You Can Road Trip to the House in the Wizard of Oz

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Close up of the yellow brick road at the house in wizard of oz

Are you a Wizard of Oz fan? Did you dress up like Dorothy Gale for Halloween when you were a little girl? If so, you must plan a road trip through Kansas to visit the house in Wizard of Oz.

It’s a replica of Dorothy’s humble abode swept away in the infamous tornado. But there’s a lot more to explore than just the house. It’s an experience that every Wizard of Oz fan should have!

Let’s learn more!

Where Is the House in Wizard of Oz? 

The house in Wizard of Oz is in Liberal, Kansas, a city north of the Kansas-Oklahoma border. Highway 54 runs through the town.

Travelers entering Kansas from the south along Highway 54 only have to drive about ten minutes before reaching Dorothy’s house. People driving southwest from Dodge City will find the home about 90 minutes down the highway.

The house in wizard of oz in Kansas
Source: Dorothy’s House

The Story Behind the House in Wizard of Oz

In Wizard of Oz, Dorothy Gale was from “Kansas,” citing no specific town. It didn’t take long for an entrepreneur to decide that he could make money by establishing Dorothy’s residence in a small town in southwest Kansas.

Max Zimmerman was an insurance agent from Liberal, and when he learned that no other city in the state had claimed the title of Dorothy’s home, he decided Liberal would be it. An intrigued resident offered to donate a 1907 house like the one in Wizard of Oz.

In 1981, the city moved the house to the grounds of the Seward County Coronado Museum. They transformed it into a replica of the house in Wizard of Oz. Governor John Carlin officially named it the home of Dorothy Gale. The rest is history.

How Much Does It Cost to Visit the House in Wizard of Oz?

A visit to the house in Wizard of Oz will cost visitors a small fee. Adult tickets are $7, child tickets are $4.50, senior citizen (aged 65 and older) tickets are $5.50, and children under six are free. Military personnel receives $1 off their admission.

What Can You See At Dorothy’s House?

When you visit, you can walk the Yellow Brick Road and tour the Land of Oz inside a 5,000-square-foot exhibit. The animated journey takes visitors through the movie, with encounters including the Tin Man, the Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Munchkins.

Guides in Dorothy Gale-style gingham dresses with ruby slippers offer personal tours for anyone who would like a guide through the exhibits.

The tour guides explain the historical detail and give a brief outline of the movie plot for anyone who has never seen the Wizard of Oz.

Continuous showings of the movie are in the gift shop area, and many trinkets, T-shirts, and novelty items are available for sale.

Other Things to Do Near Liberal, Kansas

You probably won’t drive to Liberal, Kansas, only to visit Dorothy’s house in Wizard of Oz. It may not be worth a memorable trip out of your way.

But when you visit, there are several other attractions and places worth seeing after you enjoy following the Yellow Brick Road.

The Coronado Museum

Address: 567 East Cedar Street, Liberal, KS 67901

Cost: Free

Along Highway 54, an 8-foot bronze statue of Don Francisco Vasquez de Coronado welcomes visitors and points the way to the Seward County Historical Museum.

The museum houses a collection of items dating to 1541, when Coronado and 36 soldiers entered the region searching for the fabled “Seven Cities of Gold.”

Visitors can see exhibits displaying weapons, quilts, home furnishings, an antique organ, and Native American cultural items.

Keep in Mind: If you’re a fan of classic movies, then you need to visit the Von Trapp Family Lodge too!

A sign for the house in wizard of oz
Source: Dorothy’s House

The Mid-America Air Museum

Address: 2000 W. 2nd Street, Liberal, KS 67901

Cost: Adults: $7   Children (6-18): $3 Children under 6, Veterans, Military: Free

One of the country’s largest air museums, the Mid-America Air Museum is home to more than 100 aircraft.

The museum began with a 50-aircraft donation by Colonel Tom Thomas, Jr. Historical planes include the Aero Commander L-26, the smallest ever Air Force One, which President Dwight D. Eisenhower used, and Max Conrad’s Piper Comanche, which set numerous distance records for a plane its size.

Like in the house in Wizard of Oz, guided tours are available.

Baker Arts Center

Address: 624 N. Pershing Avenue,  Liberal, KS 67901

Cost: $5

Open Wednesday-Saturday from 10 am-8 pm, the Baker Arts Center is a place where visitors can enjoy varying exhibits throughout the year.

They can also take classes like piano, pottery, or donut-making. Exhibitions include a permanent art gallery, a studio workspace, and a Fun Zone for kids. 

A person looking at art at the Baker Arts Center near the house in wizard of oz

Arkalon Park

Address: 10 miles northeast of Liberal, KS, on Highway 54

Cost: Free to visit

Open from April 1 to October 15, Arkalon Park offers catch-and-release ponds for fishing, campsites with electric hook-ups, a playground, and picnic shelters. You can reserve campsites for $15/night with electricity or $5/night without hook-ups.

It’s an excellent place to stay after you’ve visited the house in Wizard of Oz. Whether you’re looking for an RV site or want to take the kids to play for an hour or so, Arkalon Park is a lovely local gem in Liberal, Kansas.

Keep in Mind: When you can stay in a park in your RV, you’ll feel like you hit the jackpot! These National Parks are perfect for visiting in an RV!

Adventure Bay Waterpark

Address: 1115 N. Kansas Avenue, Liberal, KS 67901

Cost: Children (15 and under): $5   Adults (16 and older): $7

Only open seasonally, Adventure Bay Waterpark offers swim lessons during the off-season. During the summer, the waterpark has slides for all ages, basketball hoops, toddler splash pools, swimming pools, and fun decor like a shipwreck and waterfalls.

The waterpark is part of the Liberal Recreation Department. It provides adult and teen sports and Lego and robotics events. It hosts special events throughout the year.

Visit the House in Wizard Of Oz On Your Next Trip 

Don’t travel to Liberal, Kansas, only to visit the Wizard of Oz house. Instead, stay several days to enjoy all the area offers.

Learn more about the local history, splash around at the waterpark, and make memories as a family. Visiting Dorothy’s house will be the icing on the cake!

Have you ever visited Liberal, Kansas, before?

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