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So many communities in Kansas host regular events on Memorial Day Weekend. Whether you enjoy watching weird and wacky street performances at the Busker Festival in Lawrence or prefer to watch determined bull riders compete for points at Fort Wallace Rodeo, Kansas has events to suit every interest for this extended weekend. 

Hutch Zoo's 40th Anniversary!

Get ready to head on over to the Hutchinson Zoo to celebrate its 40th anniversary! The zoo is planning on hosting special activities throughout the day, and you can find the most up-to-date information on  on this exciting event!
 

Busker Festival & Art Tougeau

The Lawrence Busker Festival is perhaps the most fitting event for the city of Lawrence. As a college town that loves quirky entertainment, the city makes sure to invite some of the wackiest street performers from all over the world. The event is also kid-friendly and free to attend (just be sure to tip the performers). If you like watching people do weird stuff, then this event is most definitely for you! 

And don't forget the kickoff event, the Art Tougeau Street Party & Art Car Viewing, which starts at 4 PM on Friday, May 22.
 

Florence Grand Prix

Get ready to attend one of the most competitive dirt bike racing events in the United States. This event once thrived during the mid-1970s, but then went on a 44-year hiatus until finally being revived in 2022, after nostalgia to bring the event back overwhelmed the local organizers. Ever since making a comeback in 2022, the Florence Grand Prix has flourished and is well on its way to becoming one of the mainstay racing events in Kansas.

Kansas is a great destination for all outdoor enthusiasts, whether they enjoy fishing, hiking, mountain biking, gravel cycling, or disc golfing. One great thing about these activities in Kansas is that you can find all of them at our State Parks. These activities are surprisingly plentiful out here in the Sunflower State. Consider Kansas's "wide open space" more like a wide open invitation for adventure!

Road Trips in Kansas 

In Kansas, we have a lot of road miles. In fact, we have over 286,000 miles of roadways; that's the , despite only being the 15th largest in terms of land area. Needless to say, we also have a lot of Byways & Highways for you to enjoy a road trip this weekend!
 

Kansas Pony Express Historic Byway

On April 7^th, 2026, Kansas unveiled its newest byway, the Kansas Pony Express Historic Byway. Now, visitors can get a better feel for what the old Pony Express riders experienced through this once-aspirational mail route. The byway contains numerous and distinct historical sites and museums dedicated to the Pony Express, including the Hollenberg Pony Express Station State Historic Site in Hanover, the Pony Express Museum in Seneca, and the Pony Express Home Station No 1, Barn & Museum in Marysville.

More Historic Byways

Western Vistas Historic Byway

Another excellent road trip to cross off your bucket list is to drive along the Western Vistas Historic Byway. This byway provides you access to some of my two favorite spots in Kansas: Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park and Monument Rocks National Landmark.
 

Frontier Military Historic Byway

If you love military history, then drive along the Frontier Military Historic Byway. This byway is the longest in our state and takes you through notable places like Fort Leavenworth and Fort Scott. You can learn more about the historical attractions on the byway here.

Scenic Byways

Smoky Valley Scenic Byway

The Smoky Valley Scenic Byway is one of the "best little-known secrets" of Kansas. This Byway can easily be accessed off I-70 and spans across the Smoky Hills near Cedar Bluff State Park. The U-shaped route is easy to navigate and runs an ideal distance of about 60 miles. Go ahead and cross this little known secret off your bucket list?
 

Glacial Hills Scenic Byway

If you keep driving north on the Frontier Military Byway, you'll eventually transition to the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway. This beautiful scenery leads you through the very Northeast edge of the state to the city of Atchison. Both of these byways are excellent drives that really let you see the amazing greenery of the far eastern edge of Kansas.
 

Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway

The Wetlands & Wildlife Byway is one of the two nationally recognized scenic byways in Kansas (the other being the Flint Hills Byway). The Wetlands & Wildlife Byway is exactly what it sounds like in that the route weaves through nationally protected wetlands, Quivira and Cheyenne Bottoms, where wildlife is very abundant. While this route can be harder to navigate, it's 100% worth it, since getting lost will also take you to places you wish you had been before!