Kansas | Locum Tenens Travel Lifestyle

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VISITING KANSAS AS A LOCUM TENENS PHYSICIAN, NURSE PRACTITIONER, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT, CRNA, AND DENTIST

The first people to live in Kansas were Native American tribes. The state actually gets its name from the Kansas River, which was named after the Kansa Native Americans that lived there. White settlers started moving in around 1827, and just a few decades later, Kansas became the focus of the war over slavery. Abolitionists from New England and enslavers from Missouri both rushed to settle the territory, leading to a series of violent skirmishes referred to as ‘Bleeding Kansas’. The abolitionists won in 1861 when Kansas officially entered the Union as a free state. Today Kansas has a population of nearly 3 million people and is one of the most productive agricultural states. If you’re ready to journey into this historic area, read on!

The Wild West

Botanica: The Wichita Gardens

This venue is a little more domesticated than wild, but it is full of natural wonder. Opened in 1987 with just four gardens, Botanica now occupies 17 acres of city property and is an official part of the Wichita Park System. Visitors can experience the aquatic garden, greenhouse, juniper collection, woodlands, butterfly garden, and much more. This is genuinely a beautiful haven in the middle of the city! Stop by and explore everything Botanica has to offer.

Old Cowtown Museum

This museum offers an experience like no other. Old Cowtown is a living history museum that recreates the city of Wichita from 1865 to 1880. Staff dress in period accurate clothing and demonstrate activities including gardening, ranching, and cooking. Unlike other living history museums, which typically focus on a singular timer period, Old Cowtown shows the city progressing through history, from a frontier settlement to a manufacturing hub. Guests can experience the transformation of Wichita first hand in one afternoon!

Sternberg Museum of Natural History

Located in Hays, the Sternberg Museum holds some incredible artifacts. If you’re a dinosaur lover or fossil fanatic, this is a must-see! The museum has a collection of 3 million specimens, including the rare (and popular) Fish-within-a-fish fossil. There are several permanent fossil exhibits as well as other ancient specimens, such as the Ice Age Hall and Earth Science All. Reviews praise the life-sized recreations of animals that walked the earth thousands of years ago, from mammoths to dinosaurs. Many of the artifacts are from the Kansas area, so you can experience the history of the very ground you’re walking on.

Wines and Vines

Stone Pillar Vineyard and Winery

It may be unexpected, but Kansas has some great wineries! In Olathe, east of Topeka, Stone Pillar Vineyard and Winery hosts tastings, concerts, and much more! Visit during business hours for a casual tasting experience or to explore their collection of award-winning wines, ciders, and wine slushies. There’s also concerts on the lawn every Friday night, taco trucks each Tuesday, yoga in the vines on Sunday mornings, and different guest caterers every week! There’s something for everyone here, so make sure you don’t miss it.

Liquid Art Winery and Estate

Are you west of Topeka? Looking for something more relaxed? Still want wine? Good news, Liquid Art Winery in Manhattan is for you! This 20-acre estate vineyard also offers a tasting room, cider tap, and full-production winery, but it’s a bit more tame. Reviews praise the beautiful scenery from the patio area and the tranquil atmosphere. Live music is scheduled every other week in the summer months. Enjoy a snack or full meal with your wine and choose from charcuterie, artisan pizza, or desert. Plus, you can bring your furry friend with you! Dogs are welcome on the patio, especially on National Dog Day in August.

Odds and Ends

Strataca

Okay, we use this phrase a lot, but it really fits the bill here: Strataca is a one-of-a-kind experience. This is an active salt mine 650 feet underground, providing a cool (literally) venue for visitors. Millions of years ago, the Permian Sea was located in this region, leaving behind vast salt deposits. This isn’t just a stuffy old cave though- there’s movie costumes, memorabilia, a salt safari, and dark ride. For a bonus experience, book the Beyond Strataca tour to see ancient salt formations not available to the general public.

OZ Museum

As Dorthy would say, there’s no place like the Oz Museum. Located just over the rainbow in Wamego, this little exhibit is a great stop for any Oz fan. Expect to spend about an hour poking around memorabilia from the life of L. Frank Baum and the classic movie. Guests can pose with character replicas and the many cute photo ops provided. Follow the yellow brick road to the front door and prepare to experience all things Oz!

Little House on the Prairie Museum

If you ever read the classic books or saw the television series, this little museum will be a treat. On the exact land Laura Ingalls Wilder lived as a child is a recreation of her family’s cabin, one-room schoolhouse, post office, and the genuine well that Laura’s father dug by hand. Don’t miss this amazing museum in Independence, Kansas. Admission is just a few dollars and all proceeds go to the upkeep of the site.

What Else Can I Try?

If you see all there is to see in Kansas while you’re on assignment with Barton, take an extended day-trip to a nearby state, like Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, or Colorado! Kansas is a great location to explore the United States because it borders most of the Midwest.

There’s so much to do and see in Kansas that we couldn’t fit it all on one page. But we hope this sparked your interest in living in Kansas as a locum!

Ready to see what locum tenens job openings are available in Kansas? Visit our current job opportunities page, give us a call, or fill out our application form and a recruiter will contact you by phone.

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