10 Serene Kansas Towns For A Weekend Retreat

Looking for a small-town, serene area isn't difficult when Kansas is your destination. A prairie state, Kansas has a knack for blending country-style hospitality, outdoor adventures, and scenic views you won't find anywhere else in the country. Its flat terrain has its own unique sense of charm, as this creates the perfect backdrop for sunsets and sunrises. When that is combined with beautiful towns, peaceful parks, and historic landmarks, it creates the perfect weekend retreat opportunities for you.

Check out the downtown areas, enjoy good food, soak up that prairie sun, and take your pick from any of the following serene Kansas towns to visit.

Wamego

Wamego is perfect for a family weekend retreat with its parks, entertainment, and hospitality. You can get a feel for that hospitality the most by staying at the Victory Inn Bed & Breakfast, a blend of Victorian-era feeling with modern conveniences.

For entertainment, the Wamego Aquatic Center offers both an indoor and outdoor pool alongside various slides, diving boards, a lazy river, and a children's area. Alternatively, Lincoln Street Lanes is another fun option, with bowling being its main attraction. It also has dartboards, an arcade area, and a wide selection of food and snacks.

If you are keen on history, visiting the Oz Museum is an excellent choice, as you will be treated to over 100 years of Oz history. All of this can be rounded out with walking the Oregon Trail Nature Park. Walking along this historic trail creates the perfect backdrop for watching the sun set.

Dodge City

For a truly western feel, Dodge City is the place to check out. With the name itself bringing images of great lawmen, outlaws of the West, saloons, shootouts, and the prairies, the town captures its serenity in traditional Western fashion. Swing by the Long Branch Saloon and sip some sarsaparillas at one of the most historic saloons of the Wild West. Nearby is the Boot Hill Museum, where you can take a step back into history and see the town's storied past, well preserved in artifacts.

During the summer months, you can always cool off at one of Dodge City's latest additions, Long Branch Lagoon Water Park. It features several slides, a 720-foot lazy river, a wave pool, a lap pool, and a shallow water pool. If you prefer to stay dry, consider taking a stroll through the Santa Fe National Historic Trail, which used to be a pioneer highway that stretched over five states.

To get the fullest Western experience, book a room at the Bel-Air Motel. Their friendly staff and area just outside of Dodge City make for a serene and relaxed experience.

Fort Scott

Bringing people from all over the world, Fort Scott is a place that offers excellent relaxation and serenity from a busy life. If you get a chance, book your stay at Fort Scott at the Courtland Hotel and Spa. The blend of historic vibes and modern comforts is this hotel and spa's specialty.

This town thrives on its historical relevance. As such, there are several historical landmarks to take in and to experience. You can get a feel for the place by checking out the Gordon Parks Museum, featuring his many works as a photographer, filmmaker, writer, and musician. Furthermore, you can visit the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, which looks at multiple people who were unrecognized during their lifetimes but played significant roles in history.

Afterwards, check out Riverfront Park, where its winding paths and connection to the river make for a peaceful walk by the river. Or if you are up for hiking or biking, hit the Gunn Park trails for adventure, beautiful scenery, and exercise.

Lucas

A small farming community, the town still has tourist appeal as it's known as the "Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas." The homes and businesses feature traditional Post Rock limestone architecture, which is unique among structures. One that will stick out is the accommodation, Horseshoe Lodge.

As small a community as Lucas is, it has a thriving downtown area. The Lucas Area Community Theater was restored by volunteers and is used for all kinds of community events and activities, including weekend movies. Another significant landmark is the Garden of Eden. It has been an attraction since 1907 and continues to attract interest as a world-famous outsider art environment. East of the Garden of Eden rests Miller's Park, a collection of sculptures that were formed from the 1930s to the early 1960s.

For more walking and history, visit the Post Rock Scenic Byway. It bends around Wilson Lake and talks about the history of the limestone that's used in the area. And all of this can be topped off with one of the most unique museums ever: the World's Largest Collection of the World's Small Versions of the World's Largest Things Museum. As the name suggests, there are several of the world's smallest items, such as the world's smallest mural, mini golf course, circus wagons, Carhenge, and much more.

Hays

A safe, vibrant university community, Hays is a regional hub for education, culture, arts, recreation, and more. For your stay, check in at the Bissing House, a Victorian bed & breakfast with a wraparound porch and a parlour located in the downtown area. This spot is perfect as it's not far from the famous Fox Theatre, the town's multipurpose entertainment facility and space for films, concerts, comedy shows, and live performances.

For a more calming experience, visit Frontier Park, which offers a series of parks, trails, pickleball courts, and beautiful scenery. For more variety, visit the Vineyard Park Nature Trail, which offers varying degrees of inclines, water crossings, and several different environments. You can round off that experience with the Hays Arts Center Gallery, Kansas's first community arts organization, displaying local artwork.

Council Grove

Scenic vistas, quaint stays, and lifelong memories await at Council Grove. Classic and historical Americana blends with the youthful and innovative community here, and you can get a feel for that by staying at the Cottage House in the Heart of the Flint Hills.

Council Grove is near two lakes with plenty of space in between, making it prime for scenic views and trails. A walk through the Pioneer Nature Trail takes you through a trail by the Council Grove Lake, where you will see all kinds of wildlife and scenic views. Council Grove Marina is another good option where you can take advantage of the water through kayaks, pontoon boats, or paddleboards. Afterward, visit the Trails Days Café and Museum for a dining experience surrounded by history.

Marysville

A town brimming with creativity, culture, and a strong sense of community, Marysville takes full advantage of its location near the Big Blue River to offer a serene stay. The Trailhead Suites on Jackson Street is ideal, as it is located within half a mile of the trailhead towards the Blue River Rail Trail, alongside the downtown area.

Check out Koester House Museum & Gardens, which feature original furnishings alongside 13 beautiful white statues in gardens. To soak up more of the serenity, walking through the Historic Trails Park takes you through eight historic trails with interpretive signs and a map explaining each route. Alternatively, the Alcove Spring Historic Park is another park to go to if you are okay with driving 6 miles south of Marysville. This park, in particular, is considered one of the most significant historic sites on the Oregon Trail and is well worth the trek.

Baldwin City

The small and historic town of Baldwin City is just a few miles south of Lawrence and is brimming with natural beauty and charm. Once serving as a gateway to the Old West, the town has transformed itself into a serene place to visit. You can get a sense of this by checking out the Light Center, a retreat and learning center that serves as a 95-acre natural sanctuary. The space has hiking trails, campsites, a large creek, as well as goats and chickens. Another example of Baldwin City's creativity is turning their local lumberyard into the Lumberyard Arts Center, preserving the ambiance of the place while displaying local art.

For more local animals, visit the Ad Astra Alpacas, just south of Baldwin City. The area houses roughly 60 alpacas, and you can book a tour by calling them. Alternatively, west of Baldwin City rests Little Hawk Farm, where they raise Pygora and Cashmere goats, Bluefaced Leicester sheep, and French Angora rabbits. Rounding off your farm touring by staying at the Baldwin City Lodge can drive home that western feel and relaxation.

Emporia

With many surprises in store, Emporia is also a serene town to visit, with the outdoor activities and areas they have. Near the Kansas Turnpike exit rests America's Best Inn & Suites, which is a great place to rest after a nice drive. If you are willing to drive around some more, one of the best places to check out is the Flint Hills, which is west of Emporia and extends both north and south for several hundred miles. You can even cycle through those hills.

In town, you can take a peaceful walk through C of E Park or, for multi-sports access, Champions Landing. Champions Landing has a disc golf course, pickleball courts, walking trails, a fishing lake, and more. You can also visit the David Traylor Zoo, where you can see several exotic animals like lemurs, prairie dogs, bald eagles, birds, and even a mountain lion in lush and beautifully landscaped areas.

Spring Hill

One of Kansas's best-kept secrets, Spring Hill is a simpler, suburban, and rural area. It's outside of the big city life but still offers a lot of parks and various community activities. This is in addition to the serene, slow, and peaceful life that small towns offer. And visitors are no exception. Booking a spot at Super 8 by Wyndham Gardner will ensure you get to Spring Hill much faster and cheaper than in Kansas City.

Get a smell of lavender at Purple Meadows Lavender Farm, where the smell of lavender is designed to reduce stress. Alternatively, the Chitwood Family Farm lets you experience beekeeping, botany, and entomology all in one.

For something more local, take in the beautiful scenery and main street feel by sitting down at the Bean Coffee and Cafe. This cafe is not that far away from the Spring Hill Historical Mural, which depicts the old and new of Spring Hill.

A blend of rivers, lakes, and beautiful landscapes, the prairies offer many serene and delightful experiences. All of this is accentuated by the lush nature, exotic animals, and gorgeous sunsets that make Kansas a great state to explore and experience something unique. When combined with adorable small towns, you will be able to come back feeling more at peace and with many great pictures. So don't delay any longer. Book a weekend retreat and get ready to experience prairie life in serene atmospheres.