Liberal Is a Walkable Town in Kansas Known for Its Wizard of Oz Ties

There's certainly no shortage when it comes to charming small towns in Kansas. With literally hundreds of little towns scattered all over the state, you can't go wrong; many of these towns are walkable, too, meaning that owning a vehicle isn't always necessary in the Sunflower State. You might need one for traveling from town to town, but within city limits, you're golden. One such town is Liberal, Kansas - a town as scenic as it is walkable. Let's explore!

With a population of just about 20,000 people, Liberal got its name thanks to the generosity of the settlers who landed there. It's a quirky town, complete with restaurants, eateries, shops, trails, traditions, and so much more; the list of fun stuff to do here is long and nearly endless. It's tough to get bored somewhere like this!

No matter where you begin, you can walk just about anywhere in town if you want to. Meander downtown and hit the shops and eateries; you'll find all sorts of one-of-a-kind places here that you won't find elsewhere. One of my all-time favorite restaurants is in Liberal: the to-die-for Cattleman's II Cafe. Have dinner there, and then pick a local shop or bakery for dessert.

When people are asked to think about Kansas, they'll often bring up The Wizard of Oz, and Liberal is the place to be for fans of the film or book. Here, you'll find Dorothy's House and the Land of Oz - a real-life yellow-brick road that starts off a fully immersive tour of the home of Dorothy Gale, the story's heroine.

Another delightfully unique aspect of the town of Liberal is its love of pancakes. You read that right: Liberal, Kansas is a pancake lovers' dream. Each and every year, the town hosts a big feast and race for International Pancake Day, which is absolutely a thing. Another must-see in Liberal is the beautiful Arkalon Park. With camping, fishing, and hiking galore, you can't go wrong - especially as a nature lover. One of Kansas's best water parks is in Liberal, too - in the summer, be sure to visit Adventure Bay.

Finally, there's one more item that absolutely belongs on your must-do list: the Cimarron National Grasslands, located just outside of town. It's astonishingly beautiful, 100-percent pure Kansas, and it's a must.

While you're exploring this beautiful small town in Kansas, be sure to find a unique place to stay through our friends at VRBO. You'll be amazed at all the options you'll discover there - who needs an old-fashioned hotel when you can have a glamping experience instead? And don't worry about a rental car - in Liberal, you won't need it. You will need a sense of adventure, though. Discover yours by using our new Travel Planner!