6 Cutest Small Towns In Kansas To Visit In 2024
Kansas is the 34th state of the United States, located on the American Great Plains. Kansas encompasses 82,000 square miles of open skies, and a thriving population of about 2.9 million residents. The state is one the country's largest wheat producers, earning its nickname, "The Wheat Capital of the World." The Sunflower State is also famous for its ties to The Wizard of Oz, its contributions to jazz music, and its barbeque! There are plenty of tourist attractions in 2024 that highlight its rich history, heritage, and landscape across the state, many of which are found in the cutest small Kansas towns.
Wamego
Wamego is one of the quirkiest towns in Kansas! Wamego prides itself as a small town with big experiences, sprinkled with "Wamego Magic" across its streets and residents. This Pottawatomie County town by the Kansas River is an ideal vacation spot for avid Wizard of Oz fans. Wamego is home to several adorably creative Toto statues and Oz-centric attractions, including the OZ Museum and its collection of over 2,000 artifacts.
Wamego has a few historic gems that add to its small-town charm, especially the restored 1890s Columbian Theatre, a venue for live productions and concerts, and the largest collection of decorative arts from the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. The Wamego Historical Museum and Prairie Village is another place visitors can learn local history.
Do not forget to stop by Wamego's wineries. Sample award-winning wines at the Oz Winery and taste flavors with names inspired by the Wizard of Oz, from the sumptuous "Auntie Em's Prairie Rose" to the elegant "Emerald City Lights"!
Atchison
Atchison is a quintessential Missouri River town with spoiling views of the river bend, complemented by tree-lined streets and Victorian-era architecture. This cute small town in Kansas is about 45 minutes northwest of the Kansas City Metro and one hour from Topeka.
Atchison plays serious homage to Amelia Earhart, the world-famous aviatrix who called this place home. This small Kansas town has several attractions dedicated to Amelia, including the one-acre portrait of the American aviator overlooking Warnlock Lake, the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum, and the 17,000-square-foot hangar of the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum. Every year in July, visitors can also be a part of the festivities at the Amelia Earhart Festival!
The town also boasts 20 sites on the National Register of Historic Places and museums that highlight Atchison's railroad heritage and Victorian past. Visitors can also enjoy a peaceful outdoor stroll at the Atchison River Walk along the Missouri River or enjoy the surroundings of the International Forest of Friendship (a living memorial dedicated to global aviation and aerospace history).
Clay Center
Clay Center is only a few miles northwest of Milford State Park at the Junction of Highway 24 and Kansas Highway 15. Discover this gem in Kansas, lovingly nicknamed "The City Beautiful!"
Creative souls looking for inspiration are sure to find it in Clay Center—art and agriculture flow through the veins of this vibrant Kansas community. Clay Center has over 25 murals crafted through its Mural Movement program. Discover the eye-popping art that draws traffic from Highway 15, including the massive Bucloic America mural that stretches over 80 feet (and symbolizes Clay County's rural roots).
Clay Center's family-centric community also includes a handful of family-friendly attractions. Stop by the Clay County Museum downtown, set inside a 20th-century building and boasting a collection of artifacts highlighting Clay County's history. In September, visitors can also enjoy the festivities of the annual Piotique Festival. Enjoy an array of craft booths, food vendors, and dancing on the lawn in front of the Clay County Courthouse at this annual festival, a community tradition since 1936.
Abilene
Abilene is famous for being the hometown of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 5-Star General and 34th President of the United States. Discover this east-central Kansas town along the Smoky Hill River, which was recognized by Smithsonian Magazine as one of the "Best Small Towns to Visit"!
The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is one of the top attractions in Kansas. This popular Abilene attraction celebrates the legacy of the former President and makes an exciting outing for history enthusiasts. Among other historic attractions like the Old Abilene Town or the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, visitors can feel like a kid again when they board the C.W. Parker Carousel, the oldest operational carousel by the C.W. Parker Carousel Amusement Company from 1901.
Abilene is also the proud owner of large and unique sculptures! Admire the Big Spur and awe at its 28-foot height, which was once recognized as the World's Largest Spur (until 2017), or visit the World's Largest Belt Buckle in Eisenhower Park, standing at over 13 feet and spanning over 19 feet.
Lucas
Artistic inspiration is not lost at Lucas—this farming community in north-central Kansas is nicknamed the "Grassroots Arts Capital of Kansas." The Kansas Sampler Foundation named this unique Kansas town one of the 8 Wonders of Art.
Visit the beautifully decorated accessible restrooms of Bowl Plaza designed by Mri-Pilar and Eric Abraham, which are made with repurposed glass bottles, travel plates, hub caps, dishes, and other unique materials. For more unique art, check out the Grassroots Art Center and stop by the Florence Deeble Rock Garden and Mri-Pilar's Garden of Isis.
Let creative inspiration continue to ensue while visiting the Garden of Eden, a popular attraction in Lucas since 1907! This beautiful attraction was built by Civil War Veteran, S.P. Dinsmoor, and houses over 150 surrounding sculptures.
Lindsborg
This American town is one of the most unique towns in the state. Lindsborg is only a few miles south of Salina in McPherson County and is famous for its Swedish roots, earning its nickname "Little Sweden USA."
Wild Dala Horses roam the streets of Lindsborg and can be found throughout Little Sweden, USA. These tail-free horses are a Swedish icon, and each is crafted with vibrant colors and designs. These icons can be spotted in and around Lindsborg, whether it's along Main Street or inside the town's buildings.
Learn more about Lindsborg Swedish's connection by visiting sites like the historic Swedish Pavilion, the workshop at the Hemslöjd, and the exhibits of the Lindsborg Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Museum.
Visit Coronado Heights, which is just northwest of Lindsborg. Rising over 300 feet above the Smoky Hill River Valley, this popular tourist attraction was named after Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, the Spanish explorer, who allegedly was in the area in 1541 after he abandoned his quest for the seven cities of gold.
Spend the afternoon outdoors and tackle the Välkommen Trail, which spans 4.5 miles, encompassing the refurbished railroad bridge, and meanders through Lindsborg. Continue onwards to new adventures along the Prairie Trail Scenic Byway, a 56-mile route in north central Kansas that passes through Lindsborg, as well as other small Kansas towns.
The cutest small towns in Kansas are worth visiting this year to experience the unique highlights of the Sunflower State, from the Oz-themed attractions in Wamego to the Dala Horses in Lindsborg. Its beautiful small towns, each with unique attractions, provide a perfect backdrop for memorable travel experiences.
