Most of us know Kansas as the home of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, but what is this Midwestern state really like? Known as at the Sunflower State, Kansas is blessed with a landscape of wide-open prairies. Rural communities farm the land making this a great place to experience the real rural American way of life with rodeos and ranches. Local ranches offer tourist accommodation and outdoor activities such as horse riding, fishing and hiking.

Once, dinosaurs roamed Kansas and their remains can be seen in a series of natural history attractions. In Kansas City, visit the Natural History Museum to see the enormous bones of aquatic dinosaurs. At the Johnston Geology Museum discover fossils and a petrified tree stump. Mushroom State Park is home to bizarre mushroom shaped rocks, which are thought to be 100 million years old.

Feeling brave? Atchison is considered the most haunted town in Kansas. In September and October, take a trip on the Haunted Atchison Trolley Tours to learn more about the town's ghoulish inhabitants. The town was also the birthplace of Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic.

Kansas City also has haunted houses known as The Beast and The Edge of Hell. Other hair-raising experiences in the city include the Worlds of Fun theme park and stock car racing at the Kansas Speedway. Kids will love the fun science exhibits at Union Station where features include: Dino Lab, a NASA style simulator and a high-wire bicycle ride.

For laid back Kansas City night outs, live Jazz and Blues can be heard in the clubs of the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District.  In September, October and November, the American Royal Livestock, Horse Show and Rodeo comes to Kansas City. Enjoy the thrilling rodeo displays, charming livestock shows and the world's largest barbecue competition.

Kansas vacation rentals include log cabins and condoes.

Self-catering holiday cottages and apartments to rent in Kansas:

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