Overview
Southeastern Kansas is a region of Kansas. Geographically it is dominated by a broad rolling landscape located between the Flint Hills to the west and includes the Ozarks to the southeast. It was first inhabited by several Native American tribes. After settlement by European Americans, frontier towns largely dependent on cattle ranching, and mining, were wracked by violence over the issue of slavery both before and during the American Civil War. Coal mining was the most prevalent type of mining in Southeastern Kansas because of the amount of coal found, and because of the quality and thickness of its coal.
7 sights · 4 things to do · 4 places to eat
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Southeastern Kansas
Brown Mansion
An elegant early 1900s mansion with original furnishings, wall coverings, and floor coverings. Arrange a tour by calling the Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce, +1 620-251-2550.
Chanute Art Gallery
Core art collection of 600 pieces and special monthly exhibits.
Dalton Defenders Museum
The notorious Dalton Gang met their end in Coffeyville in 1892. The Dalton Defenders Museum contains guns and saddles taken from the gang, pictures of the raid, and other memorabilia. For more information, contact the Co…
Elmwood Cemetery
Three members of the Dalton Gang are buried here.
General Funston Boyhood Home and Museum
It's on the Iola square next to the Allen County Museum. Displays articles from Frederick Funston's youth as well as his career in the Spanish-American War and Philippine-American War.
The Little House on the Prairie
13 miles southwest of Independence, just off US 75. Follow the green and white historical markers. Replica of the house Laura Ingalls Wilder's family lived in during her book Little House on the Prairie. Believed to be o…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 94°F; winter lows dip to about 28°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: May and Jun. (climate data from nearby Tulsa)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- JLN Joplin Regional Airport, Joplin — 45 mi away. Directions
- TUL Tulsa International Airport, Tulsa — 96 mi away (major hub). Directions
One can enter southeast Kansas via the following US Highways:
Full “Get in” guide ↓Sample 3-day trip
- Day 1: Independence — Elk City State Park, Downtown, Ralph Mitchell Zoo.
- Day 2: Baxter Springs — Baxter Springs Independent Oil and Gas Service Station, Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum, Soldiers' Lot, Baxter Springs City Cemetery.
- Day 3: Galena — Galena Mining & Historical Museum.
Built from the best-covered destinations in this region; open each for its own day plan.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Places in Southeastern Kansas
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
One can enter southeast Kansas via the following US Highways:
- US 75, which runs north-south through Independence and Neodesha.
- US 166, which runs east-west through Independence and Coffeyville
- US 169, which runs north-south through Coffeyville and near Cherryvale and Chanute.
By plane
- Chanute Martin Johnson Airport (CNU) is a general aviation airport.
- Coffeyville Municipal Airport (CFV) is a general aviation airport.
- Independence Municipal Airport (IDP) is a general aviation airport.
- Tulsa International Airport (TUL) is approximately 90 miles south of the Oklahoma/Kansas border.
Get around
Driving is the best way to get around in this region.
See
See Dalton Defenders Museum
The notorious Dalton Gang met their end in Coffeyville in 1892. The Dalton Defenders Museum contains guns and saddles taken from the gang, pictures of the raid, and other memorabilia. For more information, contact the Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce, +1 620-251-2550.
*
See The Little House on the Prairie
13 miles southwest of Independence, just off US 75. Follow the green and white historical markers. Replica of the house Laura Ingalls Wilder's family lived in during her book Little House on the Prairie. Believed to be on the site where the Ingalls family's house stood. Also the site of a restored one-room schoolhouse and turn of the century post office.
See Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum
Named for Martin and Osa Johnson, a Chanute couple who spent years studying the wildlife and people in East and Central Africa, the South Pacific Islands and British North Borneo. The museum houses their photographs, films, letters, and other memorabilia. Additionally, it has a collection of Central and West African artifacts, a library, and a theater where visitors can watch the Johnsons' films.
Do
Cherryvale
Do Cherry Blossom Festival
Held annually the first weekend in May. It features a custom car show, antique tractors, food and arts and crafts booths.
Iola
- Buster Keaton Celebration held annually in Iola. Keaton is a native of Piqua, seven miles west of Iola. On the last weekend of September, the community celebrates his life viewings of his films, talks from experts, and workshops. Admission is free.
Elsewhere
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Shop Dalton Defenders Days
Held annually in Coffeyville the first weekend in October. This is a celebration of Marshal C.T. Connelly, George Cubine, Charles Brown and Lucius Baldwin, the four men who lost their lives defending the town against the Dalton Gang. The town will hold a re-enactment of the gunfight and display artifacts from the raid. Other events include a car show, a guitar pickin' session, and arts and crafts booths.
- Katy Days, celebrating Parsons' railroad heritage, is held every Memorial Day weekend (fourth weekend in May) in Parsons.
Eat
Stay safe
Kansas is part of Tornado Alley. Tornadoes are most common in late spring and early summer. If you plan to visit any part of Kansas, you should brush up on Tornado safety.
Cities and towns
- Baxter Springs
- Galena
- Independence
- Riverton
- Sedan
Nearby
Miami
City / town · 13 listings · 44 mi away
Joplin
City / town · 17 listings · 47 mi away
Lamar
City / town · 1 listings · 51 mi away
Nevada
City / town · 3 listings · 53 mi away
Carthage
City / town · 20 listings · 53 mi away
Wyandotte
City / town · 6 listings · 54 mi away
Vinita
City / town · 7 listings · 57 mi away
Dewey
City / town · 2 listings · 61 mi away
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