; great Mexican food! Chips and Guac, Margs, big portioned platters; what more can you want?!
El A De Oros
1408 Foster RoadEl A De Oros: Another local favorite; great Mexican food! Chips and Guac, Margs, big portioned platters; what more can you want?!
Midland Hotel: A quick drive from the Airbnb to the Czech Capital of Kansas; Wilson, Kansas! Enjoy American cuisine at the Historic Midland Hotel in their Sample Room Tavern, a restaurant which features a bar/lounge.
Midland Railroad Hotel & Restaurant
414 26th StMidland Hotel: A quick drive from the Airbnb to the Czech Capital of Kansas; Wilson, Kansas! Enjoy American cuisine at the Historic Midland Hotel in their Sample Room Tavern, a restaurant which features a bar/lounge.
Area Attractions and Sightseeing
One of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography, Mushroom Rock is the smallest, but one of the most unique, state parks in Kansas. The park is only 5 acres but boasts some of the most unusual rock formations anywhere. The rocks served as meeting places and landmarks for Native Americans and early pioneers such as John C. Fremont and Kit Carson.
Mushroom Rock State Park
Avenue KOne of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography, Mushroom Rock is the smallest, but one of the most unique, state parks in Kansas. The park is only 5 acres but boasts some of the most unusual rock formations anywhere. The rocks served as meeting places and landmarks for Native Americans and early pioneers such as John C. Fremont and Kit Carson.
This massive 20 feet (6.09 meters) tall and 15 feet (4.57 meters) wide structure of an egg was installed at its current location on the Interstate Highway 70 in the year 2013. It has been painted in a traditional Czech design known as Kraslice art by local artist Christine Slechta. Great photo opp!
Worlds Largest Czech Egg
2520 Ave DThis massive 20 feet (6.09 meters) tall and 15 feet (4.57 meters) wide structure of an egg was installed at its current location on the Interstate Highway 70 in the year 2013. It has been painted in a traditional Czech design known as Kraslice art by local artist Christine Slechta. Great photo opp!
Nestled amid the folds of rugged rolling hills, the Kanopolis State Park features an incredible landscape which is dominated by woods and sandstone bluffs, as well as the Horsethief Canyon, which never ceases to awe visitors. Trekking through this vast terrain, visitors will be able to survey and admire the beauty of the fascinating surroundings of the stunning Smoky Hills region. Indulge in hunting, fishing, kayaking, or horseback riding as you gallop down a number of varying trails yielded by the park!
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Kanopolis Lake State Park
200 Horsethief RdNestled amid the folds of rugged rolling hills, the Kanopolis State Park features an incredible landscape which is dominated by woods and sandstone bluffs, as well as the Horsethief Canyon, which never ceases to awe visitors. Trekking through this vast terrain, visitors will be able to survey and admire the beauty of the fascinating surroundings of the stunning Smoky Hills region. Indulge in hunting, fishing, kayaking, or horseback riding as you gallop down a number of varying trails yielded by the park!
Located in the heart of the Smoky Hills, Wilson State Park is considered by many to be the most beautiful in the state. Wilson Reservoir features a rugged shoreline punctuated by scenic cliffs and rocky outcrops. The park and surrounding wildlife area offer the opportunity to view and photograph deer, pheasant, waterfowl, songbirds, and furbearers.
Wilson State Park
3 State Park RoadLocated in the heart of the Smoky Hills, Wilson State Park is considered by many to be the most beautiful in the state. Wilson Reservoir features a rugged shoreline punctuated by scenic cliffs and rocky outcrops. The park and surrounding wildlife area offer the opportunity to view and photograph deer, pheasant, waterfowl, songbirds, and furbearers.
ONE OF THE “EIGHT WONDERS of Kansas Art,” the Garden of Eden is a home and sculpture park built by civil war veteran Samuel Dinsmoor. Dinsmoor was a farmer, mason and political radical who often attended meetings of the rational and materialist “free thinkers.” Dinsmore displayed this free thinking in the construction of his concrete house, concrete barn, concrete pyramid, and a concrete spring that he supplied with water by illegally tapping into the town’s water main.
His final act was building a concrete mausoleum, and when he died after 21 years of building, he was placed in a glass coffin within that mausoleum, making himself the final and ultimate exhibit in his labor of love.
S. P. Dinsmoor's Garden of Eden
305 E 2nd StONE OF THE “EIGHT WONDERS of Kansas Art,” the Garden of Eden is a home and sculpture park built by civil war veteran Samuel Dinsmoor. Dinsmoor was a farmer, mason and political radical who often attended meetings of the rational and materialist “free thinkers.” Dinsmore displayed this free thinking in the construction of his concrete house, concrete barn, concrete pyramid, and a concrete spring that he supplied with water by illegally tapping into the town’s water main.
His final act was building a concrete mausoleum, and when he died after 21 years of building, he was placed in a glass coffin within that mausoleum, making himself the final and ultimate exhibit in his labor of love.
Visit the Rolling Hills Zoo for a fun day out amidst nature and animals. The beautiful facility has numerous species from the animal kingdom, including the rare Indian rhino, white camel, orangutan and many more. Walk through the 60-acre (24.28-hectare) facility, divided into different regions, for an intriguing glimpse of animals in their authentic habitats. If you are an animal lover and walking isn’t for you, then you can take a tram ride around the zoo.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zoológico Rolling Hills
625 N Hedville RdVisit the Rolling Hills Zoo for a fun day out amidst nature and animals. The beautiful facility has numerous species from the animal kingdom, including the rare Indian rhino, white camel, orangutan and many more. Walk through the 60-acre (24.28-hectare) facility, divided into different regions, for an intriguing glimpse of animals in their authentic habitats. If you are an animal lover and walking isn’t for you, then you can take a tram ride around the zoo.
Relive your youth from the 50s and 60s, this point drive-in theater in the small town of Kanopolis will do just that. A great drive-in theater still in existence in the town of Kanopolis Kansas. Only open during summer months.
Kanopolis Drive In Theatre
804 North Kansas AvenueRelive your youth from the 50s and 60s, this point drive-in theater in the small town of Kanopolis will do just that. A great drive-in theater still in existence in the town of Kanopolis Kansas. Only open during summer months.
Based in three 19th century buildings in Lucas’s downtown area, Grassroots Art Center focuses on promoting self-taught artists in the city. The art center mainly displays exhibits by folk artists but includes creations from other artists too. The permanent exhibit at this center has an impressive collection of artwork made out of limestone, debris, chewing gums, and more.
Grassroots Art Center
213 S Main StBased in three 19th century buildings in Lucas’s downtown area, Grassroots Art Center focuses on promoting self-taught artists in the city. The art center mainly displays exhibits by folk artists but includes creations from other artists too. The permanent exhibit at this center has an impressive collection of artwork made out of limestone, debris, chewing gums, and more.
The Maxwell Wildlife Refuge in McPherson County, Kansas consists of 2,574 acres of mostly mixed grass prairie. Bison and elk inhabit the refuge.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Maxwell Wildlife Refuge
2565 Pueblo RdThe Maxwell Wildlife Refuge in McPherson County, Kansas consists of 2,574 acres of mostly mixed grass prairie. Bison and elk inhabit the refuge.
Cheyenne Bottoms is a 41,000-acre wetland complex in central Kansas and one of the top staging areas (the places migrating birds stop to feed and rest) for shorebirds and waterfowl in the United States. These wetlands host tens of thousands of shorebirds and up to 1/4 million waterfowl each year during their migrations.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cheyenne Bottoms Refuge
204 NE 60 RdCheyenne Bottoms is a 41,000-acre wetland complex in central Kansas and one of the top staging areas (the places migrating birds stop to feed and rest) for shorebirds and waterfowl in the United States. These wetlands host tens of thousands of shorebirds and up to 1/4 million waterfowl each year during their migrations.
Ellsworth had a long history as a cow town and railroad town. Now an agricultural community, trains still pass through regularly. There are Victorian era displays, a RR Depot, Union Pacific wooden caboose, school, church, log cabin, stable, jail, and a guide to relate the history and point out some things you might otherwise overlook.
Hodgen House Museum Complex
104 South Main StreetEllsworth had a long history as a cow town and railroad town. Now an agricultural community, trains still pass through regularly. There are Victorian era displays, a RR Depot, Union Pacific wooden caboose, school, church, log cabin, stable, jail, and a guide to relate the history and point out some things you might otherwise overlook.
The Fort Harker Guardhouse Museum Complex in Kanopolis, Kansas is operated by the Ellsworth County Historical Society. Four buildings have been preserved from the fort which operated from 1866 to 1873. When we visited the museum in winter, only one them, the restored Guard House was open to the public. At other times, the commanding officers quarters and one of the two junior officers quarters, which are a few blocks away, may also be open. All four of the buildings are constructed from native Dakota sandstone.
Ft Harker Museum
303 West Ohio AvenueThe Fort Harker Guardhouse Museum Complex in Kanopolis, Kansas is operated by the Ellsworth County Historical Society. Four buildings have been preserved from the fort which operated from 1866 to 1873. When we visited the museum in winter, only one them, the restored Guard House was open to the public. At other times, the commanding officers quarters and one of the two junior officers quarters, which are a few blocks away, may also be open. All four of the buildings are constructed from native Dakota sandstone.
Ellsworth Historical Plaza Walking Tour: This walking tour covers the original plaza of this Kansas cattle town known as "End of the Trail." To enable visitors to experience this special western aura, 17 authentic frontier silhouettes and interpretive signs provide an overview of daily life on the Ellsworth Plaza. The walk comes with a brochure. Visitors are certain to enjoy this walk in Ellsworth's history.
Southwest Main Street
Southwest Main StreetEllsworth Historical Plaza Walking Tour: This walking tour covers the original plaza of this Kansas cattle town known as "End of the Trail." To enable visitors to experience this special western aura, 17 authentic frontier silhouettes and interpretive signs provide an overview of daily life on the Ellsworth Plaza. The walk comes with a brochure. Visitors are certain to enjoy this walk in Ellsworth's history.
Faris Caves are a series of artificially excavated caves located along the Smoky Hill River in central Ellsworth County, Kansas. Each of the three caves are about 12-feet square, with 10-foot arched ceiling, dug out of the Dakota Sandstone with a pickaxe by Coloradan miner Charles Griffee in the 1880s. [1] Fresh spring water flowed through one of the caves to help keep food and supplies cool in the hot months.
Faris Caves
Faris Caves are a series of artificially excavated caves located along the Smoky Hill River in central Ellsworth County, Kansas. Each of the three caves are about 12-feet square, with 10-foot arched ceiling, dug out of the Dakota Sandstone with a pickaxe by Coloradan miner Charles Griffee in the 1880s. [1] Fresh spring water flowed through one of the caves to help keep food and supplies cool in the hot months.
One of the best maintained and affordable courses around. Fun course for all skill levels. Come give this course a try.
Ellsworth Golf Course
900 East 2nd StreetOne of the best maintained and affordable courses around. Fun course for all skill levels. Come give this course a try.
Area art and special collections on a rotating basis. On permanent display are works from the Charles B. Rogers collection. Stop by or make special arrangements for a group tour.
Ellsworth Area Arts Council
223 North Douglas AvenueArea art and special collections on a rotating basis. On permanent display are works from the Charles B. Rogers collection. Stop by or make special arrangements for a group tour.
A small Kansas town is working on becoming the next Roswell, New Mexico. In Rice County, the Geneseo Museum is inviting visitors to check out its UFO exhibit.
With Geneseo’s population of fewer than 300 people, members of its museum want to help bring life back to town through the museum’s UFO collection.
It is open the second Saturday of each month from 2 to 5 p.m. or by special appointment by contacting
Jim Gray 785-531-2058
Geneseo City Museum Museum and UFO Museum
907 Silver AvenueA small Kansas town is working on becoming the next Roswell, New Mexico. In Rice County, the Geneseo Museum is inviting visitors to check out its UFO exhibit.
With Geneseo’s population of fewer than 300 people, members of its museum want to help bring life back to town through the museum’s UFO collection.
It is open the second Saturday of each month from 2 to 5 p.m. or by special appointment by contacting
Jim Gray 785-531-2058