Location: Fort Scott
Top Things to do in Fort Scott
What to do and see in Fort Scott, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Fort Scott is a city in and the county seat of Bourbon County, Kansas, United States, 88 miles (142 km) south of Kansas City, on the Marmaton River. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,087. It is the home of the Fort Scott National Historic Site and the Fort Scott National Cemetery. Fort Scott is named for Gen. Winfield Scott.
Restaurants in Fort Scott
1. Fort Scott National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 166 reviews
Reviewed By navyhmc
FT Scott is a wonderful example of what is best described as early frontier history. The fort itself is well kept and not what you would expect as a Pre-Civil War post. The staff and volunteers were well versed in the period and well informed and had a love and excitement when giving a tour or explaining aspects of the area. The highlight was being given detailed directions to parts of the old military road. a definite return is planned.
2. Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes
Overall Ratings
5 based on 45 reviews
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes works with students and educators across diverse academic disciplines to develop history projects that highlight role models who demonstrate courage, compassion and respect. Through our unique project-based learning approach, students discover, develop and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes who have made a profound and positive impact on the course of history. By championing these Unsung Heroes, students, educators and communities discover their own power and responsibility to effect positive change in the world. The Unsung Heroes and student projects are featured in the Hall of Unsung Heroes.
Reviewed By Sally S - Kansas City, Missouri, United States
What a wonderful surprise to step into the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in Ft Scott, Kansas..I must disclose, Ft Scott, is my home town and has struggled as many small towns are to stay alive…But when I stepped inside the Milken Center, I immediately knew this was going to be a great experience. We were warmly greeted by Isabella who gave us a brief overview of the Center and suggestions on how to proceed. But the best thing happened…she offered to give us a guided tour. She was so knowledgeable about the story of Irene Sendler and shared many aspects of this incredible women’s story, that we did not know…in fact, that is the point of this Center, to acknowledge and share the stories of individuals and even a dog, whom you probably have never heard of…those are the “unsung heroes.” Each story is told with pictures and the written story. This Center is so worth a visit. In addition, there is a great old fort and other historic buildings and homes that make a trip to this small town in Kansas worth a visit….
3. Fort Scott National Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By DB67154 - Whitewater, Kansas
Interesting as far as cemeteries go. Unless you know a lot of history, or have a relative buried there, might not be so interesting. I did think it neat that they have plot locator if you are trying to find a specific grave.
4. Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project
Overall Ratings
5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By ThePackedBag - Sydney, Australia
It's a fabulous story and well worth a visit to find out all about it. You'll be inspired and have hope for the future as these school kids did something remarkable.
5. Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By skipsaundra - Kansas City
Stop here before touring Fort Scott, they have free cookies, coffee plus restrooms. You can find out where you want to go within the city and they give you a map of all the attractions. For a smaller city, they have plenty to see and do. The staff here is welcoming and very friendly.
6. Fort Scott Trolley Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
The Fort Scott Trolley Tour is a 50-minute narrated tour of Historic Fort Scott, Kansas, est. in 1842. The tour includes driving by/through national landmarks Fort Scott National Historic Site National Park, National Cemetery No. 1; historic mansions and buildings circa 1880's with amazingly detailed architecture; Gunn Park 155-acre beautiful park with 7 stone shelter houses, 2 lakes, the Marmaton River, trails and more; Gordon Parks Museum; and the Downtown Historic District.
Reviewed By Ann T - Overland Park, Kansas
This was a 55-minute narrated tour in a very well air-conditioned and comfortable shuttle bus. The website for the Chamber of Commerce calls the tour "Dolly the Trolley." There is an open-air trolley vehicle parked on the west side that says Dolly the Trolley with a caricature face painted on it. Park at the combination welcome center/visitor center/chamber of commerce new building at 231 East Wall Street. The ticket-less cost is $5 per adult (no age discounts) and the tours run on the hour 10:00 - 3:00 March through October, Fridays and Saturdays. The website indicates very limited dates and tour times for a December Homes Tour and "Evening Hollyday Tours." My husband and I took the tour at 1:00 on a Saturday. The driver/narrator was a living historian about Fort Scott. The sound amplification for his headset speaker was more than adequate in volume and the quality was good since there was no static noise. The tour took us very briefly by the Fort National Historic Site, a good amount of time in the National Cemetery, victorian homes, historic buidlings, landmarks, Gunn Park and much more. The history was amazing and varied: such as the old brick factory and the number of square miles of brick roads past and present, the number of trains that run through the city past and present (now 40 with 20 being full of coal), historic downtown buildings, the childhood home of Bat Masterson, two "Sears and Roebuck" catalog homes (yes, ordered from the catalog to be put up on site), twin mansion bed and breakfast with one being for bed and the other being for food (Nate's Place), numerous victorian homes with one victorian home that had a window in the chimney visible from the street, another victorian home with lead glass doors valued at over $24,000 several years ago. Many, many other interesting items. I would not want to go to Fort Scott without this tour -- would have had no idea how much I was missing! The welcome center/COC is small but lovely with free coffee service, tourism booklets for other areas, and charming restrooms. Take the Dolly Tour before you do anything in Fort Scott.
7. Gordon Parks Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By skipsaundra - Kansas City
We had heard about this man but didn't know much. Wow! were we impressed and pleased to have come to this museum. He started as a photographer and expanded his talents to write books and films. Amazing that a man of color in that time period was able to make himself such a well respected man. They start you off with a film then you can see him in various stages of his life. He was talented and well it was well worth the time it takes to learn about his life.
8. The Shiney Studios
Located in a historic sanctuary, the Shiney Studios features and an epic yoga space and boutique. The history of the building dates back to the late 1800’s and early 1900’s with the cornerstone for the existing building was laid in July 19th, 1903. It is constructed of locally pressed brick and carthage limestone in a simple Gothic Design reminiscent of English Country Churches.
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