10 Kansas Towns That Locals Love

Between the multiple port towns and sea breeze of the East Coast and the mountain ranges of the West Coast, it's easy to overlook many of the beauties in between. In the Midwest, though, there are some exceptions to that rule, with the biggest being Kansas. For sure, the natural beauty surrounding the area is incredible, but it doesn't stop there. From the rich culture to the warmth of Midwestern hospitality, all the way down to the community events that bring all of it together, Kansas has solidified itself as a state people love to go to.

And it's easy to see why when you consider these particular towns and understand why these towns are beloved by the locals who are proud to call Kansas their state.

Abilene

Once started out as just another stop for stagecoaches in 1857, Abilene has gone from those humble beginnings to being a town with a strong community and world-class museums, and can provide for any traveller. For starters, Abilene is home to the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, rated as the best presidential attraction according to Newsweek. There, you can learn about the life and legacy of the 34th President of the United States, displaying his contributions proudly and how Eisenhower shaped the nation.

Aside from a deep love of history, Abilene is also proud of its Midwestern culture, with events like Cowtown Christmas blending the festive spirit of Old Fashion Christmas while celebrating those Midwestern roots. But even if you can't quite make it to that, you can still capture a piece of that Midwestern culture with the Smoky Valley Railroad, where you can ride along the rails on a 100-year-old steam engine train. There are even dine-in options.

Lindsborg

Nicknamed Little Sweden U.S.A., it's easy to see why Lindsborg is called that as soon as you set foot in it. Their downtown district is where the Swedish roots really shine, with crafted Dala horses lining the streets. To get the full taste of the Swedish culture, you'll want to attend the annual Svensk Hyllningsfest, where the streets are filled with traditional music, folk dances, excellent Nordic food, and a proud display of Lindsborg's customs.

Even if you can't make it, places like the Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum can help. With twelve buildings showcasing the lives of those from the 1870s to the 1980s, you can get a good glimpse into what Lindsborg was like during those times. Or if you are keen on trying some Swedish cooking, head over to the Crown and Rye, where they serve classic and new Swedish and American dishes, handcrafted cocktails, and even homemade desserts.

Atchison

Sometimes you don't have to travel far from Kansas City in order to find someplace grand. This is definitely the case with Atchison, as the community is a short driving distance and is filled with wonderful histories, unique shops, great food, and a convenient spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Part of the big draw to Atchison is thanks to Amelia Earhart, where people pay homage to her in the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum. In addition, you can see the last remaining Lockheed Electra 10-E Muriel in the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum, the airplane being identical to the airplane Amelia Earhart used before going missing on her famed final flight around the world. As you might expect, Atchison also performs an Amelia Earhart Festival every July with music, food, and crafts fairs, live concerts, aerobatic performances, and finishing everything off with a "Concert in the Sky" fireworks show.

Council Grove

With a little over 2,100 residents, Council Grove played a pivotal part in making the famed Santa Fe Trail a reality. With "Council Oak" overlooking the signing of a treaty in August 1825 between European settlers and the Kaw (or Kansa) Indian Tribe, Council Grove became a town that brought people from all over to converge here. The Kaw Mission State Historic Site tells more about this story for those interested.

Beyond that, the Washunga Days Festival is another alternative to capture the Native American heritage and local traditions, with the festival celebrating the harmonious connection between the two groups over several eras. If you've missed out on the event, another good option is the Trail Days Historic Site, which offers a collection of attractions. It displays a number of Flint Hills' artwork, food, culture, and history.

Dodge City

If Kansas hasn't been Western enough for you, one that really drives that Midwestern feeling is Dodge City. With gunfight reenactments or even a real cattle drive, Dodge City is loud and proud of its heritage.

You can get the first sense of that from their popular Boot Hill Museum, which pays tribute to the glory days of the Old West. You'll walk through a replica of Dodge City's historic front street and wander through what their church, saloon, and jail used to look like. There's even a Gunfighters Wax Museum, which makes life-sized wax figures of famous Western Personalities. But to get the full blast of that Midwestern vibe, you'll want to attend the Dodge City Days. Considered the second-largest community festival in Kansas, this is now a 10-day celebration of western heritage with activities and festivities packed into those days.

Fort Scott

Conveniently located in "The Middle of Everywhere," Fort Scott is a very different town than you'd expect. Similar to Atchison, Fort Scott also has a local hero who is prominently shown. In this case, it's photojournalist Gordon Parks, who you can learn about at the Gordon Parks Museum and The Learning Tree Film Scene and Sign Trail.

Fort Scott's historic downtown district also serves as a unique hub for various events as well as shopping. In June, Fort Scott celebrates their annual Good Ol' Days Festival, which is the biggest parade in Bourbon County. There are also live concerts scattered throughout town, with the downtown area abuzz with craft vendors, food trucks, pony rides, and so much more. But even if you miss that, the Historic Downtown Walking Tour is another great option to experience the downtown feel to the fullest. You'll visit plenty of historic buildings in a self-guided tour that'll make you feel like you were transported to those good old days.

Wamego

It should come as no surprise that Wamego is on this list, and it's easy to see why. The town has nothing but whimsy, wonder, and vibrancy to offer to any who visits and lives here. It all kicks off with the Wamego City Park, a beautifully decorated and picturesque place for quiet reflection, a delightful stroll, or sitting to have a meal.

Then you have the bustling downtown, which has one of the most highly acclaimed spots in Kansas, the Oz Museum. Filled with history, Oz wonder, and artifacts, stepping foot into the world of L. Frank Baum's "The Wizard of Oz" is bound to be a treat. And if you still want to get more, you'll have to attend the Oztoberfest, which includes several Oz-related activities like costume contests, a Wizard's Beer & Wine Garden, Munchkinland, and more.

Lucas

Many small towns have all unique themes to them, but out of them all, Lucas has one of the more unique ones out there: Grassroots art. Beginning with Lucas's first display of it in 1907 with the Garden of Eden, an attraction you can still visit, Lucas has brought in the work of over 20 artists to display grassroots art. Some are naturally in the aforementioned garden, but you can also see plenty more in the Grassroots Art Center. All of that appreciation for artists culminates in one of Lucas' popular events, the April Fools-A-Palooza. Celebrated on April 1st, it's a day-long celebration of art, creativity, and culture that allows you to view more of local artists' work, meet the artists, tour their studios, and shop for art.

McPherson

The surrounding beauty of McPherson, combined with its attractions and welcoming community, makes it a compelling place to visit and explore. From the beauty of the local Lakeside Park, an area that offers calm waters and reflects the sunset's rays for a picturesque scene, McPherson has plenty of these little moments where you can simply escape and appreciate. To get more of those kinds of moments, you could visit the McPherson Museum and Arts Foundation, which mixes together the town's history as well as its creative legacy through exhibitions and local artists' works.

Part of that deep appreciation for artists and creative minds, the town of McPherson also created a one-of-a-kind event in All Schools Day, an annual community event celebrating McPherson's rich history and vibrant culture of its schools. Main events include a May Fete, a week-long button hunt, a carnival, sidewalk sales, a parade, and so much more.

Colby

An agricultural community at heart, the town of Colby has made leaps and bounds in providing interesting and fun attractions as well. Living up to the theme of farming, the Cooper Barn is part of the Prairie Museum of Art and History. It also happens to be the largest barn in Kansas. The downtown district is filled to the brim with shopping and dining opportunities as well. These also have unique feels to them, with places like Deb's Dandy Little Shop once being a shed that's been converted into this store. It still has a homey feeling to it, as the store sells home decor, gifts, seasonal items, seasonings, rubs, and more.

What brings Colby together, though, is farm-life festivities, and the most recognized one is the Pickin' on the Plains Bluegrass Festival every July. Live Bluegrass music can be heard as you look for a meal from one of the many food trucks, or have the kids participate in all kinds of games.

Without a doubt, Kansas' towns have earned favor from Americans across the country for their hospitality, warmth, and local beauty. It's a testament to Kansas' generosity that they continue to go above and beyond with sharing their history and celebrating it in a big way. From towns like Atchison and Fort Scott celebrating their people like Amelia Earhart and Gordon Parks, to those leaning into the Midwestern feeling like Dodge City and even Colby to a degree, visitors from all over the world can get a piece of that culture and the rural life. It makes sense that many of these towns are beloved by locals, and now it's your turn to seek them out and appreciate them.