8 Most Laid-Back Small Towns in Kansas
Searching for a new travel destination with easygoing locals and friendly atmospheres? If so, then the state of Kansas may be the best option. With many small towns full of hospitable commercial locales and appealing natural or historical landmarks, such as the hometown of Amelia Earhart or the Swedish beauty of Lindsborg, the landlocked state has no shortage of things to see or do. These laidback towns will generate smiles during any season!
Atchison
Atchison is a lovely Missouri River destination that is usually overlooked as Amelia Earhart's childhood hometown! The Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum is a pivotal stopping point for travelers who love witnessing cozy Gothic Revival estates with 20th-century relics and household trinkets belonging to the famous female pilot. The Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum is also around for aviation lovers who want to appreciate vintage planes and similar technology up close. It also has friendly tours of flight exhibits.
The International Forest of Friendship is a fascinating landmark full of natural solitude and aerospace history about esteemed pilots whose plaques are always up for display. At the Muchnic Art Gallery, visitors can admire local masterpieces and Victorian mansion architecture; it also provides casual art classes for newcomers! In addition, St. Benedict's Abbey features the most beautiful 1850s monastery environments and welcoming religious activities that make guests feel right at home. For hungry stomachs, Willie's Sports Pub offers unparalleled French fry delights and down-to-earth customer service.
Wamego
Known as the birthplace of Walter Chrysler, founder of the famous automotive brand seen today, Wamego has plenty of scenery and much community vibrance. The OZ Museum is a must-visit for both historical and commercial Hollywood glamour tours related to the "Wizard of Oz" and film memorabilia that always leave lasting impressions! Museum lovers may also appreciate the Wamego Historical Museum for its in-house classroom learning. At Wamego City Park, tourists can find themselves lost among the 18th-century Dutch Mill, quiet fishing ponds, and heartwarming locals.
For travelers who prefer even more outdoor exposure, Mount Mitchell Heritage Prairie Park is a great stop for prairie tallgrass, sacred African-American travel routes, and Kansan wildflower diversity. The Columbian Theatre has downtown concert vibrance, fancy art gallery spaces, and amazing customer service! Those who like wine tasting may enjoy Oz Winery's classic samples inspired by famous novelists and laidback locals who know their craft. As for those needing a bite, Toto's TacOz is a frequented spot for the best shrimp tacos and burritos in town.
Coffeyville
Bearing many nicknames, like "The Town That Stopped the Daltons" and "Cow Town," Coffeyville is full of residents who love cattle and charms. The Dalton Defenders Museum and Coffeyville History Museum is a key motivation for tourism in this town with its 1890s history related to infamous bank robberies and industrial rooms full of Native American artifacts and military collections. Travelers may discover easygoing tours at the Brown Mansion, a three-story European estate containing 16 exquisite parlor rooms and architectural splendors that make for a splendid return trip!
The Big Hill Splash Aquatic Center may be the perfect fit for any tourist who likes swimming and recreation around town, while others may prefer Hillcrest Golf Course for more natural surroundings to make a golfer feel like they are in paradise. The Zone is a crowd-pleasing bar locale with social cocktail pleasures and sporting events for newcomers who want to feel included. For homestyle delights and relaxing conversations, one can check out the Sunflower Soda Fountain and Sandwich Shop, often visited for its couples-friendly lunch buffets and sentimental hosts.
Lindsborg
Also known as "Little Sweden," Lindsborg is quite a charming destination! People typically enjoy Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum, a mainstay for lowkey Smoky Valley education, 18th and 19th-century artifacts, and archives full of ancestral roots from the old days. Those who love a blend of historic and natural tours may find Coronado Heights a worthwhile experience, with its calming prairie bluff vibes and lush castle greenery that make for a lovely photographic moment!
At the Red Barn Studio Museum, travelers can check out precious visual art exhibits and historical woodcarving, or ceramic works belonging to the first central Kansans. The Birger Sandzen Memorial Art Gallery greets newcomers with heartfelt cultural renditions and watercolored murals made by famous oil painters. The Trollslanda Toy Store is an overlooked locale full of children's toys and some of the most interesting European toys sold by youthful workers. For dining, the Crown and Rye delivers the best Scandinavian dishes and top-notch Swedish meatballs!
Winfield
Winfield is a graceful hilly town situated in southeastern Kansas that may appeal to many travelers. The Flint Hills town has lots to take in, like the Badger Creek Stone Arch Bridge, a popular place to uncover locals and tourists alike enjoying the natural scenery of a colonial landscape that has European stone architecture. At the Farm at Quail Valley, backpackers can find underrated golf courses, breathtaking wedding amenities, and shady tree areas for resting picnic spots.
The Great Hall of Quilts is a famed tourist spot with its passionate quilters and cotton fabric decorations that are guaranteed to awe visitors from out of town! At Ladybird Brewing, wine tasters and brew lovers can participate in community-oriented musical performances, vibrant patio conversations, and dog-friendly exposure. Even more laidback vibes can be found at Gallery 1001, a downtown hotspot of local stylized artworks and happy patrons. Those craving something to eat can check out Shindigs Bar and Grill for family-friendly fish filet, or Luigi's for homemade Italian cuisine and simple hospitality.
Troy
Named after the ancient city in Greece, Troy remains a nice contender for both historic and natural sights. The Nelson Rogers House is an 18th-century gable estate with blacksmithing and postmaster history related to some of the town's oldest settlers. At the Peter Toth Indian Monument, courtyard travelers may discover comforting moments around the "Whispering Giant" Indigenous statue that pays tribute to native Kickapoo, Potawatomi, Iowa, and Sac and Fox tribes.
Photographers may love the Doniphan County Waddell Truss Bridge, a stream bridge that makes it easy to fall in love with nature while taking a stroll through shrubberies and wildlife. The Doniphan County Farmer's Market brings out quality baked goods and always makes newcomers feel at home while they browse for fresh flowers and handmade jewelry. Vacationers who want to eat in small-town ecosystems while feeling like part of the community with cute and colorful bandanas may find the Feed Store Cafe to be a worthy option. Fans of barbecue may appreciate Cajun Food Coma, a hidden gem for the most delicious Creole dishes and amusing social brunches around!
Dodge City
Dodge City, also referred to as the "Queen of the Cowtowns," is a Wild West destination with awesome stopping points. At the Boot Hill Museum, history fans can explore the origins of local family upbringing and cultural mementos related to household operas and Old West philosophies. At the Mueller-Schmidt Home of Stone, museum visitors can experience the natural splendors of limestone and cattle ranching history that takes people back to the 18th and 19th centuries! Tourists may also enjoy informal tours around the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame, a historic landmark with dozens of stories and exhibits about teachers and their educational legacies in town.
Bookworms may prefer the Dodge City Public Library for its easygoing atmosphere and literary solitude that allows for quietness away from crowds. Vacationers who want to experience thrilling water parks can stop by Long Branch Lagoon, where locals and newcomers of all ages can absorb sunlight while splashing around. The Dodge City Roundup Rodeo is a hotspot for horseback riding enthusiasm and entertaining rodeo shows! Casey's Cowtown Club is a chicken-fried locale for the hungriest visitors needing quality meat and laidback vibes.
Cottonwood Falls
Full of historical and natural environments, Cottonwood Falls makes the best out of any travel itinerary! The Roniger Memorial Museum is a wonderful place to find easygoing tours of Native American cultural relics and Chase County artifacts that will easily reel in outsiders. The Chase County Historical Society & Museum makes itself known with mid-19th-century memories, crash site collections, and genealogical history.
For travelers who like fishing, the Chase State Fishing Lake is an amazing detour with 383 acres of tranquil wildlife, wildflower nativity, and waterfall sights along a rocky shoreline! The Flint Hills Gallery is an art lover's ideal place for oil painting delights and conversations with fine art collectors. Golfers new to town may enjoy Cottonwood Falls Country Club, a locale that is not only commercially vibrant but also quite relaxing for sightseers who want to feel at ease around greenery. One may spot hospitable and charming locals at Jim Roberts & Son, an apparel store featuring some of the best Western attire and shoe experts around. After touring the town, the Grand Central Grill is a must-visit for gravy and potato meals within a historic ranch hotel!
These laidback towns are the perfect destinations for any traveler looking for scenic pleasures and comforting moments in Kansas. With many opportunities for exploration and thrills in a fun way, the "Sunflower State" is a strong motivator for tourists who want to see noteworthy locales and landmarks. So, for those heading to Kansas, you will not only have new places to visit but also new memories!
