Kansas FAQs
You asked and we have answered! Find the answers to your top Kansas questions:
Q: Is Kansas flat?
A: Short answer...NO! Long answer... STILL NO! We have many places throughout the state that are far from flat. We have Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park, Monument Rocks, Castle Rock and Badlands, Flint Hills, Gypsum Hills, Arikaree Breaks, Wilson State Park, Kanopolis State Park, and so many more areas that shine for their non-flatness. We do love our flat prairies and ever-stretching farmland, but we are not flat as a pancake.
Q: Are there tornadoes in Kansas?
A: Yes, but have you never watched the news? There are tornadoes in many states and no, they don't happen every day. Tornado season runs from April to August and they are extremely rare in the fall in winter months. It is unlikely that a tornado will ruin your travel plans, but we always advise that you check the local weather forecast before you commit to any activities throughout your stay.
Q: Is Kansas a fly-over-state?
A: Technically every state is a fly-over state if you think about it...just sayin'! Although Kansas' central location makes it prime for "flyover country," it is actually home to the Air Capital of the world: Wichita. So yes, we are a fly-over state; the aerospace industry here is huge! In fact, aerospace parts make up our top export, topping wheat, corn, and beef!
Q: Is Kansas City in Kansas?
A: Yes and no, sorry we are so complicated! Kansas City actually lies both in Kansas and Missouri. We know that lines are not visible, but the line between Kansas City is divided by water at the Kansas-Missouri Rivers as well as by land on a road called State Line Road. One side is "KCK" and the other side is "KCMO." It also means that you can be on the Kansas River and be in the State of Missouri while you can also be on the Missouri River and be within the boundaries of Kansas... weird... we know.
Q: Does Kansas have pro-sports teams?
A: YES! Sporting KC is on the Kansas side of Kansas City. While the Royals and Chiefs are on the Missouri side of the metro, many Kansas remain fans of the Kansas City area's professional sports teams. You'll likely run into many die-hard Chiefs and Royals fans here.
Q: Is Kansas the Land of Oz at the end of the Yellow Brick Road?
A: I guess you could say that Kansas is the home of all things to do with Wizard of Oz. Ruby slippers, yellow brick roads, farms, and tornadoes; we even have some cities that pay homage to the story. Liberal, Wamego, is Sedan are just a few; they feature Dorothy's house, an Oz Museum, and even a Yellow Brick Road.
A: Kansas is known as what state?
Q: Kansas is known for many things! The Wheat State and The Sunflower State are some of our nicknames. They come from our history and agriculture, which happen to be two important things that make Kansas great!
A: Why is Kansas called the Sunflower State?
Q: This question can easily be answered with a Kansas drive in late summer into early fall. Fields of yellow decorate the state during the flower's blooming season. Sunflowers became a part of the state even before statehood. Early settlers learned how to burn the stalks for fuel and use the seeds as food for chickens. Their beauty and usefulness made it an easy decision to adopt the sunflower as our state flower.
A: Why was Kansas called Bleeding Kansas?
Q: The name, Bleeding Kansas derives from the history of our statehood. The long answer short is politics and guerilla warfare. During the years 1854 and 1861 there was a major debate on the nation's expansion of slavery. How should Kansas enter the union? Free or slave state? This debate led to violence in Kansas and caused multiple deaths, which eventually led to the name Bleeding Kansas.
A: What is Kansas famous for?
Q: Kansas is famous for more than one thing, but it all depends on who you ask! One of our answers would have to be plains and prairies. The Flint Hills have the majority of the country's last remaining tallgrass prairie, and we are dedicated to protecting what is left at our national preserve. Also, Kansas is responsible for being the leader in wheat production, making us America's breadbasket! You also may have heard of a little thing called the Wizard of Oz. No, we don't know Dorothy, and chances are the Kansans that you meet won't have a little dog named Toto, but we were proud to have Dorothy come from our Land of Ahhhs.
A: What is Kansas the top producer of?
Q: Kansas is the leader in many agriculture productions. With our leading productions of wheat, grain sorghum, and beef we keep the country fed. Agriculture is fundamental to our past and continues to be in our future. Our State's top exported commodity, however, is actually aerospace parts!
Q: What region is Kansas in?
A: Kansas is a part of the Midwest! Our state makes up the southwestern corner of the Midwest. So, you can expect a few opes, mams, and always great hospitality!
Q: What time zone is Kansas in?
A: One-time zone was not enough for Kansas, so we observe two. Central Daylight and Mountain Daylight are the time zones we use. The vast majority of the state uses Central time, except for a few counties on the western border, which use Mountain time.
Q: What is there to see and do in Kansas?
A: Perfect question! Explore our site, check out the road trips, visit our Instagram Page, order a FREE Travel Guide, hit up our social media pages, read our blog, or give us a call. We have landscapes so diverse you will ask yourself, "This is Kansas?!" Yes, yes it is!
