Lyon: History, Culture and Nature

More than 150,000 artifacts offer a gateway to the county’s history at the Lyon County History Center. There are also historic buildings, arts offerings, and trails through forests and open meadows. When planning your trip, you can choose different focuses: a group tour, a cultural event in Emporia, or time outdoors.

History in Buildings and Collections

The Lyon County History Center preserves and shares the history of Lyon County through its extensive collection. The Center offers guided tours for adult and student groups. A schedule lists Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; check before your visit whether these hours are still current.

The Richard Howe House was built around 1866–1867 by Richard Howe, a Welsh immigrant and stonemason. It is a rare surviving example of a limestone building from the early settlement period. Its construction dates, builder, and building material make the house a tangible point of reference if you are interested in early architecture and the history of settlement.

Red Rocks is the former home of newspaper publisher William Allen White. The listed seasonal opening period runs from mid-April to mid-October: Wednesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Before visiting, confirm whether the season and hours are current.

Cultural Offerings in Emporia

The Emporia Granada Theatre combines a historic architectural style with an events program. The theater dates to 1929, is designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, and was fully restored in 2009. Live music and events are held there regularly. If you would like to plan a cultural outing, check the specific event dates before your trip.

At the Trusler Gallery in the Emporia Arts Center, you can see exhibitions by local and regional artists. The Arts Center also offers art and craft classes for children and adults. The gallery and classes offer different ways to engage with art: you can view exhibitions or include a class as an activity during your stay.

Trails, Landscapes, and Wildlife Watching

Camp Alexander covers 90 acres of forests, ponds, and gently rolling meadows in Lyon County, east of Emporia. Nearly five miles of challenging hiking and biking trails run through dense forests and open meadows. A nine-hole disc golf course adds to the trail offerings. The combination of forest, open spaces, and different activities makes Camp Alexander an option for a stay filled with outdoor activity.

The Flint Hills Trail is an existing, 23.4-mile corridor along a railroad line converted into a recreational trail. Lyon County and northern communities such as Admire, Allen, and Bushong benefit from it. No permit is required to use Flint Hills Trail State Park; check current park notices before setting out.

The Clinton Eubank Memorial trail system runs along the southeast side of Lyon State Fishing Lake and is suitable for wildlife watching. The David Traylor Zoo features exotic animals and lush botanical displays in a landscaped setting. Alongside longer trails, wildlife and plant life are also distinct themes to explore on your trip.

Emporia as a Stopover

Since 1982, the Emporia Farmers Market has brought together locally grown, home-baked, and handmade goods from local farmers, gardeners, and craftspeople in Lyon County. Its offerings combine food and handmade regional products. If you are planning a hotel stay as a stop on a longer drive, Emporia can serve as an overnight stop: the city is on I-35/335, about halfway between Wichita and Kansas City.

Discover more destinations: Emporia, Sedgwick, Pottawatomie County, Trego County, Ford County, Pawnee, Jackson, Thomas County.

See the main travel overview: Kansas.