While most of the nation sees Kansas as 82,277 flat square miles of “fly over state”, this stretch of land is more than just the setting for “The Wizard of Oz.” Not much more, but it works in a pinch. If tropical beaches and snowy mountains are not financially feasible, the “five wonders of Kansas” just might suffice.

1. Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home in Abilene, Kan.

Gallery space is filled with antique tables, old telephones and military coats, all from Eisenhower’s time as World War II hero and as President. The exhibit includes his childhood home, museum and the Place of Meditation–the location of his grave. Complete with details about his life and hobbies as well as his presidency, the museum provides a closer look at the public and private life of Eisenhower. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $2 for children ages 6-15.

2. Botanica Gardens in Wichita, Kan.

The Botanica Gardens are nine acres of garden, which contain over 4,000 plant species, 26 different themed display gardens and a multitude of water fountains. Located two and a half hours from Lawrence, the gardens include an aquatic collection, rock garden, butterfly garden, greenhouse for tropical plants and a fish-stocked pond. Needless to say, the gardens are popular for weddings and family photos and offer various classes, such as “Family Nature Crafts” and “Garden Sprouts.”  Admission is $6 for seniors, $7 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

3. Dorothy’s House and Land of Oz in Liberal, Kan.

In 1981, the Kansas Historical Commission hauled a small, ramshackle farm house to the edge of Liberal, Kan., and christened it  “Dorothy’s House.” A yellow brick road leads visitors up its small porch and into its “Wizard of Oz”-themed rooms.

The house is only a small aspect of a “Wizard of Oz” walkthrough, created by a Kansas native, Linda Windler. The exhibit was located in a shopping mall for 10 years before expanding to its own location in a storage building near Dorothy’s house.

The walk features familiar faces like the Scarecrow and the Tin Man, and tour guides are clad in blue gingham dresses and sparkling red slippers. The wizard has a throne room, featuring his angry expression from the movie projected onto a lava-lamp-surrounded-screen. Take a trip down memory lane for $7.00 for adults, $4.50 for children and $5.50 for seniors.

4.  Kansas Underground Salt Museum in Hutchinson, Kan.

The tour begins upstairs, where visitors are given a quick salt mine safety lecture before entering a descending elevator. The mine resembles a 67 mile long parking garage made of 400 feet salt blocks.

En route to the museum, remnants from the mine’s operation days pepper the journey–broken down vehicles and trash deposit areas remind visitors of the mine’s original purpose. There is also a cardboard cutout of Mike Rowe, who filmed an episode of Dirty Jobs in the mine.

Due to its ideal temperature, the mine houses a variety of movie memorabilia, such as costumes from Gone with the Wind and master prints of The Wizard of Oz. Admission prices for adults is $14.00.

5.  World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Cawker City, Kan.

In 1953, farmer Frank Stoeber began to roll spare bits of sisal twine into a small ball in his barn. Four years later, the ball weighed 2.5 tons and stood 8 feet tall. By 1961, when he turned it over to the town, Stoeber had over 1.6 million feet of twine rolled into a sphere, which was 11 feet in diameter. To keep the ball growing,  the citizens in the town created a “Twine-A-Thon.” In which anyone could step up and add more twine. In 2003, Twine-A-Thon’s total length was recorded at a whopping 7,049,191 feet of twine.