Your Ultimate Guide To Winter Attractions And Activities In Kansas
Tori Jane
Author
If someone asked you to name the states that come to mind when someone says, “winter wonderland”, Kansas is, admittedly, not likely to be on that list. But hear us out: perhaps it should be. After all, there are plenty of things to do in Kansas in winter, and all these Kansas winter activities are a yearly tradition for lots of us. Why not make some of the most delightfully fun things to do in Kansas in winter your new traditions, too? After all, winter in Kansas is a breathtaking time of year. Check out our definitive guide to all things wintertime in the Sunflower State.
Holiday Events in Kansas
Kansas is a state that takes the holiday season very seriously – in the best ways, of course! No matter where you are or where you roam, you’re sure to find all kinds of holiday events, like Christmas lights displays, Christmas trees, tree lighting, holiday markets, and so much more. The holidays in Kansas are a vibrant time, despite the cold, and there are plenty of things to do and see in every city and town.
1. Christmas Lights Display: Manhattan Festival of Lights
The spellbinding Manhattan Festival of Lights is a wonderful experience for the whole family. Santa Claus himself will be attending and lighting the tree to kick everything off on Friday, November 24th, at 7 p.m. From there, local choirs, shops, eateries, and lights galore are to be expected. This one is one you won’t want to miss! For more information, including an events calendar to help you plan your visit during this holiday season, check out the official Manhattan Festival of Lights website. Come out and enjoy!
2. Tree Lighting: The Legendary Tree Lighting Ceremony
When we talk about the Legendary Tree Lighting Ceremony in Kansas, we’re talking about the BEST tree lighting ceremony in Kansas, hands down. It’s truly earned its moniker. This is one of the single most fun things to do with kids in Kansas during the holiday season, and it’s so much fun it might just become your new favorite tradition. There’s also an awesome synchronized light show on said tree (which is 45 feet tall, by the way) that you can tune into on your phone, and there will also be text-to-win giveaways for the shops all evening. Come out and enjoy!
3. Holiday Festivals: Christmas City of the High Plains
We’ll discuss WaKeeney in more detail here in a moment, but this small-town Kansas Christmas festival is something truly special. This year’s festivities take place on November 25th at the Trego County Fairgrounds. There, you’ll check out a winter market with numerous local vendors; the market is open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., so plan accordingly. There will also be a train ride, light displays, a tree lighting, and so much more. Truly, this is one unforgettably perfect holiday festival in Kansas the entire family will fall in love with. Dress warm and bring everyone you love – it's a blast. Plus, the whole town of WaKeeney is truly THE best Christmas town in the central United States. More on that in a bit!
Christmas Towns In Kansas
Truly, there might be no better way to immerse yourself in the beauty of winter than by visiting one (or all) of the best Christmas towns in Kansas. These places are like something out of a Normal Rockwell painting; they’re idyllic, postcard-worthy, and tend to go all-out for the holidays. Whether Main Street is decked out in stunning Christmas lights displays or the entire town square is saturated with the holiday spirit, these adorably festive Christmas towns in Kansas are absolutely worth a visit (or ten):
4. WaKeeney
WaKeeney is 100% THE official Christmas town of Kansas. It all started with a dream in 1948, when WaKeeney was called the “Christmas City of the High Plains”, an honor it holds to this day. With a famous, 35-foot-tall Christmas tree you’re sure to adore and a city center all lit up with lights, it’s impossible to mention winter towns in Kansas without naming WaKeeney first and foremost. Lights, decorations, and holiday spirit galore abound in this amazing town each and every year. It’s a must-do.
5. Lindsborg
The small town of Lindsborg is known for something very special: it’s the “Little Sweden” of the plains, and it’s such a quaint, cute little town you’re sure to feel like you’re not in Kansas anymore. Enjoy all sorts of magical holiday and cultural events in Lindsborg, like the Sandzen Holiday Gift Show, Annandag Jul, the St. Lucia Festival, and more. This little town is a gem all year long, but during the holidays, it truly shines.
6. Garden City
Dodge City is a beautiful little town in southwestern Kansas that turns into a veritable wonderland with every winter. There are, of course, Christmas lights and a holiday parade, plus all sorts of events, festivals and more during the entire season to keep your spirits bright. Perhaps best of – and most surprising – of all, there’s a rare Kansas indoor water park in town, so if you get tired of the cold, you can just pop into there for a last-second, more tropical Christmas.
7. Russell
Russell is one of those small towns that folks who aren’t local might not even know about at all. But, perhaps they should: Christmas in Russell, Kansas, is a special time, and this is one of those towns that loves going all-out. It’s home to the legendary Weihnachtsfest Christmas Festival every December, a lit-up Main Street, and so much more. This is a good one for those who would otherwise prefer to avoid the crowds in places like WaKeeney and Lindsborg. This is small-town Kansas at its best (and most cheerful).
Outdoor Activities In Kansas
Who says you need to remain cooped up inside the house when it’s cold outside? We sure don’t! After all, winter is seriously one of the best times to get out and enjoy the beauty that is the Sunflower State. Did you know that there are countless Kansas winter activities that you can easily (and comfortably, given that you dress warmly) take part in this season? Totally! Explore some of the best outdoor attractions in Kansas during the winter. You never know what kind of adventures you can have.
8. Ice Skating: Chicken N Pickle
Chicken N Pickle is a fun chain that’s increasing in popularity across the United States, and here in Kansas, it’s actually home to one of the only ice skating rinks in the entire state! Keep an eye on the official Chicken N Pickle website for the most up-to-date hours and dates for this year’s rink.
9. Sledding: Various Epic Hills and Adventures
The average annual snowfall in Kansas isn’t terribly enormous, evening out at around 19 inches per year. Of course, this varies depending on where you are – areas like Parsons will see 11 inches while Goodland might see up to 40. That being said, there are still some positively delightful sledding hills in Kansas where you can happily unleash your inner child. Most of them are located in eastern Kansas and/or Kansas City, but if you’re smart, you’ll find some just about anywhere you’ll find snow. Life, uh... life finds a way.
10. Winter Hikes: Clinton Lake and Beyond
Clinton Lake is incredibly photogenic all year, but when there’s a fresh layer of snow on the ground, it’s especially magical. The snowy, frozen lake is gorgeous to behold, and the park itself is also incredibly beautiful, so don’t leave the camera behind for this one. There are perhaps many dozens of winter hikes in Kansas that showcase the beauty of winter in the Sunflower State; explore them all!
11. Winter Camping: Crawford State Park and Beyond
Fun fact: Kansas’s state parks are open year-round, and so too are many of the parks' campgrounds. For example, Crawford State Park offers beautiful lakeside camping snow or shine, and the jaw-droppingly photogenic nature of the lake (especially when covered in snow and ice) is something to behold. You’ll love waking up to sights like these... even when it’s cold outside! Sunrise and sunset on the lake are both splendid, and there really is just something about the tranquility of winter that makes our state parks especially lovely when it’s chilly outside. Viva la snowfall – we can have a wonderful time no matter what. Be sure to check out all the best state parks in Kansas to visit in the winter for even more jaw-dropping winter wonderlands that show off the beauty of the Sunflower State.
Winter Getaways In Kansas
Few things are more wonderful than a wintertime escape, don’t you think? Kansas is a veritable winter wonderland, as you can tell now, and there’s no shortage of destinations to make for the perfect trip for one (or two!) to get away from it all. You’ll find all sorts of options, from resorts and historic beds and breakfasts to hotels, cabins, hot springs, and everything in between. Check out the amazing variety of winter attractions in Kansas that are sure to beckon you to return each and every season as soon as it starts getting a little chilly outside.
12. Warm, Cozy Cabin: Prairie Hill Vineyard
Prairie Hill Vineyard is one of Kansas’s best wineries, and it’s open all year. In the winter, it turns into a wonderland, offering up one of the coziest winter cabins you’ll ever stay at. With a beautiful view of the vineyards and gardens that’s especially pristine after a snowfall, you’ll never want to leave. Be sure to visit the official Prairie Hill Vineyard website to book your stay well in advance. The earlier, the better!
13. Hot Tubs: A Rustic Vacation Home Rental
There are a surprising number of vacation rentals with hot tubs in Kansas, and honestly, all of them make for an idyllic winter getaway in the Sunflower State. Take, for example, this absolutely heavenly vacation home with a hot tub in Edson, Kansas. If you’ve never soaked in the comfortably hot water of a hot tub while surrounded by brisk, chilly winter air, you’ve never lived! This, and many other awesome, one-of-a-kind Kansas vacation rentals, are perfect for the occasion.
14. Winter Resort: Acorns
Sure, Kansas may not have any alpine slopes or ski resorts to speak of, but that doesn’t mean the Sunflower State isn’t still home to the perfect resort escape for winter shenanigans! Visit the beautiful Acorns Resort, which is nestled right up on Milford Lake. Winters here are cold and dry, but if you’re lucky, you just might end up here following a rare snowstorm – in which case you’re in for an even better time. Don’t expect any of the cold white stuff, but bundle up – it's still cold out here, and we think you’ll be spending plenty of time outdoors by the lake during your stay.
15. To Pretend It’s Summer: Parrot Cove
How about a very untraditional option? If you’re tired of the cold and just wish summer would come back, you might enjoy a day spent at this epic indoor water park in Kansas. It is the only park of its kind in the entire Sunflower State, and the fun never ends, no matter how old you are! Come on in: the water is a pleasant 84 degrees. The slides are a blast, the pools are refreshing, and you’ll never see winter the same way again once you realize you can play at a water park all day even in January.
Honestly, Kansas is so much more amazing in the winter than most folks (even locals) tend to give it credit for. Turns out, the Sunflower State is a hidden gem filled with some wonderfully magical wintertime attractions, all of which are worthy of a trip! Whether you’ve lived in Kansas all your life, are planning to move out here, or are just visiting, you’re sure to find all sorts of things that make up the picture-perfect winter you’ve always hoped for. What are your favorite winter attractions in Kansas? Let us know!
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