Kid Approved

Champions Landing [favorite_button]

Champions Landing is a premier multi-sports destination, offering something for everyone on its gorgeous 85-acre property. Highlights include a professionally-designed disc golf course, pickleball courts, a fishing lake, walking trails,… Read more

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Free!

David Traylor Zoo of Emporia [favorite_button]

Visit the David Traylor Zoo and experience exotic animals and lush botanicals in a beautifully landscaped setting. See bald eagles, lemurs, prairie dogs, a mountain lion, birds, water features and… Read more

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Emporia Family Fun Center [favorite_button]

Come play a round of miniature golf at the Emporia Family Fun Center.

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Free!

Emporia Public Library [favorite_button]

Meeting Capacity: 50

Stop by the library and keep the kids entertained with near daily events that include story time and crafts. In the summer, the library hosts brown bag lunch concerts. Every… Read more

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Flint Hills Lanes [favorite_button]

Enjoy an afternoon or evening of fun with family and friends at Flint Hills Lanes. They offer 24 lanes of bowling with easy automatic scoring. Book a party, join a… Read more

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Imaginarium [favorite_button]

Imaginarium is a STEM education center and makerspace providing fun learning opportunities to kids of all ages. Parents can enroll children in classes that explore robotics, LEGOs, 3D printing, engineering,… Read more

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Free!

Johnston Geology Museum [favorite_button]

See a western Kansas Cretaceous mosasaur, a giant ground sloth, a mastodon tusk plus other displays in the ESU Geology Museum. The museum contains geological specimens predominantly from Kansas. Included… Read more

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Jones Aquatic Center [favorite_button]

Splash down the water slides, relax on lazy river and play in the zero-depth entry pool. Open daily Memorial Day to mid-August. The outdoor pool and slides can be rented… Read more

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Free!

Jones Park [favorite_button]

This 70 acre park located in Northwest Emporia offers some of the best disc golf in the area, as well as plenty of room to walk or run, two fishing… Read more

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Free!

Lyon County History Center [favorite_button]

Meeting Capacity: 175

This historic building in Downtown Emporia houses over 150,000 artifacts, as well as a model train exhibit and gift shop with Kansas and local items. Kids of all ages are drawn… Read more

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Free!

Peter Pan Park [favorite_button]

For nearly 100 years, Peter Pan Park has been one of Emporia’s largest and most beautiful parks, with over 50 acres to explore. The park, one of several in use… Read more

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Pizza Ranch FunZone [favorite_button]

American | Pizza
Meeting Capacity: 68

Experience the thrill of gaming and win amazing prizes at the Pizza Ranch FunZone Arcade! With over 2,400 square feet of arcade fun, there’s something for everyone in the family… Read more

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Free!

Prophet Aquatic Research & Outreach Center (PAROC) [favorite_button]

(620) 341-5727 | Website

The Prophet Aquatic Research & Outreach Center, located on King Lake on the Emporia State University campus, provides hands-on learning opportunities for students and the public. The center is open… Read more

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Free!

Rainbow Arch Bridge [favorite_button]

Located next to the All Veterans Memorial and across the street from David Traylor Zoo. This historic bridge built in 1923 is no longer used for vehicle traffic, and is… Read more

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Reality Check [favorite_button]

Calling all gamers! REALITY CHECK features virtual reality gaming, as well as an assortment of board games, Nintendo, and a snack bar. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the ultimate… Read more

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Sertoma Miniature Train & Soden’s Grove Park [favorite_button]

The Sertoma miniature train is a favorite of children young and old. Located in Soden’s Grove Park on South Highway 99 at the Cottonwood River, the train operates from June… Read more

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Free!

Southwest Santa Fe Skateboard Park [favorite_button]

The Southwest Santa Fe Skateboard Park is a free, unsupervised park open to skateboarders and in-line skaters. This hybrid park features rails, transitions and quarterpipe.

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Sweet Granada Chocolate Cafe [favorite_button]

Desserts

The Sweet Granada is a specialty sweets shop featuring handmade chocolates, macarons, truffles, nut clusters, and fudge, as well as other confections and gifts. At the heart of downtown Emporia… Read more

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The Axe Shedd & Simple Simon’s Pizza [favorite_button]

American | Pizza

If your aim is to carve a slice of fun out of your day then head over to The Axe Shedd. They have 6 axe throwing lanes, corn hole, and… Read more

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Don't take our word for it...

Kristen, founder of Midwest Travel Mama blog, recently visited Emporia. Check out her top recommendations of things to see and do that kids will love!