Wamego combines Oz history and the performing arts with exhibitions, walks, and outdoor activities. When planning your trip, it’s worth considering the different highlights: the Columbian Theatre is known for performances, the canoe trip on the Kansas River takes half a day, and the children’s train runs seasonally.
Oz History and Art Around Town
The OZ Museum presents more than 100 years of Oz history—from first editions of L. Frank Baum’s books to contemporary collectibles. Its range extends from early book editions to present-day collector’s items. Another Oz-themed attraction is the “Totos Around Town” exhibit, featuring creatively designed and painted Toto statues by local artists.
The walk along the Yellow Brick Road also takes up this theme: it includes six hand-painted murals and two “Totos Around Town” statues. This way, you encounter Oz not only as a museum theme but also along a walk through Wamego.
Theater and Historic Sites
The Columbian Theatre was built in 1895 and was once a venue for vaudeville. Today it hosts professional performances, from Broadway musicals to concerts. The building’s historic use and a varied performing arts program sit side by side. If you’d like to plan around a performance, check the schedule before your trip.
The Swogger Art Gallery presents a constantly changing selection of visual art exhibitions. This gives it a different artistic focus from Wamego’s collections and historical themes: the exhibitions on display are continually changing. The selection that interests you may therefore influence your visit plans.
The historic picture is further complemented by Prairie Town Village, with its restored one-room schoolhouse, and the Dutch Mill, a stone windmill dating to around 1879. The sites offer different perspectives: the school provides a glimpse of an earlier school building, while the windmill represents another form of historic architecture as a stone structure from the late 19th century.
Trails, Park, and the Kansas River
Oregon Trail Nature Park offers hiking trails, picnic tables, and a shelter. The park combines places to hike with opportunities to take a break. If you’d like to spend time outdoors as well as enjoying cultural attractions, this offers a distinct highlight among Wamego’s offerings.
Allow half a day for a canoe trip on the Kansas River: the trip is 8 miles long, takes 4–5 hours, and ends at the ramp in Wamego.
The children’s train at Wamego City Park runs all summer and offers a ride around the park; exact operating hours may vary. So check the hours before your visit. Another activity is Lincoln Street Lanes, with eight new lanes and state-of-the-art automatic scoring.
Plan Your Stay and Find Hotels in Wamego
The canoe trip takes 4–5 hours, or half a day; the children’s train is seasonal, and its operating hours may vary. Plan your day around these different time frames and themes, and check the train hours and dates for any performances you’d like to see in advance.
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