Liberal claims to be the hometown of Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz. Need proof? Simply click your heels and arrive at Dorothy’s House and Land of Oz. With the red-slipper gal herself as your guide, tour her farmhouse and movie memorabilia, and meet up with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and Toto, too, as you walk past life-size re-creations from the 1939 film. At the adjacent Coronado Historical Museum, trace Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado’s journey through the region, as well as those of Great Plains tribes and Seward County pioneers. 

Land of Oz (Jason Donnelly)

Although Oz’s hot-air balloon never landed in Liberal, more than 100 other flying machines did. Mid-America Air Museum, one of the largest of its kind in the country, houses military, commercial and experimental aviation spanning 90 years, from rare World War II bombers to a futuristic Beechcraft Starship. Taxi through the 80,000-square-foot former aircraft factory on your own or book a tour.

Baker Arts Center satisfies creative minds with pottery, painting, woodworking and cooking classes, plus hands-on activities and camps for kids. Local artist Irene Dillon Baker and husband Francis collected art on world travels. They donated their home—now the arts and community center—and some of their collection along with Irene’s originals to display among Baker’s 300 art pieces. The center also features traveling exhibits throughout the year.

On Liberal’s aptly named Pancake Boulevard, the Pancake House gets creative, too, with its 30 varieties of flapjacks, waffles and crepes. Don’t miss the 6-inch-tall, soufflé-like apple pancake that sinks before your eyes. The strawberry jam-filled crepes may be less fluffy but still stack up beautifully.

TRIP TIP

Liberal’s growing Hispanic population has led to a fleet of taco trucks stationed in parking lots around town. Most offer carhop-style service, or walk up to the window to order tacos al pastor (marinated pork with pineapple), tortas and other classic Mexican dishes from Antojitos Originales Chilangolandia, Las Delicias Comida Mexicana and around a dozen others.
 

Antojitos Originales Chilangolandia (Jason Donnelly)

Discover more of the Sunflower State’s magical Main Streets in the 2025 Official Kansas Travel Guide.