Reasons We Love Kansas

Here’s Why Kansas Captures Our Hearts

What makes Kansas special? It’s the kind of place where sunsets stretch for miles, neighbors wave from their porches, and every backroad leads to a story worth telling. At KANSAS!, we’re always finding new reasons to fall in love with the Sunflower State—from its rich history and welcoming communities to its quirky roadside attractions, unforgettable food, and wide-open beauty.

This is where we gather all the articles that celebrate what makes Kansas, well… Kansas. Whether it’s the charm of a small-town café, the pride of a local festival, or the legacy of a Kansas-born trailblazer, these stories remind us why we call this place home—and why it continues to surprise and inspire.

Monthly Features

Food & Drink

Morning Light Kombucha

Photography by Nick Krug It’s about taking care of yourself and your community. Melinda Williamson (mshkoteni bodwewadmi/Prairie Band…

Latest Reasons We Love Kansas Articles

Nature & Outdoors

Flight of the Monarchs

  • 5 minutes

As monarch butterflies migrate through the United States, the Monarch Watch research program teaches Kansans how to conserve their declining populations Kristen Baum, professor of ecology and…

History & Heritage

Walk the Orphan Train Statue Trail in Concordia

  • 3 minutes

Photography by Jason Dailey Pay tribute to the children of the Orphan Train Movement by walking the Statue Stroll in Concordia In 1924, 11-year-old Anna Fuchs feared she might not be adopted. She was…

  • 6 minutes

Photography by Justin Lister Working through his family farm, a Rogan Tokach hopes to reverse a statewide decline in honey production Rogan Tokach’s fascination with bees began when he observed a hive…

Reasons to Love Kansas

Reasons We Love Kansas: Cemetery Art

  • 7 minutes

Gravestones, statues, and sculptures across Kansas cemeteries reveal stories of devotion, artistry, and historical legacy. Across Kansas, cemeteries are home to more than headstones—they're open-air…

Reasons to Love Kansas

Native Grasses in Kansas

  • 7 minutes

Save money and the planet with these backyard grasses The subtle beauty of dusk is one of the best times to appreciate the sights and sounds of the Kansas prairie. The landscapes, native grasses and…

History & Heritage

Black History Trail of Geary County

  • 3 minutes

Jim Sands, President of the Black History Trail of Geary County / Photography by Nick Krug A county project to commemorate almost a dozen locations opens interconnected stories across the region In…

Reasons to Love Kansas

Chasing the Unbeatable

  • 7 minutes

Photography by David Mayes Kansas athletes have achieved magnificent sporting records, and a few of them might just last forever … or until tomorrow Bob Fisher is standing at the free-throw line…

  • 3 minutes

Interested in your family's history and genealogy? These are the resources you should use. Ready to start learning about your ancestors or family history in Kansas? Feeling a little overwhelmed…

Food & Drink

Wildcat Dining Star

  • 6 minutes

Photography by David Mayes Kansas State University’s national reputation for tasty food in pleasant settings owes much to the work of Dr. Mary Molt An educator and culinary innovator for nearly a…