8 Most Neighborly Towns In Kansas
Kansas’s small towns are often known for their friendly nature and welcoming spirit. This mentality is woven into the fabric of daily life, from the neighbors who know each other by name to the community pride that supports small businesses. Each municipality has its own unique flavor that sets it apart. Eight towns across the state offer the strongest sense of this connection, whether through walkable downtowns or historic landmarks that draw in tourists. No matter the reason you are here, you are likely to feel as though you belong.
Atchison
Beyond its convenient location on the Missouri River, which has sustained the town’s longevity and growth, Atchison has both a rich history and youthful energy. Much of its life comes from the community's inclusion of Benedictine College. Having this institution means that the town benefits from events and culture that other Kansas small towns might lack.
One interesting fact about Atchison is that it is where famed aviator Amelia Earhart was born, so much of the town’s personality centers on this impressive figure in American history. You can learn more about her by visiting the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum. When you’ve worked up an appetite, the locals are likely to point you towards Paolucci Restaurant, a spot serving up delicious portions of both Italian and American cuisine.
Council Grove
As you might gather from the name, Council Grove has always been a place where people have gotten together. In fact, it was for a very long time a key stop on the Santa Fe Trail, and its survival, despite its smaller size, is connected to the vital role it played in serving travelers on the trail. That frontier role is readily on display at the Kaw Mission State Historic Site and by taking tours of the Last Chance Store, a final resupply station for travelers built in 1857.
Many people come to this part of Kansas to experience the natural wonders like the Flint Hills, and the community becomes another quaint piece of the sprawling splendor of the rolling prairies. When in town, though, there is plenty still to do, even if you came for the nature around the community, such as the local favorite Hays House 1857 Restaurant & Tavern. This place claims to be one of the oldest continually operated restaurants west of the Mississippi River, and the food here is just as hearty and filling as it’s always been. Ever since the doors opened in 1857, travelers on the Santa Fe Trail have been fed here.
Fort Scott
Preservation is one of the key themes of life happening in Fort Scott. In fact, this entire community exists because of the military post that used to be here, now restored to its former glory at the Fort Scott National Historic Site. This site alone draws thousands of visitors year-round, who can then stay and appreciate the offerings of the connected town.
History is not just alive and well at the restored military fort, but also in the town as well. The community has an active historical district that offers a charming collection of antique shops, cafes, and restaurants. One of the top stops for those taking the time to really explore Fort Scott is Crooner’s Lounge. This eatery has become synonymous with the town's laid-back atmosphere despite the upscale dining, serving carefully curated entrees of seafood and steaks starting at five every evening.
Galena
When people come to Galena, they often find it because of its position on the Historic Route 66. It is not uncommon for road trippers to take a lengthy tour of this classic highway, and Galena is one of the iconic stops along the way that takes a lot of pride in how it holds true to this piece of its personality and its rich history of mining alive on the face of many old structures and restored storefronts.
The town has a familiar appearance to many travelers because portions of the community inspired elements featured in the Disney-Pixar movie Cars. Specifically, Luigi’s Tire Shop in the film can be directly linked to the Kan-O-Tex Station on North Main Street. For more about the town’s profitable mining history, you should check out the Galena Mining & Historical Museum, where you can learn about the history of the town while enjoying some refreshments like coffee and cookies.
Russell
A lot of people think of states like Kansas and conjure up images of endless fields of wheat and corn, but the Sunflower State has consistently been at the forefront of how agriculture and utilities have evolved over the decades. Russell has played a role in the region's energy history, as evidenced by the many exhibits at the Oil Patch Museum highlighting the town's industrious past.
The town has a walkable layout that encourages slow exploration, with multiple open areas and green spaces that offer a beautiful backdrop at any time of day, such as Aimes Park or Russell Memorial Park. When you need a pick-me-up in the form of a plate of delicious food at a renowned local eatery, you are going to want to head over to Meridy’s Restaurant & Lounge. This is comfort food on a daily buffet that has dazzled those who saw the unassuming sign as they neared the exit on Interstate 70. After eating to your heart's content, head to The Dream Theatre. This 1949 Art Deco landmark hosts screenings of new releases in a vintage setting, offering a unique experience unlike a multiplex.
Wamego
In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy Gale repeats “There’s no place like home” multiple times to return to her tiny town in rural Kansas, and to celebrate her home state and her successful, albeit fictional, return, Wamego has embraced Oz in a way that no other place in the state can claim. Not only are there little pieces of the film all over the town, like the themed playground and the yellow brick road, but you can also see memorabilia and exhibits related to the iconic film at the Oz Museum.
The town isn’t completely wrapped up in the fiction, though. You have a lot to see when you visit, from the beauty and history to the community's neighborly attitude. Start with the trails and the river view you can find at the Wamego City Park. This green space hugs the banks of the Kansas River, offering gorgeous scenery. When you work up your appetite, head over to get some classic American fare at the local-favorite Friendship House.
Lindsborg
Much as Wamego’s fascinated by film, Lindsborg is a community built on its earliest settler heritage. The town has been affectionately dubbed “Little Sweden,” thanks to its open appreciation for and commitment to keeping traditions and culture alive and well here. For more on this, start at the Birger Sanzén Memorial Art Gallery or the Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum. Both of these are deeply connected to the roots Lindsborg actively preserves.
When you stroll through the community, take the time to notice the painted Dala horses here and there, another nod to the Swedish heritage here and a way to keep the town fun and fanciful. When you have worked up an appetite, dive into the Scandinavian influence of the small town by pulling up a chair at Crown and Rye. This is comfort food done the old-fashioned way, from the Kottbullar (Swedish meatballs in a beef sauce) to the Kaldolmar (a deconstructed cabbage roll).
Wellington
When you are thinking about the friendliest and most neighborly small towns in the Sunflower State, Wellington is one that should be on the list. This is a place where thousands visit each year for the Kansas Wheat Festival, a gathering celebrating the region's agricultural heritage. History is a big draw to the community as well, and many find their way to the Chisholm Trail Museum, a site dedicated to highlighting Wellington and its role in the cattle industry and cattle driving.
Beyond the beauty surrounding the town and many of its parks and green spaces to rest and relax, you cannot go wrong when you stop at Penny’s Diner for food. This restaurant offers 50s-style diner food in a laid-back environment. It's known for fan favorites like the Hopped Up Hashbrowns and the Western Burger with fries.
Friendly Communities of Kansas
What truly connects these eight towns isn’t only their location or size. It’s the sense of community. You notice it right away when you walk into a neighborhood café or catch neighbors talking on a downtown bench. Landmarks here aren’t just historic buildings—they’re pieces of stories still being shared. Whether it is the Oz Museum in Wamego or the Swedish dishes being served up in Lindsborg, every town has a friendly story it cannot wait to share with you when you get here.
