Discover Phillips County: Culture, Nature, and Excursions

Phillips County combines cultural and historical discoveries with water-based and nature experiences. In Phillipsburg, museums, historic buildings, and a city park offer insights into the region’s past. At Agra Lake, the Phillipsburg Aquatic Center, and Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge, on the other hand, you will find a wide range of opportunities for active or more relaxing vacation days. If you are looking for a vacation rental or vacation home, you can choose your accommodation based on the experiences that are most important for your trip.

Phillipsburg as a Cultural Hub

Phillipsburg is located at the intersection of U.S. Highways 36 and 183. The Dane G. Hansen Museum has a permanent art collection and presents changing exhibitions from the Smithsonian Institution. Admission is free. Another unusual collection awaits you at the C&R Railroad Museum, where railroad memorabilia and 94 locomotives are on display; it also includes a miniature railway by Bill Clarke.

Fort Bissell also tells a story of its own. The site was built by settlers for protection against Indigenous groups and was not a federal military post. The buildings of the Fort Bissell Museum originally came from Phillips County; almost all of the objects were donated or loaned by county residents. Old Fort Bissell is located in Phillipsburg City Park and allows visitors to explore a frontier settlement.

When planning a museum visit, be sure to take the seasonal hours into account: The Fort Bissell Museum is open to visitors from the weekend of Memorial Day through the weekend of Labor Day, Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Majestic Theatre has been owned by the community since 2000, while The Gallery displays collections by local artists. The Phillipsburg Community Building is a building in the Late Gothic Revival style and is significant for architecture, social history, entertainment and recreation, as well as politics and administration.

Water, Landscapes, and Active Days

Agra Lake is situated among trees west of Agra. There is a fishing pier, and primitive camping is permitted. The Phillipsburg Aquatic Center includes a large outdoor pool as well as an indoor therapy and exercise pool. Both pools are accessible via a step-free entrance, ramps, or stairs. In addition to historical excursions, this provides water-based activities for your daily itinerary.

Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge is located amid gently rolling landscapes and in the narrow valley of the North Fork of the Solomon River. At Crappie Point, a 0.5-mile paved wildflower trail leads through the refuge. Recreational activities there include scenic drives, hiking, cycling, fishing, and hunting. You can therefore plan your stay around landscapes, active pursuits, or a variety of excursions without limiting yourself to just one vacation theme.

Choose Accommodation to Suit Your Travel Itinerary

When choosing a vacation rental in Phillips County, it is worth first identifying your personal priorities. Culture enthusiasts can make Phillipsburg—with its museums, theater, gallery, and historic buildings—the focus of their trip. Those who prefer spending time by the water or in nature can include Agra Lake and Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge in their plans. Then choose a vacation rental based on these travel interests and your personal daily routine.

More destinations for your travel planning: Glade, Gove County, Finney, Harper County, Butler, Reno County, Logan County and Pottawatomie County.

For the higher-level travel overview: Kansas.