8 Overlooked Towns In Kansas Worth Visiting

Kansas has numerous small towns that are easy to overlook on the map; however, they are worth a second look and should be on your next travel destination list. These places, all with fewer than 50,000 residents, sit between major highways and expansive fields, yet each one boasts museums, excellent dining options, local shops, and stories that make a short trip worthwhile. Some have strong art communities. Some keep elements of frontier life alive. Others mix old streets with modern shops. Here are eight Kansas towns where a weekend feels easy and completely packed with fun and excitement.

Hays

Hays began as a frontier stop for Fort Hays and the early railroad. This area drew workers, soldiers, immigrants, and plenty of curious travelers. You can see more of Hays' early history at the Fort Hays State Historic Site. The site features restored buildings, walking paths, exhibits about soldiers and settlers, and the enormous Monarch on the Plains sculpture by Pete Felten. Plus, don't miss checking out the live bison across the street in Frontier Park. The Sternberg Museum of Natural History is another major stop, with large fossil displays, marine reptiles, and hands-on exhibits about the Great Plains. The museum's fish-within-a-fish fossil is one of its most recognized pieces.

Modern Hays has a strong arts and dining scene due to Fort Hays State University. You can easily spend an afternoon going around the town admiring all the street murals and Pete Felten sculptures. Plus, you can walk the Chestnut Street District for shops and local food. Las Hefas Latín Cuisine is a fantastic place to eat lunch for authentic South American food, and Gella's Diner serves homemade bierocks and craft beers that rotate with the seasons. The Avid Hays Hotel offers close access to the highway.

Lucas

Lucas is the home of quirky art. The Garden of Eden is the highlight, built by S.P. Dinsmoor in the early 1900s. The concrete sculptures fill the yard and porch, and tours explain the symbolism and stories behind them. Bowl Plaza is a mosaic-covered public restroom shaped like a toilet bowl. You haven't visited Lucas without taking a selfie in the restroom! The Grassroots Art Center showcases bottle folk art, carved figures, and giant mixed-media works by self-taught Kansas artists.

Across the street is the World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things; just saying, that's a tongue twister; you have to go inside to see this interactive roadside attraction. Walk around the small downtown to see more street murals and unusual art displays. Hungry? Stop at Brant's Market for delicious sausage and cheeses to munch on while you are enjoying the numerous art creations around town. Stay overnight at the Midland Railroad Hotel in nearby Wilson, and make sure to see the World's Largest Hand-Painted Czech Egg.

Lindsborg

Swedish immigrants founded Lindsborg, and the town still celebrates that heritage. The Lindsborg Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Museum covers the history of early milling and immigration. You can also see colorful public art pieces shaped like wild Dala horses along Main Street. Make sure to stop in the cute shops, including Hemslöjd for carved wood, Small World Gallery for jewelry and photography (Jim Richardson, National Geographic photographer), and So-Sweetish for Lordagsgodis "Saturday Sweets", a beloved tradition in Sweden.

Blacksmith Coffee & Roastery offers lattes, pastries, and sandwiches. Stop at Öl Stuga for an after-dinner drink or watch a sports game with the locals. And if the weather is nice, take a bicycle ride around downtown. For lodging, stay at the Dröm Sött for a Swedish-style inn and breakfast.

Abilene

Abilene grew with the cattle trade before becoming known as Dwight Eisenhower's hometown. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home is the center of most visits. Exhibits cover his early life, military service, World War II planning, and presidency. There is so much history here in Abilene, from the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad that runs historic trains during the warmer months to the Seelye Mansion, where on the tour you'll see original Edison light fixtures, a ballroom, and even a historic bowling alley.

You can also visit the Heritage Center to see more pioneer displays and ride the C.W. Parker Carousel. Outdoor enthusiasts will love Eisenhower Park and the Abilene Cowboy Boots Trail. For meals, try the fried chicken dinner at Brookville Restaurant and TapHouse Bar & Grill, which follows a long-running Kansas recipe for fried chicken.

Dodge City

Dodge City started with saloons, cattle drives, and the stories of lawmen. You can see that history at the Boot Hill Museum, which has Old West exhibits and a recreated Front Street. In summer, the museum hosts gunfight reenactments and chuckwagon dinners. The Mueller-Schmidt House Museum showcases daily life in the late 1800s, and you can walk the Dodge City Trail of Fame to see markers, statues, and plaques honoring historic figures.

Other things to do when visiting include stopping at the Depot Theater, which offers local performances in a historic train station, and, if you want an authentic cowboy hat, head to El Jalisciense Western Wear. Outdoor lovers will enjoy walking the long trail around Wright Park Zoo. When you get hungry, stop at Casey's Cowtown Club serving Kansas steaks, hand-cut fries, and ribs. Stay at the Hampton Inn or La Quinta Inn.

Salina

Salina became a major stopping point for travelers moving across central Kansas. The city grew with farming, trade, and the arrival of the railroad. Today, it blends its historic core with strong art spaces and a lively downtown. Start your day at Ad Astra Books & Coffee Shop before you head out to explore Salina with an espresso. There is so much to see downtown, with all the art galleries, public sculptures, and large murals that are added each year at the Boom! Salina Street Art and Mural Festival. Another cool stop in town is the Smoky Hill Museum, which features hands-on exhibits on prairie settlement and city growth.

For lunch, stop into the Cozy Inn, a well-known joint for its onion aroma and tiny hamburgers, cooked on the same grill style since 1922. Families will also love visiting Rolling Hills Zoo for giraffes, lions, rhinos, and indoor wildlife exhibits, as well as the Kenwood Cove water park, which opens during the summer months. Stay at Courtyard by Marriott, Homewood Suites, or one of the smaller inns close to downtown to make the most of your stay in Salina.

Liberal

Liberal started with ranching and railroad traffic, then expanded during World War II when aviation training arrived. For a small town, Liberal offers a wealth of activities, including the Mid America Air Museum, which features over 100 aircraft, ranging from fighter jets to vintage planes and helicopters. And don't forget to stop at Dorothy's House, and the Land of Oz, a large building that has recreated scenes that you walk through, along with tons of memorabilia from The Wizard of Oz.

Other places to see while you're in town include the Coronado Museum, which shares the history of early exploration and local stories. For food, try some amazing barbecue at BrickHouse BBQ & Brew, and visit The Pancake House for big breakfasts and homemade syrup. This is a must since the International Pancake Hall of Fame is located here as well. Visitors often stay at the Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, or Best Western Plus.

Cottonwood Falls

Cottonwood Falls grew along the Cottonwood River and became the center of ranching and trade in Chase County. The 1873 Chase County Courthouse is still in use and is one of the oldest operating courthouses in Kansas. Its spiral iron staircase and native limestone walls make it a rare example of early county architecture. The river sits a short walk from Broadway Street, and visitors can reach the small waterfalls near the bridge on Mill Street. The town sits at the edge of the Flint Hills, which holds some of the last tallgrass prairie left in North America. Most travelers use Cottonwood Falls as a base for the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, located a few miles north of town. The preserve has the three-mile Southwind Nature Trail, the Scenic Overlook Trail, and the historic 1881 Spring Hill Ranch House.

In town, the Grand Central Hotel and Grill offers lodging, steaks, and simple American plates in a historic limestone building. Visitors can also walk Broadway Street to browse shops such as Tallgrass Antiques and must-see spots like the gallery at the Flint Hills Studio. For a more thorough view of the area, drivers can take the Flint Hills Scenic Byway, which begins near Cottonwood Falls and continues north through open prairie views.

Discover the Heart of Kansas

These Kansas towns offer jam-packed weekends built around museums, food, art, and local history. Each one has a clear point of interest, from frontier artifacts to tallgrass prairies, quirky art, and aviation collections. They are perfect for travelers who want easy streets to navigate, local restaurants, and places where Kansas's character is up front and center. You'll end up leaving saying, "Wow, who knew that this was here in Kansas!" Now, you do!