Seniors Stop In Goodland

There are attractions, and there are attractions. The giant reproduction of Van Gogh’s “Three Sunflowers In A Vase” can be seen from I-70 as senior travelers pass through Goodland, Kansas.

In June 2001, Goodland received this magnificent piece of art called the Big Easel. Painted by Canadian Cameron Cross, the Big Easel is a 76’ tall reproduction of Vincent van Gogh’s “Three Sunflowers in a Vase”.

Goodland, with a population around 5,000, is located in northwest Kansas, 17 miles from the Colorado border. Goodland and Sherman County, as well as northwest Kansas are known as “The Pheasant Capital of the World”. Senior golfers, bring along your golf clubs and play Sugar Hills, the only 18-hole course in northwest Kansas.

 Seniors Enjoy Sunsets And Festivals

From the “top” sunsets in Kansas to the restaurants, festivals and live events, Goodland has a plethora of options for keeping senior visitors entertained. Annual events include the July 4th Freedom Festival, Sherman County Free Fair in August and Flatlander’s Festival in September.

Other events of note feature an 18 hole golf course called Sugar Hills. Goodland has proven to be a very appropriate name for the fertile lands of Sherman County.

Established in 1959, the High Plains Museum is a local history repository located near downtown Goodland. Owned and operated by the City of Goodland, the Museum features historical objects from its large collection that represent over one hundred years of northwest Kansas history.

The Puppet Factory in Goodland manufactures 85 different hand puppets. The Morin School house is a historical, restored one-room school house and well worth a visit.

Recreation Parks, Night Golf and Coffee Mill Row

If you care to cool off and have a barrel of fun, stop by Steever Water Park. The Night Golf Tournament and the Slice of Life Tournament both challenge your skills on the rolling hills of the only 18 hole golf course between Hays, Kansas and Denver.

In addition to  those annual events, culture and the arts can be appreciated at the Carnegie Arts Center, Black Bird Gallery, and the High Plains Museum.

When Rock Island Railroad made Goodland into a sectional headquarters, railroad workers poured in. They needed housing and Coffee Mill Row, named for the coffee grinders the houses resembled, was born.

Mary Ennis built the Ennis-Handy Queen Anne mansion in 1907 for $5,000. The Sherman County Historical Society is open for tours. Senior travelers, stop in Goodland and enjoy all the neat things there are to see and do. -jeb