Observe at the Cosmosphere and Space Center

Located in Hutchison, Kansas is the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center. At the Kansas Cosmosphere there are a plethora of different venues you can visit. You can visit the Hall of Space Museum, a Carey Digital Dome Theatre Documentary, a Dr. Goddard's Lab show, a Justice Planetarium show, and the naviGATOR flight simulator while there. The great thing about the Cosmosphere is that you can buy an all day mission pass, to visit all of these exhibits or you can just buy a single venue ticket, if there is only one exhibit that interests you or that you have time for. An all-day mission pass is $20.00 for children ages 4-12, $22.00 for adults, and free for children ages 3 and under. That is a deal you can't miss out on, if you are up for an all-day event. If you aren't up for doing all of them, the prices for the single events vary depending on event. You can visit to find out more information on pricing. The Cosmosphere in Hutchison, Kansas has so much to offer when visiting. They even offer various camps for people ages 2nd grade through adults. It is a great experience. Not only is it a fun, family oriented experience, but also an educational one.

Come Out to The Country Club Plaza

Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday and time of year, as I think it is to a lot of people. In honor of that, my next post is the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City. The 15 blocks of endless possibilities,the Plaza, is located in Kansas City, Missouri, but it is so close to the Kansas border that it is worth going over during the winter season. Winter time at the plaza is simply magical. On Thanksgiving night they have a traditional ceremony in which tourists and Kansas residents gather to 'countdown' to the turning on of Christmas lights strung throughout the entire Country Club Plaza. The ceremony begins at 5:00 p.m., Thanksgiving day. The day after, they have Black Friday shopping at the plaza. Along with the magnificent ceremony in the winter, they also have horse drawn carriage rides touring the plaza. If you are looking for a night out with the girls or a romantic night on the town, the Plaza is filled with numerous shopping stores, as well as a plethora of fine dining restaurant choices for your specific needs and wants. Below is a link to the website to find out more on the Plaza. http://countryclubplaza.com/

Dine at Bobo's Drive In

Like I mentioned in the post prior, I will be picking two restaurants that are unique to the great state of Kansas. My first selection was Smokey's BBQ, located in Wellsville, Kansas, my second is Bobo's Drive In, located in Topeka, Kansas. Bobo's Drive In first came to Topeka in 1948 and found it's home location on 10th Avenue in 1953. This restaurant is located in the capitol of Kansas, bringing a lot of tourists in. I personally have never been to Bobo's, but I have only heard good reviews. I am a current freshman at Washburn University, so I am new to Topeka, but plan to attend all the hotspot eating locations over the next four years. In 2007, Richard and Tricia Marsh bought Bobo's. In the reviews, their best items are their cheeseburgers and fries. On a few websites it is known as Topeka's Best Burger. In December of 2007 the restaurant was featured on the hit tv show, Diners, Dine-Ins, and Dives. Mostly, though, they are known for their Spanish burger and apple pie. Bobo's Drive in is a classic drive-in, giving you the feel of the 50's while you are there. If you want an old time feel, or just a good burger, stop in the capitol city to Bobo's Drive In.

Stop in at Smokey's

For my next two posts I am going to do them on restaurants that are unique to Kansas.  For my first one I am going to focus on a bbq restaurant.  I chose bbq first because Kansas is in the Midwestern United States and we love a good barbeque restaurant.  One that is original to our state is one that is near and dear to my heart, Smokey's BBQ.  Smokey's BBQ is located in my hometown of Wellsville, Kansas.  The restaurant was originally called Hotwicks, but it burned down in the 90's and that is how it got it's new and improved name Smokey's.  The restaurant has brought in tourists from all around.  I personally have seen license plates from Texas, Wyoming, Las Vegas, and many more on the brick Main Street, parked in front of Smokey's BBQ.  It is under management of a local family and they keep it in tip top shape, always looking for ways to improve.  Growing up in Wellsville, I have been there thousands of times and sometimes forget how unique that is to not only our town, but to Kansas in general.  They are famous for their fried pickles, which in an appetizer you can get.  Next time you're around those parts or passing through, stop in for some quality food and a good feeling restaurant.  Located below is the location of the restaurant in Wellsville, Kansas.

Sun and Stampede

       Hosted by 94.5 country, the Country Stampede is held in Manhattan, Kansas every year in the month of July.  Every year there is a line up of famous country singers, ranging from someone very well known to a rising star.  This past year Jason Aldean was the main singer, bringing in a lot of fans(especially from the female population).  This four day event is held at Tuttle Creek State Park.  While attending the stampede, you can either camp on the camp grounds they provide, or stay in a nearby hotel.  For all you country fans out there, in 2014 it has been announced that the main singers are Luke Bryan and Eric Church.  Both some of country's hottest artists.  During the event, a charity auction is held to benefit the regional charities.  All items given at the stampede are unique and original.  Some of those items are a meet and greet with a singer, a signed instrument from the artist, and things donated from the local businesses.
       This event again is a four day event.  Each day is filled with different artists and a lot fun.  Right now there are tickets you can pre-order for the 2014 Country Stampede.  If you are a country fan or someone who wants to have a good time.  Get on http://countrystampede.com/ and order your ticket today.  According to their website, only 234 more days until the next one!  You will not regret buying your ticket.

Run to the Renaissance

The Renaissance Festival in Kansas City is a treat for the whole family.  Whether you are a tourist or a resident of the state, this is a great activity to do in the fall season.  The Renaissance Festival goes on for seven weekends from August to October.  They have so much to offer at this event.  There are seven themed weekends, 20 entertainment venues, over 100 artisan booths, and to top it all off, live armored jousting.  The festival is set back in the 16th century, the 'Medieval Time Period'.  This event is a double whammy in itself.  It is a fun event, while at the same time educational, taking a blast into the 1500's.  A huge benefit to this event is that there is endless entertainment.  It has everything from stage acts, musical entertainment, games, and other miscellaneous activities.  A few years ago my family attended the festival, and each member of my family enjoyed it for its different activities.  This event is so diverse, no matter what your interest is, you will find something that interests you.  Below is a link to the website for further information.  Be diverse and broaden your horizons-attend the festival.  There is one more week available to go this year, if not get your ticket in advance for next year!

http://kcrenfest.com/

Meet at the Mill

If you think you've had good apple cider, think again, you haven't visited the Louisburg Cider Mill.  The Louisburg Cider Mill is located just off of 33 highway.  It's good for all kinds of visits like family outings or a class field trip.  In the video above you will learn about the history of the mill as well as seeing how the cider is made today.  The cider mill is only 20 minutes away from my hometown, so I have been fortunate to have been there plenty of times and drink they're famous apple cider.  It may be known for the apple cider, but they have so much more to offer.  In the month of October they provide a pumpkin patch around the mill, which is fun for all ages.  In addition to that, they also have cider doughnuts, which are to die for.  If you haven't been, you're missing out.  If you're in the Halloween spirit and haven't gotten your pumpkins for the holidays, go to the Louisburg Cider Mill to get your pumpkin and enjoy their delicious cider and doughnuts!

Hope everyone had a blessed and safe weekend!