Disclosure: Explore Crawford Kansas sponsored my trip. All opinions and photographs are my own. Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.
It’s time you discover Girard, a charming small town in Southeast Kansas with historic sites, restaurants, and overnight lodging ideal for curious road travelers.
From chatting with locals over breakfast to taking a guided tour of its museum, I was pleasantly surprised by Girard’s attractions, and the residents welcomed me warmly.
Things to Do in Girard, Kansas: History, Dining, and Charming Overnight Lodging
Located at the junction of Highways 7 and 47, Girard is a community of fewer than 2,500 residents, founded initially as a railroad town. Today, the county seat thrives, with most tourism-worthy stops surrounding the historic Crawford County Courthouse.
I discovered there was more than enough to do downtown and in the surrounding area, making Girard a destination for an overnight stay.
Unique Lodging
The Long Branch Loft
When traveling, I welcome the opportunity to stay at a unique vacation rental. The Long Branch Loft, a one-bedroom, one-bathroom downtown getaway, is located in Girard, within walking distance of activities on the square.
It’s ranked as a Guest Favorite on Airbnb for a good reason. The stylish property, beautifully renovated in a historic building, offers guests the comforts of home.
I spent my evening streaming television shows from a plush, oversized chair before retiring for the night in the loft’s king-size bed. Despite its central location between two businesses, the area was quiet after business hours.
After a good night’s sleep, I awoke to make a steaming cup of coffee and watch the sun rise through the downstairs window with plants. The loft’s welcome book provided a list of things to do in the area, and a basket supplied on-the-go snacks for the day’s adventures.
Overall, my stay at The Long Branch Loft was peaceful and pleasant thanks to its modern furnishings, cleanliness, and amenities. The quaint vacation rental is ideal for solo travelers or couples visiting the area. Check availability and reserve The Long Branch Loft.
Note: This is not an ADA-accessible vacation rental due to its open staircase design to the loft bedroom.
Pro Tip: If you’re like me and prefer to block out all light when you sleep, I recommend using an eye mask to block out streetlight through the windows.
Delicious Dining
Eastside Cafe
For breakfast, you have to dine at Eastside Cafe (120 S. Ozark Street).
The baker arrives at 3 a.m., well before guests arrive, to make cinnamon rolls, chocolate-filled croissants, pies, and freshly baked bread. The short-order cook ringing the bell is audible from the kitchen. Servers pour coffee refills into diner-style mugs.
I listened to the news on a nearby television while enjoying a vegetable omelet and perfectly cooked hashbrowns. Full from my breakfast, I eagerly requested a to-go box for baked goods.
Eastside Cafe serves breakfast all day, and the lunch menu features sandwiches, burgers, and a daily special after 11:00 a.m.
PRO TIP: Order the hand-breaded onion rings, a local favorite.
Hiway Inn Restaurant
When it’s an affordable lunch like grandma used to make that you crave, there’s no better place to eat than the Hiway Inn Restaurant (600 W. St. John Street).
Open until 11 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday, the eatery has served locals homestyle meals for decades. Today, the owner continues the tradition her grandmother began almost 40 years ago.
I stopped by for lunch and, after seeing the daily specials board, I chose the Mushroom Swiss Burger with a side of curly fries. As soon as my order was called back to the kitchen, I heard the sizzle of a flat-top grill and the bubbling of a hot fryer.
Surrounded by locals eating their lunches in silence, the restaurant’s phone rang continuously with to-go orders.
After eating my tasty lunch, I paid for my meal and headed out to explore Girard. In the parking lot, locals gathered around cars to chat about the day’s events and local news.
PRO TIP: HiWay Inn is also known for its breakfast. A line of regular customers forms at the door before it opens daily. Bring cash.
C4 Coffeehouse & Country Store
If you’re seeking a place to enjoy coffee, tea, an energy drink, or a fruit smoothie, C4 Coffeehouse & Country Store (102 S. Ozark Street) is a guaranteed good stop.
The coffeehouse also serves as a gathering spot for locals who want to use the high-speed Wi-Fi while drinking coffee.
Pony up to the counter, seated on a saddle-covered stool, to sip a cowboy-style black coffee or a Lasso (frappe) prepared with frozen hot chocolate.
Bushel & a Peck
By far, Bushel & a Peck (820 S. Summit) is the best restaurant for a chef-prepared meal, where locals line up at the door by 5 p.m. to claim a table.
Open Wednesday through Saturday, the restaurant is known for its inventive weekly specials and seasonal menus featuring fresh ingredients.
I was greeted by name upon arrival and escorted to my table, where I ordered a glass of wine and an appetizer of whipped goat cheese topped with tomatoes and herbs.
Soon, I noticed that other dinner guests were watching the servers as they presented neighboring tables’ food, a sign they were enthusiastic about the menu’s offerings.
The appetizer exceeded my expectations for quality and flavor, setting the stage for the main course. But first, the server insisted I sample the day’s special: an Asian-inspired orange chicken with broccoli over rice, made fresh to order and delicious.
I listened to lively guests’ chatter and jazz cover songs until my dinner selection arrived. Smoked pork loin, coleslaw, and sautéed mushrooms made for one of the best meals I’ve eaten in Southeast Kansas.
Chicken Annie’s Girard
You know the fried chicken is worth traveling for when you arrive before the restaurant opens and see cars already parked in the lot awaiting the owner to unlock the door.
Chicken Annie’s of Girard (498 KS-47) is an iconic stop on the Freedom and Fried Chicken Trail.
Opened in 1971, the restaurant offers dinner specials that draw locals and out-of-towners to Girard from Wednesday through Sunday.
The chicken is hand-breaded and fried fresh to order, served with side dishes such as fried onion strings, mashed potatoes, green beans, and coleslaw.
Public Art
Sunflower Mural
Girard’s Sunflower Mural is a picture-perfect selfie spot, located just off the town square at the Girard Civic Center, at Ozark Street and Forest Avenue.
Quilt Mural
A Quilt Mural celebrating Girard’s 150th anniversary was added to the side of a building at Summit and Prairie Streets.
The folk-inspired quilt pattern design includes symbolic references to the town’s history, such as the Ice Barn and McFarland Lake, built in 1896, and the Little Blue Books published locally through 1978.
Deer Sculpture & Historic Marker
The Deer Sculpture, with a historic marker at the corner, is likely the most distinctive public art in the area because of the story associated with it.
Local folklore says the deer sculpture stands on the exact spot where a Pennsylvanian, Dr. Charles H. Strong, shot a deer. Moments later, he added a stake in the ground, declaring possession of the land.
Girard is named after his hometown in Pennsylvania.
Historic Attractions
Crawford County Courthouse
The Crawford County Courthouse (111 E. Forest Street) not only serves as the centerpiece of Girard, but its Greek Revival design, with Tuscan columns, has a grandeur that draws the eye.
Established in 1867, the courthouse makes the town the official county seat. The grounds feature a Kansas Vietnam Veterans Memorial and a gazebo adorned with banners honoring the area veterans.
Girard History Museum
At first glance, one might think they were viewing a church, which is true, but its contents may surprise you.
The Girard History Museum (300 S. Summit), located inside the former St. John’s Episcopal Church, built in 1888, is well worth a visit.
I’ve always told people that the best way to immerse oneself in a town is to start their visit at a historical museum. Museum exhibits showcase the town’s history using artifacts from 1868 to the present.
Girard has a long history of publishing, operating the largest presses west of the Mississippi.
The work of Julius Augustus Wayland, whose socialist weekly journal “The Appeal to Reason” became the largest circulated newspaper of its kind in American history in the early 1900s.
Emanuel and Marcet Haldeman printed “The Little Blue Books,” how-to manuals, which were distributed at businesses.
The church alone is a magnificent example of late-19th-century architectural design. Its stained windows, made in Missouri, cascade colorful beams of light onto the church floor on a sunny day.
From the pulpit, one can fully appreciate the windows, which feature Christian symbolism.
Display cases showcase photographs and personal effects donated by locals. For example, did you know that Girard resident, Sarah Alice Haldeman, was the first female bank president in Kansas?
A neighboring building within the museum houses a collection of farm and firefighting equipment dating back to the late 1800s.
PRO TIP: View the museum’s Facebook page to review its hours and recent news.
Kansas Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Kansas Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the lawn of the Crawford County Courthouse stops one in their tracks and is deserving of attention.
Granite walls are inscribed with 777 names of Kansans who gave their lives in Vietnam during the war. In the foreground, a UH-1H Huey Helicopter is at rest.
The aircraft was used to transport soldiers and cargo, evacuate soldiers from battlefields, and carry armed soldiers who could fire on the enemy.
PRO TIP: Girard Veterans Memorial Park hosts holiday events honoring military heroes.
Girard Public Library
Not every town in the state can boast that its library is an official Carnegie Library, but residents in Girard are proud to have one. At the time it was built, it was the smallest town with a Carnegie Library.
The Girard Public Library (128 W. Prairie) offers the community book rentals and programming for all ages.
I ascended the stairs to the top floor to view the books for adult readers, the same spot where monthly game nights and craft nights are hosted.
PRO TIP: View the library’s event calendar in advance of your visi.
Must-Stop Shops
Girard General Store & Antiques
I received the warmest welcome to town at the Girard General Store & Antiques (117 S. Summit Street). Its owner, a local historian and author, sells antiques, old-fashioned candy, and homemade ice cream.
The newly constructed building contrasts with its contents, which contain nostalgic keepsakes from an earlier time.
Shoppers will be delighted to discover Amish soaps, candles, jams, jellies, and jarred salsa rounding out the inventory.
One shouldn’t leave the store without visiting the bathroom to see its wallpaper, a nod to Girard’s history, told through old photographs and advertisements.
PRO TIP: Inquire about the retro soda pop brands available for purchase, located in the refrigerator near the candy cart.
C4 Coffeehouse & Country Store
As mentioned earlier, C4 Coffeehouse & Country Store (102 S. Ozark Street) is a go-to destination for an early or midday coffee, and it also offers gift-worthy retail.
The rear of the store features women’s clothing, jewelry, purses, body care products, and kitchen essentials.
Painted Barrels
I plan to shop at Painted Barrels (127 S. Summit Street), a consignment vendor, on my return visit to Girard. I simply ran out of time, but its inventory of home decor, clothing, and items sold by area farmers makes it a stop I won’t miss the next time.
Just Beyond Town
Nine miles north of town, the 500-acre Crawford State Park is an outdoor adventurer’s playground featuring campgrounds, cabins, as well as fishing and boating opportunities.
While you’re in the area, view other town to visit using my Ultimate Guide to Pittsburg and find your fun in Frontenac: Where Coal Mining History Meets Community Spirit.
Founded in 1886, 
The memorial honors the miners who lost their lives in the worst mining disaster in Kansas history at the Cherokee and Pittsburg Coal and Mining Company Mine No. 2 on November 9, 1888. Family members gathered at the mine’s entrance, distraught and waiting for news about their loved ones, many of whom did not survive the dust explosion.
Whenever I approach a memorial, I vow to read every name inscribed on it, and this time was no different.
PRO TIP: Clear your calendar to attend Frontenac’s 140th birthday at Mining Days on June 5-7, 2026. The Heritage and Homecoming Celebration is an annual event featuring family-friendly activities and historical tours. Don’t miss 
Frontenac residents have a lot to be proud of, and you owe it to yourself to visit the Heritage Hall Museum at the 
Original artifacts curated from local families added a storytelling quality, enhancing the high-quality exhibits. I was amazed by the attention to detail, from the testimonials of miners to the newspaper clippings about business openings.
The history of Southeast Kansas, and Frontenac in particular, is the story of European immigrants, miners, bootleggers, religious devotees, and family members who looked out for one another and supported the community.
Walking inside the bakery, I felt as if I were a customer seeking to buy a loaf. Tools of the miner’s trade and newspaper clippings about the worst mining disaster in history adorned a room dimly lit by lanterns. A peek inside a replica chapel revealed the history of long-standing Catholic and Methodist communities.
Another aspect of the museum that makes it better than most is that the director thought to include an interactive component, adding visual and audio stations, making it more accessible for visitors. Due to the museum’s proximity to the Frontenac Public Library, its artifacts are deeply rooted in the area’s genealogy.
Former and current Frontenac residents will relish the displays featuring curated Raiders memorabilia. Peering inside the displays, it was as if I could hear the football players and cheerleaders rooting for the Raiders to win the high school’s first-ever state football championship over Stockton in 1994.
Visiting the Heritage Hall Museum, located inside the Frontenac Public Library, is well worth it, offering visitors a glimpse into the cultural legacy and mining history of Frontenac and the greater Southeast Kansas region.
The locally owned coffee shop sells 
During my visit, a steady stream of locals came and went, accompanied by music playing from a Bluetooth speaker.
The dining room was already filled with locals when I stopped by on a weekday for a midday meal of boneless chicken wings coated in Sully Sauce. With my choice of side dish, my meal was appetizing and one I’d order again.
On Saturday nights, Shooters Neighborhood Bar & Grill is a popular hangout attracting diners seeking the Chef’s Choice special. Happy Hour specials are served Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
And for the kids (and young-at-heart), there’s a self-serve candy station, perfect for mixing and matching your favorite sweets by the pound. It’s the ultimate sugar-fueled pit stop for your Kansas adventure.
I would refer to the shop’s 
In addition to slicing deli meat by the order, refrigerated glass cases house homemade sausage, pasta meals, and pre-made sandwiches. A few tables provide a place for lunch-goers to sit down and savor a panini prepared with bread from the local bakery.
Built in 1910, the renovated loft space beautifully showcases the historic building’s architecture, from its brick-exposed walls to the original wood floors. The 1,600 square foot, two-bedroom, one bath loft sleeps four guests.
You’ll appreciate the private parking with front door or back door self-entry keypad access. Once inside, it feels like home with amenities such as a washer and dryer, full kitchen, streaming television channels, Bluetooth compatible speakers, and high-speed WiFi.
A bonus room includes a poker table and additional couch with television for lounging with friends or family.
The bathroom, designed with his and her sinks, is spacious and includes in-shower products. Plush body-size towels and a motion detector for the overhead light are added touches you don’t always find in a vacation rental.
Pro Tip: Shop the loft owner’s store, 
PRO TIP: Don’t expect to be able to check in early to your room, but instead, ask if the hotel will hold your bags until 4 pm check-in.
It sits as short walk on campus from the bronze gorilla sculpture in front of PSU’s Student Center.
PRO TIP: Use the 
If you choose to play the 18-hole course, expect the wooded areas to offer a bit of a challenge. The course is a mix of open fields and covered trails. All 18 holes are a par 3. Are you ready for a game?
The family-friendly urban park welcomes musicians after dark on Friday nights, and they host other events like movie nights on occasion. Come early to grab a table. I recommend purchasing a snack or a beer at the permanent food stand or ordering from the menu of a food truck.
Visitors to The Greenway who craft a craft cocktail can stop inside 
Shoppers will also appreciate its high-quality grooming supplies, candles, shoes, and shelves of on-trend ballcaps. I couldn’t leave without a beer logo t-shirt and stylish socks.
The shop becomes a performance venue when they 
Committed to adopting out the cats in their care using a strict vetting process, I was impressed with the store’s mission to provide cats and book lovers a space where they could relax and get to know one another.
As I shopped, I watched as a new pet parent returned with a cat carrier to take her pet home. The staff was elated for the owner and her feline family member.
The store carries books of every genre from bestselling titles to juvenile fiction and young reader must-haves. And like any business that favors felines, they stock an array of merchandise for shoppers smitten with kittens, such as stickers, bookmarks, and apparel.
The massive warehouse was filled to the brim with antiques from every decade. Love depression glass? College memorabilia? Old watches? You can find all of it and more tucked inside the booth spaces of Paradise Mall Antiques.
As I made my way through the store, I noticed many of the booths’ contents showcase the vendor’s preference in antiques. Sometimes you have to bend down, look around, and dig through a box to find a buried treasure. Paradise Mall Antiques is where you go shopping for yourself and that hard to buy for friend or relative.
Serving happy customers since 2019, the brewpub prides itself on its multiple beer taps and New York-style pizza selection prepared in a brick oven.
The brunch selections are a draw but the lunch and dinner classics paired with a thoughtfully crafted cocktail have earned the eatery high praise. To my surprise, each dining experience starts with complementary chipotle seasoned popcorn.
Menu selections during my dining experience exceeded my expectations for beautiful plating, quality, and value. Appetizers like Almost Deviled Eggs or the Warm House Ricotta and Garlic with sourdough are guaranteed good bites.
At mealtime, dig into tasty Avocado Smoked Salmon Toast or a dinner-size Grilled Cajun Shrimp Salad, served with a zesty house-made dressing.
The owner/chef’s creativity shines in the For the Boys whiskey-and-honey cocktail, and any of her after-dinner desserts with creamy gelato are surefire winners.
PRO TIP: Watch my 
Whether you’re in the mood for a cold beer, hot coffee, or fruit smoothie, the cozy watering hold delivers. Come hungry and enjoy affordable meals like a Walking Taco, Philly Cheesesteak, or a Turkey Wrap. I found a shaded spot under a patio table’s umbrella to relax.
Deep blue walls flanked by a dark wood bar welcome guests as jazz standards play in the background. The bartender hummed the melody as he prepared a Lemon Tea Fizz prepared with house-made syrup, a cocktail you won’t find on any other menu in town.
PRO TIP: The bar opens at 5 pm. on Wednesday-Saturday. Arrive early to claim the best seat or be prepared to order your drink in a to-go cup to drink on 
But you’ll find more than beverages on the menu as the owners are culinary pros using their skills to prepare pastries and crepes daily as well as breakfast handhelds like a waffle or bagel sandwich. At lunchtime, ask about bread bowls, quesadillas, and protein and veggie-packed sandwich wraps.
The tradition of serving full-flavor fried chicken began when two women opened restaurants on the same street catering to hungry coal miners during all hours, and it was a way to support unemployed, disabled men enduring the hardships of the Great Depression. A competition between two restaurants led to more fried chicken houses opening in the region.
Each restaurant is recommendable, and my favorite spot is a 22-minute drive northeast of Pittsburg to 
On Mondays, a line forms at Gebhardt’s Chicken Dinner door. The draw? Chicken and noodles.
In the mood for a live show? 
For travelers in search of indoor exercise options, the hotel features a pool and fitness center. Loungers will appreciate the outdoor patio featuring a fire pit. If you’re in search of a quick bite to eat, The Bistro has food to go plus Starbucks drinks.
The hotel had the amenities I needed as a writer like high-speed WiFi and a spacious lobby with a business center to get work done. Its modern amenities, friendly staff, and quiet quarters made my stay worthwhile. When in Junction City, I know you’ll be pleased with your accommodations at Courtyard by Marriott.
It’s a place where soldiers get combat-ready and train to be ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. Many of the town’s residents are soldiers and it’s common to see men and women in uniform enjoying civilian life out and about in town. So, it makes perfect sense that the town recognizes past and present soldiers at many of its attractions.
The geologic formations and rolling rolls make the drive in this area of Russell County spectacular. Kansas is NOT flat. In fact, many mountain bikers like to twist and jump along the Switchgrass Bike Trail that winds 7.5 miles over the hills. Not much for adrenaline sports? Wilson Lake is also a 
I continued on Hwy 232 from Wilson Lake to 
With the 
More artistic talent is on view at the 
Many of the artists’ works show their appreciation for recycling objects to find new uses for them. I suggest you step inside the building’s old bank vault to see the work of Overland Park artist, James Peruca. He used recycled objects to create art that surrounds the viewer. What do you recognize in the photo below?
Admission to the Grassroots Art Center doesn’t necessarily include a guided tour but the helpful employee that works there is more than happy to provide background information about the artwork on display. If you spy a piece that you’d love to take home with you, there is a good chance it’s for sale.
I was fascinated by Dinsmoor’s use of wire and cement to build massive structures that told a story. The photo below shows his interpretation of bringing down civilization. The Goddess of Liberty has one foot on the trusts. The man and woman are sawing off the “chartered rights limb,” which represents Dinsmoor’s thoughts on big business overtaking an individual’s rights.
I sarcastically mumbled to myself during the tour of his property, “Because, why not? That seems perfectly normal.” For its wow factor, I recommend visiting the Garden of Eden, located 16 miles north of KS I-70. Admission includes a self-guided sculpture tour, however, the employee on-site eagerly took me and a visiting family around the property.
After lunch, I dug in my heels and started checking out the town. The murals of Russell are eye-catching. When traveling along KS I-70, pull over into this quaint town to see them up close.
The home of U.S. Senator Bob Dole, the area honors veterans, agricultural, oil refining, and their residents with beautiful street art. Other attractions worth seeking out include Bob Dole’s childhood home, downtown shops, and 
Driving through town, I saw buildings made with the region’s most readily available material, limestone. The churches, schools, and early homes in Russell were constructed with stunning sedimentary rock. Visitors can pay to tour some of them like the 
With a bit of exploring under my belt, I drove to 
Not far from my hotel, I checked in and found the hotel and amenities comfortable. 
Near the hotel, 
Russell is a town that I passed without stopping along KS I-70 from Kansas to Colorado dozens of times. My mistake! Russell and the surrounding towns offer travelers warm hospitality and sights that surprise them. Good people, interesting attractions, and a variety of dining options make Russell County a sure-win.
After slowly making your way through his museum passing by artifacts documenting his achievements and his family life, you can step outdoors and see his small boyhood home in the distance. Visitors are able to tour the interior of the home led by a tour guide about every thirty minutes. Sightseers awaiting the next tour should sit outside on one of the shaded benches until the next free tour begins.
