Art, Honor & More in Southeast Kansas
I was amazed by the variety of art, artists and fun dining options in Southeast Kansas. On a hosted trip from Explore Crawford County Kansas, I saw murals, sculptures, a veteran’s wall and beautiful jewelry. I came in contact with a variety of experiences that make me want to come back and see what I missed! Traveling with a group of Midwest Travel Network bloggers, The Driveby Tourist, Myles To Travel, The Happy Travel Bug and Travel With Sara I think you will enjoy seeing Kansas through our eyes. We experienced Route 66 and the Jefferson Highway and mining history along with art, honor and more!
thank you, Sara Broers, for sharing!
Lodging and entertainment.
During our visit, we stayed at the delightful Hampton Inn & Suites in Pittsburg, KS. Located next to the Kansas Crossing Casino it was near everything. The hotel was a perfect business stay with a great desk and amenities in the room. Staff was great sharing information and stories about the area.
Our first night, we checked out the Kansas Crossing Casino. We had $20 of bonus cash. Only one of us walked away a “big” winner, Stan Wiebe of The Drive By Tourist!
Our first evening in town we did something I’ve never seen, or participated in before, axe and knife throwing at Main Street Axe Company. Ben and Michelle Fowler own this fun business where you can “bury the hatchet”! I didn’t wear closed toed shoes, so I couldn’t try it out. However, I got to watch friend and blogger, Sonja Hoyt of The Happy Travel Bug, and Stan show us how it was done!
Bisa Myles, of Myles to Travel and I watched wishing we were trying it out as well! We are ready for a match up!
Being a kid again!
What can you say about Kiddieland Amusement Park except it gave a group of bloggers a chance to feel young again. Opened in 1953 with the train ride, we had a chance to see what joy it is to ride the rails! We also took a ride on the “miniature” carousel, and the roller coaster that terrified me and a few of my cohorts.
The joy of fall was encompassed at our visit to Ol Yale Farms. Stephen Hipfl and his daughter have created a good old fashioned pumpkin patch with a seasonal amusement park. This is such a fun family draw. Plus, I found some old iron!
Shopping in Crawford County Kansas
In the art filled town of Pittsburg, we met Darcie Shultz of the independent and Indigenous-owned bookstore and specialty shop Books & Burrow. This shop, owned by Darcie and Dave Schultz is especially fun for children with a hopscotch to enjoy and more.
Next door to Darcie is the ultimate “store for dudes” Miners and Monroe owned by Darcie’s brother Davey, and his wife Kim Forman. There are timeless styles to choose from. I found a great shirt for my husband Keith.
Pittsburg State University’s mascot is the Gus the Gorilla, designed in by L. Michael Hailey in 1985. Pitt State is the only college in the nation with the Gorilla as its official mascot for its men’s and women’s teams. Sometimes designed as the Split Faced gorilla in the school colors of black and yellow, there are statues of gorillas all over town! We stopped at In The Garden, where they have been selling thousands of statues since the 1980’s.
Before heading home at the end of our trip, we had a chance to spend some of our Chamber Bucks that Explore Crawford County had been so generous to share! I had to stop at the amazing Comeau Jewelry Company where I found some lovely earrings and great customer service!
Art, sculpture and more!
My favorite art during the entire trip was in the west alley behind Books & Burro and Miners and Monroe in an area where they have concerts and events. The mural is called “Lenaswa Waayaahtanoki” and it means, Bison of the Whirlpool from the place of the Wea. The mural has wonderful Indigenous meaning and is beautiful to boot!
Gorillas are a part of the local art scene.
The scene above was at Gorilla Village: Champion’s Plaza. Artist Tim Corbin created a 2,000 lb. hand crafted bronze sculpture that was unveiled in 2004. Near the University Lake built in 1934, the sculpture sits opposite the stadium where a HUGE split faced gorilla painting on display.
The Pittsburg Fall Artwalk was going on while we were in town. It offered lots of sights and sounds opportunities to hear music to see art and find the perfect item to take home with you. My takeaway was a beautiful necklace picked up in ArtForms Gallery!
During the art walk we saw fun murals and enjoyed picture opportunities!
With Pittsburg State University, there are several international students. They are highlighted along with their cultures, food and traditions at the Global Fest International Night Market. I enjoyed the colorful clothing, dancing and music.
Honor at the Veteran’s Memorial
Not too long ago, I traveled to Perryville, Missouri and visited the exact replica of the Vietnam Memorial there. Here at Pittsburg State University, is the home of the retired Moving Wall. This is a beautiful half-scale replica of a Vietnam Veterans Memorial sits in a place of honor. The memorial once toured the nation. It is believed to be one of the first replicas installed west of the Mississippi River.
Dining options!
Our first night in town, we had delectable pizza at Drop the H Brewery. The name so makes sense without the H on Pittsburg! This brewery and restaurant is where they serve up wood fired pizzas, great appetizers, and good beer. I like lite beer, so I tried Kolsch. It is a clear, crisp, refreshing ale. I liked all the pizzas we tried, but my favorite was Drop the Piggy with Canadian Bacon, Pepperoni, Italian Sausage, and Bacon.
Friday morning, we had breakfast at Bob’s Grill an iconic hometown diner that as been in business since 1946. Decorated with local sports memorabilia, food was great, and the backdoor was decorated with Gorilla decor.
Before heading out we had the chance to stop at Pallucca’s Italian Meat Market & Deli. Their iconic sign made Pallucca’s a fun stop!
Open since 1909 it is believed to be one of the oldest deli and meat markets in Kansas! I got a wonderful ham panini and ate it on my way home!
Dining dessert and tradition!
Circle Pecans was a fun stop in McCune, where four generations of the Circle family have been raising and selling pecans. On their website they share, “What started, over 24 years ago, with little more than a farmer’s garden, selling from a small farm stand by the roadside, we are proud to have become a thriving regional favorite opening our first retail shop in 1994. Since that time, we have strived to provide the freshest, locally grown pecans around, becoming the largest Pecan retail operation with a shelling plant in the State of Kansas!”
Tom Circle shared with us, “Pecans grow along the river and have a good tap root. Pecan trees do well in dry summers.”
The pecans and the business have flourished with the second store they have built now bringing tourists from all over to enjoy the bakery and fudge and more. You can also enjoy a light lunch in this lovely rural destination.
Not far from Circle Pecans is McCune Farm to Market. Cherie Schenker and her husband Kevin own this grocery/dine in restaurant. This is a veteran owned business. They raise beef and ship it overseas and all through the US!
Its all about the chicken and breakfast!
Crawford County Kansas is famous for its chicken, both Chicken Annies and Chicken Mary’s! The story goes that the first chicken diner was established by Ann Pilcher in 1934. Her husband had been injured in the mine, and this was a way to put food on the table, and money in the bank. Chicken Mary’s has about the same story. Mary Zerngast established Chicken Mary’s in 1942 right by Chicken Annies. We dined at Pilcher’s Chicken Annies in Pittsburg. The food was amazing, great chicken, German potato salad and baked beans. There are six independently owned chicken restaurants in Crawford County, and the locals all have their favorite, and they don’t seem to veer from that one. The loyalty reminds me of the Cub/Cardinal debate here at home!
Breakfast our last morning was at TOAST. This was a great place with wonderful breakfast option and fun looking drinks. Sonja tried one that was way cool! The art and decor draw in individuals encouraging them to sit, chat and enjoy the chipotle popcorn while you wait for your food.
Hit the Road Jack
I feel like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. I am sadly not in Kansas anymore! Tell me about your experiences in Kansas, if your enjoyed yourself, you will love Southeast Kansas for sure!
