Visual Traveler: Kansas Sunflowers

In northeast Kansas - the Sunflower State - this iconic flower blooms for a short time each summer. One of the best places to see a remarkable annual display of these gorgeous plants is at Grinter Farms near the town of Lawrence - home to the University of Kansas.

At its peak, the farm hosts 40 acres of giant sunflowers, which typically bloom for a couple of weeks in late August to early September. And these fields are so widely renowned that visitors come from across the globe to see them.

Although the drive from my Overland Park, KS home to Grinter Farms takes less than 40 minutes, parking can be really challenging for all but the earliest visitors. So my friend Ellen, and I, departed our homes at 7:30 a.m. It wasn't a bad choice in terms of the hot weather, either! A short walk from the car put us amid thousands of these bright, cheerful flowers, with some plants soaring several feet above us.

However, we arrived too early to enjoy the Sunflower General Store. In season, the shop offers a broad selection of sunflower-logoed water bottles and jewelry to enormous wall art. You might also find luscious homemade cinnamon rolls, creamy body butter, and even some Kansas City Chiefs memorabilia.

Seeing these sunflowers was truly memorable and well worth the effort. Put this on your must-do list for 2026!