STACKER - It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Kansas.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Kansas using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
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- Rating: 4/5 (127 reviews)
- Address: 11149 West 95th St. Overland Park, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Rating: 4.5/5 (93 reviews)
- Address: 75 Sodens Road Emporia, Kansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
- Rating: 4/5 (149 reviews)
- Address: 14730 K68 Hwy Louisburg, Kansas
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- Rating: 5/5 (109 reviews)
- Address: 1651 Naismith Drive Allen Fieldhouse Lawrence, Kansas
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- Rating: 4.5/5 (129 reviews)
- Address: 312 Finnup Drive Garden City, Kansas
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- Rating: 4.5/5 (110 reviews)
- Address: 7950 Marty St. Overland Park, Kansas
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- Rating: 4.5/5 (108 reviews)
- Address: Wells Drive At the intersection of Oak St. and Park Boulevard Independence, Kansas
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- Rating: 5/5 (88 reviews)
- Address: McDowell Creek Road 5 miles northeast of I-70 Junction City, Kansas
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- Rating: 4.5/5 (155 reviews)
- Address: 12th Ave. and Coronado Heights Road Lindsborg, Kansas
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- Rating: 4/5 (161 reviews)
- Address: West Hwy 50 Dodge City, Kansas
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- Rating: 4.5/5 (135 reviews)
- Address: Wisconsin St. 1/2 block west of Lake Drive Cawker City, Kansas
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- Rating: 4.5/5 (113 reviews)
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- Rating: 4/5 (161 reviews)
- Address: 417A Lincoln St. Wamego, Kansas
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- Rating: 4.5/5 (177 reviews)
- Address: US Highway 156 Larned, Kansas
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- Rating: 4/5 (181 reviews)
- Address: 1998 Cherry Ave. Goodland, Kansas
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- Rating: 4.5/5 (120 reviews)
- Address: 6232 East 29th St. North #2200 Wichita, Kansas
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- Rating: 3/5 (500 reviews)
- Address: 777 Kansas Star Drive Mulvane, Kansas
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- Rating: 4.5/5 (118 reviews)
- Address: Metropolitan Ave. Leavenworth, Kansas
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- Rating: 3.5/5 (333 reviews)
- Address: 4000 West Comanche St. Dodge City, Kansas
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- Rating: 3.5/5 (489 reviews)
- Address: 777 Hollywood Casino Blvd. Kansas City, Kansas
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- Rating: 4.5/5 (252 reviews)
- Address: 635 Southwest Gage Blvd. Topeka, Kansas
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- Rating: 4.5/5 (238 reviews)
- Address: 3137 Southeast 29th St. Topeka, Kansas
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- Rating: 4.5/5 (231 reviews)
- Address: U.S. Highways 69 and 54 Fort Scott, Kansas
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- Rating: 4.5/5 (246 reviews)
- Address: 2840B KS Hwy 177 Strong City, Kansas
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- Rating: 4.5/5 (315 reviews)
- Address: 1843 Village West Pkwy Kansas City, Kansas
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- Rating: 4.5/5 (478 reviews)
- Address: Lawrence, Kansas
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- Rating: 4.5/5 (350 reviews)
- Address: 1515 Southeast Monroe St. Topeka, Kansas
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- Rating: 4.5/5 (262 reviews)
- Address: Oakley, Kansas
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- Rating: 4.5/5 (588 reviews)
- Address: 10th and Jackson Topeka, Kansas
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- Rating: 4.5/5 (876 reviews)
- Address: 339 Veterans Pkwy Wichita, Kansas
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This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
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