These 8 Towns In Kansas Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2026

Kansas's best small towns take travelers on a journey through scenic roads, and the scenery isn't at all what one would expect. Wamego, for example, follows the yellow brick road through the magical story of the Wizard of Oz. Meanwhile, Lucas displays the offbeat artwork of grassroots artists right off its main roads, and Marquette guides one to mushroom-shaped natural rock formations. These Kansas towns aren't just roadside attractions; they were ranked among the US favorites in 2026.

Marquette

Marquette sits in the Smoky Hills, an upland portion of the Great Plains, and is one of the most scenic nature towns in Kansas. It's home ot the first state park in Kansas: Kanopolis State Park, from where one can hike through sandstone bluffs or fish at a 3,500-acre lake. This park is also home to a population of western diamondback rattlesnakes, which are believed to have been brought there illegally. Although venomous, these snakes aren't known for being aggressive. The area is a great place to go camping, explore caves, or look for prairie dogs. Close by to this park is one of Kansas' most unusual rock formations, at Mushroom Rock State Park. These rock formations are made out of ancient sand and sediments, but closely resemble mushrooms. In town, cyclists can see a vast collection of motorcycles at the Kansas Motorcycle Museum.

Fort Scott

Fort Scott has seen all sides of Kansas history, both the good and the bad. In 1842, the town was established as a border fort, but within a decade, it became a center of conflict between pro slavery and anti slavery settlers during the Bleeding Kansas incident, which was one of the causes of the American Civil War. Visitors can learn about this fort's role in that conflict, the American Civil War, and Native American conflicts at the Fort Scott National Historic Site. This community is also home to one of the most famous photographers in America, Gordon Parks, who focused on the experience of African Americans in the US. The Gordon Parks Museum preserves his work through personal photos, awards, and his personal items. Hikers and bikers can get outdoors with the Gunn Park and the Bleeding Kansas Trail.

Wamego

One of the most famous lines mentioning Kansas comes from The Wizard of Oz when Dorothy declares, "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." Visitors to Wamego can step right into the story of The Wizard of Oz at the Oz Museum. Situated in an enchanted green and yellow building, visitors can walk down the yellow brick road and see artifacts from the movie, early copies of the novel, and props from the Wicked musical. Oz fans can take photos of the Totos Around Town, statues made by local artists of Dorothy's dog. On the historical side, Wamego was one of the stops on the 19th-century Oregon Trail. Part of that trail is preserved through the Oregon Trail Nature Park. Hikers can go to the top of Mount Mitchell, part of the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area, for views of undisturbed native prairie.

Atchison

Atchison is a memorable town that inspires both awe and fear through its heart-pounding stories and legends. Its most famous resident was Amelia Earhart, who was born here in 1897 and went on to become the most celebrated female pilot, before disappearing in 1937 during a flight in the Pacific Ocean. Her home has been restored as the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum, while Muriel, the world’s last remaining Lockheed Electra 10-E and an aircraft identical to the one she flew on her final mission, is the centerpiece of the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum at Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport. Places. Atchison is also a big hot spot for allegedly haunted places. Daring guests can tour or book overnight stays at haunted sites such as the 1889 McInteer Villa and the Sallie House. The Sallie House, a small home in Atchison, is tied to local legends involving Dr. Charles Finney and a girl named Sallie, and it is available for daytime visits and overnight stays.

Lindsborg

Lindsborg has a distinctly Swedish and Scandinavian vibe to it, which comes from its large population of Swedish immigrants. That heritage can be found all throughout the community with its "herds' of Dala horses. These are colorful horse sculptures originally from Sweden, which are located throughout the town and can be located through the Wild Dala Search website or by going on the Swedish Scavenger Hunt to discover all the little Swedish references in the community. Each October in odd-numbered years, the community celebrates its Swedish roots via the Svensk Hyllningsfest, with Swedish folk dancing, music, parades, and Swedish cooking. Interestingly, one of the region's most popular legends is not Swedish but rather Spanish. At Coronado Heights, locals say that Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado came here in search of a hidden city of gold. Spanish chainmail and coins have been found at the site, lending some credence to the story. Today, the Coronado Castle, built by the Works Progress Administration in 1936, stands atop the hill and makes for a grand photo op.

Lucas

Many towns have art galleries, but few can boast the quirky and offbeat grassroots art installations of Lucas. In 1907, Civil War veteran Samuel Perry Dinsmoor used local materials to begin work on the Garden of Eden, which was finished in 1932. These concrete and native post-rock structures reflect Samuel Perry Dinsmoor’s visionary, religious, and political ideas. Visitors can tour his cabin home in addition to taking photos of the sculptures, or they can learn about modern grassroots arts in Kansas at the Grassroots Art Center or at Switchgrass, which currently features 21 artists and more than 1,000 pieces of art. Lucas isn't just dedicated to the arts; it also has one of the oldest meat markets in the US through Brant's Market, which has been in business selling bologna and sausage since 1922.

Oakley

Near the town's center stands a bronze statue of famed showman Buffalo Bill. From the name Oakley, one might assume it was named after Annie Oakley, but it actually got its name from founder Judge David D. Hoag's mother in 1885. Regardless, the town offers beautiful western charm, with western artifacts and information at the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center and the free Fick Fossil & History Museum. This museum houses more than 11,000 fossilized shark teeth and a mosasaur skull, alongside replicas of the first depot and general store in Oakley. Many of the area's fossils were found in the Monument Rocks, a 70-foot-tall chalk formation that formed during the Cretaceous Period 80 million years ago. They have been declared the first National Natural Landmark in the state.

Galena

Galena is the perfect town for a road trip, as it sits on the stunning Route 66, which goes from Chicago to Santa Monica, California. The town was put on the map by the Pixar Film Cars, as the character Mater was inspired by a tow truck that director John Lasseter saw at the Kan-O-Tex Service Station. Today, visitors can snap a photo next to that truck, along with many other recreations of the car character from the movies throughout the town, through the Cars on the Route. The town is proud of its old-timey gas stations, which is why it has restored several of them, including the Gearhead Curios located in a 1939 Texaco station, which features a Tourist Information Center, and a 22-foot-tall sculpture of a muffler man known as Big A, the Texaco Giant. Visitors can learn about Galena's mining history at the Galena Mining & Historical Museum or enjoy a picnic at Schermerhorn Park along Shoal Creek.

Memorable Kansas Adventures

Across these communities, travelers can have all manner of adventures. In Lindsborg's case, that adventure can involve discovering Swedish Dala horses with a scavenger hunt, while Wamego takes travelers through the wonderful land of Oz. Daring adventurers can tackle the challenging trails of Kanopolis State Park, or book a stay at one of the allegedly haunted homes in Atchison. Children will be delighted to see the Cars characters in Galena, but anyone can get in touch with their inner child while visiting all of the enchanted prairies, castles, and museums in these memorable Kansas towns.