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Survey Highlights Ellinwood’s underground tunnels, history—and potential for more visitors

Ellinwood is among the towns travelers identify as having untapped tourism potential, putting a spotlight on the community’s historic underground tunnel network and its brick storefront downtown.

Brick downtown street with a subtle hint of underground passages and a scenic wetlands-and-grasslands landscape in the distance.

The Great Bend Tribune highlights results from an AI-powered survey by Hostinger, which questioned 3,000 travelers about “Hidden Gems.” In Ellinwood, the town’s quiet downtown sits above a network of historic underground tunnels once connected to local businesses and the daily life of early residents.

Beyond that hidden history, the article points to Ellinwood’s museums and heritage sites that provide context for its past. It also notes the town’s access to the wetlands and grasslands of the surrounding region, where birdwatching and wildlife viewing offer a different kind of visitor experience.

By pairing Ellinwood’s underground history with nearby outdoor areas, the survey-linked discussion suggests road-trippers could be given a clearer reason to stop—supporting local tourism growth and encouraging more attention for the area’s independent attractions.