East Highway 36 Smith Center - heartfelt and rooted, a place where stories run deep & where antique shops, local legends, and hometown pride make every visit feel like coming home on the prairie.Phillipsburg - known as the 'City of the Hills, offers scenic beauty, year-round events, small-town charm, and a welcoming community.Norton - a unique blend of outdoor recreation, rich history, local dining, and small-town hospitality, with a welcoming, close-knit community.
Day 1 9:00 A.M.
Start your morning off with some delicious coffee/tea and breakfast in Smith Center at Cross-Eyed Cricket Coffee!103 S. Main St., Smith Center, KS
10:00 A.M.
Explore the Higley Cabin, homestead of Dr. Brewster M. Higley when he wrote the words to “Home on the Range” in 1872. Enjoy the creek and walking trails while visiting the cabin also. Allow 30 minutes full tour. 7032 90 Rd, Athol, KS, www.homeontherangecabin.com
10:30 A.M.
Travel to Phillipsburg and begin a short tour of one of their attractions:Fort Bissell, 501 Fort Bissell Ave., www.fortbissellmuseum.com, allow 1 hrC&R Railroad, 860 Park Street, www.cityofphillipsburg.com, allow 45 minutesHansen Museum, 110 W. Main, Logan, KS, www.hansenmuseum.org, allow 1 hr
12:00 P.M.
Lunch in Phillipsburg - Suggested locations:Farmhouse Kitchen – 210 State StreetBlack Sheep Taphouse – 603 4th StreetEl a De Oros – 609 3rd Street
1:00 P.M.
Travel to Norton and take your pick at exploring the exhibits below:Norton County Museum, 105 E Lincoln St., allow 1.5 hrsStagecoach Station 15, W HWY 36 & Jones Ave, Water Tower Park, allow 30 minsAdobe House, 13037 State HWY 261, allow 30 minutesThey Also Ran Museum, 105 W Main, www.theyalsoran.com, allow 45 minutesHeaton Building Gallery, 112 S State St., www.nortonccf.org, allow 30 minutes
3:30 P.M.
Check into your accommodations for the night. Suggested locations:Brooks Motel– 900 N State StreetHillcrest Motel – 6060 W Holme StreetPrairie Dog Lodge – 7996 Rd OSleep Inn & Suites – 201 E Holme Street
5:00 P.M.
Dinner - Suggested locations in Norton:110 Bar & Grill - 110 S State Street (Closed Monday’s)Las Cantera’s - 203 W Washington Street (Closed Monday’s)China Kitchen - 118 S State StreetAggies Chophouse - 115 W Main Street
For more information on day 1 adventures visit: smithcenterks.com phillipscountyks.org discovernorton.com
Central Highway 36 Norcatur – a small, welcoming town on the Kansas-Nebraska border known for its quiet charm and rich railroad history.Oberlin – a charming town with a beautiful brick-lined downtown and rich pioneer heritage. It’s a scenic and welcoming stop where history meets small-town hospitality.Herndon – a welcoming community surrounded by lush farmland and rolling hills.Ludell – a quiet prairie town surrounded by open skies and farmland, offering a peaceful glimpse into rural life.
Day 2 8:00 A.M.
Start your morning off with a delicious breakfast prepared at Town & Country Kitchen.419 E Holme Street
9:00 A.M.
Travel roughly 20 miles to Norcatur, where you can explore the beginnings of Highway 36 at the Highway 36 Museum. Allow 1 hour for tour. 101 S Decatur, Norcatur, KS, www.ushwy36.com
Hop in your car and travel 20 miles to Oberlin, where the Last Indian Rain Museum resides. Here you will be transported back in time while exploring the 15 structures set up in a village structure. Allow 2 hours for the full tour. 258 S Penn, Oberlin, KS, www.dclirm.com
Lunch – Suggested locations:La Bamba Mexican – 203 W Frontier PkwyThe Re-Load Bar & Grill – 133 S Penn Ave.Subway – 409 Frontier Pkwy
1:30 P.M.
Before leaving town, take some time stretching your legs on the trails or playing disc golf or on the playground at the Sappa Park. 1898 1300th Rd
2:00 P.M.
Take the afternoon exploring museums along Highway 36 as you travel to Atwood to sleep for the night. Here are some suggestions:Herndon Community Museum, 2285 Quincy Ave., Herndon, KS, allow 1 hourOld School House Museum, allow 30 minutes
Check into your accommodations for the night. Suggested locations:Country Corner Bed & Breakfast – 900 S HWY 25It’ll Do Motel – 205 Grant Street
4:30 P.M.
Explore Rawlins County’s oldest existing church structure: Stevens Chapel. Completed in 1892, the chapel is located on Road 15 five miles off of HWY 25 on CR G.
6:00 P.M.
Dinner – Suggested locations:Legends – 202 S 4th StreetThe Wise Owl – 116 S 4th StreetLas Amigas Tortillia – 701 N 4th Street
For more information on day 2 adventures visit: dccoks.org experienceoberlin.com
West Highway 36 Atwood - a town best fit for nature lovers and recreational adventurists with plenty of outdoor activities and attractions.Bird City - known for its rich agricultural heritage and small-town charm, Bird City invites visitors to experience a slice of Americana along the scenic Land & Sky Byway. St. Francis - nestled in a wonder of geological formations and striking landscapes, the town offers a wide range of history and nature.
Day 3 8:00 A.M.
Begin your adventure in Atwood at MOJO Expresso & Bistro, the one stop shop for any flavor of coffee and taste of breakfast. 113 S 4th Street
Take your pick at exploring the sights in Atwood. Here are a few suggestions:Lake Atwood – 745 S 2nd Street, allow 1 hourOl’ Depot – Lake Rd, allow 45 minutesRawlins County Museum – 308 State Street, allow 1.5 hours
Hop in the car and travel to Bird City, where you’ll enjoy a quick lunch and fun tour.
11:00 A.M.
Lunch – Suggested locations:Bird City Cafe – 104 W Bressler Las Jarochos – 2845 US HWY 36Sample text. Click to select the Text Element.
Slow down the day and take a captivating glimpse into early 20th-century farm life at the Tri-State Antique and Engine Thresher Museum. Allow three hours for the full tour of 40 buildings across 40 acres. 1375 Rd 29 www.threshershow.org
3:00 P.M.
Travel 20 minutes to St. Francis and explore art, nature, or history of your choice:Arikaree Breaks – Self guided driving tours located at St. Francis Kiosk at US HWY 36 Rest area, allow 1 hourCherry Creek Encampment – HWY 27 2 miles N of US 36, allow 30 minutesCheyenne County History Museum – 201 W US HWY 36, allow 1.5 hoursHardt Gallery – 202 Washington Street, allow 1 hourKeller Pond – 1382 Rd P, allow 30 minutesSt. Francis Motorcycle Museum – 110 E Washington Street, allow 1 hour
Check into your accommodations for the night. Suggested locations:Homesteader Motel-RV Trailer – 410 US HWY 36Sanctuary Guest House – 220 E. Webster Street
5:30 P.M.
Dinner – Suggested locations:The Grill at Riverside – 1215 US HWY 35Crave – 413 E Washington StreetCaddy Shack Bar & Grill - 106 S. River
For more information on day 3 adventures visit: cityofatwoodks.com ccdcks.com
