Oklahoma
Sixty miles southwest of Tulsa, this museum re-creates the experience of driving the Mother Road through the decades. It's housed in a magnificent 1936…
Must-see attractions in The Great Plains
Kansas City
In River Market, this museum displays 200 tons of salvaged 'treasure' from a riverboat that sank in 1856 (one of hundreds claimed by the Missouri River).
Nebraska
Linking Old Market with the waterfront, this 23-acre park features elaborate plantings, a large lake, water features and a landmark 320ft-high fountain.
St Louis
Huge railroad locomotives (including a Union Pacific Big Boy), historic cars cooler than your rental, and more that moves. Take I-270 west to exit 8.
John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park
Oklahoma
This park tells the story of the 1921 race riots that killed scores of African Americans and destroyed the surrounding neighborhood of Greenwood.
Nebraska
Follows the Cornhusker State's story, starting with the large First Nebraskans room. Compare the pioneer sod house to the Pawnee earth lodge.
Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
Kansas City
Near the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and Country Club Plaza, this museum is small and edgy with rotating exhibitions. The cafe is excellent.
North Dakota
With some 150,000 flowers and several monuments, this garden sits symbolically on the border with Manitoba, Canada. Bring your passport!
Kansas
Don't miss the showstopping County Courthouse in Cottonwood Falls. Completed in 1873, it is a fantasy of French Renaissance style.
Iowa
Offers a good overview of the colonies. Ask about the self-guided walking and driving routes that can be accessed via your phone.
Kansas
From a Cheyenne war lance to temperance advocate Carrie Nation's hammer, this engaging center is packed with Kansas stories.
Kansas
An intriguing collection of works made by amateur artists using recycled goods such as buttons, barbed wire and pull-tabs.
Iowa
Built in 1882, this funicular railway climbs a steep 189-foot hill from downtown for huge views.
Buffalo Gap National Grassland
South Dakota
This nature reserve surrounds the Badlands and together they protect the country's largest prairie grasslands, several species of Great Plains mammal …
Iowa
Unfortunately this large and high-concept open-air attraction dedicated to the history of farming never quite lives up to its promise. The site is…
South Dakota
Just outside De Smet and down a dirt road, the actual Ingalls Homestead has been much gussied up and includes all manner of attractions like covered wagon…
St Louis
From St Louis follow I-44 (the interstate is built over most of Route 66 in Missouri) 28 miles west to Route 66 State Park, with its visitor center and…
Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge
Nebraska
Has marshes and other open areas on the river that are little changed in centuries. A winding driving route shows you what the land crossed by the…
Fort Buford State Historic Site
North Dakota
Twenty-two miles southwest of Williston, Fort Buford is close to Fort Union Trading Post and is located near Missouri River. It's the bleak army outpost…
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Visitor Center
Nebraska
Omaha's riverfront is home to this visitor center, which has some exhibits and a bookstore. As the regional NPS headquarters, it's a good place to plan…
University of Nebraska State Museum
Nebraska
See what the university's own legions of Indiana Jones's have been up to at the campus museum, where archeological and academic discoveries are displayed…
Nebraska
From the outside, Nebraska's remarkable 1932 400ft-high state capitol represents the apex of phallic architecture (like many tall buildings in the Plains,…
John Wayne Birthplace & Museum
Iowa
This small (and slightly overpriced) museum is devoted to the life and career of John Wayne, aka Marion Robert Morrison. The house where he was born in…
St Louis
One of the world's largest beer plants, the historic Anheuser-Busch Brewery gives marketing-driven tours. View the bottling plant and Clydesdale horses…
Oklahoma
Route 66 took many different roads through Oklahoma City over the five decades when it was the transcontinental highway. For many years it passed by this…
Kansas City
Learn about different jazz styles, rhythms, instruments and musicians – including Kansas City native Charlie Parker – at this interactive museum, at the…
Oklahoma
The highlight of this attraction in the ballpark complex is the museum dedicated to the athletic exploits of Jim Thorpe (Olympic gold medals plus…
St Louis
A small-time theme park on the beer-brewing Busch family's rural retreat, Grant's Farm thrills kids with its Clydesdale horses and 1000 other animals from…
Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters
Nebraska
From 1846 to 1890, thousands of Mormons migrated to Utah from the eastern US. For the first two decades they went by wagon trains. Omaha was a major stop…
Kansas
Guarded by Wichita artist Blackbear Bosin's 44ft statue Keeper of the Plains, this museum has exhibits of Native American art and artifacts, as well as a…
Ninety Nines Museum Of Women Pilots
Oklahoma
Ninety nine female American pilots formed their own group in 1929, which is now based in Oklahoma City. This museum celebrates the contributions of women…
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Nebraska
The university has its main campus in the middle of town. The complex is as practical as a farmer and lacks highlights, but is an interesting stroll. When…
Skeletons: Museum of Osteology
Oklahoma
An army of flesh-eating beetles helps this touristy museum's curators prepare the bones of dead animals (many from zoos) for a new life on display. There…
Oklahoma
Tulsa's Philbrook museum has two locations and this secondary site is in the Brady Arts District. It displays contemporary art alongside a large…
Fort Atkinson State Historical Park
Nebraska
Preserves the first US military fort built west of the Missouri River. It was erected in 1820 on a recommendation of Lewis and Clark, who, besides being…
South Dakota
At a bend on the Missouri River, Framboise Island has several hiking trails and plentiful wildlife. It's across from where the Lewis and Clark expedition…
Iowa
The cute gold-domed building at the heart of the University of Iowa campus is the Old Capitol. Built in 1840, it was the seat of government until 1857…
Missouri
The first Pony Express set out – carrying mail from 'St Jo' to California, 2000 miles west – in 1860. This museum, from which the horses once departed, is…
National Museum of Toys & Miniatures
Kansas City
Over 100 years of toys spread over 38 rooms, including the world’s largest fine-scale miniature collection. There are 51,000 toys, 3320 dolls and 1600…
North Dakota
Bismarck's stark 1930s State Capitol is often referred to as the 'skyscraper of the prairie.' It looks something like a Stalinist school of dentistry from…
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