Five acres of restored tallgrass prairie and a short trail through part of it bring a tangible natural highlight to a trip to Fort Scott. At the same time, things to discover range from mountain biking trails and historic buildings to museums and art classes. If you’re looking for a hotel in Fort Scott, you can start by considering whether scenery, recreation or culture will shape your stay.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
Fort Scott National Historic Site includes five acres of restored tallgrass prairie. A short trail passes through part of the area—a manageable way to combine prairie scenery with a bit of exercise. Gunn Park offers different activities: around 6.5 miles of singletrack mountain biking trails wind through the woods and along the Marmaton River. The park also has two lakes suitable for fishing and a nine-hole disc golf course established in 1999. Along with mountain biking, fishing and disc golf are distinct recreation options to choose from.
Lake Fort Scott is near the city. The 352-acre lake is surrounded by a wooded, rural landscape and is home to a variety of wildlife. Public boat ramps serve anglers and water skiers; as conditions for use may change, it’s a good idea to check the latest information before visiting. The Lavender Patch offers a different nature experience: this lavender agritourism operation is surrounded by wildflowers and prairie. Visitors can stroll through the fields and pick their own lavender.
Historic Places and Their Stories
At Fort Scott National Historic Site, visitors can tour 33 historically furnished rooms in the site’s historic buildings. Fort Scott National Cemetery was designated on November 15, 1862, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. The two dates mark different aspects of its history: the cemetery’s designation and its later listing on the register.
Individual buildings also offer different perspectives on Fort Scott’s architectural history. The Milrose Block is a representative example of early 20th-century commercial architecture in Fort Scott. The Liberty Theatre originally opened as a single-screen movie theater on July 1, 1919; its early features included two hand-painted murals.
Museums, Art and Culture
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes is headquartered in Fort Scott. Its exhibition offers visitors a learning experience about unsung heroes of history. The Artificers offers a different way to engage with art: a gallery, teaching studio and artist-in-residence studio are housed in a historic 1890 Queen Anne home in downtown Fort Scott. Art classes and workshops are for children and adults.
The story of its collection is also part of a visit to the Gordon Parks Museum: after Gordon Parks attended the first Gordon Parks Celebration in 2004, he donated 30 of his photographs to the Gordon Parks Center. The museum holds annual programs, including The Learning Tree Celebration, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day activities and the Gordon Parks Celebration. Since these annual events are not tied to specific dates here, check the dates separately for your travel period.
Planning Around Your Interests
A narrated Fort Scott Trolley Tour lasts 50 minutes and travels through Fort Scott. Tour operations and schedules may change, so check in advance whether a tour fits your trip. Fort Cinema shows current Hollywood movies, and its program changes regularly. It’s worth checking screening times before your visit, too.
The Fort Scott Farmers’ Market offers locally grown and freshly picked fruit, vegetables and herbs, as well as baked goods and some handmade products. Offerings vary by market day.
For an overview of travel across the state: Kansas.
