Sumner County: Find hotels for your trip

Sumner County offers travelers several points of interest to help plan a stay: activities on the water, museums, an arboretum, and places with regional history. First, consider which topics are important to your trip.

Water and scenery

Wellington City Lake covers about 674 acres of water and has 10 miles of shoreline. The lake offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and camping. Permits are required for camping or recreational use; check in advance which permits you will need for your planned activities. There is an ADA-accessible fishing pier on the west side of the lake. These measurements and recreational opportunities give you specific points to consider if you want to spend time by the water during your stay.

Bartlett Arboretum offers a different focus. Its history dates back to 1910, when Dr. Walter E. Bartlett acquired 15 acres of land on the outskirts of Belle Plaine. The arboretum features various non-native tree species that were not found anywhere else in Kansas. It also hosts a weekly farmers market. If you would like to include it in your plans, check the schedule before you arrive.

In Conway Springs in Sumner County, the spring is now marked by a spring pavilion in a park in the town center. If you plan to visit the park, it is a good idea to check local conditions.

Museums and collections

The Chisholm Trail Museum is housed in the historic Hatcher Hospital building and displays thousands of exhibits. The National Depression Glass Museum focuses on the history and products of the U.S. glass industry, particularly glass from the Great Depression era. The objects on display there also include examples of equipment used by glass industry workers.

The Panhandle Railroad Museum displays furniture from the Santa Fe system, railroad workers’ uniforms, and railroad safety equipment. The different collections give you specific points to consider when choosing: for example, you might be interested in glass history and work equipment, or in railroad equipment.

History at various sites

The Chisholm Trail, an important cattle-driving route, passed through Sumner County. History comes to life in different ways in Caldwell: the renovated Caldwell Opera House hosts cultural and entertainment events and displays historical artifacts from the 1880s. Since the events program may change, check the dates before planning a visit around it. There are also 22 historic markers along downtown streets. The Talking Tombstones in downtown Caldwell bring the stories of local citizens and other figures of the Wild West to life.

Another roadside stop is Ghost Riders of the Chisholm Trail: silhouettes stand on a rise beside the actual Chisholm Trail. The installation is at a scenic roadside stop. Old Oxford Mill was built as a flour mill in the 1870s; Susanna Salter House was completed in 1885. These dates place the two historic sites in context without implying that they offer visitor access today.

Salter House Museum in Argonia is open to the public by appointment. Be sure to arrange a visit in advance. Geuda Springs also has a place in history: the town in Sumner County was developed into a health resort in 1886, with mineral water, a hotel, and its own lake. This earlier development differs from today’s scenic and museum offerings and adds to the historical themes you can explore when planning your trip.

Find hotels for your stay

Whether you plan to focus your visit on Wellington City Lake, the collections, or the historic sites, these topics can help you decide what your trip will center on. Then search for a hotel in Sumner County that suits your travel plans.

More destinations

Explore more destinations: Mulvane, Clark County, Wabaunsee County, Russell County, Phillips County, Cloud County, Logan County, Gray County

Back to the main travel overview: Kansas.