8 Coolest Small Towns in Kansas for a Summer Vacation

Get away for the summer in one of the towns below, each with a small-town atmosphere, scenic nature, and unforgettable adventures! These eight small towns feature annual festivals and events, picturesque river views, and waterside pursuits, as well as quick access from the state's largest cities.

Despite its quaint townscape, Atchison is the most haunted town in the entire state, along with the Missouri River. Travel to this spooky locale, 55 miles northeast of Topeka, and discover some sinister secrets between admiring architectural sights. For architecture enthusiasts, Atchison is home to some Victorian-style homes and buildings, like the Santa Fe Depot, St. Benedict’s Abbey, and Benedictine College. For those brave enough, venture down the brick streets in the evening to feel the mysterious ambiance, or join a ghost tour and get a spiritual reading to emphasize the spooky theme!

The town is also the birthplace of Amelia Earhart, the first woman (lost) in flight, which is commemorated during the annual July festival in her honor. Experience Amelia-mania at any time by visiting her childhood home, constructed by her grandfather in the 1860s. Stop by the Atchison Country Historical Society Museum and the Atchison Rail Museum to learn more about the town’s history.

What could be better than a refreshing waterfall scene during the summer? This charming small town in Kansas is your go-to place for a change in scenery and pace on a summer getaway. Exchange the hustle and bustle for some peace and quiet with Cottonwood Falls. The town's Cottonwood Falls Bridge is a notable landmark from 1914, open today for pedestrians to roam and picnic while catching gorgeous views from the arch. Enjoy an easy, 0.8 mile trek to the stunning natural cascade which gives this town its name.

The largest town in Chase County, with under 1,000 residents, Cottonwood Falls is quintessentially charming. Offering a number of attractions including museums and restaurants, Cottonwood Falls’ residents are known to be friendly and enjoy tourists. In addition to the falls, there is also the beautiful little Chase State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area for more nature opportunities for a hike or to relax!

This fun little town in Kansas is full of big-city life within a close-knit community, not far from Topeka. One can appreciate Council Grove's charm along manicured streets with all the amenities, surrounded by the city center's shops and restaurants. Hidden behind 19th century buildings one can find the most popular Hays House Restaurant from 1857.

Check out other historic sites like the Kaw Mission State Historic Site and Museum and the instagrammable post office with its impressive mural. Take a stroll through the historic district with unique sights like the Post Office Oak and imagine how it once served as the whole community's mailbox. Enjoy life like the locals at the welcoming small businesses and venture natureside for a stroll along the river, among other beautiful places in the vicinity.

Once an important convergence of the Arapaho, Kiowa, and Pawnee territories, Hays today is one of the most significant towns in Kansas. This small town is home to Fort Hays State University, the North Central Kansas Technical College, and the Kansas State University agricultural research center. Downtown Hays is replete with great eateries, art galleries, and boutiques, as well as Hay's various American and German cultural events.

A few minutes from Victoria, this summer getaway destination features plenty of history, explorative hikes, and fun attractions. If traveling in July, Hays offers the Wild West Festival, complete with concerts, a parade, and fireworks. Enjoy the town’s parks for some outdoor recreation. Play disc golf, bike on trails, bring kids to the playgrounds, and swimming pools! Visit the Sternberg Museum of Natural History or the Fort Hays State Historic Site and return for the Volga German Oktoberfest, which honors the town’s German heritage with excellent entertainment.

Lecompton, hidden between Lawrence and Topeka right on the Kansas River, is a scenic marvel with a population of under 2,000 people and a history dating back to its founding in 1854, before Kansas was even a state. The "Birthplace of the Civil War, Where Slavery Began to Die" is a interesting place to visit with many historic buildings from the 1800s, like the Constitution Hall and the Lecompton City Jail.

The Territorial Capital Museum at Lane University explains more about the town’s early history, including the time when Lecompton was briefly the capital of the Kansas Territory. Stop by the remarkable Rowena Hotel, and return in November or December to find the museum full of vintage Christmas trees for a real Christmas in the Midwest experience.

No summer vacation is cooler in America than the ability to visit another country without leaving the border! Lindsburg, just south of Salina, is a charming town called "Little Sweden'' for its Swedish roots. Celebrate this rich heritage and Swedish pioneers with food among cheery locals during the biennial Svensk Hyllningsfest. The proud little European-style community offers experiences of Swedish culture, with Swedish architecture and photo-worthy places galore.

With only about 3,500 people, including many of Swedish descent, Lindsburg guarantees some alone time to observe scenic landmark pictures, as well as hearing local stories over a drink at a bar. Hunt for the Dala Horses throughout Lindsborg, which range from classic Swedish red to floral and sports-themed patterns. There are tons of local businesses with unique finds to bring home as a special piece or souvenir for a loved one.

You will not find a town more charming than Lucas, with a population of only around 350 residents! The urbanite visitors love Lucas for an escape from the city with many things to do, and you can make a whole summer vacation out of it. The locals are just as dedicated to keeping a slower pace as they are to creating and preserving beautiful folk art. Make room in the trunk for unique home decor, clothing items, and souvenirs that are authentic and one of a kind.

Seek plenty of adventure in town and around, like at the Post Rock limestone buildings and art-lined streets. Stroll through the peculiar S.P. Dinsmoor's Garden of Eden, amid 200 concrete sculptures spread around a log cabin. The 'Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas'' is home to the aesthetic Grassroots Arts Center, chock full of impressive folk craft by local artisans. Visit in late summer and stay until the Saturday before Labor Day Weekend for the annual Adam's Apple Festival and experience the Scottish Highland Games, an art show, a fun run, and much more.

Wamego is a neat summertime getaway, with "entertainment" as the town’s main attraction since its inception. Check out this exciting scene, home to the landmark Columbian Theatre with frequent, and ever-exciting performances of all genres. The Wizard of Oz is a must-see as it is the town’s claim to fame, with over 1,000 artifacts and film props to drool over at the Oz Museum.

Taste some award-winning wines inspired by the famous musical at the Oz Winery, while relaxing outdoors. Perhaps take a trek through the 15-acre Wamego City Park with recreational pursuits such as tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and a 19th-century stone windmill. Moreover, make a stop to all the brightly-colored Oz-themed businesses and attractions, or take a joyful ride along the scenic Yellow Brick Road. Learn about the small town that was named after the Potawatomi Native American chief as you scarf down some tacos at a local restaurant.

The naturally endowed state is a dream visit for the outdoorsy and free-spirited. With many small towns to choose from, explore any and all of the beautiful landscapes and see their unique offerings.

Visit Sweden or chase the very few Kansas' waterfalls, as well as experience the ghost town where Amelia Earhart was born. In these small Kansas towns, friendly locals and welcoming amenities are abundant, along with some pretty cool attractions unlike anywhere else in the nation.