7 Best Kansas Towns For A Winter Getaway

For winter travelers who like low-key charm, crisp air, and the kind of small-town hospitality that feels like a warm quilt, the Sunflower State of Kansas delivers delightful surprises for a getaway. Think twinkling light displays in well-preserved downtowns, cozy museums with seasonal programs, heated indoor holiday experiences, and beloved winter festivals where local traditions are at center stage. Find seven towns that trade big-city bustle for strollable streets, festive lights, and winter activities you can enjoy without long lines or inflated prices. So pack a warm coat, bring good walking shoes, and get ready to find the quieter, cozier side of Kansas winter.

Leavenworth

Leavenworth makes winter feel like a storybook. Start with the Leavenworth Christmas Market on December 6, 2025, when downtown glows with festive lights, food trucks, and handmade gift vendors. During the daytime, stroll along Riverfront Park for lovely views of the Missouri River and Centennial Bridge, then step inside the Frontier Army Museum for a warm break from the cold while learning about historic Fort Leavenworth. If you are visiting in early January 2026 and love quilting (or want to give it a try), stop at the annual three-day quilting retreat, Cozy Stitches & Cocoa Bliss, at Plane Janes Studio. No matter the weather, Leavenworth is easy to navigate on foot, and local boutiques and cafés make brief stops especially inviting on colder days.

Lindsborg

Lindsborg, “Little Sweden USA,” is perhaps at its most photogenic in winter. The town’s Scandinavian heritage comes alive during the St. Lucia Festival, held in 2025 on December 13 and featuring processions, music, folk dancing, and lots of candlelight. For daytime exploring, do not miss the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, which holds its annual Holiday Gift Show through January 11, 2026, and the Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum, which offers an enlightening diversion from the cold. Afterward, wander Main Street to browse handcrafted gifts and warm up in a local coffee shop.

Salina

Salina blends family-focused winter programming with indoor options for chilly days. The Holiday Lights in the Museum program at Rolling Hills Zoo is an indoor light display that runs on weekends through December 20, 2025, and is perfect for colder nights. Meanwhile, the well-regarded Salina Symphony presents its annual Christmas Festival in mid-December and offers a range of other musical performances throughout winter. For other indoor options, visit the Smoky Hill Museum for seasonal exhibits or catch a film and warm snack at the Salina Art Center Cinema. But do not spend your entire visit indoors, Salina’s parks, Smoky Hill River trails, and downtown streets are a photographer’s dream in the crisp air and clear skies of winter.

Hays

Hays offers a lively small-city winter scene centered on historic downtown festivities and arts and culture events. Main Street hosts a series of 2025 holiday happenings, highlighted by the Christmas Magic Jubilee on November 29 and the Frostfest Illuminated Parade on December 7. Art lovers and anyone seeking respite from the cold winds that can pick up over the plains will appreciate the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art and the Beach-Schmidt Performing Arts Center for winter concerts and holiday performances. For a taste of history warmed by a mug of cocoa, explore the Fort Hays Historic Site and learn about frontier life without the summertime crowds. Downtown storefronts and bakeries make strolling between events pleasant and practical, even on colder days.

Dodge City

Dodge City leans into its Old West roots with wintertime charm and family programming. 2025 holiday offerings include the Parade of Lights on December 1 and Holiday Light Tours on the historic trolley during the second half of December, ideal for visitors who want a guided lights experience without driving from spot to spot. Historic attractions such as Boot Hill Museum offer themed events such as Breakfast with Santa (December 6), and downtown storefront decorations create a lively holiday backdrop. Local shops and restaurants add winter deals and seasonal menus, so plan for a hearty meal at a hotspot like Dodge City Brewing to round out a day of exploring.

Abilene

Abilene is a compact, history-rich stop for winter travelers. Its annual Cowtown Christmas weekend (December 7-8, 2025) bundles the Heritage Homes for the Holidays Tour, the Old-Fashioned Christmas at the Dickinson County Historical Society, the Cowtown Santa Express aboard the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad, and other outdoor and indoor activities. Meanwhile, the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is open year-round and offers warm, thoughtful exhibits, making it a great alternative if snowfall or wind make outdoor plans less appealing. When the weather eases up, stroll the historic downtown and stop at the Seelye Mansion to explore the seasonal displays and see how local preservationists dress up this 1905 gem for winter.

Emporia

Emporia mixes college-town energy with approachable winter programming. The city’s 2025 Christmas Parade and downtown lighting ceremony takes place on December 2, and the David Traylor Zoo stages holiday light strolls that are especially nice for families and photographers. For a warm dose of arts and culture, Emporia State University offers a range of winter shows and exhibits, while downtown looks and feels even more timelessly lovely when you enjoy the view from a Holiday Carriage Ride (December 7 and 14). Head back indoors to a local café like Gravel City Roasters to enjoy a comfortable refuge from winter winds and a chance to catch up on community goings-on by chatting with locals.

Winter Wrap-Up

Small-town Kansas in winter is a lesson in slow, thoughtful travel. These seven towns each offer a combination of walkable downtowns, seasonal light displays, and indoor cultural venues that convert cold weather into an opportunity rather than an obstacle. From candle-lit Swedish processions to indoor zoo light exhibits and classic winter carnivals, the season in Kansas rewards those who enjoy intimate events, local food, and historic settings dressed in holiday finery. Travel with layers of clothing and leave room in your itinerary for spontaneous stops at bakeries, galleries, and shops you discover along the way; they are often the best parts of any winter getaway!