Veteran travelers know there’s no one better to show you around than a local. Follow the lead of these fine folks who will steer you toward a stylish boutique in Goodland, a painting-filled gallery in Lindsborg and a fantastic brewery in Pittsburg. Here are locals’ guides to six charming Kansas towns.

 

Local Insider: Suzie Conner
Owner, Terra Bona Bakery Cafe

Suzie Conner was exploring her new community of Goodland in the summer of 2023 when she stumbled into Terra Bona Hawaiian Shaved Ice and Coffee Company. When the owners of Terra Bona were ready to retire a few months later, Conner jumped on the chance to keep it going. Conner ran a catering business in Topeka before relocating to Goodland. Today, she stays busy running the newly branded Terra Bona Bakery Cafe. The shop still serves espresso-based drinks, but Conner expanded the menu to include baked goods, ice cream, and breakfast and lunch items. She also relocated Terra Bona to a larger space nearby.

When she’s not working at Terra Bona, Conner heads to L&T Family Restaurant for “the best fried chicken around.” Her other go-to spot: Tequilas Mexican Grill. “They have amazing margaritas,” Conner says. She also suggests popping into Lou Lou’s Boutique for gifts and women’s apparel. In Terra Bona’s new space, Conner plans to open a gift shop. “Goodland is such a cute town,” Conner says. “It has so much character with its mom-and-pop businesses.”

Scott City

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Local Insider: Barbara Shelton
Co-owner, Keysonte Gallery

If you’re looking to fill an afternoon in southwest Kansas, it’s no surprise that Barbara Shelton suggests getting out in nature—after all, it’s what attracted Shelton and her husband, Chuck Bonner, to the Scott City area in the first place. “We were always out here fossil hunting,” Shelton says, “so we looked for property.” That search led the couple to purchase a 1916 limestone church and transform it into Keystone Gallery, their home, art emporium and fossil museum that’s been open to guests for more than 30 years.

Fossil hunting is a tradition in Kansas, where prehistoric seas once covered the region, leaving behind traces of underwater life. Peruse Keystone’s fossilized squid and fish skulls, along with nature photography by Shelton and paintings by Bonner. If you want to delve deeper, Shelton suggests an El Quartelejo Museum bus tour to Historic Lake Scott State Park and other fossil-rich sites, as well as more fossil exhibits at Museum of the Great Plains in Leoti.

Local Insider: Evan Velasquez
Chef and Co-owner, of T-Lo's

After a combined 30 years of working in the Salina food service industry, Evan Velasquez and business partner Jordan Long craved a space where they could cook on their own terms. In 2023, the dream became a reality with T-Lo’s, a downtown spot known for its deliciously messy sandwiches. “We take pride in all of our creations, but the Chopped Cheese is one of our top sellers,” Velasquez says. Made with seasoned ground beef and a secret sauce, the one-time special became a mainstay.

Summing up Salina as having an “excellent balance of art, culture and eateries,” Velasquez recommends starting at Mokas Cafe. From there, he suggests checking out The Garage Automotive Museum and Rolling Hills Zoo. When Velasquez and Long aren’t at T-Lo’s, you may spot them digging into “the best crab rangoon” at Momoya Ramen and Sushi or wood- fired pizza at Blue Skye Brewery and Eats. And they’ll likely be tossing around ideas for their next game- changing sandwich. Our goal is to be a community staple,” Velasquez says.

Local Insider: Jim Richardson
Owner, Small World Gallery

Jim Richardson grew up on a Kansas farm and launched his globe- trotting photography career by capturing rural life with a camera. Even on far-flung National Geographic shoots, he stayed connected to Kansas. “Life on a wild Scottish island looks a lot like life in a small Kansas town,” Jim says. Small-town charms drew Jim and his wife, Kathy, to Lindsborg more than 25 years ago.

Today, they join forces at Small World Gallery, where Jim sells prints of his photography and Kathy crafts jewelry for sale. “Lindsborg has a long history of luring dreamers who hungered for a place on the prairie,” he says. “We wanted to be part of that dream.” If you’re exploring Lindsborg, “Visit the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery and feast your eyes on Sandzén’s oil paintings of the surrounding hills,” Jim says. Or Lester Raymer’s Red Barn Studio Museum to see how “the arts flourished in his imagination.” His other recommendations: Swedish pancakes at Crown and Rye, Swedish crafts at Hemslöjd and public art—like the whimsical herd of Wild Dala Horse sculptures scattered around town.

Local Insider: Barry "Wahsboard" Barnes
Zydeco Musician

Lawrence lifer and beloved busker Barry “Washboard” Barnes has made a career bringing smiles to his hometown, where you might spot him donning bib overalls, tie-dye Crocs and crazy hats. He’s a regular playing tunes on a corner of Mass Street or at the Lawrence Farmers’ Market—anywhere he can play his washboard and spread joy. On work days, Barnes is folding cards at the local Hallmark Production Center. After hours, he and his accordion partner jam as Zydeco Tougeau.

Barnes and his family hit up Biemer’s BBQ for roast beef and “the best fries in town,” burgers galore at The Burger Stand, and blackberry pie at Ladybird Diner. Barnes enjoys taking visitors to the Watkins Museum of History and showing them the statue of hometowner Langston Hughes, a big influence on Barnes’ own poetry. Also getting top billing: the Spencer Museum of Art’s rotating gallery and displays at KU Natural History Museum. Join Barnes and other performers at the annual Lawrence Busker Festival each May. “As a kid, I thought I would get out of this town when I grew up,” Barnes laughs. “It’s a really cool place to be!”

Local Insider: Heather Horton
Co-owner, TOAST

After growing up in Girard and graduating from Pittsburg State University, Heather Horton decided she “didn’t want to be another cog in the wheel in a big city.” She chose to make an impact by opening a cakery and cofounding Pittsburg ArtWalk, held every April and September to showcase local art and live music. Seeing the need for a farm-to-table restaurant in town, Horton and husband Roger founded TOAST, where they use seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to craft soups and salads, sandwiches made with artisanal breads, and toast plates like the popular lemon ricotta toast with jam.

"We love the brick-oven pizza at Drop the H Brewing Company. It has a little char on the crust that’s all bubbly and delicious.” Beyond the brews, Horton suggests seeing the two-headed calf at Crawford County Historical Museum, perusing good reads at Books and Burrow, and checking out downtown murals before relaxing by the waterfall wall at Europe Park.

To plan even more of your next Kansas adventure, crack open a copy of the Official 2025 Travel Guide.