Kansas Car Rental

Guide to Kansas

Geography

Most of Kansas lies in the Great Plains, with only sparse forests and grassy hills. The largest cities in Kansas are Wichita, Overland Park and Kansas City.

Climate

Some parts of Kansas are semi-arid, while others are humid. The climate is mildly continental; although there is significant temperature variation, there aren’t too many instances of extreme heat or cold. Visit during autumn – that’s when outdoor activities are most enjoyable.

Things to do in Kansas

Relive the 1800s

To learn more about Kansas’ role in the Civil War, visit Fort Larned and Fort Scott. Fort Larned was the site of a famous meeting between American general WS Hancock and several Cheyenne chiefs, while Fort Scott once saw street fighting over the question of slavery.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for something less war-related and more cinematic, head out to Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City. Here, you can not only examine over 20,000 artifacts from the 1800s but also drink at a vintage bar, peer through old doorways and watch reenactments of gunfights.

Admire the Great Plains

At Smoky Valley Ranch, find grand views of one of the last prairies in the Americas. To really get a feel of the place, go hiking or horse riding through the sea of green. In addition to pronghorn and lesser prairie chicken, the ranch also boasts a herd of bison. There were once millions of them in America, but then they were hunted almost to extinction. Luckily, recent efforts have helped bison populations bounce back.

Stroll through Wichita’s gardens

The city of Wichita boasts a massive garden complex - called Botanica - that is a delight for the senses. On this 18-acre plot of land, explore gardens built with different themes.

Eating Out in Kansas

Enjoy some excellent steaks at Dodge City’s Central Station Bar and Grill, where country music punctuates each morsel. For some otherworldly hummus, falafels, and shawarmas, stop by at Meddy’s Mediterranean Restaurant in Wichita. Lovers of traditional German cooking must eat bierocks at Made from Scratch, St Wilson. Relish a heavy dinner at Woodyard Bar-B-Que, Kansas City’s go-to place for smoked ribs and pork shoulders.

Kansas Transport

Airports

Kansas’ biggest airport is the Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) in Wichita.

Getting around Kansas

Most counties have their own internal public transit systems. For intercity travel, take Amtrak (we recommend the extremely scenic Southwest Chief train route), KDOT, or Greyhound.

Driving in Kansas

If you have plans to explore Kansas beyond the major cities of Wichita and Kansas City, the best way would be to rent a car. The most popular car rental agencies in Kansas are Enterprise, Avis, and Hertz.