Your Central Kansas Weekend Getaway
Kansas doesn't get enough credit as a road trip destination. The central part of the state is home to rolling Smoky Hills, Swedish heritage towns, unique geological formations, and — right in the middle of it all — a craft distillery producing 10 handcrafted spirits. Here's how to turn a visit to Smoky Valley Distillery into a full weekend adventure.
Getting There
Marquette, Kansas sits at the heart of the state, making it accessible from cities across the region:
- From Kansas City: 3 hours west on I-70
- From Wichita: 2 hours north on I-135
- From Topeka: 2.5 hours west on I-70
- From Salina: 25 minutes south
- From Manhattan: 1.5 hours west
- From Hutchinson: 1.5 hours north
Friday Evening: Arrive and Settle In
Check Into Preston House
Preston House sleeps 11 and is available on AirBnB. It's your home base for the weekend — close enough to walk to the distillery, comfortable enough to make you want to stay an extra night. Book early, especially for summer and fall weekends.
Explore Downtown Marquette
Marquette is a small town with big character. Take an evening stroll through downtown, check out the local shops, and soak in the quiet pace of a central Kansas evening. This is the kind of place where you wave at strangers and they wave back.
Dinner in the Area
Salina (25 minutes north) has the widest selection of restaurants in the area, from steakhouses to Mexican cuisine. Or pick up groceries and cook at Preston House — the kitchen is fully equipped and part of the charm is making it feel like home.
Saturday: Distillery Day
Morning: Tour Smoky Valley Distillery
Start your Saturday with a guided tour of the distillery. For $10 per person, you'll see the full grain-to-glass process — the mash tun, fermentation tanks, the still, and the aging barrels. Your guide will explain how Kansas corn becomes Premium Vodka and how we produce a Kernza Whiskey you won't find anywhere else in the world.
The tour includes a tasting of all 10 spirits — five vodkas, three bourbons, and two whiskeys. Take notes, because by the tenth pour you'll want to remember which was your favorite.
Late Morning: Shop the Retail Store
After the tasting, grab bottles of your favorites from our retail shop. Some of our spirits — especially the Pickle Vodka and Smoked Jalapeno Vodka — are hard to find outside the distillery. Stock up while you're here.
Afternoon: Explore Lindsborg
Drive 20 minutes south to Lindsborg, known as "Little Sweden USA." This charming town is filled with:
- Dala horse sculptures — painted wooden horses throughout downtown
- Swedish shops and bakeries — try the Swedish meatballs and lingonberry jam
- The Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery — showcasing the famous Swedish-American painter
- Old Mill Museum — history of Swedish settlement in Kansas
If you enjoyed our Lingonberry Vodka, you'll appreciate the Swedish connection — lingonberries are a staple of Scandinavian cuisine, and Lindsborg is the heart of Swedish culture in Kansas.
Late Afternoon: Coronado Heights
Just north of Lindsborg, drive up to Coronado Heights — a hilltop marked by a stone castle with panoramic views of the Smoky Hills. Legend has it that Spanish explorer Coronado reached this point in 1541 searching for the golden city of Quivira. The sunset views are stunning.
Evening: Live Music at the Distillery
Check our events calendar — we host live music on weekends in our 140-seat venue with a 15x30 stage. Grab a cocktail made with our spirits, settle into the atmosphere, and enjoy an evening of music in a space that feels nothing like a big-city bar.
Sunday: Nature and History
Morning: Mushroom Rock State Park
A 20-minute drive from Marquette brings you to one of Kansas's most unusual natural landmarks. Mushroom Rock State Park features giant sandstone formations shaped by millions of years of erosion into mushroom-like pillars. It's a quick stop — you can see the main formations in 30 minutes — but the photo opportunities are unforgettable.
Mid-Morning: Kanopolis Lake
Continue to Kanopolis Lake for hiking, fishing, or just a lakeside walk. The Horsethief Canyon Trail is a moderate 4-mile loop through canyons and grasslands that feels more like Colorado than Kansas. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes.
Afternoon: The Land Institute (Salina)
If our Kernza Whiskey piqued your curiosity, visit The Land Institute in Salina — the research facility where Kernza was developed. They offer tours and educational programs about perennial agriculture and the future of sustainable farming. It's a fascinating connection between Kansas agriculture and the spirit in your glass.
Head Home
From Salina, you're back on I-70 with easy access to Kansas City, Topeka, and points east — or I-135 south to Wichita. You'll leave with bottles in the trunk, photos on your phone, and a much deeper appreciation for what central Kansas has to offer.
Plan Your Trip
- Book a tour — $10/person, available Thursday through Saturday by appointment
- Reserve Preston House — sleeps 11, available on AirBnB
- Browse our spirits — know what you want to taste before you arrive
- Find nearby city guides — driving directions and local info for cities across Kansas and Missouri
A Kansas spirits road trip isn't just about the destination — it's about discovering a part of the state most people drive past without stopping. Once you stop, you'll wonder why you waited.