Disclosure: Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau sponsored my visit. However, all opinions and photos are mine. 

Hiawatha, Kansas, known as the City of Beautiful Maples, is considered one of the oldest towns, dating to 1857.

It’s a picturesque town you should experience firsthand overnight, with downtown shopping, dining, and a tranquil lakeside cabin that will make you want to stay longer.

Use this travel guide to plan your Hiawatha experience, whether you’re visiting for one of its festivals or lodging overnight for the weekend.

Hiawatha, Kansas: Things to Do During an Overnight Stay

Make Time for Glamping

The Country Cabin

If you’re like me, you love the outdoors but prefer a cabin to a tent. The Country Cabin (2534 Kestrel Rd.) offers the tranquility you seek without the hassle of managing camping gear.

Each of the four reservable cabins includes private parking, heating and air conditioning, a kitchen, and sleeps up to four guests. Towels, coffee, and a television with Roku® are provided.

I spent two nights in Cabin 1 within walking distance of The Country Cabin restaurant and a fish-stocked lake. It felt like glamping under the stars, surrounded by the comforts of home. Crickets chirped. The sun set over a panoramic view of the lake.

I arrived for my dinner reservation just as locals descended on the restaurant for Friday evening Happy Hour and the Prime Rib dinner special.

Presented with a bonus food menu featuring fall selections, I chose to savor a glass of cabernet with Brussels sprouts and leeks tossed with apples, bacon, blue cheese, and balsamic dressing.

The Brown Sugar Pork Chop with red skin mashed potatoes and “cabin style” asparagus surpassed my expectations of presentation and quality. Each plated entree leaving the kitchen and presented to nearby diners looked consistently well-plated and delicious.

For dessert, I relished each bite of Carrot Cake Cobbler, sipping a Bourbon Smash cocktail and catching glimpses of the lake through the table-side window.

The Country Cabin has been on my travel bucket list for years, and I hope to return, as it is one of those experiences you can’t wait to repeat.

NOTE: Cabins are not pet-friendly. Restaurant reservations are highly recommended.

Dine Where the Locals Go

In town, there are plenty of places to sip and savor local fare. Start your day at a cafe and end it with a sweet treat after dinner.

October Coffee

October Coffee (402 Oregon St.) deserves a place amongst some of the best small-town cafes in Kansas for its specialty coffee menu and scratch-made baked goods.

Open Tuesday through Friday, a short line forms at the register where locals order house-roasted coffee with breakfast.

Sure, you can order a to-go coffee if in a rush, but you’ll want to sit down and relax for a while to savor a quality cup of coffee from globally sourced beans. The upstairs lounge is small but inviting, with high-speed Wi-Fi and board games available.

You can’t go wrong with a scratch-made cinnamon roll or muffin served warm with a latte. I recommend asking about their seasonal drink specials. They also serve lunch.

New China Restaurant

Cars arrive and park in front of New China Restaurant (723 Oregon St.) as it opens for the day. Locals are eager to enjoy the lunch buffet.

Guests watched Family Feud on a modest television. As soon as a table cleared, they seated more people.

The Hiawatha Creamery

A visit to town is not complete without stopping at The Hiawatha Creamery (725 Oregon St.) for a scoop of hard or soft-serve premium ice cream.

Opened in 2022, the sweet shop’s menu specialties, like ice cream nachos served on waffle chips, often come from recipes created by high school-aged employees.

You can choose from a line-up of 24 rotating Wisconsin-made ice cream flavors served traditionally or with cold brew concentrate from October Coffee.

The Hiawatha Creamery continues the town’s long-standing tradition of serving quality ice cream year-round, weekends only.

Prices are purposely affordable. Employees are happy you’re there.

Enjoy Some Retail Therapy

Hiawatha, a town of slightly more than 3,000 residents, has several boutiques and specialty stores.

Mainstreet Flower Shoppe

Mainstreet Flower Shoppe (713 Oregon St.) should be your first stop for chocolate truffles, home decor, gift-worthy items, and, of course, fresh floral arrangements.

‘You can expect to see brands such as Rabbit Creek®, Nora Fleming®, and Eat My Socks Kids® items artfully displayed with seasonal decor front and center.

PRO TIP: Don’t leave without purchasing decadent chocolate truffles, the perfect road trip treat.

Blue Byrds Creativity Room

Blue Byrds Creativity Room (715 Oregon St.) lives up to its name.

Its inventory includes hand-crafted gifts created by ten vendors, from totes and tumblers to whimsical jewelry.

The creative spirit inspired the owner to add a seasonal menu of coffee drinks plus a daily lunch special. Because who doesn’t need homemade cinnamon rolls and chili, right?

Wright’s Eclectibles

For more than a decade, Wright’s Eclectibles (709 Oregon St.) has offered shoppers a chance to curate unique, nostalgic items from an inventory of antiques and collectibles.

Ornate glassware tries to dominate the selection, but organized tables and shelves of vinyl records, kitchen tools, and antique tools compete for space.

You’re bound to find a relic that reminds you of your childhood. At the very least, don’t leave without purchasing a bottle of Hiawatha Maple Syrup.

Faith + Foliage

Shop Faith + Foliage (708 Oregon St.) for houseplants, faith-based books and gifts, jams, jellies, and other inspired-living items.

The downtown boutique is an extension of Wolf River Nursery, a garden center and greenhouse located an 8-minute drive outside of town.

Wolf River Nursery

Drive south on Highway 73 to Wolf River Nursery (1460 195th St.) to stock up on gorgeous, flowing hanging baskets of plants and flowers.

During my autumn visit, rows of bountiful mums in a variety of orange, red, and yellow colors lined the sidewalks.

Large wind chimes, bulk vegetable seeds, container posts, and garden tools round out the garden center’s inventory.

With more than 25 years of experience, the owners are skilled at answering customers’ questions during peak gardening season.

PRO TIP: Attend the Spring Open House the last Saturday in April to shop, enter prize giveaways, and savor local food.

Just For You Jewelry & Gifts

Fashion and fine jewelry. Children’s toys and gifts. Puzzles. Collegiate gear. Women’s blouses. You’ll find it all and more at Just for You Jewelry and Gifts (620 Oregon St.).

It’s the best place in town to purchase Hiawatha Red Hawks merchandise, from magnets to earrings.

The employees are cheerful, and like me, you’ll likely leave with a keepsake to remember good times in Hiawatha.

Oak & Willow

Creating an outfit with the latest fashions is easy for women at Oak & Willow (618 Oregon Street). The style of apparel is classic and feminine, with separates that are easy to pair in sizes small to extra-large.

I thumbed through racks of puffy-sleeve blouses, wide-leg pants, and Risen® jeans.

If you love to dress it up for an occasion, you’ll find rompers and free-flowing dresses. Moms with little girls will appreciate a selection of accessories.

PRO TIP: Don’t miss the clearance rack at the back of the store.

Sarah Kathryn’s Quilts

If hand-sewing quilts is a hobby that brings you joy, shop Sarah Kathryn’s Quilts (518 Oregon St.) for fabric and supplies.

Pre-cut fabric bundles. Notions. Quilting kits. You’ll find it all toward the rear of the store.

The front half of the store is a retail space resembling part antique store, part Hobby Lobby. So even if you don’t need quilting supplies, you’re likely to find bakeware or seasonal decorations that appeal to you.

PRO TIP: Ask about Chester’s fabric bundles named after the shop’s cat.

Uncover History Around Town

Hiawatha City Hall – 2nd Floor

Locals visit Hiawatha City Hall (701 Oregon St.) to pay a utility bill or apply for a permit. Visitors walk upstairs to learn more about Brown County and the township’s history.

An impressive, modest collection of antiques occupies a portion of the upstairs area.

I appreciated the mural, painted by local artist Ron Allerton, portraying Brown County’s agricultural roots. Painted during the Kansas Centennial year, 1961, it is an oil painting on cotton duck canvas.

Brown County Historical Society Museum

Take a deeper dive into history at the Brown County Historical Society Museum (611 Utah), a treasure trove of tucked-away relics.

Open by appointment, the building itself is awe-inspiring. Built in 1920, it has served as a community gathering space for Hiawatha Area Arts and Theatre Society performances.

People don’t realize that its basement houses rare finds organized by theme. Volunteers worked endless hours to create the museum.

A soda fountain counter, high school letter jackets, an antique letterpress, old photographs, and more are just a few of the must-see items.

Brown County Agricultural Museum and Windmill Lane

The historical museum tour continues at the Brown County Agricultural Museum and Windmill Lane (301 E. Iowa St.).

Admittedly a city girl, I find it fascinating to see antique tractors and learn how farming equipment was used back in the day.

The site resembles a 1900s farmstead, with a schoolhouse, milking barn, and corn-threshing area. The best view of Windmill Lane is from the second-story patio of the new event center, which is also the prime spot to view fireworks on Independence Day.

More than 40 windmills and wind chargers line a country road surrounded by cornfields, making for a unique photo backdrop. Museum tours are available by appointment.

PRO TIP: Don’t miss Corn Picking Days in mid-October that include hands-on activities at no cost.

Davis Memorial at Mount Hope Cemetery

Make the short drive to Mount Hope Cemetery (606 E. Iowa St.) on the outskirts of town to view the Davis Memorial, a finalist for the Kansas Sampler’s 8 Wonders of Kansas.

The granite and marble memorial was erected by Hiawatha farmer John Davis after his wife Sarah’s death in 1930.

Some people think the memorial was a misuse of Davis’ savings that could have funded a hospital. No matter your viewpoint, most will agree its design is extravagant and verges on creepy.

PRO TIP: Use the electronic kiosk to locate Elizabeth Krebs’s grave, the mother of Halloween in Hiawatha. Theodore H. T.J. Korthanke, one of the town’s founding fathers, is buried there as well.

Korthanke Fountain

Hiawatha is known for its abundant maple trees, and one man, T.J. Korthanke, is responsible for it.

Locals admired the stunning hard maple tree on his farm, which inspired him to plant the tree’s seeds, creating a seedling grove available for locals to care for as their own.

The Korthanke Fountain sits between the firehouse and police station on Oregon Street.

Murals

I discovered about a half dozen murals painted in the downtown area, and each one included imagery depicting Hiawatha’s industries.

One in particular was created to honor a Hiawatha native and war hero, Homer White, who “died as he lived, an honest and good man.”

Experience an Annual Festival

Maple Leaf Festival

My first Hiawatha Maple Leaf Festival is in the books. The town goes all in, bringing endless vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment to downtown on the third Saturday of September.

The one-day festival coincides with homecoming weekend, so alums return to participate in the activities at the downtown square. Local museums are open and free to the public.

I’ve experienced many community festivals, and this one is one of the best because of the number of vendors and the variety of entertainment.

Kids jumped excitedly in bouncy houses, several climbed a rock wall, and others eagerly waited in line for sweet treats. The smell of kettle corn filled the air, and a local band played as families mingled while eating food truck fare.

The town also hosts Hiawatha Halloween Frolic, the oldest continuous Halloween parade and festival in the United States, on October 31.

During Christmastime, don’t miss the Festival of Lights and Holiday Homes Tour.

Choose Leisurely Outdoor Activities

Brown County Courthouse Square Trees

Take a stroll around the Brown County Courthouse grounds to admire the dozens of mature trees. Each one in the collection is labeled at its base, identifying the type of tree. And yes, you’ll find maple trees amongst others.

I escaped a rainstorm under the trees’ canopy and ventured into the courthouse for a self-guided tour until the storm passed.

Hiawatha City Lake

Hiawatha City Lake, located one mile south of town on US Hwy 73, is a bonus recreational area worth checking out if you want to play nine holes of disc golf or play volleyball.  Bring your rod and reel to fish for channel catfish.

Hiawatha Walking Trail

Hiawatha is a health-minded community. You’ll appreciate the paved 2.4-mile walking trail.

Park at Fisher Center (201 E. Iowa St.) and then embark on the trail, which winds past a skate park, Kiddle Korral playground, and beyond Noble Ball Park.

Hiawatha is an inviting getaway for solo travelers, couples, or families seeking the charm of Northeast Kansas. I adored my time there and hope to return next year.

Whether you’re in town for a lively community celebration or settling in for a leisurely weekend, you’ll find plenty to see, do, and enjoy, along with a warm welcome at every turn.

And if you want to explore nearby communities, use my travel guides for Seneca, Holton, and Atchison.