Ten small towns in Kansas to include on your summer road trip in the Sunflower State

With the warmer months of the year approaching, and summer vacation plans afoot, it can be hard to narrow down the best way to spend time with friends and loved ones.

One way to celebrate a much-needed time out of the office this season is behind the wheel, enjoying the freedom of the open road and interesting stops that come your way.

In Kansas, some of the most interesting stops come via hard-to-beat small town atmospheres that are rich in culture and history, with unique forms of entertainment and recreation.

So, pack some sunscreen, swing by your favorite convenience store, grab your favorite snacks and buckle up. Here's a list of 10 small town stops to add on your summer road trip in the Sunflower State.

Lindsborg

Population: 3,776

Best known for: Its reputation as "Little Sweden, U.S.A."

Lindsborg is full of Swedish history with a lively scene of arts and entertainment surrounding the culture to this day. About 1/3 of its population is of Swedish descent.

Events throughout the year like Våffeldagen (waffle day), the St. Lucia Festival, and Svensk Hyllningsfest continue to celebrate the town's Swedish heritage. Among the town's historical architecture, food and festivals are local shops and restaurants like Blacksmith Coffee Shop & Roastery, which have a strong reputation throughout the region.

Lindsborg is one of two small towns on this list recently named by Travel Awaits on its list of "14 Best Small Towns to Visit in the U.S."

Great Bend

Population: 14,733

Best known for: Kansas Wetlands and aviation history

There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors in the Sunflower State, and at Great Bend, this is no exception. The Kansas Wetlands and Cheyenne Bottoms are known to attract hundreds of birds during migration seasons. And the summer months provide opportunities for compelling tours of the natural scenery.

Visitors can dive into World War II and aviation history at the Great Bend B-29 Memorial Plaza. A famous Kansan from Great Bend, Jack Kilby, who won a Nobel Prize, is memorialized in the Barton County Courthouse.

Local wine cellars, restaurants and sweet shops keep the town busy with visitors and are favorites among locals, too.

Atchison

Population: 10,885

Best known for: Birthplace of Amelia Earheart, paranormal activities

Aviation history is rich throughout Kansas, and in this town close to the Kansas-Missouri border, people can celebrate one of the most influential women in aviation.

Each year in July, the Amelia Earheart Festival takes place with concerts, food, events and other ways to get out and enjoy the historic town.

There are a number of historical museums, old architecture shown through local homes and buildings, riverwalk scenery and local shops that make the quaint town emulate all of the right Midwest vibes.

There is even an opportunity to see what's known as one of the "most haunted places in the Midwest" through a "Haunted Trolley Tour."

Cottonwood Falls

Population: 851

Best known for: Recreation in the Flint Hills

Breaking the age-old stereotype that Kansas is all flatland, this quaint town in the Flint Hills provides for some of the best outdoor recreation in the state. The nearby tallgrass prairies provide for hiking and wildlife observation. In late spring and early summer, the waterfalls at Chase State Fishing Lake are in full motion.

Just two miles away is Strong City, another municipality sharing similar small-town qualities of Cottonwood Falls. Enjoy local concerts, art shops, antique stores, a historic downtown and uniquely designed Chase County Courthouse. The courthouse is the oldest one still operational in the state of Kansas.

Abilene

Population: 6,460

Best known for: The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, Boyhood home

Abilene is former U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower's hometown. He was once quoted saying "The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene." The Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home is full of history and information about the former WWII general and U.S. President.

Beyond the Eisenhower name, the town is known for the Seelye Mansion, the Greyhound Hall of Fame, and a rich railroad and Western history.

The Abilene and Smokey Valley Railroad and Old Abilene Town allow visitors to dive deep into the western history of the town. Recently, the town added the World's Largest Belt Buckle to its repertoire of unique attractions.

Abilene is the second entry on this list named on Travel Awaits list of "14 Best Small Towns to Visit in the U.S." Abilene was the number one entry on the list.

Colby

Population: 5,426

Best known for: The Cooper Barn, Western history

This prairie town is seemingly in the middle of nowhere. But like most of the Midwest, that's where hidden gems reside.

The Cooper Barn is the largest barn in Kansas and has been named one of the Wonders of Kansas. Near the barn is the Prairie Museum of Art and History, where information about the region's agricultural influence and significance is showcased.

Each year in July, the Pickin' on the Plains Bluegrass Festival hosts a variety of events to enjoy.

Fort Scott

Population: 7,552

Best known for: The Army's history at Fort Scott

This is the Kansas small-town destination for history buffs. An Army fort, Fort Scott, was active there from 1842 to 1843. Among other significances, it played a role in the American Civil War.

Spread throughout the town are several landmarks with historical significance. The most popular attraction is the Fort Scott National Historical Site.

Along with historical buildings and architecture, the town offers museums, shops and parks with recreational activities like fishing and boating at Lake Fort Scott.

Dodge City

Population: 27,788

Best known for: Wild West history and attractions

Though the term "get out of Dodge" originates from here, there are a few reasons why one might want to "stay in Dodge."

In the late 1800s, the city was known as a "wicked" city full of cowboys, gunslingers and gamblers. Attractions in the town today offer the opportunity to go back in time to the Wild West and the days of the outlaw.

The town features historic buildings and museums where people can learn about and be truly immersed in Old West history.

Other attractions include breweries and distilleries, a western-themed water park, old general stores, saloons and more.

St. Marys

Population: 2,759

Best known for: Catholic Church-influenced architecture, Native American history

Between the larger towns of Manhattan and Topeka sits St. Marys. The city's history and Catholic architecture are defining points of the quaint town off US-24.

The Oregon Trail Nature Park and Silo Murual, Lois Vieux Historical Site, and the St. Marys Indian Pay Station Museum Complex provide a lot of educational opportunities.

St. Marys College and the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church are architectural gems in the town.

Norton

Population: 2,747

Best known for: Natural scenery and some of the best Kansas camping locations

Norton is a quaint small town near the Nebraska border. Like most entries on this list, it features a historic downtown with a variety of local shops and restaurants.

Nearby is Prairie Dog State Park and Sebelius Reservoir, which provide for outdoor activities like hunting, hiking, boating, camping, fishing, among other sports and recreational opportunities.

In town, you can find impressive art galleries and museums, and a replica of an 1800s stagecoach.

Kendrick Calfee has been a reporter for the Salina Journal since 2022. You can reach him at kcalfee@gannett.com or on Twitter @calfee_kc.

This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Road trip in Kansas? Here are 10 small town stops to add