These 8 Towns In Kansas Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2025

Everyone has their version of a favourite small town, some well-preserved architecture, handsomely restored buildings, or streets lined with moss-draped oaks. The backdrop also matters, whether scary mountaintops or rolling, wave-like plains. Once in a while, glittering lakefront views will certainly sweep you off your feet. You may need a little persuasion, but places like Abilene can hold their own against big names like Galena, Illinois, or even Mystic, Connecticut. So, Kansas is not just flyover country. Keep reading to discover 8 towns in the Sunflower State often ranked among the US favourites.

Lindsborg

There's a reason European tourists often claim that Lindsborg feels more Swedish than Sweden itself. It is not because of lingonberries, although you will find the small, tart red berries that grow wild in Scandinavia in the many inviting eateries that dot the town. Nicknamed “Little Sweden USA,” Lindsborg always feels exotic. After a hearty breakfast at the Blacksmith Coffee Shop and Roastery, a homey place housed inside Lindsborg's oldest building, sneak a peek inside Lester Raymer's Red Barn Studio Museum, a whimsical space with beautiful artwork made by Raymer, known as the “Leonardo da Vinci of Lindsborg.” Outdoor lovers have several options to plan with, including the Meadowlark Trail, where one can walk, run, or bike, the Smoky Hill River (for delicious waterfront views), and Swensson Park, which features a big picnic area and several child-focused amenities.

Lucas

Lucas is a Kansas hit cake that does not get half the attention it deserves. Known as the "Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas,” the town is tiny but much bigger in charm and character. Downtown shops and businesses, many of which feature traditional Post Rock limestone architecture, sway the senses with their many unique offerings. S. P. Dinsmoor's Garden of Eden, which has been drawing visitors since 1907, is a unique folk attraction that features interesting Biblical and political sculptures. You will marvel at the mind-rousing yard art and see Dinsmoor's mausoleum and coffin. Miller's Park, just steps away, is a quirky space with obelisks, conical sculptures, and beautiful rock houses. Another show-stopper is the Grassroots Art Center, which keeps unusual exhibits featuring local artists. Just across the street is World's Largest Things, a free walk-through museum filled with stories, handmade art, and one-of-a-kind souvenirs.

Wamego

Wamegi is tucked away in Northeast Kansas, along the photo-worthy banks of the Kansas River, the state's most popular waterway for canoeing, kayaking, rowing, and fishing. Brace yourself for a beautiful downtown, several historic landmarks (such as the Schonhoff Dutch Mill), and one of the most spellbinding city parks in this corner of the state. Of course, the iconic Dutch windmill is a beautiful piece of history with a history that dates back to the 1870s. Wamego plays host to the colorful Tulip Festival, an April art and craft fair that brings together more than 200 craft vendors. There's the OZ Museum, which displays full-figure statues of the Lion, Tin Man, and lots of other interesting Oz trivia. Not to be outdone, the Columbian Theatre is as much a historical attraction as it is an entertainment hub.

Winfield

Winfield is a unique Kansas gem, and this is partly because of its location, where the rolling Flint Hills meet the verdant scenery of the Arkansas River lowlands, a landscape that is a rarity in this Midwestern bastion. The surrounding scenery features beautiful stone-arch bridges, barn quilts, abundant vegetation, and rocky bluffs. Meanwhile, the downtown is tree-lined and peaceful and has a mist of countryside charm and feeling. Although known for the Walnut Valley Festival, an epic carnival that lights up the town every September, Winfield has several other attractions. From the aptly named Island Park, a cool place to fish and mingle with ducks to Ladybird Brewing, a great place to sit outside and enjoy some nice ale with live music to Cowley County Historical Society Museum (CCHSM), with its crazy assortment of memorabilia, including a farm scene made of toothpicks, Winfield is certainly a Kansas favourite.

Atchison

Amelia Earhart's birthplace draws folks from every nook of the country with its fascinating history, haunted tours, and a downtown tastefully perched above the frothing Missouri River. Start with an unforgettable glimpse into the childhood and career of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart at the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum, a short but impactful career that ended with her disappearance over the Pacific in 1937. Of course, Earhart was the first female pilot to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean. Swing by the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum just to see the same type of aircraft in which Earhart made her final flight. If you can't catch the haunted trolley tours, which typically take place in September and October, you can enjoy a mid-morning riverwalk at Independence Park before crowning the day with some delicious catfish at Trotter's on the River, just a few steps away.

Council Grove

Tucked away amidst undulating hills and vast ranches is the small, charming town of Council Grove, a town that proves that bigger is not always better. The noticeably revitalised downtown, with its massive oaks, can today pass for a well-groomed park, not a bustling thoroughfare. Brace for a bit of nostalgia, especially with places like Hays House 1857 Restaurant and Tavern, billed as the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi River. Water laps within earshot at Canning Creek Cove Park, one of eight parks surrounding the 3,300-acre Council Grove Reservoir. Meanwhile, Allegawaho Heritage Memorial Park features a huge monument that memorializes an unknown Kanza warrior, as well as a 2-mile heritage trail that connects with the formidable Flint Hills Nature Trail. History buffs will want to turn back the wheels of time at the Kaw Mission State Historic Site—built in 1851 as a school for Kaw children.

Abilene

Abilene's aesthetic reputation goes beyond the state. Regularly ranked the most beautiful in Kansas, Abilene boasts handsomely preserved historic architecture, thoughtfully designed public spaces, and rich presidential heritage. Dwight Eisenhower, one of three generals to hold the highest military rank in the history of the United States, was a son of the soil. To know more about his childhood years and personal side, visit the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum, one of a handful of presidential libraries under the auspices of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). There's the World’s Largest “I Like Ike” Button, created by local artist Jason Lahr, and several other mind-rousing art displays, including murals. Seelye Mansion, named an “8 Wonders of Kansas - Architecture”, is an evocative time capsule with home furnishings purchased at the historic 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. You can ride the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad to feel the younger version of America, then drop by Fuji Asian Kitchen for some tongue-tingling hibachi.

Leavenworth

Founded in the 1820s on the bluffs of the Missouri River and then established as a city in 1854, a Kansas first, Leavenworth has seen it all. Today, the “First City of Kansas” is the ideal place to explore the state's history and the area's other scattered attractions. The carousel museum, open Saturdays and Sundays, is typically a huge draw. The museum is run by volunteers and displays the oldest primitive carousel in the United States, as well as a 1950s aluminum Paul Parker Carousel. Meanwhile, Leavenworth Antique Mall is on Delaware Street and offers an incredible variety of unique treasures and vintage jewelry. Also, The Depot is a warm, casual eatery loved for its delicious meals, as it is for the historic train-themed atmosphere that envelops the space. Patrons particularly rave about the breakfast experience that it offers. On the wings of town is the historic Fort Leavenworth and the Frontier Army Museum, a cool place to learn about the birth of the West.

So, Kansas is not just about quirky roadside attractions, the stern, hazy beauty of the Flint Hills, or the many shimmering beauties that offer heart-dissolving sunsets. The truth is that the Sunflower State is scrumptiously pockmarked by a decent number of small, adorable towns, each of which has its own charm and character. Although it is hard to find consensus, any genuine list of the favorite Kansas towns will often feature the highlighted pack.