There are so many great small towns in Kansas that are worth a visit. If your New Year’s resolution is to head out and explore the Sunflower State, we’ve got just the mission for you! How about adventuring to a new small town each month? We’ve gathered up a few of our favorites and scheduled them out throughout the year for you:
January: Mission HIlls
Americasroof/Wikimedia Commons Mission Hills is a suburb of Kansas City that’s one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the United States. If you love seeing beautiful architecture, driving around through the town’s luxurious homes is a magical way to spend an afternoon. Mission Hills, KS, USA
February: Abilene
Jim Maurer/Flickr Abilene grew as a cattle shipping town and has become one of the most beautiful small towns in Kansas. It’s probably most famous as the boyhood home of President Dwight Eisenhower, so there are plenty of historic attractions to see here. Abilene, KS 67410, USA
March: Baxter Springs
Eric Roberts/Google Local If you love history, you do not want to miss the town of Baxter Springs. It’s got some of the most amazing historical sites in Kansas. Route 66 is probably the most famous highway in the nation, and Baxter Springs is right along this well-known route. Baxter Springs, KS 66713, USA
April: Cottonwood Falls
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr Cottonwood Fall has a charming little downtown area that’s just perfect for an afternoon excursion. It’s home to the oldest courthouse in Kansas that’s still in use. A walk through this area is just perfect for April, when the weather’s warming up and the skies are bright blue. Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845, USA
May: Council Grove
Robert Dawson/Google Local Council Grove has been nationally-recognized as one of the best small towns in America. It’s tucked away in the lovely Flint Hills region and home to the oldest operating restaurant west of the Mississippi River, the Hays House. Council Grove, KS 66846, USA
June: Lindsborg
Kansas Tourism/Flickr Lindsborg is perhaps the most unique town in America. It was founded by Swedish immigrants and it’s easy to see why it’s nicknamed Little Sweden. Visit in June and you can enjoy the Midsummer Festival, one of the town’s biggest events. Lindsborg, KS 67456, USA
July: Wamego
OZ Musuem/Facebook The piece of pop culture most associated with Kansas is definitely The Wizard of Oz. If you’re looking for Oz-themed attractions, there are plenty to see in the little town of Wamego. It’s home to a great Oz museum and so much more. Wamego, KS 66547, USA
August: Cawker City
Jay T. Robinson/Google Local One of the best festivals in Kansas takes place each August at Twine-O-Thon in Cawker City. This fun event centers around the town’s claim to fame, the largest ball of twine in the entire world! Cawker City, KS 67430, USA
September: Fort Scott
dcp/Flickr Fort Scott is home to the historic fort that shares its name. The fort was established in 1842 and now has a wonderful historic site, plus a hauntingly beautiful cemetery. The town’s downtown area is also charming and worth a visit. Fort Scott, KS 66701, USA
October: Woodbine
Lane Pearman/Flickr The fall festival in Woodbine, Kansas is so much fun! There’s a great car show, plenty of vendors selling their wares, historical reenactments, and so much more. The festival takes place each October.
November: Elk Falls
Get Elk Falls/Facebook Elk Falls is a small town with a big sense of humor. Each November, the town hosts an Outhouse Tour and Festival that’s likely the only one of its kind in the world. Elk Falls, KS 67345, USA
December: WaKeeney
WaKeeney, KS WaKeeney’s population is under 2,000, but it’s nicknamed The Christmas Town of the High Plains for a reason. This is the most magical Christmas town in Kansas and it looks like a gingerbread village come to life. WaKeeney, KS 67672, USA
Have you ever visited any of these great small towns in Kansas? Got any others you recommend that our readers should experience in 2023? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Americasroof/Wikimedia Commons
Mission Hills is a suburb of Kansas City that’s one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the United States. If you love seeing beautiful architecture, driving around through the town’s luxurious homes is a magical way to spend an afternoon.
Mission Hills, KS, USA
Jim Maurer/Flickr
Abilene grew as a cattle shipping town and has become one of the most beautiful small towns in Kansas. It’s probably most famous as the boyhood home of President Dwight Eisenhower, so there are plenty of historic attractions to see here.
Abilene, KS 67410, USA
Eric Roberts/Google Local
If you love history, you do not want to miss the town of Baxter Springs. It’s got some of the most amazing historical sites in Kansas. Route 66 is probably the most famous highway in the nation, and Baxter Springs is right along this well-known route.
Baxter Springs, KS 66713, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Cottonwood Fall has a charming little downtown area that’s just perfect for an afternoon excursion. It’s home to the oldest courthouse in Kansas that’s still in use. A walk through this area is just perfect for April, when the weather’s warming up and the skies are bright blue.
Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845, USA
Robert Dawson/Google Local
Council Grove has been nationally-recognized as one of the best small towns in America. It’s tucked away in the lovely Flint Hills region and home to the oldest operating restaurant west of the Mississippi River, the Hays House.
Council Grove, KS 66846, USA
Kansas Tourism/Flickr
Lindsborg is perhaps the most unique town in America. It was founded by Swedish immigrants and it’s easy to see why it’s nicknamed Little Sweden. Visit in June and you can enjoy the Midsummer Festival, one of the town’s biggest events.
Lindsborg, KS 67456, USA
OZ Musuem/Facebook
The piece of pop culture most associated with Kansas is definitely The Wizard of Oz. If you’re looking for Oz-themed attractions, there are plenty to see in the little town of Wamego. It’s home to a great Oz museum and so much more.
Wamego, KS 66547, USA
Jay T. Robinson/Google Local
One of the best festivals in Kansas takes place each August at Twine-O-Thon in Cawker City. This fun event centers around the town’s claim to fame, the largest ball of twine in the entire world!
Cawker City, KS 67430, USA
dcp/Flickr
Fort Scott is home to the historic fort that shares its name. The fort was established in 1842 and now has a wonderful historic site, plus a hauntingly beautiful cemetery. The town’s downtown area is also charming and worth a visit.
Fort Scott, KS 66701, USA
Lane Pearman/Flickr
The fall festival in Woodbine, Kansas is so much fun! There’s a great car show, plenty of vendors selling their wares, historical reenactments, and so much more. The festival takes place each October.
Get Elk Falls/Facebook
Elk Falls is a small town with a big sense of humor. Each November, the town hosts an Outhouse Tour and Festival that’s likely the only one of its kind in the world.
Elk Falls, KS 67345, USA
WaKeeney, KS
WaKeeney’s population is under 2,000, but it’s nicknamed The Christmas Town of the High Plains for a reason. This is the most magical Christmas town in Kansas and it looks like a gingerbread village come to life.
WaKeeney, KS 67672, USA
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