Kansas is absolutely full of small towns in many sizes, whether you want thousands of residents or just a couple hundred. These small towns in Kansas are perfect ways to start your exploration in the new year, especially if you've been wanting to visit new places anyways. Let's see some of our picks for the new year.

1. Assaria

Assaria is a tiny town with around 400 residents, which means it's a little quieter than you'd like, but that only leaves you more room to explore at your own pace. Maybe you'll feel right at home in a quieter place?

2. Russell

Russell is a small Kansas town that's known for its hospitality and charming people, though you'll also find that the rich history and 4,500 or so people living within it are equally important. We also have a soft spot for Meridy's Restaurant as well.

3. Cottonwood Falls

Home to the oldest courthouse in Kansas and only 900 or so residents, Cottonwood Falls is a gorgeous town with so much to love whether you like old buildings or history.

4. Hesston

Hesston is another small town with around 3,500 residents, but one that has a rich history and some great parks to venture through. If you're hungry on your visit, we recommend Water's Edge.

5. Medicine Lodge

Medicine Lodge is right up next to the beautiful Gypsum Hills, but stopping into town, you'll find a few great restaurants to try out and a town full of history that takes a while to go through.

6. Scott City

Scott City is a great place to see the local state park and all of the rocky outcroppings, but we also think you should pop into town to explore more about what makes this place so charming.

7. Marysville

With a population around 3,000 people, this town has been a part of Kansas history since before its incorporation in 1861. A little known fun fact is that Marysville is known as the Black Squirrel City due to a small community of all-black squirrels that make their homes here.

8. Iola

Iola is a charming little town with a population around 5,000 that is home to some amazing meals but also a beautiful downtown.

9. Elk Falls

Elk Falls is probably in the top 5 most unique towns in Kansas, especially when you take in their "living ghost town" status and their annual outhouse decorating competition. It's exactly what you think it is. Their under-100 population makes it much easier to enjoy a quiet town as you travel through, unless you arrive during the competition!

10. Goodland

Goodland is a popular tourist spot for their giant easel and painting, but many people drive on without exploring the town itself. With a population under 5,000 people, they have a ton of history that's hiding out in the shadow of this statue.

There's a lot of places you should explore next year, and we think that these attractions are a great excuse to get out there and explore.