8 Most Hospitable Towns In Kansas

From the festivals of Garden City to the Smoke on the Plains BBQ & Music Festival in Augusta, Kansas, towns are synonymous with memorable experiences for people from all walks of life. While it is true the bulk of the state is predominantly farmland and quintessential rural Midwest America, the small towns that emerge among the rows of wheat and corn have a welcoming spirit for those looking to branch off the major interstates and highways and explore The Sunflower State. Let's visit the eight most hospitable towns in the state of Kansas.

McPherson

With just over 14,000 residents, McPherson sits between the endearing charms of small-town living with a rural setting and a rapidly growing community that is evolving and adapting to the region's gentrification. This is evident in attractions like the popular McPherson Water Park, which is open during the warmer months. Yet despite the growth, the town remains hospitable and welcoming for all interests, from history buffs checking out the fully restored McPherson Opera House to adventurous souls looking for fun at Lakeside Park.

The community spirit is evident in its long-standing small businesses, like the favorite for classic barbeque fare and flair at Woodies Smokehouse BBQ or cozy environments for a quick, delicious bite at The Courtyard on Main. If you want to experience the hospitable nature of McPherson firsthand, you should plan your visit around the town's many festivals and traditions like All Schools Day, a celebration of graduation, and the end of the school year that happens every May.

Hays

Many of the smaller towns in the state, like Hays, double as the location of colleges and universities, making them hospitable to people from all walks of life. Located about 160 miles northwest of Wichita, the placement among rural Kansas landscapes helps sell it as an escape from city life for those looking for a short-term change.

Fort Hays State University is a constant catalyst for cultural development, profitable businesses, and travelers exploring the streets in this community. History is respected and protected here, from the Sternberg Museum of Natural History to the Fort Hays State Historic Site and the preserved buildings in the downtown district.

Hospitality extends beyond the range of temporary residents getting their education at the college. It can be best shown in businesses that act as a beacon for travelers to experience Hays to the fullest. Gella's Diner's comfort foods and The Golden Q's burgers and wings might not offer the same experience, but both restaurants have become popular eating spots that embody the welcoming, warm community.

Garden City

Those taking a scenic three-hour drive west across US Route 400 from Wichita will discover Garden City, a friendly and welcoming community for anyone looking for a change of pace. Rural life abounds here, but with around 28,000 residents, this is also a hub for the food production and agricultural industries of Finney County and beyond. Much of the state's history is preserved in this regional seat at the Finney County Historical Museum, including the 'Spirit of the Plains' statue attraction.

Garden City residents expect a flow of visitors in all seasons of the year for its numerous natural attractions like The Big Pool, a free concrete swimming pool that ranks among the largest of its kind in the world. You can really get a feel for the welcoming nature of the close-knit community here by experiencing some of the renowned festivals and events that draw in the crowds. Great examples are the Tumbleweed Festival in August and the Finney County Fair in July.

Hutchinson

While on the larger side of the small-town spectrum regarding Kansas communities, Hutchinson and its nearly 40,000 residents create one of the most welcoming environments in the Sunflower State. One of the reasons that Hutchinson is so popular for visiting is that it offers several experiences you cannot find anywhere else to go along with a hospitable community. Consider the unique adventure of exploring a working salt mine at Strataca, 650 feet in the ground. Or the science buff in your group might go wild for the renowned Cosmosphere, a museum dedicated to space travel with artifacts from the United States and Russian missions.

Places in the community put the welcoming nature of Hutchinson on display as well, including long-standing restaurants dating back to the 1940s like Roy's Hickory Pit BBQ or the classic R-B Drive In, a classic spot straight out of the 1950s for burgers, fries, and old-fashioned milkshakes.

Wellington

Roughly 35 miles south of Wichita lies Wellington, a small and quaint rural community known for wheat and a welcoming demeanor. While you can experience the friendliness of the residents any time, the celebration of the region's wheat harvesting takes place in July at the Kansas Wheat Festival. The town comes alive with food vendors, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and a parade.

You can meet some of the town's cordial residents by stopping in a couple of the community's top eateries, like The Dore, which serves quick-grilled goodness, or Travelin' Smoke BBQ, which is one of the favored smoke meat stops in Sumner County.

Perhaps the area's greatest draw and a real opportunity to intermingle with countless friendly faces is Wellington Lake. This mecca for outdoor recreation has become a premier destination for anglers, swimmers, kayakers, campers, and hikers.

Augusta

Whether it is the Smoke on the Plains BBQ & Music Festival in the summer or the performances gracing the stage of the Augusta Historic Theatre, the small community of Augusta is active and alive all year. Being a short drive from the bustling metropolis of Wichita, Augusta is a starkly different change of pace, with its biggest attraction being the City Lake. This place brings the area's anglers, swimmers, kayakers, and outdoor enthusiasts together to enjoy nature.

Part of what makes the charming community so welcoming to tourists and visitors is the unique blend of the region's rich history with the entrepreneurial spirit of the residents. Some might see preserved buildings like the C.N. James Cabin from 1868 or the famed Augusta Frisco Depot Museum, while others enjoy the tastes of popular dining options like Sugar Shane's Cafe and Bricks Bar & Grill.

Goodland

Interstate 70 connects nearly three-fourths of the country to one central pathway east and west through West Virginia and Ohio to Kansas and Utah. Along this heavily traveled interstate are many small Kansas communities beckoning travelers to stop and take a minute to explore their slice of the Sunflower State, like Goodland. To garner the attention of those traversing 70, Goodland has become the site for a road trip must-do in the form of a massive Van Gogh painting, "Three Sunflowers in a Vase," on an easel that stands twenty-four feet tall along the roadside.

Once you've taken the exit to see the attraction, there is much more to see and discover in the friendly town of Goodland. Beyond its popular eateries like Crazy R's Bar & Grill or The Bricks by Maria, the community offers a peaceful step away from the congestion of the freeway with serene destinations like the Smoky Gardens Fishing Lake or the Sherman Wildlife Area for beautiful prairie landscapes.

Baldwin City

Despite being the home of Baker University, Baldwin City has a population of roughly 4,800, giving travelers a quaint feel. The town buzzes throughout the year with school functions and community events, ranging from the renowned Maple Leaf Festival in October to the Baldwin City Easter Egg Hunt in the spring. Given its fifteen-mile proximity to Lawrence, the community starkly contrasts the nearly 100,000 residents around the Kansas University campus nearby.

Hospitality is likely best seen when rubbing elbows with the residents at Baldwin City’s biggest attractions, like the Douglas State Fishing Lake, where anglers from all over the state flex their skills with a rod and reel. To get an authentic taste of the town, check out its popular and long-standing eatery, Homestead Kitchen & Bakery. Here, you get home-cooked classics and a range of fresh baked goods for your enjoyment.

While it can be easy to boil Kansas down to its agricultural significance, much more is happening in the Sunflower State than you might think. Many travel across this piece of America on thoroughfares like Interstate 70 without breaking off and exploring the wonders of the smaller communities that make up this incredible piece of the Heartland. From the unforgettable roadside wonder in Goodland to the full-size Apollo 13 module assembled at the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, there are countless towns with a welcoming spirit to discover, especially in the eight most hospitable towns in Kansas.