The 7 Friendliest Little Towns In Kansas
Kansas towns provide the biggest welcome to those passing through. Goodland greets visitors with a giant van Gogh replica painting. Hiawatha hosts a Halloween Frolic event each fall. Paola runs a farmers market and the annual Roots Festival on Park Square. These communities make an active effort to bring in travelers and make them feel at home. The seven Kansas towns ahead each turn small-town friendliness into a local trademark.
Cottonwood Falls
Cottonwood Falls in east-central Kansas sits on the Cottonwood River in the Flint Hills region of the state. A town of about 900 people, it is a close-knit community that welcomes visitors with open arms. The town hosts many attractions and events to bring people together, share its history, and showcase its community spirit.
The historic Chase County Courthouse, completed in 1873 and the second-oldest continuously used courthouse west of the Mississippi River, is a striking building that attracts both history lovers and architecture enthusiasts. The cute downtown district features shops and restaurants that give visitors a taste of the local culture. Yearly events like the Chase County Country Christmas provide a chance to get together with the community and enjoy family-friendly fun.
Goodland
Goodland is a friendly town right off Interstate 70 in western Kansas. The town is possibly best known for The Big Easel, a giant replica painting of Vincent van Gogh's Three Sunflowers in a Vase. The replica stands high above the Kansas prairie and is visible from I-70, welcoming travelers to the town and encouraging them to stop in for a visit.
The town features outdoor attractions such as the Land and Sky Scenic Byway, the Goodland Topside Trails Project, and the Sugar Hills Golf Club. The Goodland Welcome Center provides a great starting point for anyone looking to explore the town and all it offers. The Goodland Open Air Market gives local farmers, creators, and shoppers a place to exchange goods and produce. The High Plains Museum gives visitors a look into the region's heritage.
Hiawatha
Hiawatha is a small town situated not far from Nebraska and Missouri in the northeastern corner of Kansas. It is known throughout Kansas as the City of Beautiful Maples, welcoming visitors each autumn who come to see the bright fall foliage. This outgoing little town loves to have people visit. The Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau promotes local businesses and tourism to bring residents and travelers together.
The downtown area, featuring a distinctive clock tower, is lined with local shops, restaurants, and small businesses. The area hosts an annual Halloween Frolic, a day filled with activities to help families enjoy Halloween safely. The famous Davis Memorial, a life-sized monument that John Milburn Davis had erected in his wife's memory, has been featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not and remains one of the town's most well-known attractions.
Lindsborg
Lindsborg is a unique little town, first settled by a group of Swedish immigrants in 1869. The town takes pride in its heritage and is known as Little Sweden USA. It loves sharing its Swedish culture with visitors through many community events each year.
The town hosts yearly festivals like Vaffeldagen (International Waffle Day), the Messiah Festival of the Arts, and Christmas in July to promote a sense of community and camaraderie. Many shopping and dining options are available, including Swedish shops and restaurants like Skandia Hem Boutique and Crown and Rye Restaurant. Area attractions include historic homes and buildings, local walking parks and trails, and the Wild Dala horses found around town.
Marysville
This characterful town is steeped in history and has a rich sense of community. The Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail, and Pony Express all pass through the town, with various historic sites commemorating events and places in the town's past. The original Pony Express Station & Museum, an 1859 stone barn, still stands downtown.
Marysville hosts events throughout the year to share its friendly culture with visitors. Big Blue River Days packs a car show, barbecue competition, live music, and family-friendly activities into a single fun-filled weekend. The Black Squirrel Fall Fest celebrates the town's love for its community symbol, the black squirrel. For those interested in seeing more of the furry mammals that call Marysville home, the Black Squirrels on Parade project provides a route where visitors can learn about the town's connection to black squirrels.
Paola
Paola centers around a fountain and gazebo in the middle of the square, and many old houses and storefronts adorn the town. Park Square, the historic downtown district, hosts annual events like the Roots Festival. Paola has scenic beauty and a welcoming atmosphere that encourages visitors to explore the town's many offerings.
The town draws horse lovers with S&S Stables and Better Equine Ranch. Vineyards and wineries in and around town, such as Fossil Springs Winery, are great places to sample locally crafted drinks. Shops and restaurants in the historic district provide a fun way to experience downtown, and the Paola Farmers Market offers a place for visitors to buy locally grown and produced goods.
WaKeeney
WaKeeney is an appealing little town in west-central Kansas. The town receives many visitors who are just passing through. It values community spirit and a relaxed pace of life. Its friendly attitude and various local attractions encourage travelers to stick around a little longer.
Throughout WaKeeney, murals showcase the town's creative side and its appreciation for its community. The Butterfly Mural and the Trego Museum Mural are a couple of particularly popular sights. Historic buildings house churches, businesses, and restaurants, while newer additions to the town, such as The North Pole and WaKeeney Water Park, provide family-oriented fun. The Main Street Nature Trail allows visitors to get outside and explore when the weather is nice. Outside of town, nearby scenic destinations include Cedar Bluff State Park, Castle Rock, and the surrounding badlands.
A Warm Welcome On The Plains
Kansas is home to many appealing small towns, and these seven provide an extra level of character and friendliness that leaves visitors wanting to come back. Towns like Lindsborg and Marysville embrace local culture and draw visitors through yearly festivals. Other towns, like WaKeeney, are known for their artistic flair and nearby scenery. Regardless of the specific attractions each town offers, all of them provide friendly smiles and welcoming communities that embrace visitors and locals alike.
