Visit These 12 Incredible Charming Small Towns in Kansas, One for Each Month of the Year

So many great small towns in Kansas are worth a visit. If your New Year's resolution is to head out and explore the Sunflower State, I've got just the mission for you! How about adventuring to a new small town each month? I've gathered up a few of my favorites and scheduled them throughout the year for you. It doesn't even really matter what time of year you show up: all of these small towns in Kansas are 100 percent adventure-worthy!

January: Mission Hills

Mission Hills is a suburb of Kansas City and one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the United States. If you love seeing beautiful architecture, driving around the town's luxurious homes is a magical way to spend an afternoon. It's always fun to daydream, and I have a strange love for beautiful homes. You'll find plenty here!

February: Abilene

Abilene grew into a cattle-shipping town and has become one of Kansas's most beautiful small towns. It's probably most famous as the boyhood home of President Dwight Eisenhower, so there are plenty of historic attractions to see here. With a population of just over 6,500, it's a charming place and an awesome way to spend a whole day.

March: Baxter Springs

Baxter Springs is smaller than Abilene, but it's just as delightful. If you love history, you do not want to miss the town of Baxter Springs. It's got some of the most amazing historical sites in Kansas. Route 66 is probably the most famous highway in the nation, and Baxter Springs is right along this well-known route! Why not take a nice, relaxing drive on Route 66 and visit this delightful little place?

April: Cottonwood Falls

Cottonwood Falls has a charming little downtown area perfect for an afternoon excursion. It's home to the oldest courthouse in Kansas that's still in use. A walk through this area is perfect for April when the weather's warming up and the skies are bright blue. Temperatures are mild, and the further into the spring we get, the more vivid the brilliant greens and wildflowers that come bursting to life after a season of silence.

May: Council Grove

Council Grove has been nationally recognized as one of the best small towns in America. It's tucked away in the lovely Flint Hills region and home to the oldest operating restaurant west of the Mississippi River, the Hays House. Established in 1857, this little hole-in-the-wall might be rural, but my goodness, it's so very worth the trip!

June: Lindsborg

Lindsborg is perhaps the most unique town in America. Swedish immigrants founded the town as we know it, and it's easy to see why it's nicknamed "Little Sweden." Visit in June and enjoy the Midsummer's Festival, one of the town's biggest events. The whole community comes together to celebrate, and it's a must-do for Kansan natives and visitors alike.

July: Wamego

The piece of pop culture most associated with Kansas is "The Wizard of Oz." If you're looking for Oz-themed attractions, there are plenty to see in the little town of Wamego. It's home to a great Oz museum and so much more. For once, you can't really say, "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore." You are, and it's amazing.

August: Cawker City

One of the best festivals in Kansas takes place each August at Twine-a-Thon in Cawker City. This fun event centers around the town's claim to fame, the largest ball of twine in the entire world! Trust me, it's way more fun than it sounds like it probably should be; it's fun for the whole family, and it's sure to become a tradition in yours.

September: Fort Scott

Fort Scott is home to the historic fort that shares its name. The fort was established in 1842 and now features a wonderful historic site, plus a hauntingly beautiful cemetery. The town's downtown area is also charming and worth a visit. You don't have to be a history buff to love it; I'm sure everyone will find a reason to fall in love with old Fort Scott.

October: Woodbine

The fall festival in Woodbine, Kansas, is so much fun! There's a great car show, plenty of vendors selling their wares, historical reenactments, and much more. The festival takes place each October. When folks think about autumn, they don't usually think of Kansas, but it's an amazing place this time of year. Just wait until you experience it!

November: Elk Falls

Elk Falls is a small town with a great sense of humor. Each November, the town hosts an Outhouse Tour and Festival that's likely the only one of its kind in the world. To say it's tiny is an understatement; as of the 2020 census, just over 110 people lived in town permanently. The population increases each year when folks flock from all over to experience the Outhouse Festival.

December: WaKeeney

WaKeeney's population is under 2,000, though it's nicknamed The Christmas Town of the High Plains for a reason. This is the most magical Christmas town in Kansas, and it looks like a gingerbread village come to life. Wintertime in Kansas is amazing, and I think WaKeeney makes for the ideal winter destination.

Have you ever visited any of these great small towns in Kansas? Do you know of any others you recommend that our readers should experience this year? For more, discover the most exciting things to do in Kansas to add to your bucket list.