8 Unforgettable Small Towns to Visit in Kansas

Kansas is right in the middle of the United States but isn't really known for its tourism. The state and other parts of the Midwest are generally more known for a mix of city life and farmland. Kansas has the highest wheat output of any state in America. For those looking for small places to visit that aren't as crowded as other contemporary spots like Florida, New York, or California, the state of Kansas is full of them. Small towns, great plains, barbecues, and so much more can be found. Kansas has plenty of diverse locales and pleasant and welcoming communities, making all of them unforgettable.

Wamego

With a little less than five thousand residents, Wamego has much to do and see. The town was incorporated in 1869, being named after a Potawatomi Native American chief. Wamego has a broad fascination with The Wizard of Oz, with the Oz Museum being situated there and housing over 25,000 artifacts relating to the film. Other Oz-themed businesses have opened up in the area, which has since been dubbed the "Oz Cluster''. There's the Oz Winery, as well as Toto's Tacos. Small Toto statues dot the town, serving as a scavenger hunt. People who want to be closer to nature can visit Wamego Park and the Poppyfield Gallery. The Columbian Theatre resides in Wamego, which was once a home for vaudeville, concerts, plays, and events. Now, it still resides as a place for musicals and plays.

Lindsborg

The town of Lindsborg is known for its rich Swedish heritage, with thirty percent of its almost four thousand residents being of Swedish descent. The name Lindsborg is Swedish, translating to Linden Castle, which references a certain European tree species of the same name. Lindsborg is nicknamed "Little Sweden" because of the preserved heritage and traditions still practiced today. There are many attractions and events in the Swedish history of the town, including art galleries like the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, Clara Hatton Center, and Red Barn Studio Museum. Plenty of events dot the area, like Waffle Day, the Messiah Festival of the Arts, which has a performance of Handel's Messiah, and Svensk Hyllninsfest, also known as the "Swedish Honoring Festival" is held in October of odd-numbered years to celebrate the towns history and Swedish heritage. This festival includes arts and crafts, entertainment, a parade, and plenty of Swedish dancing and food.

Lucas

The community of Blue Stem was founded in 1877 before being renamed to Lucas a decade later. It is a quaint visit with only a little more than three hundred residents. There are very in-depth art exhibits, with former Kansas Governor Bill Graves naming the town the "Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas." There's the Garden of Eden, an outdoor sculpture exhibit built in the early 20th century by Samuel P. Dismoor, a local resident. The exhibit features over 150 sculptures that Dismoor created as interpretations of world history and Biblical creation. The Grassroots Arts Center downtown serves as a place for Kansas folk artists to display their works and exhibits. Finally, there's an exhibit as part of the World's Largest Things, Inc., run by Erika Nelson, called the World's Largest Collection of World's Smallest Versions of World's Largest Things, which is quite a mouthful. Erika constructs versions of roadside attractions and displays them in the collection.

Abilene

Abilene was settled in 1858 and originally was called Mud Creek. The name was changed in 1860 to Abilene, which means "grassy plain." A lot of history and old West architecture is still present. Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower was raised here, with his childhood home on display still as part of the Presidential Library and Museum bearing his name. The museum houses many different artifacts and photographs from both Eisenhower and the Second World War in general. Also visitable is the Great Plains Theater, which was originally a church built in 1881. It is now both a movie and a professional theater. A tourist railroad named the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad takes tourists and residents alike between Abilene and the town of Enterprise.

Belleville

Belleville is smack dab in the middle of Republic County and was named after the wife of one of the town company's members, Arabelle Tutton, back in 1869. There's a campground and trial called Rocky Pond, where people can hike and camp out around the titular Rocky Pond. From Thanksgiving through December 31st, the town sets up a light display located around Rocky Pond to help celebrate the holiday spirit. The Boyer Gallery is a folk art museum with animated sculptures by Paul Boyer, which are mostly hand-carved wooden pieces. There's also the "World's Fastest Half Mile Dirt Track," which is the Belleville Highbanks Racetrack, where visitors can watch buggies race around every year around summertime. Plenty of motels dot the town, making it an easy pick for tourists looking to stay somewhere.

Wilson

Early Czech immigrants held a key role in Wilson's development in the late 1800s. It is home to the world's largest Czech Egg. Migrants from Bohemia carried the tradition with them, and now the egg stands over twenty feet tall as a beacon of Czech heritage for the community, to the point that they call themselves the "Czech Capital of Kansas''. There are Halloween and Christmas festivals in their respective months. Many of the historic buildings still stand and can be visited, like the Tobias water tower, the Midland Railroad Hotel, or City Hall. Nearby are the Wilson Lake and State Park, which are many times larger than the town. Parks like Jellison Park and Lions Club Park are inside the town, so those who don't want to exit can still have a nice walk.

Norton

Norton is a small town in a county that shares its name. It has the perfect balance of nature and attractions, which are great for visitors. The nearby Keith Sebelius Reservoir and Prairie Dog State Park have plenty of outdoor activities, like boating, hiking, and camping during the summer/spring and skiing during the winter. Sports lovers will enjoy the Norton Recreation Center, with racket ball and basketball available, along with the Prairie Dog Golf Course, with its 9-hole course set for golfers of any skill level. There's an Annual Car Show on the second weekend of July downtown, where people show off cars, motorcycles, and tractors, partying with live music and a barbecue. Norton also has two business districts with plenty of stores for both residents and tourists.

Greensburg

After a large tornado passed through in 2007, the aptly named Greensburg decided to rebuild everything to be green. The town of around 740 residents (as of 2020) is completely powered by a wind farm, making it one of the few cities in America to be powered only by renewable energy. It has garnered media attention for its decision to go green, with several television networks documenting the reconstruction. Greensburg also has the world's largest hand-dug well, which was completed in 1888. It can now be visited as part of the Big Well Museum, along with a 1000-pound pallasite meteorite. Green tours are available through the Big Well Museum, with both self-guided and bike tours using bicycles lent out for free by the museum. The Twilight Theatre and the 5.4.7 Art Center both show contemporary art, performances, and movies. 

Unveiling the Charm of Kansas

Kansas has many places to visit and caters to any visitor wanting to come by. The amount of heritage on display and the range of attractions is something that many people might not expect, but that's what makes the small towns of Kansas so appealing. They harbor an unexpected beauty and wonderful atmosphere that isn't really matched by more popular spots. The whole state might be perfect for a visit for those just trying to get away from all the crowds and the hustle and bustle. Kansas is not only quiet but offers a lot of history and nature, with no shortage of things to do, people to meet, and attractions to see.