Kansas has a lot of counties, each with their fair share of towns and cities that help make our state a great place. Small towns full of charm dot the landscape like stars, and it's no wonder that a few of them fall through the cracks as we explore. This small town is saturated with history, friendly people, and places that'll make you fall in love with this charming small town.
Welcome to the beautiful town of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. It's been here ever since the first settlement in 1854 near the Cottonwood River. It's a town of about 850 residents, but it's more active than it seems.
Most notable in the town is the 1873 Chase County Courthouse. It's not only known as the oldest operating courthouse in the whole state, but it's also the most beautiful — if you ask me.
The local history museum shows you the town's history and its part in early Kansas development. After all, each and every one of Kansas' oldest towns played their part in keeping the state thriving and full of settlers.
Besides the history of this town itself, there's an antique store called Tallgrass Antiques that has furniture of all sorts with the same history you'll fall in love with around town. If you like old furniture and decorations, you'll want to visit.
Of course, you can't really visit Cottonwood Falls without seeing the falls themselves. You can also visit Chase State Fishing Lake for an equally relaxing waterfall if you'd like to squeeze two waterfalls into your visit — and who wouldn't want two waterfalls?
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is a beautiful piece of the Flint Hills near Cottonwood Falls that attracts plenty of attention throughout the year. Enjoy hiking trails and this well-preserved old schoolhouse.
Another great thing about small towns is their local restaurants. Grand Central Grill is a favorite of mine, and this pork tenderloin sandwich is a big part of that. They're closed on Sundays but open for most daylight hours during the week.
While you could just spend a day here and drive back home, you could also spend the night at the Millstream Resort in either a cabin or a regular motel style room.
Whether you love old decor, local history, or simply exploring somewhere new, Cottonwood Falls is just a drive away.
Cottonwood Falls sits in eastern Kansas, just west of Emporia.
If you need a shorter trip than a whole town, why not check out this restaurant that's Kansas to the core?
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