Kansas Just Wouldn’t Be The Same Without These 6 Charming Small Towns

We love our bigger cities in Kansas, but let's face it: the Sunflower State's heart and soul is in the small towns. It's tough to pick a favorite with all the small towns that populate our great state, but we picked six of our favorite small towns in Kansas. If these places didn't exist, Kansas just wouldn't be the same!

1. Abilene (2021 population: 6,468)

Abilene was actually named the most beautiful small town in Kansas. In addition to gorgeous natural scenery, it's also full of history. The boyhood home of President Dwight Eisenhower is located here, and Abilene was also an important cattle town back in the Wild West days.

2. Cottonwood Falls (2021 population: 821)

Cottonwood Falls doesn't have much in the way of population, but there's a surprising amount to do here. The downtown area is home to the oldest courthouse in Kansas that's still being used.

3. Council Grove (2021 population: 2,111)

Another small Kansas town with lots of history is the delightful Council Grove. It's tucked away in the gorgeous Flint Hills region and was part of the pioneer-era Santa Fe Trail.

4. Fort Scott (2021 population: 7,513)

Fort Scott may not be quite as small as some of the other towns on this list, but don't worry, it's full of quaint charm! It's home to one of the most historic military forts in Kansas, and was also a major railroad hub.

5. Lindsborg (2021 population: 3,496)

Nicknamed "America's Little Sweden," Lindsborg is an absolutely adorable town nestled in the central portion of the state. There's a lot of history here, and plenty of culture.

6. Lucas (2021 population: 337)

Lucas is most definitely among the most unique towns in Kansas. If you love art, you won't want to miss a visit to this quirky town, which is obsessed with folk art. There's plenty of found object art here and it's certainly unlike anywhere else in the state.

Obviously, there are too many great small towns in Kansas for us to name them all. Did we forget any of your favorites? Share your suggestions in the comments and you may see them featured in a future article!