10 Prettiest Downtown Strips In The Prairies
It may lack the terrifying beauty of the Rocky Mountains or the soft, soothing allure of Florida's sugar-white sands, but the Prairie region of the United States is not about to surrender the beauty contest to its more glamorous neighbors, whether near or far. Here is where to find painted skies, magical sunsets, and golden fields. Below the wide-open skies is a cornucopia of small, charming towns, some of which boast the rawest representations of the West, the kind that we watch in movies and read in books and magazines. Not just that, some downtown strips here will stop you mid-step. Starting with Lindsborg, discover below the 10 prettiest downtown strips in the Prairies.
Lindsborg, Kansas
Lindsborg was settled in the years after the Civil War by an enterprising group of Swedish immigrants and proudly showcases its Swedish as a badge of honor. It is today known as “Little Sweden” and has a charming downtown packed with Swedish-themed shops, bright Dala horse sculptures ( there are several of these on Main Street), beautiful flower boxes, and eye-catching heritage architecture. Brick streets and colorful storefronts add to Lindsborg’s storybook charm. One of the best places to appreciate the town's heritage is the Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum, a neat space that tells the story of Lindsborg and the Swedish migration that birthed it. At the old mill, you will learn how the town's earliest settlers ground, sorted, and sifted the grain to become flour. Also, there is a whole village of beautiful old buildings across the street that no one should miss. Birger Sandzén Memorial Art Gallery keeps reasonably priced prints of Sandzén’s artworks as well as some nice pieces from artists all across the state. Still on art, Red Barn Studio Museum is a wonderful, whimsical space on Main Street that mostly displays the works of famous American artist Lester Raymer, best known for paintings of round-faced circus clowns, acrobats, and jaunty roosters.
Pella, Iowa
Pella is a tiny town of about 10,000 hidden in the heart of Iowa’s prairie landscape. You will be blown away by a historic Dutch-themed downtown, complete with tulips, windmills, and charming storefronts. One of the town's most sought-after attractions is the Vermeer Windmill, the tallest working windmill in North America. It features a Dutch village, a working windmill, and some interesting and complex wooden structures as one would expect of a place associated with the Dutch. You can stroll along the Volksweg Trail for beautiful sunset views or visit the Molengracht Canal, designed to replicate a canal from the Netherlands. It features an ornamental waterway thoughtfully set amidst heart-stirring Dutch-inspired architecture and vividly colored seasonal blooms. The Pella Tulip Time Festival, which lights up the town in early May, is a three-day event with color, fun, and thousands of blooming tulips.
McPherson, Kansas
Although somewhat shadowed by Wichita, Kansas, which is about an hour south, McPherson has a vibrant community with a downtown beautifully preserved with early 1900s architecture so that Main Street instantly feels frozen in time. You will find vintage street lamps, flower-lined sidewalks, and a decent number of attractive murals, including the Globe Refiners Mural on Kansas Avenue. McPherson Museum and Arts Foundation, also on Kansas Avenue, has a cool model train exhibit, a surprising variety of antiques, and tons of interesting local history, including that of the town's first gold medal basketball team: Globe Refiners. When it comes to shopping opportunities, the Cook's Nook on Main Street claims to be the largest independently owned kitchen store in the state. Plot twist? They also offer cooking classes that are available for preview within the first week of a new month. There is the McPherson Theater, if you want to catch a show, and the McPherson Opera House, a historic theatre with a building that is an attraction by itself.
Brookings, South Dakota
The home of South Dakota State University, Brookings has all the hallmarks of a vibrant college town, especially one that brims with entertainment and cultural venues. The town's downtown blends old-school character with a modern, artsy vibe. Eye-catching murals dot the town and enhance its artsy look and ambiance. These include the “I Love South Dakota” mural on the back of the Brookings Register building at 312 5th St. You should take your little angels to the Children's Museum of South Dakota, a nice place for children to actually take part in a world that was designed for them. It has several things that will pique the curiosity of children, including a post office that has letters and packages that can be delivered to each business. There is the 5-star rated Antique Mercantile on Main Street, which has a little of everything in the antique space. Just across the street is Kool Beans Coffee and Roasterie, the best spot to catch up on work or meet a friend for some mood-changing coffee.
Abilene, Kansas
The unique thing about Abilene is that although you are surrounded by rolling Kansas prairie, the heart of town feels like stepping into a living diorama of Western and presidential Americana. Abilene was once the hometown of Dwight Eisenhower, and the association with the World War II hero finds expression in shop names, murals, and in table talks with locals proud of their heritage. Remember, downtown is just a short walk from the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home, which memorialize the life and work of the town's most famous son. The Great Plains Theatre, which started as First Presbyterian Church in the 1880s, is a nationally famous venue for theatre talent and productions. There is the one-of-a-kind Greyhound Hall of Fame, which is packed with interesting history about greyhounds and their role in racing and culture. Wind off with some delicious homemade ice cream and smoothies at the Midwest Creamery on Buckeye Avenue.
Mitchell, South Dakota
Boasting a historic downtown with art deco touches, Mitchell boasts what is billed as the World's Only Corn Palace. This majestic folk art icon on the rolling prairies of South Dakota is decorated every year with 7 murals that feature more than 10 different colors of corn. Odyssey Luxury 5 Theater, on Lawler Street, is a family-friendly space with comfortable seats, excellent sound quality, and reasonable pricing. But if you are a shopping enthusiast, you will be blown away by the scale and quality of items at Einstein's Vintage Clothing, a fun historic vintage clothing store with three separate floors. The best part? The sections are divided by the time period, meaning shoppers can appreciate how fashion evolved. Just across the street is Bread And Vine Bistro, which serves top-notch sandwiches in a warm, inviting atmosphere. You don't want to skip the Carnegie Resource Center, which keeps a lot of interesting collectibles and some little-known history of famous Mitchellites.
Norfolk, Nebraska
When strolling through the River Point, which defines Norfolk's enchanting downtown, you often get the feeling that time has stopped ticking so you can live in the moment and enjoy every charming look. Norfolk boasts a revitalized downtown with wide sidewalks, public art (check out the Creative District), and classic Midwestern architecture. Elkhorn Valley Museum has an unforgettable display on Johnny Carson, the legendary television personality who once called Norfolk home. The gallery tells the story of Johnny’s formative years, his time on the Tonight Show, and the six Emmys he bagged. You can pass by Johnny Carson’s Childhood Home and take a picture outside with the sign, float down the Elkhorn River, or slow down with a nutrition-packed smoothie at Juice Stop, a few steps from Riverpoint Square.
Vermillion, South Dakota
Distant echoes of the past beautifully blend with modern touches to create a one-of-a-kind downtown strip in Vermilion, a stretch filled with tons of color and character. Vermilion is uniquely positioned on a bluff above the Missouri River in the tallgrass prairie subregion of the Great Plains. National Music Museum, one of the town's most defining landmarks, keeps more than 15,000 musical instruments from a variety of cultures and historical periods. You will see what is probably the world's oldest cello and harpsichord, a rare Stradivari string, and lots of celebrity guitars from people like Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. Also, the W. H. Over Museum is next to the DakotaDome on the University of South Dakota campus. It was founded in the 1880s and boasts one of the most extensive collections in the state. There is the Bluffs Golf Course, if you feel like flexing a birdie, and the Spirit Mound Historic Prairie if hiking is up your alley.
Northfield, Minnesota
Northfield is home to the nationally famous Carlton College, founded a year after the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. Expect, therefore, to find several historic buildings, some of which date back to the 1800s. These include the 1868 Scriver Building, a treasure trove now housing the Northfield Historical Society Museum. You will be mesmerized by a charming riverfront downtown with vintage storefronts, especially since Cannon River runs through the heart of town and lends it a layer of nautical charm and rustic elegance. The Japanese Garden Jo-Ryo-En is a quaint and peaceful place to unwind for a few minutes, while the Cannon River Dam Walk, which runs past the original Malt-to-Meal mill, boasts a beautifully maintained walkway along the river and lots of cool sights and buildings.
Beatrice, Nebraska
Downtown Beatrice is a spitting distance from Homestead National Historical Park, a fun, quiet place to learn about the Homestead Act, and how the settlers took advantage of it to obtain land. With its neat, cohesive Main Street and small-town prairie architecture (check out the Historic Gage County Courthouse), Beatrice boasts one of the prettiest downtown strips in the Prairie. Eye-catching elements that deck the town's core include murals, planters, and revitalized blocks. The historic Cinema Centre & Holly Theatre is a nice place to catch a show and enjoy some popcorn, while the criminally underrated Mother to Mother/Burwood Books is an excellent used-books store with unbeatable price points. It doubles up as a non-profit business providing support to young mothers. Before you pull the curtain on your trip, nab a chair at Kala's Savory Bites & Sifted Sweets, a rare find with fantastic cuisine and top-notch service.
The Takeaway
Beyond the glamour and glitz of coastal cities and the drama of mountain skylines lies a quieter kind of seduction—the Prairie region of the United States and the small, charming towns that dot it. You will enjoy strolling through red-brick streets, admiring painted murals, and patronizing old opera houses. Sometimes you will feel like you are watching a scene from a Wild Wild West movie. Other times, reality reveals modern America at its finest, except for the down-home warmth and bonhomie typical of the Midwest. Pack a good camera, travel light, and amble through some of the prettiest downtowns in the Prairie.
