The Most Underrated Kansas Road Trip: A Weekend in Crawford County
If you’re searching for a fun, unique and underrated destination to take a Midwest or Kansas road trip this year, look no further.
Crawford County, Kansas surprised us in the best possible way. From a towering mining machine you can climb inside, to Route 66 history, quirky roadside parks, a bookstore where you can cuddle and read to adoptable cats, and one of the most beautiful state parks in the region, this hidden gem in the corner of Kansas blends small-town charm with unexpected adventure.
Here’s all the stops you didn’t know you needed to make on this underrated road trip.
Day 1: Museums, Dinosaurs & Lakeside Adventures
We started our weekend just outside Crawford County at the Martin & Osa Johnson Safari Museum in Chanute. If you love stories of adventure and small town hero’s, this museum, which holds such a special piece of Kansas history, is definitely worth a visit. The Johnsons were Kansas natives who became world-famous explorers, filmmakers, and photographers in Africa and the South Pacific in the early 1900’s. Walking through their exhibits feels like stepping into another era of exploration, and it’s a powerful reminder of how big dreams can come from small Kansas towns. The museum is free to visit, and there are lots of hands on exhibits for kiddos to explore.
Our next stop was definitely unique: the Dinosaur Park in Erie. This quirky roadside attraction is one of a kind, and seriously so cool for any dinosaur or art lover. Here, you will wander through two dozen giant dinosaur sculptures made entirely from old recycled car parts by the late local artist Robert Dorris.
On the way to your next stop — Crawford State Park — grab some lunch. We enjoyed the locally owned burger joint His & Hers, which was delicious and very affordable. You could also check out the Lake View Cafe, located right at the park’s marina (open seasonally).
That afternoon, we spent some time exploring Crawford State Park. Tucked around a peaceful lake, this park offers fishing, trails, camping, swimming and a large playground for kids. Make sure to bring your swimming suits, fishing poles and paddle board if you are visiting during warmer months!
You can also check out the fish hatchery, and hike some of the wooded trails at this state park. We hiked the 0.7 mile Spiderleg Bridge trail, which was near the dam and had nice tree cover.
We continued our afternoon by heading to Frontenac, a small community just outside of Pittsburg. We started at the free Heritage Hall Museum, where we learned about the rich coal mining history that shaped the region. We also made stops to watch the Bob Grant bison herd, and take a quick hike through Wilderness Park, a quiet spot with lots of trails and wooded area for kids to explore.
We headed into Pittsburg to do some shopping at the The Literary Cat Co.. This independent bookstore doubles as a cat adoption space, and it might be the coziest shop in southeast Kansas — my kids would have stayed here all day if I let them.
Then we wandered around downtown for a bit searching for gorilla statues — the Pitt State University mascot — before heading to Toast for dinner. This unique farm-to-table eatery offers big flavors that are locally sourced. Then we ended the evening at Lakeside Park, which has a great playground, walking paths and a large pond and water fountain, before grabbing a sweet treat at Sugar Rush.
Day 2: Big Brutus & Route 66
We started Sunday morning with breakfast at Otto’s Cafe, a Pittsburg favorite. I highly recommend the cinnamon rolls – they are delicious!
Then we headed south to check out Big Brutus. Standing 16 stories tall, Big Brutus is the largest remaining electric shovel. You can climb inside and underneath, and the scale is almost impossible to comprehend until you’re standing next to it. This unique roadside attraction is a powerful piece of Kansas mining history, and my kids had an absolute blast exploring all the nooks and crannies inside Big Brutus, as well as climbing in the giant shovel.
From there, we headed to Galena to explore its stretch of historic Route 66. Make sure to stop at Mural Park and snap a photo in the fun Route 66 sign before you head down the street to Gearhead Curios. This vintage gift shop offers some unique Route 66 swag, and what might be the most talked-about bathroom on Route 66.
Next stop: Cars on the Route. Home to the tow-truck that inspired Mater from Disney Pixar’s Cars, it’s sure to win over any Disney fans. Make sure to head inside for a unique lunch stop — everything we ordered was so good! Plus you can learn all about the history of Mater’s discovery and how Galena was used as inspiration for the making of the movie. Don’t miss the Route 66 drive-through shield, Centennial Arch, and historic markers while you’re there, and take a drive along the rest of Route 66 for some other unique stops, like the Rainbow Bridge.
Why Visit Crawford County, Kansas?
Crawford County blends history, outdoor adventure, quirky roadside stops, and the small-town charm of Kansas communities. It’s the kind of place where kids can climb dinosaurs in the morning, learn mining history before lunch, cuddle kitties in the afternoon, and climb inside a 16-story mining shovel the next day. Truly, this road trip has a little bit of everything.
If you’re looking for things to do in southeast Kansas, planning a Kansas road trip, or searching for unique Midwest weekend getaways, Crawford County deserves a spot on your list.
And trust me, it will surprise you.
