7 Most Memorable Small Towns In Kansas
Kansas is often called the "Land of Oz," but it offers much more than vast plains filled with cattle, wheat, and tornadoes. As you travel through the state, you'll come across several small towns that offer unique and memorable experiences. Whether you're strolling through the tombstones of Boot Hill, exploring a Presidential library, or enjoying a boat ride on one of the many freshwater lakes, there is no shortage of things to see and do. These seven communities have transformed from the days of covered wagons and prairie grasslands into vibrant places of commerce and community. They are the most memorable places to spend a day, weekend, or even more.
Lindsborg
This small town sits in Mcpherson County in the central part of the state and lives up to its label as "Little Sweden" by celebrating its Swedish heritage with a huge festival every two years. The town emerged in the late 1860s as a group of immigrants found the fertile prairie an ideal place to form a community. As the railroad extended west, the town grew, welcoming settlers as they moved to the area.
The town is adorned with beautiful examples of Old World architecture. The quaint downtown district is very walkable, with numerous boutiques, shops, and galleries. Visitors will enjoy browsing through the Birger Sandzen Memorial Art Gallery or the Lindsborg Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Museum. Trollslanda Toy Store has handcrafted toys, science kits, and stuffed animals. Browse through the Hemslojd Gift Shop, which features a wide array of carved Dala horses, where visitors can watch and talk with the artisans. The Rosberg Bed and Breakfast is a historic home perfect for a weekend getaway. For lunch featuring Scandinavian entrees, try Crown and Rye.
Dodge City
Dodge City has grown from its days as a wild cow town filled with gunslingers, gamblers, and cowboys. The town began as a settlement near Ft. Dodge, located near the Santa Fe Trail, as an essential way station for pioneers moving west. As the railroad emerged, the town became a focal point for buffalo hunting or cattle driven from Texas. As the cattle town boomed, the community attracted more than its share of saloons, brothels, and gambling halls.
Today, visitors can experience the Wild West ambiance by touring the Boot Hill Museum with its informative displays and exhibits. Have a Sassporilla in the Longbranch Saloon, part of Boot Hill Museum. During the summer months, there is always lively piano music, can-can dancers, or the occasional gunfighter reenactment to enjoy. The downtown district is just steps from Boot Hill and has unique shops and galleries. If you need a bite to eat, the Central Station Bar and Grill has an indoor dining car and an excellent place for a mesquite steak, burger, and brew.
Atchison
Atchison sits in the northeast portion of the state and is probably best known as the birthplace of Amelia Earhart. The famed aviator has two museums in town, one in her childhood home and the second near the airport. In addition, the Atchison County Historical Society - Museum is filled with interesting artifacts, and the Atchison Rail Museum is a quaint collection of rail stock from the old Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe lines.
The International Forest of Friendship is an arboretum sitting on a gentle slope near Lake Warnock, commemorating the lives of pilots and astronauts in the history of aviation. The park is open to the public daily and is an excellent place to contemplate a few moments. With Atchison's location on the Missouri River, there are other trails to explore, like the Atchison River Walk that meanders alongside the river.
The downtown district is a collection of historic homes and buildings filled with charming shops, galleries, and restaurants. Spend an evening on a ghost tour, or browse the Muchnic Art Gallery in a beautiful 1885 Victorian home. There are plenty of dining options in this small town, but one of the best is Pete's Steakhouse, under the direction of self-taught chef Niko Tsomalis, who has been bringing fresh Greek flavors to his hometown for a while. His meals are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Council Grove
Council Grove is a town with a rich history from the early days of the pioneers. It was an essential stop on the Santa Fe Trail, a popular route for settlers traveling westward. The town is also known for a significant peace treaty signed between the government and local Indian tribes, allowing settlers to pass through the area. Today, the main street of Council Grove covers the old Santa Fe Trail. The town has several turn-of-the-century buildings that testify to its past and role as a haven for weary travelers. The Rawlinson-Teriwilliger Home is the oldest stone home on the trail, and the Hays House, which dates back to 1857, is still in operation as a restaurant and tavern.
The Kaw Mission and Last Chance Store are two historic places worth exploring. Council Grove Lake is located nearby, and it has several walking trails and a campground. The lake offers plenty of boating and fishing opportunities, with locals casting their lines for channel catfish and crappie. The Council Grove Historic District is home to 71 historic buildings, now filled with unique boutiques, shops, and local businesses. Watts Coffee is an option if you're looking for a great coffee place to start your morning. For lunch, you can try the Trails Days Cafe and Museum, the Hays House, or the Saddlerock Cafe, all of which serve excellent food.
Hays
Hays is the perfect example of a small Kansas prairie town. The original settlement grew out of the military frontier outpost, Ft. Fletcher (renamed Ft. Hays), which served to protect settlers and rail workers from hostile Indian tribes. The town expanded as the railroads pushed west, bringing a vital lifeline of goods and services shipped in and out of the region. Several notable legends made their home in Hays City (as it was known in the 1870s), including General George Custer, Calamity Jane, Buffalo Bill Cody, and Wild Bill Hickok, who served as the town marshall for a time. The town developed a reputation as a lawless community, and the 79 outlaws buried in the "Boot Hill' cemetery bear witness to that testimony.
Today, the historic site includes four well-preserved buildings out of the original 45, with exciting exhibits. The Sternberg Museum of Natural History is terrific for kids who love dinosaurs and paleontology. The downtown district features brick-laid Chestnut St., aptly named "The Bricks." (This downtown has been voted the most beautiful main street in Kansas). Be sure to wander through any of the hundreds of locally-owned stores or grab a bite at Gella's Diner and Lb Brewing Co, which was awarded Best Brewpub in 2013. As the locals (and their website) will tell you, this is the best place to come for a drink and stay for a meal.
Abilene
Abilene, a famous cowtown just two hours east of Hays on I-70, is home to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and the boyhood home of the 34th President of the United States. The Library complex is a must-visit, with numerous artifacts from the President's life and well-maintained grounds. The town also celebrates its legacy as a booming cowtown, where thousands of cattle were driven from Texas along the Chisum Trail to market and shipping back east. Today, visitors can tour the Seelye Mansion, an 11,000-square-foot home with ornate furnishings from the 1904 World's Fair.
If you can, ride the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad for a ten-mile trip to nearby Enterprise, Kansas. The 1919 steam locomotive offers open-air cars and dinner excursions but only operates on specific days during the summer. Whether you are looking for a quick bite, a new pair of cowboy boots, or just some quirky bit of home decor, chances are you will find it in the downtown district of Abilene. For a unique meal, try Joe Snuffy's Old Fashioned Grill, which serves some of the best chicken fried steak on the planet. Don't let the exterior fool you because the food is that good. Remember the truth of the sign that hangs from the wall - "Life Is Short, Eat Dessert First."
Hutchison
You wouldn't expect the middle of the Kansas prairie to be home to the Smithsonian-affiliated Cosmosphere, but it is. The museum features extensive outer space artifacts and memorabilia, second only to the National Smithsonian Museum in Washington. Families will enjoy the Justice Planetarium or the Carey Digital Dome Theater. This museum is one of the best hidden gems in the state, and chances are you will need more than a day to read and view the plentiful exhibits.
Another prime attraction is Strataca, an underground salt mine that allows visitors to venture nearly 650 feet below the surface. The mine is a historic museum with many exhibits highlighting the importance of salt production over the years. The Dillon Nature Center has over 100 acres of natural habitat to offer. Visitors can fish from the stocked upper pond or hike over three miles of pristine trails.
Downtown Hutchison is anchored by the Reno County Courthouse and is filled with intriguing shops and stores. The best places for craft beer are Salt City Brewing or Sand Hills Brewing, which have daily tap lists. Skates Steak Shop is a local favorite diner if you need a bite to eat.
These seven memorable small towns in Kansas prove that sometimes, the most enchanting destinations are found off the beaten path. From the historic Santa Fe Trail to the edges of mankind's exploration of the universe, each town adds to the charm of the Sunflower State. Whether you stay for a day, explore for a weekend, or cruise through on your way to Colorado or Yellowstone, embrace the rich history that makes each small town in Kansas genuinely unforgettable.
