Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Liberal, Kansas

In the remote southwest of Kansas, Liberal is a city aptly named for its first settler, S. S. Rogers, known for his generosity, particularly with water—a vital resource for countless travelers traversing this arid region.

Liberal is situated in the heart of the Great Plains, serving as the largest settlement encompassing land from five states: Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas.

In Liberal, you will encounter eclectic annual traditions. A noteworthy event is a race held on Shrove Tuesday, where women compete by running with skillets while tossing pancakes, racing against competitors from Buckinghamshire, England.

1. Mid-America Air Museum

The Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport (LBL) originated during World War II as Liberal Army Airfield, a training base for B-24 Liberator pilots that operated for three years.

This historical context makes it a fitting site for one of the premier aviation museums in the region, inaugurated in the 1980s following the generous donation of over 50 aircraft by Colonel Tom Thomas, Jr., to the city.

Housing over 100 aircraft within a spacious hangar built by Beech Aircraft in the 1970s, the museum showcases more than 90 years of aviation development, captivating enthusiasts with prominent aircraft such as a Grumman F-14 Tomcat, which featured in Top Gun (1986), one of the first jet fighters—a WWII Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star—and a Vietnam-era Bell UH-1D Iroquois.

2. International Pancake Day

The town of Olney in Buckinghamshire, England, has a unique Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras) tradition believed to date back to 1445. On this day, commonly referred to as Pancake Day in the UK, women run from the marketplace to a nearby church, approximately 400 yards away, while continuously tossing pancakes in skillets.

Liberal embraced this tradition in 1950 and has participated annually in friendly competition, measuring the best times with competitors required to have resided in either Liberal or Olney for at least three months. No outside competitors are permitted.

Over the years, Liberal has established a notable advantage over its British counterpart, and you can explore the history of this celebration at the International Pancake Day Hall of Fame.

3. Dorothy’s House and the Land of Oz

To this day, the Wizard of Oz often evokes imagery associated with Kansas, and Liberal features an attraction infused with that enchantment. Dorothy’s House is a whimsical reproduction of Dorothy Gale’s abode, originally constructed in Topeka but relocated to Liberal shortly thereafter.

This vibrant exhibit fuses fascinating historical elements with beloved characters and scenes drawn from the film, including the famed yellow brick road.

Visitors will be guided through the tour by hosts clad in Dorothy-style gingham dresses and ruby slippers, and the gift shop is filled with a plethora of Wizard of Oz-themed merchandise.

4. Seward County Coronado Museum

Located on the same grounds, this museum focuses on Native American life and the daring expedition led by 16th-century conquistador Francisco Vázquez de Coronado as he traversed present-day Kansas in pursuit of the legendary Seven Cities of Gold.

The museum, housed in an elegant residence dating back to 1918, retains its original woodwork and was moved to this location in 1961.

The exhibits chronicle Coronado’s journey through the Southwest and include a substantial collection of artifacts from three centuries later, when this region was settled, including weapons, quilts, antique medical instruments, historic furnishings, and items from the Native American tribes who occupied these lands long before Coronado’s journey.

5. Liberal Bee Jays

At the time of writing, the Liberal baseball team had recently transitioned to the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Baseball League, under the auspices of the National Baseball Congress (NBC). The Liberal Bee Jays have been a local staple since 1955.

This team has achieved five national championships and 14 conference titles, coached by three major league managers, while sending over 160 players to Major League Baseball.

Named in honor of baseball pioneer Byron Bancroft Johnson (1864-1931), the Bee Jays host their games at Seward County Community College’s Brent Gould Field, with a regular season running from June to August.

6. Baker Arts Center

Irene Dillon and Francis Marion Baker generously bequeathed their stunning home and art collection to the Baker Arts Foundation, fulfilling their vision of a diverse arts center for the community.

The Baker Arts Center comprises three galleries, an excellent children’s fun zone, and an educational studio offering art and music classes and workshops throughout the year.

The foundation maintains a significant permanent collection, with pieces displayed in the main gallery, alongside exhibitions that feature talented local and regional artists.

The center actively engages with the community, running workshops in the studio and a popular pottery program that instructs foundational skills.

7. Duck Race Festival

This quirky event draws a large crowd to Liberal’s Light Park in late September. In anticipation of the Duck Race Festival, participants can “adopt” a rubber duck for $10 at the Chamber Office and various businesses displaying a “Ducks Sold Here” sign.

At 2 PM on race day, the adopted ducks “compete” in a race that offers substantial prize money, with the winning duck’s owner receiving $5,000. The festival includes a fun-filled afternoon featuring a chili and soup cook-off, a farmers’ market, and a variety of duck-themed games.

8. International Pancake Day Hall of Fame

To explore the background of the unique Shrove Tuesday race, a visit to the International Pancake Day Hall of Fame is recommended—another cherished roadside attraction in Liberal.

Located at the finish line of the race, this museum offers a wealth of history, detailing the origins of the competition in Olney and its subsequent adoption in Liberal.

Visitors can peruse an extensive collection of memorabilia from past races, along with delightful old photographs of previous competitors. Pancake-themed gifts and t-shirts commemorating former races are also available.

9. Adventure Bay Family Water Park

During the summer, a fantastic public water park operates at Light Park, conveniently situated between downtown Liberal and the Seward County Community College campus.

Adventure Bay Family Water Park features three pools: a lap pool, a family-friendly leisure pool equipped with basketball hoops and a rope course, and a zero-depth children’s pool complete with pirate-themed play structures and a tipping bucket.

Children can enjoy hours of amusement on the park’s four water slides, designed for pairs that splash down into the lap pool. Typically, the park is open daily from Memorial Day weekend through mid-August, transitioning to weekend hours until Labor Day.

10. Pancake House

Liberal takes its pancakes seriously, as evidenced by this breakfast establishment, which operates from Tuesday to Sunday until 1 PM.

Housed in a modest building that has served generations of diners, the Pancake House offers an extensive menu centered around pancakes. Diners can choose from classic American hotcakes in a variety of flavors—including buttermilk, blueberry, potato, and coconut.

In addition to the classic options, international variations such as French crepes, Dutch pancakes, and Swedish pancakes are available, along with an extensive waffle selection and a wide range of omelets and traditional breakfast items, including biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, and oatmeal.

11. Arkalon Park

For those seeking to immerse themselves in nature, Arkalon Park is conveniently located off Highway 54, approximately ten miles northeast of Liberal.

Situated in the Cimarron River valley, Arkalon Park is open to the public from April through mid-October and boasts several ponds for fishing, along with trails, a sheltered picnic area, a volleyball court, a playground for children, and a campground with multiple RV and tent sites.

This valley is renowned for its rich birdlife, particularly waterfowl and bald eagles, which can often be spotted perched in the treetops during the winter months.

12. Southgate Cinema 6

This multiplex theater delivers a big-city movie experience in a small-town atmosphere. Originally a four-screen venue, Southgate Cinema 6 added two additional screens under the management of Mitchell Theatres in 2009.

All auditoriums are equipped with high-back rocker seats, stadium seating, and ample space between the rows. Each screen features modern technology, including 7.1 Digital Surround sound, digital projection, and 3D capabilities. The cinema offers discounted $4 Films, while matinee tickets are priced at $5 for all customers.

13. Willow Tree Golf Course

Golf enthusiasts looking for an affordable place to play can visit the popular municipal Willow Tree Golf Course, conveniently located near the airport in Liberal.

Established in 1967 and open year-round (weather permitting), this 18-hole, par 72 course features rye grass and a slope rating of 121, presenting challenges with its rolling terrain.

While most holes are relatively straightforward, a couple of par 5s feature doglegs, along with the tricky par 4 third hole. Additionally, a driving range is available, where a large bucket of range balls can typically be obtained for as little as $6.

14. Light Park

Light Park, the venue for the Duck Race, offers an array of recreational amenities, all within a short distance from downtown Liberal.

Recently renovated, Light Park is recognized for its meticulously maintained lawns. Families with children will appreciate the two playgrounds tailored to different age groups, as well as sports facilities for soccer and tennis.

A wide selection of dining options is available within walking distance of Light Park, making it convenient to enjoy a lunch or sweet treats during your leisurely picnic in the shade.

15. Seward County Five State Fair

The Seward County Fairgrounds, located in the western part of Liberal near the airport, host an annual fair every August that attracts visitors and exhibitors from five different states.

This event caters to all ages and backgrounds, featuring 4-H and livestock shows, auctions, art displays, trade shows, craft shows, carnival rides, and an array of classic fair food.

Live entertainment contributes to the atmosphere, featuring a mix of local performances and big-name shows, alongside the KPRA rodeo and thrilling stock car racing.