Just over 100 miles southwest of downtown KCK, BaseCamp in Humboldt provides the perfect hub for a weekend of Southeast Kansas exploring. Choose from three modern Scandinavian-style loft cabins or three small A-frames—each with access to kayaks for paddling the adjacent fishing pond.

BaseCamp - Humboldt
Credit: Zach Bauman

Drive a couple of minutes to go downtown for dinner at Cozy’s Grindhouse, a draw for its barbecue and epic sandwiches (the Korean fried chicken with blueberry slaw is a local fave), as well as pinball games. Cap off the night with a martini or margarita beneath the jewel-like light fixtures at Perrenoud’s Cocktail Bar down the street.

Hop on one of BaseCamp’s bikes (complimentary for overnight guests) and follow the flat Southwind Rail Trail for 6 miles to Wild Bloom Coffee in Iola. Their open-face bagel sandwiches are a meal on their own, with options including the Pesto Change-O with roasted chicken, tomatoes, and a basil-pesto schmear.

Once you’ve made it back to BaseCamp and freshened up, drive 14 miles south to Chanute. At the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum, African masks, headdresses, tools, and musical instruments fill this tribute to a Kansas couple who were among the first to capture Africa, Borneo, and the South Seas on film.

Martin & Osa Safari Museum
Credit: Doug Stremel

Chanute’s namesake, Octave Chanute, was a pioneer in his own right, designing the first bridge to cross the Missouri River and later mentoring the Wright brothers on flight. Chanute’s achievements inspired the town’s wind-powered Chanute-Wright Brothers Memorial, a replica of Wilbur and Orville’s groundbreaking aircraft with a 23-foot-wide wingspan.

Land back in Humboldt at Union Works Brewing Company for a Blood Orange Lager paired with a chipotle honey barbecue chicken pizza.

Grab an iced latte or mango smoothie at Octagon City Coffee Company in downtown Humboldt, and pop into the connected Get ’Em Tiger shop for a cheeky souvenir. Seeking a sweet treat? Pop into Humboldt’s Bijou Confectionary for a self-serve buffet of gummies and chocolates. (The luxe Bijou Apartment above the store rents on Airbnb.)

Octagon City Coffee - Humboldt
Credit: Kansas Tourism
 

Take a scenic detour back to Kansas City by rolling through Kansas Rocks Recreation Park in Mapleton. If you have four-wheel drive, navigate muddy creeks and boulder-filled hills. If not, you can also hike or mountain bike a few of the park’s 176 trails.

Kansas Rocks Recreation Park - Mapleton
Credit: Kansas Tourism