Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Lansing, Kansas

Located adjacent to the Missouri River, Lansing is a small city situated on the northwestern boundary of the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Since 1859, Lansing has been the site of the Lansing Correctional Facility, which stands as the state’s largest and oldest prison.

Visitors can learn about this facility and its ties to the local coal mining industry at the Lansing Historical Museum, which is housed in a historic railroad depot built in 1887.

A variety of major Kansas City attractions, such as the Kansas Speedway, are just moments away from Lansing, along with Leavenworth, which features an historical army post linked to the Buffalo Soldiers and frontier life during the 19th century.

1. Angel Falls Trail

One of the tranquil locations easily overlooked while traveling through Lansing is a charming waterfall, nestled within serene woodlands alongside Sevenmile Creek.

Accessible via a paved pathway, Angel Falls Trail might not be a significant natural landmark; nevertheless, it is a spot of extraordinary natural beauty, particularly stunning in autumn when the surrounding deciduous trees begin to change colors.

The waterfall reaches approximately waist height and is most impressive following consistent rainfall or when snow is melting during winter. In summer, the flow lessens to a mere trickle, yet it remains a lovely retreat for a brief escape.

In October, the trail becomes the center of the annual Fall Festival, featuring craft vendors and activities for children.

2. Village West

In the early 2000s, a substantial entertainment, dining, and retail development emerged approximately ten minutes southeast of Lansing.

Spanning 1,500 acres, Village West represents a $1.2 billion project, prominently featuring the Kansas Speedway.

This 1.5-mile, 48,000-capacity tri-oval serves as a NASCAR facility, hosting events throughout the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series seasons.

Village West also includes Children’s Mercy Park, the esteemed home of Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer, as well as Legends Field, used by the Kansas City Monarchs in the American Association of Professional Baseball, and Kansas City NWSL.

For shoppers, the Legends Outlets Kansas City provide a wide array of options, and adjacent to the speedway is the Hollywood Casino, offering numerous slot machines and various high-stakes table games.

3. Lansing Historical Museum

Adjacent to the Fire District No.1 Fire Station, on the previous front lawn of the state penitentiary, resides the relocated Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Train Depot (1887).

This compact building was relocated to this site in 1992 to serve as the Lansing Historical Museum. The main themes explored in the exhibits include Trains and Trolleys, the Coal Mines, and the Kansas State Prison.

Visitors can gain insights into the rapid expansion of railroads immediately following the Civil War, driving the nation’s westward growth, and the intricate relationship between coal mining and the Kansas State Prison.

Additionally, the exhibits feature profiles of notorious criminals from the state penitentiary, such as Perry Smith and Richard Hickock, who were subjects of Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood” (1966).

4. C.W. Parker Carousel Museum

In the early 1910s, Charles Wallace Parker (1864-1932), a carousel builder, relocated his manufacturing company from Abilene, Texas, to the nearby city of Leavenworth.

In recognition of this amusement industry pioneer, the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum commenced operations in 2005.

The main highlight is the 1913 Carousel, which is fully operational and is the 118th production of this particular design.

Featuring 31 exquisite, hand-carved wooden pieces, including four ponies, two rabbits, a sleigh ride, and a teacup, the music is provided by the Artizan Style X-A-1 Band Organ.

The museum also displays a later carousel constructed by Parker’s son and a significantly older “Primitive Carousel,” believed to have been created in the 1850s.

5. Fort Leavenworth

Established in 1827, Fort Leavenworth is the second-oldest active United States Army base west of Washington, D.C., located about 15 minutes north of Lansing, making it a must-visit site in the region.

Fort Leavenworth played a pivotal role in overseeing the westward expansion of the United States during the 19th century, serving as an ideal location to explore life on the frontier.

After securing a visitor pass, which is advisable to obtain in advance, make your way to the Frontier Museum, which documents the period from 1827 to 1917 and features one of the most impressive collections of 19th-century military artifacts in the nation—including an entire fleet of original horse-drawn wagons.

Visitors can also embark on the Historical Wayside Tour, consisting of 22 points of interest within the fort, complete with audio recordings accessible via smartphones.

6. Buffalo Soldier Memorial Park

In the 1860s, Fort Leavenworth became the base for African-American soldiers of the United States Army’s 10th Cavalry Regiment, which was one of six all-black regiments formed in the aftermath of the Civil War.

These regiments became known as Buffalo Soldiers, a title given to them by the Native American tribes they encountered. In 1992, a memorial, initiated by General Colin Powell, was dedicated in honor of the 9th and 10th Regiments.

Situated on Lake Merritt, the park offers numerous attractions, including the remarkable horseback Buffalo Soldier Monument, the Walkway of Firsts, and the Circle of Firsts, featuring busts of Colin Powell and General Roscoe Robinson Jr., the first African-American Army four-star general.

7. Kenneth W. Bernard Community Park

Located in the southwestern area of the city, this newly developed park has seen significant growth over the past few years, with phase one completed as of the current date.

The centerpiece of Kenneth W. Bernard Community Park is a veterans memorial, complemented by extensive turf fields, a playground, a fishing pond, soccer fields, an outdoor shelter, and walking trails.

The park is named in honor of Kenneth Bernard, who served for over 20 years in the army and held the position of mayor of Lansing from 1983 to 1991, and again from 1993 to 2013.

8. Chapel of the Veterans

The Kansas Sampler Foundation has recognized this structure as one of the eight Wonders of Kansas Architecture.

Situated less than five minutes from downtown Lansing, the Chapel of the Veterans is located on the grounds of the erstwhile Western Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, established in the early 1880s for Civil War veterans.

The chapel, constructed in 1893, stands out for its ability to host Catholic and Protestant services simultaneously.

Constructed from brick with rustic limestone accents, the Chapel of the Veterans showcases a Gothic Revival architectural style and is particularly admired for its three gargoyles and the magnificent two-story windows on the east and west sides of the nave.

9. Lakeside Speedway

Offering high-speed excitement on a smaller scale, Lakeside Speedway is situated nearer to Lansing at this high-banked, 4/10-mile dirt track on the outskirts of Kansas City.

Established in 1955, Lakeside Speedway serves as a more intimate racing venue, hosting weekly Friday night races for categories such as USRA Modifieds, Sprint Cars, Factory Stocks, Grand Nationals, USRA B-Mods, and SLMR Late Models, among others.

The racing season commences in late April and concludes at the end of October, featuring fireworks around the Fourth of July and thrilling monster truck events that are sure to entertain younger audiences. Due to the loud environment, it is advisable to bring ear protection.

10. Falcon Lakes Golf Club

One of the premier public golf courses in the Kansas City area is located just minutes south of Lansing in Basehor. Falcon Lakes was designed in the early 2000s by renowned architect Jay Norrish.

The course features a links-style layout with generous zoysia fairways and undulating bent-grass greens.

Each hole offers a selection of impeccably maintained tee boxes to cater to golfers of all skill levels, along with numerous water stations conveniently located throughout the course to provide relief during the summer months.

Additionally, the facility boasts a newly renovated driving range, operational year-round and equipped with 23 hitting stations.

11. Wyandotte County Lake Park

Wyandotte County Lake, a stunning natural area situated just a short drive from Lansing, is a 400-acre reservoir developed in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration (WPA).

The lake serves as the centerpiece of a 1,500-acre park, featuring gently sloping hills adorned with oak-hickory woodlands and sycamores lining the shore.

With a permit, obtainable from the marina, visitors can enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, or kayaking, with rental options available onsite.

The park includes a scenic looping drive with various detours leading to picnic shelters, viewpoints, boat ramps, trailheads, and amenities such as an archery range.

During spring and fall, the park attracts migratory bird species, including northern pintails, northern shovelers, blue-winged teals, green-winged teal, common mergansers, hooded mergansers, and buffleheads.

12. City Park

This park, located on the eastern side of Lansing by Sevenmile Creek, is primarily recognized for its baseball facilities, which include multiple fields dedicated to youth baseball.

If you attend a little league game with your children, there are restroom facilities and concessions available during the summer months.

Beyond the baseball diamonds, City Park embodies the characteristics of a typical neighborhood park, featuring a modest yet modern playground, well-maintained turf fields, picnic tables, and a walking trail that is well-cared for.

13. Wyandotte County Fair

The fairgrounds for Wyandotte County lie adjacent to Lansing to the south, providing easy access to the premier summer fair in the Kansas City region every July.

This five-day event centers around 4-H competitions and exhibits, showcasing a multitude of skills across various categories. Children will particularly enjoy seeing the animals and interacting with creatures at the petting zoo.

In addition to the 4-H events, a comprehensive schedule of live entertainment, a carnival, a rodeo, a vintage car show, numerous market vendors, magic shows, and beloved fair food options await attendees.

14. Independence Days Celebration

Bernard Park serves as the venue for Lansing’s annual Independence Days festival, which features activities from noon until nightfall.

Throughout the day, food vendors, amusement rides, and children’s activities fill the park. Live music begins around 6 PM and continues into the evening, featuring performances from various well-known artists.

The event culminates in a spectacular show around 9:45 PM, combining lights, music, and fireworks, so attendees are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs.

15. Fall Festival

An eagerly awaited annual event in Lansing is the Fall Festival, typically taking place on the second Saturday of October along the Angel Falls Trail, near the parking lot of St. Francis de Sales Church at 900 Ida St.

This day-long celebration caters to individuals of all ages, particularly young children. Activities for kids include a petting zoo, inflatable attractions, and a pumpkin crafting station.

Along the trail leading to the falls, various arts and crafts vendors set up, while attendees also have access to a selection of food and beverage vendors, along with live music performances.