6 Coolest Towns in Kansas for a Summer Vacation in 2024
With its smattering of the most unique towns in the US, Kansas is an incredibly cool state in which to spend the upcoming summer vacation for any group. The waterfront town of Osawatomie flaunts the Flint Hills Tail "Mile Zero," promising an epic summer vacation in between two beautiful rivers, the Marais des Cygnes and Pottawatomie. Baldwin City is a laidback town with collegiate charm and an adorable alpaca farm, as well as the nearby Santa Fe Trail, while Wamego is drenched in Wizard of Oz vibes.
Wishing to click your heels like Dorothy and be overseas? The immersive town of Lindsborg transports you into Sweden no matter the time of year with its Old Mill site, museums, and Nordic cuisine, but set to celebrate the Midsummer Festival on June 15, there's no better time to visit than this summer. In the first town where the 34th President of the US spent his childhood summers, it is easy to imagine little Dwight on a stroll along the creek through the heart of Abilene or the lush riverbanks just south.
Abilene
While Amelia Earheart was born in Atchison, Kansas, President Dwight D. Eisenhower grew up in Abilene, a popular town to visit at any time and walk in the presidential footsteps of the man who integrated the school system and created the interstate system. Start your summer vacation early; the 6th Annual Antique Fest is in the works to open for one day on May 11, while the Abilene Victorian Inn Bed & Breakfast completes every thematic stay. Having spent his own childhood days in Abilene, it is easy to imagine Little Dwight on a stroll along the Mud Creek through the heart, branching out from the Smoky Hill River just south, where visitors will find a couple of great golf courses and the Brown Memorial Park for a summer day picnic.
Part of the City Park Historic District, the Eisenhower Park & Rose Garden is a great place to relax in the shade of sensual scenery, while the stadium is where General Dwight D. Eisenhower announced his run for the presidency in 1952. Home to several of the "8 Wonders of Kansas," don't miss the elegant Seelye Mansion and the C. W. Parker Carousel from 1901, the oldest operational in existence with 24 horses. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum really makes you feel like he is still around with notable artifacts from his life. The Greyhound Hall of Fame enshrines the greatest greyhound racers, and no trip to Abilene is complete without a memento by the World's Largest Belt Buckle.
Baldwin City
This small town, home to the Maple Leaf Festival, Baker University, and the Santa Fe Trail, has a lively spirit and a dose of cool for every group's tasteful vacation in the summer. Bursting with collegiate charm, Baker City combines cultural enrichment with outdoor excitement like Women's Bridge Park and the historic Midland Railway. Under 30 minutes north, Baker Wetlands attracts nature lovers for outdoor pursuits along the shaded trails, like bird watching, hikes, and natural photography over a picnic in a scenic frame.
After a stroll through the historic district with its unique and well-preserved architecture, why not sit down for a stimulating conversation at the coffee shops around, like Homestead Kitchen & Bakery? Don't miss a campus stroll of Kansas' oldest university and, just north, the Baldwin Performing Arts Centre for local talent. Nearby, the Trail Park is fun to paddle with historical markers and landmarks like the Palmyra. Just south of town, Ad Astra Alpacas, a pet store and an alpaca farm in one will be a summertime highlight for your kids, with its live free-roaming alpacas for interactions.
Lecompton
Right from the pages of a history book, one of the state's oldest towns is also one of its coolest, and if you're still on the fence between the two towns above for an upcoming summer vacation, why not spend it in the "Best Small Town in Kansas," according to Kansas! Magazine? Founded in 1854 on a 640-acre Wyandotte Indian land claim, this ambient town on the lush south banks of the Kansas River is a second-to-none waterfront destination for architecture and nature fans alike. Having been renamed from its original Bald Eagle because of the nesting eagles, Lecompton remains a favorite escape among bird watchers, bikers, and photographers along the river trails.
Honouring Judge Samuel D. Lecompte, the chief justice of the Kansas Territorial Supreme Court, Lecompton was once the only official and permanent capital of the Kansas Territory. Today, it is home to Lane University with collegiate charm and history permeating the atmosphere, like the Constitution Hall State Historic Site, which is recognized as the political birthplace of the American Civil War through vibrant annual events and two museums. Modern travelers can enjoy historic sites in between restaurants and shopping, like Hill Creek Market, as well as the top-rated Coon Point Campground Oregon Trail just south.
Lindsborg
When planning a vacation and craving another culture's vibes, and Lindsborg is just a drive away, it is easy to put two and two together for a Eurotrip right in the state. Just south of Salina, this town with Swedish roots and Nordic influences celebrates its rich heritage daily as "Little Sweden" and during a huge biannual festival, the Svensk Hyllningsfest, albeit last year. But not to fret; the upcoming Midsummer Festival, another one of its vibrant celebrations, is brewing up as we speak to take over the streets in mid-June while the Birger Sandzen Memorial Art Gallery and the Swedish Historical Museum welcome summertime tourists.
There is no better time to experience all things Swedish under the pleasant sun, with refreshments and cultural events downtown, including artisans and Scandinavian-themed shops, as well as taste the local products from the butchers, cheese shops, and chocolatiers. Speaking of, once the winter holiday high wears off and you get hit with a craving for sweets or a bout of winter blues, the Chocolate Lovers Festival is a great reason to make a comeback in February for the chocolate artisans, sculptors, and connoisseurs like yourself, with a show and free tastings. Don't miss the old and unique architectural sights in between all the festivities, like Lindsborg Old Mill for a lovely backdrop photo op and a dinner at the highly reputable Crown and Rye for delicious Swedish cuisine.
Osawatomie
This waterfront town, with a cool name and geography to match, promises epic summer days in the embrace of two beautiful rivers, the Marais des Cygnes and Pottawatomie. Home to an up-and-coming art scene downtown, there's plenty to browse in between Osawatomie's front-stage attraction, the Flint Hills Trail “Mile Zero” Trailhead. The easternmost terminus for the US's seventh longest, 118-mile rail-to-rail, with easy parking, attracts equestrians, cyclists, and hikers to explore a stretch or journey all the way along the iconic trail. There is no better place to enjoy the summertime outdoors than this riverside town that helped ignite the Civil War, with fascinating insights at the Osawatomie History Museum.
Hunt around for over 20 painted bikes scattered around town that nod at the celebrity trailhead, while on the corner of 5th and Main Street, the mural depicts John Brown, the historic Creamery Bridge, and Kansas symbols—railroad, wheat, sunflower, and honeybee—as well as a large Mile Zero bike rack at the front. Established by abolitionists in 1854, John Brown's time marked the beginning of "Bleeding Kansas," the battle against slavery towards national attention. Home to the MoPac Railroad Depot Museum, don't miss the historic Asylum Bridge and a picnic by the actual Creamery Bridge or at John Brown Memorial Park.
Wamego
If you have never been, this cool town, completing the list, should be the first on your bucket list to visit for a family vacation this summer. Drenched with Wizard of Oz vibes, Wamego's mountain of attractions, including those from the story, will have your own little monkeys flying high from happiness. With no other like it in the whole of the US, this little town in Pottawatomie County, the northeast part of the state, celebrates the annual OZtoberFest in the fall. Summertime is relatively peaceful for strolls along the yellow brick sidewalks and notable attractions downtown, like the Wizard of Oz Museum in a restored building.
Chances are you won't have to push elbows at another one of its 2,000 fun movie artifacts for unobscured selfies and insights into the author's, L. Frank Baum's life was fascinating in his hometown and onwards. Browse the gift shop to score a Toto teddy and red ruby slippers to sport at home. Wamego's beautiful waterfront beckons for recreation by the Kansas River, snaking the town just south. From art and craft booths to a classic car show and a parade, the festival in the first week of October is worth revisiting for more "Ozsome" activities.
Whether you're in for the magic of OZ in Wamego or the historic sites and architecture in Lecompton, the political birthplace of the Civil War, or one of the many towns along the lush Kansas River, Kansas' small towns offer unrepeatable experiences and a refreshing change of pace that really feels like a vacation.
Staying entertained on a culturally enriching vacation in the outdoors is easy in Kansas, like Lecompton's over 20 painted bikes scattered around town that nod at the celebrity trailhead or the mural depicting John Brown's movement for civil rights and iconic items of the Sunflower State.
