7 Romantic Small Towns In Kansas For A 3-Day Weekend
Romance is alive and well in Kansas, where cozy small towns set the stage for a memorable weekend escape. Whether your ideal weekend with your special someone involves spa services, romantic walks along the water's edge, or strolling hand-in-hand through a museum, there are plenty of small escapes in these small towns. You can climb to the top of a castle in Lindsborg, take an intimate drive down the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway, or let your stress melt away at the Rock Haven Spa in Hays. So, pack some fancy clothes for an intimate dinner, and get ready to experience some of Kansas’s most intimate corners.
Council Grove
In the Flint Hills region of eastern Kansas is a small community set along the Santa Fe Trail of Council Grove. Known for its tallgrass prairie and gently rolling hills, it’s a wonderful place to head out on a romantic drive down the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway. It’s a less-traveled road where the road opens up for miles ahead of you, free of traffic, where you can truly appreciate the beauty of Kansas. The scenic byway is where you’ll find the Tall Grass Prairie National Park. Once at the park, you can hop out of your car and walk one of the delightful trails that bloom with fragrant wildflowers in the spring and summer, and watch bison roam the hilly landscape.
If you prefer to relax along the waters’ edge of Council Grove Lake, Richey Cove Park is a fantastic place to spend an afternoon. In the summer, there are designated swimming areas where you can relax along its sandy shores or go for a swim, and boat ramps where you can launch a canoe or kayak onto its calm waters. After experiencing the best of Flint Hills, a stay at the Cottage House will make you feel right at home. It’s a beautiful inn built in 1867 with excellent service right in the heart of Council Grove.
Atchison
On the shore of the Missouri River on the other side of the Missouri border, is Atchison, known for its lovely old-world charm. To take in the beauty of the Missouri River, the Atchison Riverwalk is the perfect spot for an intimate stroll. It offers sweeping views of the Missouri River, but it’s even prettier at night when the Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge lights up in an array of LED lights that make the river glow. What’s more romantic than a nighttime riverwalk?
During the day, Atchison has so much to discover on its charming city streets. There’s the 1889 McInteer Villa, a stunning villa in the heart of Atchison that offers tours of the grounds, as well as yearly events like wine tastings and holiday functions. You can explore the beautiful Muchnic Art Gallery, found within a historic 1885 Queen Anne mansion, with rotating art exhibits. When you’re ready to call it a night, the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Atchison is the highest-rated hotel in the area. With modern rooms, complimentary breakfast, and an indoor heated pool, it’s a great place to spend a romantic evening.
Cottonwood Falls
If you’re looking for an idyllic weekend getaway of waterfalls and long drives, look no further than Cottonwood Falls. Downtown, there are cozy little shops like Tallgrass Antiques where you can shop for treasures, and romantic inns to spend the evening, like the Grand Central Hotel and Grill. The hotel opened in 1884, and it feels like stepping back in time. The on-site restaurant is dimly lit and intimate, and known for its top-notch ribeye steaks and classy cocktails. One of the best places to visit for a romantic outing in Cottonwood Falls is Chase Lake Falls. You can walk the cozy trail that leads to a beautiful waterfall around Chase Lake for a cozy afternoon.
If you hop in the car and head south down the Flint Hills Scenic Byway, you’ll stumble upon the Kansas Scenic View. It’s one of the most beautiful views of the Flint Hills, where a high vantage point offers sweeping views of blooming fields of wildflowers and vibrant green rolling hills, carved by small streams and creeks. It’s an idyllic spot made for romance, where it feels like you have the whole world to yourself!
Lindsborg
Affectionately known as Little Sweden, USA, Lindsborg is a colorful retreat made for romance. Whether you want to tour castles or wander the beautiful countryside, it's bound to rekindle a spark. The most intimate place near Lindsborg is the iconic Coronado Heights Castle. The castle was built in the 1930s to give jobs to locals during the Great Depression, and to serve as a scenic place for picnics and recreation. Today, you can still go inside the castle to admire the breathtaking view of the rolling hills of the Kansas countryside below.
Lindsborg also has lovely hiking trails downtown, like the scenic Meadowlark Trail North Trailhead. The well-maintained trail takes travelers through shaded forests, over bridges, and through fields of blooming wildflowers in the spring and summer. While in town, be sure to stop by the Red Barn Studio Museum, a storybook-like cottage filled with artwork and rare antiques. When you’re ready to retire for the evening, the Rosberg House Bed and Breakfast is a beautiful Swedish-inspired bed and breakfast that feels like a slice of Europe in the heart of the Midwest.
Leavenworth
Scenic river views, intimate dinners, and boutique hotels are what you can expect over a relaxing 3-day weekend in the charming hamlet of Leavenworth. It sits along the banks of the Missouri River on the border of Missouri, where you can go for a walk along the Leavenworth Landing Riverfront Trail, highlighted by pristine brick paths, flower gardens, and the soothing sounds of the river. Across the street from the walking trail is the C. W. Parker Carousel Museum, equipped with a fully operational 1913 C.W. Parker carousel! The carousel isn’t just for kids; adults can ride it too, and then take a tour of hand-carved antique carousel horses and vintage organs.
In the evening, couples can head to the Authentic Taste of Jamaica to tickle their taste buds with authentic Jamaican cuisine and listen to soothing music in a cosy ambiance that feels like island life in the Caribbean. After a filling meal, the best place to book a room is at the iconic Leavenworth Local Hotel. While the hotel used to be a 1920s high school, it’s been converted into a fun and funky boutique hotel with modern amenities (but the gymnasium is still there!).
Emporia
If you like a little excitement in your romantic getaways (without all the traffic), Emporia is a great option. Downtown has so many things to see and do that you may have a hard time fitting it all into a 3-day weekend! If you had to pick only a few, visiting the David Traylor Zoo of Emporia is a must. It is one of the smallest accredited zoos in the country, but it packs a lot into such a small space. It has almost 400 animals, like monkeys, tigers, and birds of prey, and it also has Soden’s Grove Park, a manicured garden perfect for intimate walks.
After a trip to the zoo, the Union Street Social is a fantastic place to sit down for a romantic meal. The decor of the restaurant is upscale and modern without feeling pretentious, and it’s known for its creative cocktails, such as the smoked lemon whiskey sour. When you want to stay somewhere that feels elegant, the Gufler Mansion Bed and Breakfast is your best option. This stunning brick mansion was built in 1916, with natural woodwork and modern rooms. The best time to book a stay is during one of their annual events, like their murder mystery dinners or their New Year’s Eve dance party!
Hays
The community of Hays is a romantic getaway that you’d never stumble upon by accident. It’s a place where the crowds are minimal, and there’s always something fun to do downtown. Couples can tour the charming Sternberg Museum of Natural History, then grab a bite to eat at the elegant Paisley Pear Bar, Bistro, and Market. When you're ready to call it a night, a stay at the Bissing House will make you feel at home. This stunning Victorian manor has a cozy wrap-around porch, cooked-to-order breakfasts, and incredibly romantic rooms.
No stay in Hays is complete without a drive down I-183 to the Rock Haven Spa, which is a hidden gem of Hays. The spa feels almost like paradise, encompassing 30 acres in the heart of the scenic Smoky Hill River Valley. It offers unique couples’ spa packages where you can start your day with a bathing ritual, and then book a blue stone massage. It also offers other spa services like facials, body wraps, pedicures, and steam whirlpools with intimate rural views.
Escape, Unwind, And Fall In Love In Kansas
When you want to make intimate memories over a long weekend in Kansas, these hidden hamlets are made for romance. From the waterfalls of Cottonwood Falls to candlelit dinners in Leavenworth, they’re bound to make you feel closer to that significant someone. These are places where time moves a little slower, where you can cozy up with a good book in front of a fire at a bed and breakfast, or take a long drive through the beautiful rolling meadows of the Flint Hills. When you’re ready to make the weekend extra special, these small Kansas towns are the perfect way to fall in love all over again.
