Ingram's March 2023

KANSAS

MUST DOs IN

Kansas Has What You’re Looking For A wealth of entertainment options calls to residents, visitors. Sporting events, shopping, science—whatever your interests, you’ll find new depths of experience in Kansas. Whether you’re new to the state, just visiting, or a long time resident, the range of exciting, intriguing, and edu cational opportunities is limited only by your imagination. Far from being just another flyover state, Kansas is teeming with attractions you won’t find anywhere else. Take sporting events, for one. The state has two uni versities that are members of the Big XII athletic confer ence, competing against other NCAA schools in a range of sports. Despite being among the smallest institutions in that conference, both play at championship levels in bas ketball and football. Museums your thing? The Kansas Cosmosphere in Hutchinson has a collection of space artifacts from both the U.S. and the former Soviet Union that rival the famed Smithsonian in quality and depth. There’s a presidential museum in Abilene and a tribute to the world’s most fa mous female aviator in her hometown of Atchison. Looking for truly unique experiences? There’s nothing— anywhere in the world—quite like Big Brutus, the long-re tired steam shovel that carved out the coal-mining strip pits of southeast Kansas and now towers over the landscape as a roadside attraction. Let’s not forget, this state is also home to the World’s Largest Ball of Twine (in Cawker City) and

World’s Largest Hand-Dug Well (in Greensburg). Don’t let the endless miles of summer wheat fool you: There’s a lot to do out there. Here are a few of the highlights: ALLEN FIELDHOUSE, LAWRENCE At least once in their lives, college basketball fans must take in a game in this venerable cathedral of college basketball. The 16,300 fans who pack it for virtually every game make for one of the most intimidating venues in America. In fact, they set a Guinness record for the loudest college arena in 2017 when the crowd uncorked a roar that was 130.4 decibels. The Jayhawks have lived up to that by winning 87 percent of their home games since Allen opened in 1954. Considered one of the nation’s premier basketball programs, KU validated that claim by winning the NCAA tournament in 2022. It carried a No. 1 seed into the 2023 NCAA Tournament after winning the regular-season conference championship. • Tickets: Season tickets start at $500 but require an additional donation to the Williams Education Fund on a sliding scale, depending on seating. Individual- game tickets can be purchased through third-party vendors • 1651 Naismith Dr., Lawrence, KS 66044 • www.kuathletics.com • 785.864.8200 BILL SNYDER FAMILY STADIUM, MANHATTAN Take it from Pete Carroll, now head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. he former Southern Cal coach once brought his 11th-ranked Trojans to K-State’s home field, and when he left with a 27-20 loss, he called

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