Explore El Dorado through its public art, museums and outdoor activities. The options range from sixteen sculptures in the downtown area to a four-mile bike/pedestrian path with views of the Walnut River; historic topics, park offerings and sports opportunities round out the selection. To plan your visit, first decide whether you want your stay to focus on art and history or more on trails and outdoor activities. Music and local products add further options.

Public Art and Collections

The El Dorado Main Street Sculpture Program includes sixteen sculptures in the downtown area. Mural Plaza, at 110 W. First Ave., offers three photo opportunities in one place. The Coutts Museum of Art houses more than 1,000 works. These offer different ways to experience art: downtown sculptures, several photo opportunities in one location and an extensive museum collection. If you want to focus your stay on culture, you can treat these as separate highlights rather than equating them with a single art visit.

Oil History, War History and Remembrance

The Kansas Oil Museum combines immersive history exhibits with an outdoor site that includes a recreated oil boom town. The historical focus is present both in the exhibits and in this reconstruction. The World War II History Center covers a different subject: it presents information about the European, Pacific and home fronts of World War II. The World War II Museum and Research Center offers educational field trips for students. Another place of remembrance is the tornado monument in Graham Park. Featuring an Aeolian harp on a curved base, it commemorates the rebuilding effort after the devastating 1958 tornado. The options span oil boom history, World War II topics and remembrance of the rebuilding effort.

Parks, Trails and Outdoor Activities

The El Dorado State Park is located three miles east of El Dorado, Kansas. The city parks offer quite different amenities: East Park has a pondside walking path, picnic tables and playground equipment; North Main Park offers a spray park and tennis courts. In summer, the city band performs at Forest Park on most Thursday evenings. Since the seasonal schedule may change, check the current performance schedule before your visit. For a specific type of play, consider a different option: the El Dorado Disc Golf Course is an 18-hole course for amateur and championship play.

The trails also offer different points of reference. The Golden Loop starts in Downtown El Dorado. The El Dorado Bike/Pedestrian Path is a scenic four-mile route with views of the Walnut River and the surrounding natural landscape. The first option has a named starting point; the second has a specific length and views of the river and landscape. Both can help you choose outdoor activities based on what you want to focus on.

Local Products and Tastings

At the Walnut River Brewing Company taproom, you can try seasonal and select standard beers. The El Dorado Farmers & Art Market brings local vendors and resources together in a community-oriented market for locally made products. These offer different ways to plan your visit: a tasting opportunity featuring two beer categories, or a focus on local vendors and locally made products.

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