There are five state capitols within reasonable distance from Kansas City:

Oklahoma City, OK
Topeka, KS
Jefferson City, MO
Des Moines, IA
Lincoln, NE

My research suggests that besides having a capitol building to tour, many also have a state history museum, historic houses, or other museums of various kinds. Seems to me Oklahoma City will have the most in terms of tourist stuff. St. Louis and Omaha are also not far away.

Isn't the wine factor for the parents who have to manage the kids???

How about a trip to the Flint Hills. Horseback riding, fishing, and Tall Grass Prairie National Preserve.

http://kansasflinthillsadventures.com/kids_program.html

http://www.grandcentralhotel.com/

I assume poster meant whine not wine. lol

spend a day and/or night one of the Indoor Waterparks. Great Wolf Lodge is one, I believe there is more.

Wichita has something called the Discovery Center or something...I'll see what I can find.

St. Louis has TONS of stuff for kids...did you consider it? Post back if it's something you'd consider and I'll make some suggestions.

Lawrence, KS or Omaha offer a lot of options

I believe "musicfan" was trying to recall Exploration Place in Wichita (http://www.exploration.org/). That would be my top rec. We also have the Children's Museum of Wichita and the Museum of World Treasures (http://www.worldtreasures.org/). I haven't been to the Children's Museum in a long time and couldn't find a link. I've been to the Museum of World Treasures within the last year and it has a couple of cool sights....huge T-Rex display, shrunken heads, mummy's....but it got kinda boring. If I was between 5 and 11 I'd be bored at any "historic" museum or tour of the capitol. But that's just me. It depends on their interest. The Hutch Cosmosphere would have been cool, but I understand the crowd factor. I love the Great Wolf Lodge idea, but I assume you've been there being from so close.

Thanks, sometimes with the whine I want wine.

We have decided to go to Wichita for an overnight and stop in at Hutchinson. We have been to the Cosmosphere before but it has been a while for the kids. It seems that Wichita has several things for the kids to do. I found that there are trails at Cheney State Park. We might do some geocaching. Thanks

How about a brief trip report?

Keith

PS: I was not impressed with Wichita's Discovery Center, but the Museum of World Treasures is fun.

Keith