Southeast Kansas Travel Guide: Fun Things to Do in Pittsburg, Galena, and on Route 66
We had such a great trip to Southeast Kansas. I had heard of many of these places and even had them pinned on my Kansas Map (find it HERE), but getting to experience them in person was so much better!
Thank you to Visit Crawford County for partnering with us on this trip. Here are the must-sees and our favorite stops that you need to try on your Southeast Kansas weekend trip!
Things to Do in Southeast Kansas
Pittsburg, Kansas
Pittsburg is a small town, but it has such a fun mix of history and personality, with a deep mining background and a main drag full of local restaurants and shops. We spent a good chunk of time just wandering, popping into places, and soaking it all in.
My kids were on a mission the entire time to spot all the gorillas around town, which are a nod to Pittsburg State’s mascot, and it turned into such a fun little scavenger hunt. One of our favorite stops was Gorilla Village Champions Plaza on the east side of Carnie Smith Stadium. There are gorilla statues you can pose with, and a peaceful little trail around a pond.
Food-wise, Pittsburg surprised me in the best way. I loved grabbing coffee and gluten-free treats at The Balkan, and TOAST had some of the freshest food I’ve had in a long time. It’s one of those places where you can tell people really care about what they’re serving.
But the highlight for my kids was definitely The Literary Cat Co. It’s a bookstore filled with adoptable cats just roaming around, and we ended up staying for two hours. The cats were so sweet and friendly, and my kids were completely in heaven. Bring quarters so you can buy treats for the cats, and definitely buy some books to support the shop. One of my daughters actually cried when we left, so just be prepared… you may be promising a return trip or leaving with a new cat.
One thing to note, the bookstore is closed on Sundays, so make sure you plan this for a Saturday. Pittsburg surprised me. I didn’t know what to expect, but it was bigger than I thought it would be and definitely had the cool factor that is unique to college towns.
Big Brutus Kansas, the World’s Largest Electric Shovel
Big Brutus is one of those places you really have to see in person to fully understand just how massive it is. It’s the world’s largest electric shovel and easily one of the most unique attractions in Southeast Kansas. My kids already love anything construction-related, so this was an instant hit, but even as an adult, it’s hard not to be impressed standing next to something that big. For scale, my head didn’t even come close to reaching the top of the wheels.
One of the coolest parts is that you can actually climb up into the machine and pretend to operate it, which makes it even more exciting for the kids. There’s also a small indoor museum that shares the history of Big Brutus and the mining industry in the area, along with a short video. Outside, there are additional mining machines and equipment you can walk around and explore.
There’s also a small play area, which is perfect for letting kids run around after exploring. If you want to turn it into more than just a quick stop, you can even camp right on-site, which would be such a fun and different experience, especially for kids who love big trucks,
It’s a stop that feels totally different from anything else you’ll visit.
Downtown Galena, Kansas (Route 66 Stops)
Downtown Galena is one on the 13 miles of Route 66 that goes through Kansas. It’s one of those places that would be great for a multigenerational trip, because it has history that grandparents can remember, but also fun activities and photo opportunities for kids.
Don’t miss Mural Park at 700 South Main Street. This is a cute little park with a Route 66 marker and beautiful murals on 3 of the four street corners. My daughter liked climbing into the Route 66 marker for a photo opp.
My favorite spot was Gearhead Curios. This is a super unique stop with great photo ops, including the Hudson Hornet from the Cars movies and an old gas station. Be sure to walk around to the side of the building for more photo opportunities. Go inside to see the collection of license plates (if you bring one, they will hang it up) and put a pin in the map to show where you’re from. The bathroom itself is a tourist destination. Be sure to ask for the key (attached to a hubcap) and get a tour. It’s such a special place that a couple actually got married in the bathroom.
You’ll see cars from the Pixar movie cars around town at three locations. One is the Hudson Hornet mentioned above, but you’ll see Mator and some truck friends at Cars on the Route (119 North Main Street). Just behind Cars on the Route and across the street, you’ll find Lightning McQueen, the tractors from the film, and the police car, which is actually signed by the voice actor of cars.
Across from the stop with Lightning McQueen, you’ll also spot the Route 66 shield, Centennial Arch, and lots of little historic details. You can drive through the Route 66 shield. Be sure to get a photo of the side of the shield you’d see driving into Galena. It is painted with sunflowers!
Crawford State Park (Farlington, Kansas)
If you want some outdoor time, Crawford State Park is a great outdoor spot Southeast Kansas.
There’s a lake, beach, playground, camping, and even a fish hatchery. The seasonal lakeview café looked really nice, but it doesn’t open until summer, so we’ll definitely be back to try it.
We did a short hike and my kids played on the playground and in the sand at the beach. We saw turtles and birds and drove all the way around the lake for some beautiful views.
Where to Eat in Pittsburg and Southeast Kansas
There are so many great restaurants in Pittsburg, Kansas and the surrounding area. Here are the ones we tried (and loved), plus a few more to add to your list:
Our Favorites
TOAST
This was one of our favorite meals of the trip. Everything tasted incredibly fresh, and they have great gluten-free options. You can tell they use local ingredients, and the space has cute vibes.
The Balkan
The perfect spot for a coffee break. We grabbed drinks and gluten-free muffins, and everything was delicious. It’s cozy, full of character, and named for the heritage of many of the miners in the area.
Nelson’s Old Riverton Store (7109 KS-66, Riverton)
This stop felt like stepping back in time. It’s got convenience store vibes, if you went into a convenience store from the 1950s. We grabbed sandwiches and tried sarsaparilla for the first time, which my kids thought was so fun. They were confused to see soda in a glass bottle.
More Restaurants to Try in Pittsburg, KS + Nearby
Chatters Restaurant
Chatters is family-friendly with gluten-free pizza and buns, which is always a win when traveling with kids.
Pickled Pete’s
Pete’s is technically a bar, but very family-friendly. If you can, check to see if they have live music while you’re in town. The food is super affordable. My meal was only $7. There’s also an outdoor seating area with an old barge that my kids loved playing on.
Eastside Cafe (120 South Ozark Street, Girard)
My kids LOVED this spot. The hot cocoa was deluxe and only $2.50, and I got a hash that was so good. It does get busy on weekend mornings, but it’s definitely worth the wait.
Drop the H Brewing Company (107 East Rose Street, Pittsburg)
This is a great spot to grab pizza. I loved the name, highlighting that Pittsburg, Kansas doesn’t have an H on the end like Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Bob’s Grill (1014 North Broadway, Pittsburg)
This is a classic, no-frills diner that feels like a true local favorite. It’s a great spot for a hearty, affordable breakfast with quick service.
Otto’s Cafe (711 North Broadway, Pittsburg)
This is a welcoming, laid-back breakfast spot with all the classics. It’s an easy, family-friendly place to start your day whether you’re in a hurry or taking it slow.
Where to Stay in Pittsburg, Kansas
We stayed at an Airbnb, and it worked really well for our family. It had two bedrooms and gave us plenty of space to spread out after long days of exploring. You can check it out HERE.
If you prefer hotels in Pittsburg, Kansas, here are a few good options:
(All are centrally located and great for families.)
Final Thoughts on Visiting Southeast Kansas and more in Kansas
Southeast Kansas ended up being one of those trips that surprised us in the best way because it has a little bit of everything. There are fun roadside attractions, meaningful history, great food, and plenty of things that kids genuinely enjoy.
It’s easy, affordable, and makes for such a fun family-friendly Kansas road trip. If you’ve been thinking about exploring more of Kansas, this is a great place to start.
If you’re looking for more fun road trips, check out 7 Best Weekend Trips from Kansas City or Can’t Miss Things to Do in Abilene.
