Lecompton

When most people think of Kansas weekend trips, they think of big cities like Wichita, Kansas City, or Topeka. What about the small towns, though? After all, nothing beats a weekend away from home but still in your home state, and small towns are where the ultimate relaxation is at. Lecompton, Kansas, was established in 1854 and was originally known as "Bald Eagle". First, go to Constitution Hall, where the highly contested and contentious Lecompton Constitutional Convention drafted a pro-slavery constitution. Needless to say, things did not go as planned, and the conflict that led to the Civil War was born. Of course, that's putting it in a nutshell; for the full story, you'll have to visit.

Next, visit the Territorial Capital Museum to learn more about the region's history. This is where Kansas' state capitol building was supposed to be built until, well, history happened. It's almost lunchtime! But first, take a scenic drive from Lecompton to nearby Lawrence on the River Road. This road is breathtakingly beautiful and has appeared in numerous photographs. Bring your own camera so you don't miss anything, such as spotting bald eagles and blooming wildflowers. Then, take the scenic River Road back to Lecompton and stop for dessert at Aunt Netter's Cafe. The café serves more than just desserts, so this could be a great idea for dinner as well!