30 September 2010

Living! (On the Cheap)--Fort Scott, Kansas

My family on the steps of the Visitor's Center.
            All right, I know what you’re thinking.  One, I usually keep this segment to the metro area or at least a place with stop lights.  And two, history is SO boring!  And typically I would say you are absolutely right!  But one thing this family of five has learned, once you get off the beaten path; things get CHEAPER (just like real estate)!**  And sometimes history can be…well…not horrible.  (I’m not a history person.  So sue me!)
            Now I definitely did not relish the idea of three preschoolers trapped in a car with me for an hour but they seemed really enthralled with the countryside passing by.  My kids love, love, LOVE trains so watching for the multitude of trains and their paraphernalia kept them entertained for most of the trip.  Snacks and a brief nap covered the rest.  I was also very concerned about the age thing.  My kids are 4, 3, and 3.  Would they really enjoy something like this or would it be way over their heads?  (And then would I be stuck with 3 bored and grouchy preschoolers?  Not a good combo!) But my husband was determined that they would love it, so we pressed on!
Running through
the quad.
             We arrived at the fort in time to peruse the Amish goods at the farmers’ market that fortuitously is held in the parking lot in front of the fort.  Mmm…yummy homemade bread and cookies.  Oh, and organic veggies, if you’re in to that.  So we stocked the kids’ packbacks with all sorts of yummy things and headed into the visitors’ center to pay our entrance fee.  It’s $3 per person over the age of 16—and that’s a 7 day pass.  We went on a Saturday and arrived around 10 ish and you would have thought that the park rangers, that took our money and explained the map to us, had never had a visitor to the fort before they were so eager to help and show us around.  Even on a Saturday we had the place to ourselves.  The fort really is beautifully restored and if you aren’t chasing preschoolers all over it then it has some really interesting factoids—too bad I didn’t get to read any of it. 
            My kids really loved running in the quad, running up and down the stairs, hanging out in jail, and checking out the wagons.  My husband loved the deconstructed barrack.  They have treated one of the barracks like an archeology dig and have it taken apart to see how it was built.  As you walk through it you can see through the cut outs in the walls floors and ceilings.  I thought the cell phone tour was really awesome!
My kids and munitions. 
Great combo!

F.Y.I
  • Hours of Operation:  8-5 April-October    9-5 November-March
  • Entrance Fee:  $3 per person over the age of 16
  • Location:  Fort Scott is located in downtown Fort Scott, Kansas (Basically take US-69 South about 90 miles, from KC until you get to Fort Scott.  Downtown is the first exit.)
  • Accessibility:  I wouldn’t call the place handicap accessible.  A lot of stairs. A lot of uneven ground.)
  • Amenities:  Cleanest public bathrooms ever and a water fountain.  Bring snacks and drinks or pay for them off site. 
  • Bonus:  We ate at the Nu Grill, a burger joint a couple blocks away.  Best burgers ever!!!  And we fed everyone for under $30 including appetizer, and tip.
  • Check out the trolley!  We didn't do it but it looked like fun!

Although I do my best to ensure that the information I report is current and correct, I suggest you always follow up for yourself.  If you would like more information about Fort Scott please check out this website:  http://www.nps.gov/fosc/ .

**I was in no way compensated for this review this is just a tip I like to pass on to my readers and friends.

Check out my other Living! (On the Cheap) segments here!
Dagg Park                                                              
Powell Gardens
The Kansas City Northern Railroad
Geocaching
Fort Scott, Kansas
Two Websites Every Parent Should Know About
Emporia Kansas Zoo
Powell Pumpkin Patch
Portable North Pole
Deanna Rose Farmstead Pin It
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