Emporia State University is once again a featured destination in the Sunflower Summer program offered to Kansas residents by Kansas Tourism.
The program offers free admission to attractions across the state for school-aged Kansas students in pre-K through 12th grade. Kansas families can choose from more than 200 participating locations, including museums, zoos, historical attractions and more.
Emporia State locations include the Schmidt Museum of Natural History, which features approximately 600 taxidermy mounts of birds, mammals, reptiles and fish from Kansas, along with more than 2,500 bird and mammal skins from across the United States. The Schmidt Museum is located in Science Hall Room 043.
The second location on campus is the Johnston Geology Museum, located in Science Hall Room 106. The museum features geological specimens predominantly from Kansas, with highlights including a Cretaceous mosasaur, a giant ground sloth and a mastodon tusk.
Eligible Kansas families can download the Sunflower Summer app to claim tickets to participating venues. One adult receives free admission with eligible students. Tickets are redeemed at participating venues upon arrival. Each user can redeem tickets once per venue during the 2026 season.
A map of the ESU campus is available online at emporia.edu/maps. The ESU venues are closed on holidays and weekends. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The 2026 season runs from July 9 through August 2.
For more information about the Sunflower Summer program, visit SunflowerSummer.org.