Updated May 2026

Disclosure: Holton/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce sponsored this post. However, all opinions and photographs are my own.

When I think I’ve experienced the Sunflower State’s top towns, I discover Holton, Kansas.

Located 30 minutes north of Topeka, Holton offers road trippers a variety of activities, from outdoor recreation and downtown shopping to casual dining and coffee shops.

I’ve taken two road trips to Holton since 2022, and each visit reaffirms my love for the county seat.

Use my comprehensive travel guide to plan a day trip or an overnight stay in Holton, without missing a moment of its small-town appeal.

Plan the Perfect Trip to Holton, Kansas

EVENTS YOU SHOULDN’T MISS

Glory Days

Holton’s annual celebration, Glory Days, is one you must experience firsthand in late May.

High school alumni cruise around the Jackson County Courthouse square, throwing candy and beads; the sun sparkles on classic cars’ chrome at the car show, and kids play joyfully in bouncy houses nestled among vendor booths as families chat nearby.

The hum of food trucks’ generators can be heard over the festival announcer’s voice.

If you want to experience Americana, I mean real-deal Kansas roots, you have to attend this annual festival. Especially if you appreciate classic cars.

Car Show

If your heart races when you see a pristine, restored classic car with perfectly buffed chrome fenders, you’ll want to attend the Glory Days Car Show. Vehicles of every type, including a row of motorcycles, are positioned around the courthouse square.

I couldn’t resist striking up a conversation with a couple who sat ready to chat about their car to passersby. They told me the story of the car’s restoration using original parts with pride.

Vendors & Kids Zone

Glory Days participants can expect to park their cars in the surrounding neighborhood and walk to the hub of activity on the courthouse lawn, which features vendor booths and a Kids Zone with games and bouncy houses.

If you buy a maker’s creation or a homemade cookie, you’re likely supporting a small business or a worthwhile local cause.

Fall Fest

Holton’s Fall Fest celebration showcases shopping and food vendors, a scarecrow contest, a Shut The Back Door contest, and a chili cook-off.

Residents gather on sidewalks in front of tables serving chili samples from various businesses. Children wait in line to get their faces painted. Townies greeted one another in passing. The town bustles with activity.

Shut the Door Contest

A handful of local businesses in town paint a back door as an entry for the Shut the Door Contest. Each colorfully painted door draws foot traffic to a business while beautifying downtown’s back alleyways.

During my self-guided tour, I came upon whimsical paintings depicting flowers and landscape scenes. One door showcased a Mexican restaurant’s theme.

PRO TIP: You don’t need a map to find the back door murals. Keep your eyes peeled as you walk down the alleyways in the downtown area.

Quilt Show

They say, “to quilt is to live.” The quilts displayed in the Fall Fest show were wow-worthy, intricate patterns. People file in and out of a courthouse room to get a glimpse of the handiwork of the town’s top quilters.

With names like “Giraffes on Parade,” “Random Scraps,” and “Flying Geese,” each quilt is an expression of the creator’s personality. Table toppers and queen-sized bedding creations draw attention.

PRO TIP: Take a few minutes to appreciate the Modern Eclecticism style of the courthouse’s architecture, from its marble walls to its tile floor.

Scarecrow Decorating Contest

I won a costume contest dressed as a scarecrow. So, I’d like to think I’m a good judge of creativity when it comes to putting one together.

The entries at Fall Fest are positioned on the Jackson County Courthouse lawn in all their splendor. The overstuffed scarecrows are dressed as recognizable animals, movie characters, and celebrities.

Cruise Night

What’s a small-town festival without a Cruise Night? Locals lined up their vehicles one by one in the shadow of the courthouse on the evening of Fall Fest. Gearheads talked shop.

The smell of exhaust hung in the air. Locals walked by each car, checking under the hoods. And every so often, you’d hear the roar of an engine starting up as a driver left the lineup to take a cruise around town. Classic.

PRO TIP: Don’t miss other Holton’s festivities throughout the year, like fireworks during July Jubilee and the Holton Country Club Golf Tournament.

WALK THROUGH HISTORY

Jackson County Historical Museum

For me, the best way to get to know a town I’m visiting for the first time is to visit the county museum. Who are the town’s founders, and why did they choose the area? What industries flourished in the area?

Jackson County Historical Museum (327 New York Ave.) is a treasure box of valuable information and artifacts.

You can expect a free, self-guided tour featuring exhibits on one-room schoolhouse items, Carrie Nation history, barbed wire history, World War I & II memorabilia, and the tools of 1900s trades.

View aged photographs of the people and places that founded the county, agricultural tools, period furniture, and millinery relics round out the collection.

Originally a tin shop, the building itself is historic because of its aging architecture and pressed-tin ceiling tiles.

Welcoming history lovers since 1984, the museum is also known for rotating art exhibits, and the artwork is often for sale. View the museum’s hours here.

Sign the guestbook at the visitor’s desk when you arrive.

Historical Homes & Landmarks

Sears and Roebuck Co. Historic Home

Historical homes make up a portion of Holton’s residential area. I took a self-guided driving tour to see them and discover other landmarks.

The homes on the tour are private residences except one, which is maintained by the Jackson County Historical & Genealogical Society.

I was amazed by the Sears Roebuck and Co. (216 New York St.) concrete block house, originally featured in the 1908 catalog, which is a 2 1/2 story house with four bedrooms.

If you want to view the home’s interior, make an appointment with the Jackson County Historical Museum.

Jackson County Courthouse & Historic Installations

The Jackson County Courthouse (400 New York St.) anchors the downtown area, open to the public Monday through Friday.

Walk its grounds to admire the war memorial honoring US Army Sergeant Bernard Lee Deghand in the town’s courthouse square. You’ll also be within walking distance of a cannon statue, “Erected by Will Wendell in 1913.”

The cannon pictured below is dedicated to Civil War soldiers and sailors and rests at the base of the town sign.

As you continue your walk around the courthouse, you’ll find an original horse water trough, circa 1880, positioned at the base of an old tree, indicating where riders would let their horses hydrate when stopping at the original courthouse square.

BONUS: Find another livestock water-trough marker north of the Linscott Park tennis court, within walking distance of downtown.

ADMIRE PUBLIC ART

Mural Tour

Several murals dotted the town’s urban landscape, including one of my favorite street art installations, painted by Wichita artist Lindsey Kernodle, on the exterior of the Jackson County Museum (327 New York Ave.).

As you drive into town, its striking colors and storytelling images will beg you to pull over.

Kernodle’s two-frame mural showcases an early version of how the Tallgrass Prairie used to look when it flourished. The second painting on the right represents the current state of the prairie.

During my visit, I chatted with the artist and discovered how important it is to preserve the remaining native prairie. Comparing both images gave me pause and inspired me to revisit the area.

Other murals around town will grab your attention. Cruise just beyond the downtown boundary to see murals like the one pictured below, painted on the side of a building at Banner Creek Reservoir (10975 KS-16).

These murals are a small sampling of the public artwork available throughout Holton and Jackson County. Refer to Murals in Jackson County to learn about each one and their locations.

DINE LIKE A LOCAL

HotSpot Coffee Shop

The next morning, I made my way to HotSpot Coffee Shop (316 Pennsylvania St.).

The quaint café serves patrons gourmet coffee, pastries, and quick bites like breakfast burritos. I opted for two seasonal favorites: an Apple Crumb Macchiato and a warm cinnamon roll.

Seated indoors, I noticed that most of the morning café traffic came via the drive-thru. I found the café’s interior inviting. The employees were patient as I chose my menu items and were more than welcoming.

Mare’s Coffee Shop and Cool Stuff

Another stop for those seeking a caffeinated beverage or early-morning bite to eat is Mare’s Coffee Shop and Cool Stuff (413 New York Ave.) After some of my social media followers recommended it, I confirmed the coffee shop is wildly different from most.

The entire place is adorned with frogs. Paintings, toys, and sit-a-bouts feature the green-colored amphibian. A life-size astronaut sculpture keeps watch over them.

It’s a hangout if you want to sip a specialty latté while putting together a puzzle or reading one of the $1 books. At lunchtime, order a sourdough panini.

Jhett’s Pizza

Since 2006, Jhett’s Pizza (401 New York Ave.) has been the locals’ go-to place for a satisfying slice. The restaurant’s dining room was nearly full during the lunch hour.

I ordered an 8″ Meat Lovers Pizza at the counter and sat down and waited for it. Families continued to pour into the restaurant looking for open seating. Customers with call-in orders approached the counter. The phone never stopped ringing.

PRO TIP: Beat the lunch rush or call the restaurant for a to-go pizza, especially if you’re visiting Holton during a community festival. Bring cash for payment or pay a fee when using a credit card.

Trails Cafe

At lunchtime, I was famished, so local friends joined me at Trails Cafe (601 Arizona Ave.) on the edge of town.

The eatery is well-documented in regional travel magazines and on food review websites for its irresistible pressure-cooked, or “broasted,” fried chicken.

As we made our way to a table, I stopped to peer into a double-door refrigerator stocked with plates of sliced pie. I knew I wasn’t leaving the restaurant without devouring a slice.

For lunch, I had a garden salad, followed by a two-piece chicken entree with my choice of potato and vegetable side dish. Although I was stuffed, I stuck to the plan and ordered a hefty slice of a lemon meringue pie.

The meal lived up to the hype, and the cafe is worthy of a repeat visit.

Boomers’ Steakhouse and Grill

Boomers’ Steakhouse and Grill (401 Colorado Ave.) will send your taste buds into overdrive with a delicious menu of hand-cut steaks cooked to perfection on the broiler.

Other menu items include broasted chicken, smoked pork chops, seafood, and a long list of crave-worthy sandwiches.

Boomers’ Steakhouse, Grill and Catering gets my vote for the best dinner experience in Holton for its friendly service, quality steak dinner, and strawberry pie (don’t skip dessert!).

The restaurant includes full bar service, so if you’re hoping to complement your meal with a hand-crafted cocktail, cold beer, or glass of wine, you’re in luck.

PRO TIP: The waitstaff is efficient and checks on guests often. A couple of them attempted to remove my plate before I was done eating, so beware of hasty hands.

Kat Ballou’s Bar and Grill

For diners seeking a casual, bar atmosphere where locals gather for a sizzling burger and hand-cut fries, Kat Ballou’s Bar and Grill (325 New York St.) delivers. A full menu plus weekly specials is served during lunch, 11 am to 2 pm, and dinner, 5 pm to 9 pm.

I chose the last open seat at the bar to order a BLT and fries. Packed with Glory Days attendees looking for a bite to eat, I waited about 30 minutes for my meal. Bar-seat diners can watch as staff drops handfuls of fries and appetizers into boiling-hot fryer grease.

The local hangout is the ideal place to enjoy a bite to eat if you want to watch the game or chat over burger baskets with friends from a vinyl booth.

Ozzie Bakes

Homemade cheesecake in a jar? Scratch-made bierocks, pillowy soft sausage rolls, and savory meat pies?

You’ll find it all, plus grab-and-go lunch and dinner sandwich options at Ozzie Bakes (119 W. 4th St.).

The owner/baker moved to Kansas from Australia, bringing her culinary talents to a loyal following of customers. She prepares a rotating selection of more than 150 cheesecakes sold by the jar.

PRO TIP: Looking for gluten-free cheesecake? Inquire about her specialty cheesecake recipe of the week, which is also sugar-free.

SHOP AT LOCAL BOUTIQUES

A number of shops in the downtown area make spending your dollars to support local businesses a fun experience. I suggest parking near the courthouse and walking the four-block radius to discover each one.

Holton Mercantile

Holton Mercantile (415 New York Ave.) is a general store that carries everything from cards and seasonal decorations to kitchen tools and puzzles.

It’s the kind of store where you shop for essentials, but you also walk away with something you didn’t know you wanted, like cookware or a decorative sign for your home.

But it’s more than a general store. It’s where locals make memories, from purchasing sweet treats to reserving tuxedos for the high school prom.

Everyone in town raves about its old-fashioned soda fountain, so I had to order a classic chocolate ice cream cone. The owner is known for preparing homemade lemonade, and if you’re lucky, baked goods, tempting add-ons to any ice cream order.

During my visit, I watched as parents pushed strollers and ushered their kids up to the old-fashioned, original ice cream counter to order for them.

I also spotted kids in the store gleefully looking at the candy shelves and asking their parents for retro candy or premium chocolate bars, which are among the store’s biggest sellers. It’s an after-school drop-by spot for kids who want to buy bulk candy on their way home.

Holton Mercantile is a mainstay, dating back decades. You’ll appreciate the building’s original floors and tin ceiling. Go for the nostalgia, the ice cream, and shop the store’s inventory to support local.

Beverly Brown Boutique

Offering a large selection of women’s and men’s apparel, Beverly Brown Boutique (124 W. 5th St.) resembles a big city clothing store. You’ll be hard-pressed not to find something that you’ll want to try on.

Family-owned and operated, the boutique carries well-known brands and an extensive selection of denim jeans. I found the customer service to be helpful when inquiring about jeans in my size.

Shoppers earn discounts if they sign up for the “Text Club” and are willing to ship items via USPS to you. If you join their rewards membership, you earn one point per pre-tax dollar you spend.

More Than Lemons

Have you shopped at a store featuring blown-glass creations?

More Than Lemons (424 Pennsylvania) features one-of-a-kind glass gifts made in the owner’s hot shop. Every glass item you see in the store is an original handcrafted creation.

Glass orbs hang from delicate strings on display. The sunlight through the store’s windows shines through pretty paperweights and beams through bowls and colorful vases.

You can also make your own glass project with two colors of your choice, if you schedule an appointment. The cost of each project varies.

PRO TIP: Check the More Than Lemons Facebook page to plan a visit during a glass-blowing demonstration by the owner behind the building.

Heart To Home

Jewelry. Candle warmers. Bath and body products. Designer purses. Farmhouse decor. You’ll find it all and then some at Heart To Home (105 W. 4th St.). As soon as you walk inside, your eyes dart around the store, looking at items you want to bring home.

Shoppers travel miles to shop at the store for Nora Fleming, Spartina purses, Vera Bradley bags, and Melissa & Doug toys. The front of the story features in-season displays.

NOTE: The store’s owner is closing its doors for good after 12 years of business on June 27, 2026.

The Gossip

Also located on The Square, The Gossip (409 New York) was voted Favorite Vintage Shop in Kansas by Flea Market Style. The 4,000-square-foot shop also sells antiques in the rear of the store, artfully displayed amongst newer, on-trend market finds.

Displays of battery-operated candles flicker from store shelves nestled next to beautiful plates and framed art. Love the table or the armoire? It’s probably for sale. Seeking Kansas-inspired artwork? Check out Triple B Hilltop Farm’s items.

At the front of the store, I spied a pop-up floral display with fresh, locally grown flowers for sale on the day of my visit. Jewelry, handbags, and some body projects were displayed near the register.

In addition, you’ll discover more Kansas-made products, from home decor to packaged specialty foods, on display. You’re bound to want a canister of hot chocolate mix, apple butter, or bread mix.

Midwest Dixie

Women who want to add fashion-forward pieces with vibrant colors to their wardrobe will want to shop at Midwest Dixie (405 New York St.). Think: polka dot pants, cropped sweaters, floral dresses, and feminine blouses to pair with jeans.

Nearby women discussed accessories as I shopped the rear of the store, which displayed children’s plush toys and clothing and accessories for girls who love pattern and ruffled dresses.

Benevolence Total Wellness

At Benevolence Total Wellness (115 W. 4th St.), you’re invited to make better health a priority, from booking massage therapy to shopping for holistic products.

Rows of all-natural dietary supplements and essential oils line store shelves. T-shirts, hair accessories, jewelry, and Natural Life® gift items can be purchased to create a gift basket for someone you appreciate.

785 Antiques

Walking into 785 Antiques (400 Pennsylvania) is a picker’s dream, as nearly every inch of the store is filled with vintage items, from collectibles to furniture.

The inventory consists of twenty-two vendors’ hand-curated antiques, and like me, you’ll find yourself wandering from room to room in search of a nostalgic item that triggers a memory.

PRO TIP: Road-trippers will want to view the stairway covered in vintage license plates, a photo-worthy backdrop.

Petals and Praise Flowers and Gifts

Petals and Praise Flowers and Gifts (215 E. 5th St.), located inside an old school building, was closed during my return trip to Holton, so I’ve added it to my travel bucket list for the next time I’m in town.

The Holton florist sells fresh floral arrangements for every occasion, and also retails Doyle Beef Iron Horse BBQ products in its retail section.

CELEBRATE THE ARTS ON STAGE

Holton Community Theatre

Reserve a ticket to a show at the Holton Community Theatre (401 New Jersey Ave.), a short walk from downtown.

Performances include local actors, and I was impressed by the caliber of talent while watching “Now and Then,” a romantic comedy in which a young man and woman discover their destiny by meeting their future selves. 

Prior to the performance, attendees enjoyed a catered homestyle meal with dessert at community tables with other audience members. Affordable cocktails were available for purchase.

Later, the lights dimmed, and the room was illuminated by stage lights and candles on each table. About 60 audience members watched the thought-provoking performance. 

I’d highly recommend planning your trip to Holton around the theater’s upcoming performance. To view the event schedule and reserve a ticket, visit the box office details here. 

MORE REASONS TO PULL OVER

Beck Bookman Library

The nearby Beck Bookman Library (420 W. 4th St.) wows passersby with its bleached white exterior and awe-inspiring architecture.

It was named in honor of Major and Mrs. Milton Moses Beck, who were early residents of the town. The library has remained open to the public since 1952.

Check its Facebook events calendar for activities available to the public.

Linscott Park & Veterans Memorial

Linscott Park (4th and Iowa St.) is historic in many ways. Named for Shephard Linscott, a banker and real estate investor who built a mansion on the property in the 1800s, stone pillars mark the property’s original entrance. 

The Veterans Memorial impresses. Holton is a Purple Heart City, so the on-site memorial honors every medal recipient. A World War II memorial pays tribute to Company “E” of the 137th Infantry who died at war.

The park features tennis and basketball courts, playground equipment, and a shelter house available for reservation. The park is one of six public parks and recreational facilities in Holton.

EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS

Holton Municipal Pool

The Holton Municipal Pool at Rafter’s Park (7th and Nebraska St.) was constructed as a Works Progress Administration federal project in 1938. It is considered one of the largest municipal pools in Northeast Kansas, open from Memorial Day weekend until early August.

No matter the season, take a moment to walk the grounds and look at its stone construction. A one-time kiddie pool is now a sunflower mural. 

Banner Creek Reservoir & Watch Your Glass Orb Hunt

Continue your outdoor adventures at the lake, where tucked-away treasures await discovery.

I set out to discover Banner Creek Reservoir (10975 K-16 Hwy), a short drive outside of town. Not only did I set out to take in the views of the no-wake lake surrounded by native vegetation, but I was also determined to find a glass orb.

Jackson County’s Watch Your Glass Orb Project initiative encourages tourists to find one of 100 glass orbs hidden in the county. The hunt was on.

As I looked for a clear or colored orb, I appreciated the picturesque views, including fishing piers, a 9-hole disc golf course, and campsites. Walking trails weaved around the lake.

Unfortunately, I didn’t find an orb, but I enjoyed the search.

If you find one, you can keep it. But should you locate a second orb, you are encouraged to leave it where it is or hide it again. Maybe I’ll have better luck next time! View a map of the area here.

The reservoir, established in 1997, is an outdoor lover’s playground with free access to miles of hiking and biking trails, campsites, bird-watching, and fishing for catfish, walleye, and largemouth bass.

The Banner Creek Science Center & Observatory, an educational center featuring hands-on activities that honor nature and Native American culture, remains on my travel bucket list.

Lane Freedom Trail

No visit to Holton is complete without a drive along the Lane Freedom Trail. The site of the Battle of the Spurs, where John Brown led slaves to freedom, is located south of this roadside historical marker.

You will be in awe of the shady spot surrounded by a canopy of trees for its historical significance

After visiting countless Kansas towns, I’ve decided that Holton is not only one of the most welcoming, but it also offers more than enough to see and do during a visit. You may need to visit multiple times, like me.

As they say, you can have it all in Jackson County. Holton embraces its visitors, and you’ll feel just as welcome as I did.

Travel to Holton for an overnight stay to explore a small-town setting with some of the state’s top attractions. You’ll never lack for something to discover in this charming town north of Topeka.

If you have questions about visiting the area or suggestions for nearby destinations, leave them in the comments below.