9 Close-Knit Towns to Visit in Kansas
Kansas might not promise that troubles will melt like lemon drops, but in this corner of Tornado Alley, you’ll feel safe and grounded in the state’s close-knit towns. Beyond the larger cities of Wichita and Kansas City, Kansas has some truly charming spots waiting to be discovered—from Wamego’s whimsical Oz-themed attractions to the eclectic art of Lucas. However you choose to explore the prairies and pastures of Kansas, you can count on these welcoming communities to offer a memorable and storm-free stay.
Council Grove
Along the historic Santa Fe Trail sits the lovely small town of Council Grove. Formerly a site where the Osage nation used to dwell—as noticeable in the Kaw Mission State Historic Site—Council Grove continues to protect and preserve much of its many ancestral amenities for your leisure. Council Grove’s Main Street of the Flint Hills, for example, houses a number of historic architectures from the pioneering past, such as the Hays House Restaurant and the Post Office Oak.
Those of you interested in recreational activities can go kayaking and strolling along the Twin Lakes of Council Grove Lake and Federal Reservoir. Best of all, you can attend the Gathering in the Grove every November, where throngs of artists from the Flint Hills congregate in celebration of Council Grove’s inception. No need to feel unwanted in Council Grove, especially when you are staying at either the Cottage House Hotel, Weathered Wood Home, or Territory Ballroom.
Wamego
Wamego, approximately 45 miles from the city of Topeka, might seem like any ordinary town on the banks of the Kansas River. But this small town will make you feel like you are not in Kansas anymore because of its many Oz-themed wonders. From insightful tours at the Oz Museum to the Yellow Brick-themed Road and murals on The Wizard of Oz dotted all over town, Wamego is a village version of the Emerald City minus all the emeralds. Colorful sculptures of Toto are scattered throughout Wamego. Aside from all the Wizard of Oz references, travelers can enjoy the annual Tulip Festival from April 13 to 14 as well as an OZtoberFest in October, or casual historic tours at either the Schonhoff Dutch Mill or the historic Columbian Theatre. If you are seeking accommodations, consider the Simmer Motel or the Victory Inn Bed & Breakfast as options for a longer stay in Wamego.
Lindsborg
Step into one of the Scandinavian countries of Sweden in the “Little Sweden of the US,” the small town of Lindsborg. This swell and Swedish small town honors its ancestral and cultural connections to Sweden through the biennial celebration of Svensk Hyllningsfest occurring in the month of September. At Coronado Heights Park, travelers can gaze at the vast prairies that Kansas is known for, in addition to numerous Swedish-themed homes. Feel at ease in a little pocket of Europe at the Swedish Pavilion and learn all about the immigrants who crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Germany and Sweden in the year 1868 at the Old Mill Museum. Should you ever need a place to stay in Lindsborg, look to the Rosberg House Bed & Breakfast, the Vacation Rental, or the Drom Sott Inn (Sweet Dreams Inn) for your daily and nightly needs.
Abilene
Only about 46 miles from Lindsborg, the riveting town of Abilene contains a plethora of commemorations of some of America’s greatest figures. For example, the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home showcases much of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s duties and personal anecdotes during and before his term in office. The Greyhound Hall of Fame, on the other hand, provides information about the racing industry in America.
For those of you curious about the violence of the Wild West, you can always tour the Seelye Mansion and the Old Abilene Town to know more. Or you can visit Eisenhower Park Rose Garden to see the World's Largest Belt Buckle. On Valentine’s Day, the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Valentines Dinner Train opens its doors to passengers eager for a lovely train ride and dinner, whereas on April 27, the Abilene Marathon beckons the most daring of runners for an arduous trek. And if you ever get exhausted from all the sightseeing, the Budget Lodge Inn Abilene or Abilene's Victorian Inn Bed & Breakfast will keep you recharged and ready for the next day.
Cottonwood Falls
Cottonwood Falls entreats travelers to the beautiful landscapes and sceneries Kansas is renowned for in the tallgrass prairies of the Flint Hills. One can journey through the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, the Chase Lake Falls, and the Chase State Fishing Lake to witness some of the best features the state of Kansas has to promote. The Chase County Courthouse, a French Renaissance (Second Empire style) structure, offers exhibits and articles on the judicial system from 1872. The Roniger Museum, on the other hand, gives newcomers a glimpse into the American lifestyle in the year 1854. Those of you who wish to honor past soldiers can head over to the Chase County Veterans Memorial. And for those of you who want a good time in Cottonwood Falls, you can attend the Symphony in the Flint Hills and the Folklife Festival happening on the second weekend of June.
Lucas
Lucas, the "Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas," entreats newcomers to the best avant-garde artworks in Kansas. From the Grassroots Art Center’s spectacular exhibits and galleries to the Garden of Eden, a folk-art playground created by Civil War veteran Samuel P. Dinsmoor, you will be astounded by all the creativity and ingenuity Lucas’ townsfolk have brought into the world. The Bowl Plaza, 2014's second-best Public Restroom in the US, is as unique and fascinating as the rock collections at Miller's Park. Last but not least, you should definitely see the World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things. Should you wish to stay a bit longer in Lucas, consider booking a room in a fine establishment like the Horseshoe Lodge.
Fort Scott
About an hour away from Kansas City, Fort Scott entertains visitors with a plethora of spectacles on the Marmaton River. Explore the Fort Scott National Historic Site, where battles took place during Bleeding Kansas, the Civil War, and the Railroad Expansion. Take a 50-minute trolley tour, or visit the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, featuring the Life in a Jar exhibit. You’ll feel blessed and bedazzled by the array of landmarks in Fort Scott. Attend the annual Veterans Celebration on November 11-12 and admire photographs of influential filmmaker Gordon Parks at the Gordon Parks Museum. Finally, when all is said and done, settle down in rejuvenating lodgings like the Courtland Hotel or Fort Scott Inn.
Atchison
Atchison, located on the Missouri River near the state border of Missouri, was one of the waystations that Lewis and Clark stayed at during their expedition. The town is also the birthplace of Amelia Earheart, whose aviation legacy can best be reviewed at both the Amelia Earheart Hangar Museum and the Amelia Earheart Birthplace Museum. Furthermore, a bronze statue of Earheart stands at attention in an arboretum called the International Forest of Friendship—which was built by an organization of female pilots known as The Ninety-Nine Inc.—and Atchison’s townsfolk celebrate their spirited daughter with the Amelia Earheart Festival every third weekend of July. Besides historical figures, Atchison is known for haunted sites like the Dilgert House, McInteer Villa, and Sallie House, which are featured on channels like Discovery and Syfy. There is no need to feel spooked by Atchison’s atmosphere, especially when you are staying in welcoming places like the Hotel Eatin Atchison.
Pittsburg
Pit yourself through the roads and prairies of Kansas and into the pretty town of Pittsburg. As home to the prestigious Pittsburg State University and only about 30 miles south of Fort Scott, visitors will be enamored by Pittsburg’s universal charm and communal attractions. Colorful and aesthetically brilliant murals dominate the walls of almost every building on every street, and from August 28 to October 3, the townsfolk celebrate the recently promulgated Little Balkans Days with over three days of activities and fun related to the Balkans in Europe. There is also a Pittsburg ArtWalk during the spring and fall, during which hundreds of artists and spectators admire Pittsburg’s lively sceneries. Travelers can enjoy the Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel or explore the city’s parks. Either way, Pittsburg will leave a great and not-so-pitiful impression on you.
Kansas Close-Knit Charms Await
In a land riddled with oil wells, wheat, and sunflowers, several communities and towns have banded together to preserve much of their heritage and attractions from roving whirlwinds and twisters. From destinations visited by explorers like Lewis and Clark and where monumental figures like Amelia Earheart were born, you will be astounded by the strong social and cultural ties each of these towns exemplify. Whether you are learning about the different conflicts that blazed in Kansas at Fort Scott or sightseeing of a few memorabilia of the US at Abilene, these Kansas towns will not let you down in this rainbow-filled region of Tornado Alley. Hunker down and feel like Dorothy in Oz as you explore the most close-knit towns to visit in Kansas.
