Kansas
"Ad astra per aspera"
Nickname
Sunflower State
Capital
Topeka
Statehood
January 29, 1861 (34th)
Motto
Ad astra per aspera
Explore Kansas
18 of 18 articles available
Top mountains
Signature peaks and elevation highlights.
Best hikes
Trail ideas from day hikes to overnighters.
State parks
Must-see parks and natural areas.
Road trip loops
Weekend-friendly scenic drives.
Waterfronts
Lakes, rivers, and coastal stops to visit.
Waterfalls & springs
Cool-down spots and photogenic falls.
Scenic overlooks
Pull-offs and vistas for quick views.
Camping spots
Easy campgrounds and dispersed sites.
Historic towns
Main streets, museums, and landmarks.
Family weekends
Low-stress itineraries with kids in mind.
Top universities
Best-known universities and colleges.
Top biggest cities
Largest metros and fast-growing hubs.
Top places to visit
Must-see destinations and attractions.
Top high schools
High-performing public and private schools.
Top cities
Beloved cities for living and visiting.
Basic information
Quick facts, nickname, capital, and region.
Geography
Landscapes, neighbors, and natural regions.
Economy
Key industries, employers, and growth drivers.
About Kansas
Kansas sits at the meeting point of Midwestern farmland and Great Plains openness, and the Flint Hills in its eastern third protect one of the last major stretches of tallgrass prairie left in North America. Wichita's aviation industry gives the state's largest city an identity most outsiders don't expect from Kansas.
Below, the guides move west across that same transition, from prairie and farm towns to the cities and industries that hold the state together.