The holidays are just around the corner, and holidays means welcoming back friends and relatives for visits. As I have gotten older, I have started to realize that very few of my most cherished memories were made while visiting on the couch; they came from going places and doing things with those that I love most dearly.

Have some downtime while your guests are around? Why not go explore and make some memories? There’s no better way to encourage folks to come back home more often than to show them what they’re missing … And who knows? Maybe they’ll decide to stay for good once they fall in love with their community again.

Here’s a mixture of old favorites and new haunts that will keep you and your guests coming back for more, all around the state.

Northwest Kansas

Visit the High Plains’ official Christmas city, see art and history, take in natural wonders and dine.

• Prairie Museum of Art & History. Ogle at the largest barn in Kansas and experience early prairie life at this Colby attraction.
• Christmas city of the High Plains. ’Tis the season in WaKeeney, the official Christmas city of the High Plains. You’ll find a 35-foot tree, plenty of Christmas lights and some special Christmas-themed murals lining Main Street.
• The Elephant Bistro & Bar. The elevated culinary experience at this French-inspired restaurant in Hoxie is destination dining at its finest.
• Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park. You’ll find towering chalk formations that look out of this world at Kansas’ newest state park.

Southwest Kansas

Check out museums celebrating the Wild West, a very large well and a meteorite. Finish your southwest Kansas journey by viewing some folk art and then caffeinating yourself in Lakin.

• Boot Hill Museum. Cowboys. Sarsaparilla. Reliving the legendary days of the Wild West. Get the heck into Dodge City.
• Big Well Museum. The world’s largest hand-dug well and the world’s largest pallasite meteorite under one roof? This museum is a Greensburg treasure.
• MT Liggett Art Environment. The notable (and controversial) works of the acclaimed Kansas folk artist, Liggett, are preserved at this Mullinville attraction.
• Cottonwood Coffeehouse. The vibes at this Lakin coffeeshop are strong, and the delicious drinks are sure to fuel you up for your southwest Kansas adventure.

North-central Kansas

Time in nature, learning about Dwight D. Eisenhower and enjoying a handcrafted beer are a fun way to spend the day. And if you haven’t ever seen…