Lindsborg, Kansas: A Small Town Full of Swedish Traditions, Festivals and Fun

If you’re searching for a town full of Swedish traditions, festivals, and fun then Lindsborg, Kansas is waiting to welcome you with open arms. During our recent travels throughout the Midwest, we were able to spend 2 fun nights in the town that they also call Little Sweden, USA. The state of Kansas may be known for the speed limit on the highway being 75 mph and the flat terrain, but for those of you who just drive by the exit without stopping that leads into the town of Lindsborg, Kansas, you are truly missing out.

To be honest, before this trip to Lindsborg, I’d known very little about the state of Kansas. My knowledge was limited to the fact that my husband was born in a small town there (Ellenwood) and that I was still holding strong to the football rivalry between my beloved Mizzou Tigers and the Kansas Jayhawks. (still bitter about it, don’t ask) So, of course, when the opportunity presented itself for us to visit Lindsborg to learn more about Swedish traditions and heritage, we knew that we weren’t about to pass it up.

And while I know that we’re a good judge of places to visit, this was one town that we truly enjoyed. From the day that we arrived to the day that we left, we were honestly in awe of how this town of 3,000 was able to have such an amazing downtown full of bustling shopping, food, and local support.

While we were hosted on this trip, please know that all thoughts and opinions are 100% our own.

city of lindsborg kansas mosiac sign with dala horse

If you’re looking for things to do in Lindsborg KS, read on! This Swedish town in Kansas is full of fun!

Lindsborg, Kansas: A Small Town Full of Swedish Traditions, Festivals, and Fun

It’s hard to put the town of Lindsborg into some nice neat little category. If I had to narrow it down to five descriptive words, I’d say “friendly, Swedish, proud, welcoming and surprising” but not necessarily in that order. While I grew up in a small town, I wasn’t prepared for the abundance that the Lindsborg downtown had to offer. To me, it almost felt like a scene out of a movie…the old brick roads, the downtown lined with shops and visitors, the Dala horses painted and sitting on the streets and the smiles of the townspeople welcoming you no matter where you turned.

Did my husband and I find the hidden gem of the Midwest? We’d like to think so. It’s certainly set the bar high for any other small town that we’re ever going to visit.

Places to Stay in Lindsborg, KS

Can I let you in on a little secret? I’ve ALWAYS dreamed about living in a downtown studio, above a store and being able to walk out my door, down a few steps and be right out on the main road. Sounds pretty awesome, right? I’m sure you know where this is going…but during our recent visit to Lindsborg, that dream came true. WE STAYED IN A DOWNTOWN LOFT. And it wasn’t just any downtown loft…this loft had it all.

Lindsborg Vacation Rentals

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Lindsborg, the options from Lindsborg Vacation Rentals seriously can’t be topped. While the studios and rentals are gorgeous, they’re also preserved with as much of their natural history and architecture as possible. The studio that we stayed in still had some of the original beauty to it and the exposed brick wall was a nice focal point as well.

What’s even cooler is that each option has its own name. You can choose from Plantera (which is where we stayed), Skorda or Tradhuset, all of which are very different from each other. Each is a bit unique but beautiful in how they are set up and decorated.

The inside of Plantera, the studio that we stayed in, was thought out and set up perfectly. We didn’t have to bring anything for our stay, at all. There was even coffee waiting for us from the local coffee shop, Blacksmith Coffee Shop.

One other aspect about Lindsborg Vacation Rentals that is great is that they are as energy efficient and as green as possible with their offerings. The appliances are all efficient, the apartments are super insulated and they do a great job of making improvements and updates from their own creativity and expertise.

See how simple it was for us to go right down the stairs outside our loft and be in the middle of all the action?!

walking down the stair from our loft apartment to main street

Where to eat in Lindsborg, Kansas

I’m a foodie. So is my husband. We’re always on the hunt for two things: good coffee and better food. I’m happy to report that we found both in Lindsborg!

Blacksmith Coffee Shop

This just might be one of the coolest interiors that I’ve seen in a coffee shop. I love the exposed pipes on the ceiling and the brick walls…I’m such a sucker for that. From the moment that we walked in the door, it was obvious that this was a place that was quite the hangout for locals and tourists. (and understandably so)

After exploring all morning, we were starving (big surprise there) and more than ready to fill up our tummies. I ordered a coffee while Matt got an expresso, both delicious. For lunch, he ordered the gyro and soup lunch special and I opted for the gyro salad. Huge portions, tender gyro meat and a ton of flavor. We were super, duper impressed. (and full!)

Without a crumb left on our plates, we are happy to report that Blacksmith Coffee Shop isn’t just a place to enjoy a cup of joe…it’s great for a casual lunch as well. I even caught Matt sneaking a kiss to the coffee lady hiding in the back. (He really must have liked his expresso!)

Ol Stuga

Every town has its own version of Ol Stuga. You know what I’m talking about, right? That local spot that is just your place to go, grab a drink, a bite to eat, and unwind. And honestly, these are some of the best places in towns. It’s where the locals go and the place that the tourists do their best to find. After an evening of exploring, we were ready to sit and enjoy each other’s time at this hometown bar that we’d heard so much about.

Guess what? We found it and had a great time. Ol Stuga just happens to have a famous sandwich (The Brett Nelson) that actually was a finalist on Good Morning America’s Best Bite Challenge. So, of course, we had to order it, right?

So good. Sitting and reading the ingredients makes you kind of scratch your head and wonder how it’s all going to come together…but it does. The bun is SUPER soft, and the inside has sausage, cheese, BBQ sauce and onions. And they cook that sausage to perfection. It just “snaps” in your mouth after every bite. I was actually kinda sad when it was gone…I just kept wanting “one more bite!”

Eat and drink like the locals at Ol Stuga when you’re in Lindsborg because it’s a lot of fun. We had a couple of locals come up and tell us some stories about the bar and we even sat around and sipped on a draft beer that was locally from Kansas. It was relaxing, inviting and delicious all in one.

Farley’s Bar and Grill

I don’t know why, but I was craving a burger. Like, it had to happen no matter what. Throughout the day, several people had recommended that we give Farley’s Bar and Grill a go and that was all the convincing that we needed.

First off, it was packed (that’s always a good sign) and secondly, they had burgers on their menu. But, not just any burgers. There was one burger that we knew we were ordering without a doubt. It was called “The Fat Elvis” and it was a combination of hamburger, bacon, fresh jalapenos and peanut butter. Certain to make Elvis proud.

I think what I loved most about their burgers is that they were served on a delicious pretzel bun. We all know that the bun is a major part in the making or breaking of burgers so this took them over the top.

During our dinner, we sat next to a couple celebrating their wedding anniversary and they were just the sweetest. They recommended everything on the menu and actually drive several miles just to come and dine at Farleys on a consistent basis. It was fun to meet even more people in Lindsborg that just loved the town. It was certainly the theme of the weekend while we were there which was such a fun added bonus.

P.S. IF you have any room after dinner, get the bread pudding. It’s homemade and delicious. Another great perk of staying in a studio rental in downtown Lindsborg? We got our bread pudding to go and saved it for later that night!

Shops to explore in Lindsborg, KS

I’m not exaggerating at all when I say that downtown Lindsborg is full of shops. All kinds of shops, all unique and different from one another. And it was actually a really great time for us to be in Lindsborg because that weekend was the Lindsborg in Bloom festival where all the shops were having sidewalk sales and everyone was channeling their inner hippies.

Peace signs, groovy clothes, and happiness were lining the sidewalks and the stores were booming with customers. If you’re looking for some fun shopping in Kansas, you’ll want to check out all these awesome stores! (Check out the local broom maker, Justin, showing off his trade!)

Rendezvous Adventure Outfitters

Full of anything and everything outdoors that you could need. Pet-friendly, too! If you need a frisbee golfs, running socks, hiking accessories, etc. you’ll find it here!

Trollslända Toy Store

Full of some of the cutest toys, ever. Next time we head back to Lindsborg, we’ll be taking our girls here for certain.

The Ivory Thimble

Tara, the owner of The Ivory Thimble, can create any masterpiece that you need. A fun Swedish outfit for the next town event or even just an alteration on the one you currently have can be done quickly and easily in this quaint store! (She even creates custom pieces, jewelry, and purses!)

Small World Gallery

Make certain to stop and see the pictures from world famous National Geographic photographer, Jim Richardson. Beautiful prints to purchase plus an awesome bead collection to see as well. (We had to get his autograph while in town!)

The Good Merchant

Full of really cool home decor and other fun items as well. Make certain you ask to see the bathroom…it’s really cool and unique! (yep, the bathroom!)

Connected – A Fair Trade Store

These type of stores are my favorite. Where everything sold is created by people in other countries and fair money is paid. We picked up a couple of worry dolls for our girls and they’re in love with them.

Hemslojd, Inc

Full of Swedish traditions and merchandise that will make you want to visit Sweden, this gift shop is one of the “8 Wonders of Kansas” for a reason! The artists who make the Dala horses have their own little space in the store and they even have bikes (2 seaters and 4 seaters!) that you can rent and explore the town!

Here is the studio on the back of the store where the famous Dala horses get their start!

Because we love biking, we had to see what their two seaters were all about. The first is us being a bit crazy….

But we quickly got the hang of it and had no issue cruising around the town!

HandS of Time Gallery

Beautiful, unique artwork and creations that are so much fun for kids and adult alike. I loved the zaniness of the offerings and found myself really digging on the silly and eclectic spirit.

Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery

While this isn’t a shop per se, you can purchase some of his work and the work of other local artists as well. This gallery had several rooms full of beautiful painting and sculptures and here was one of my favorite from the bunch.

Can you believe that this is a painting? (This one is actually also not located downtown, but off of First street instead)

And these are just a handful of the shops! Make a plan to find the entire list of downtown stores HERE.

Swedish Traditions and Festivals to Enjoy in Lindsborg, KS

One other aspect that makes Lindsborg stand out is how active the town truly is. It seems like everyone weekend there is some sort of Swedish tradition or festival happening or other fun event! Check out all their upcoming events and see for yourself!

Talk about a full calendar of events for a small town! And you and your family are invited to every single one! This is what makes the Lindsborg community amazing. Everyone is welcome to join in on the Swedish traditions and fun.

And even though I may not be Swedish, I found this to be perfect for our weekend stay in Lindsborg, KS.

What about the Dala horses?

One other thing that needs to be on your radar when in Lindsborg is you need to take the time to try to find the entire herd of The Wild Dala Horses. Keep your eyes peeled because they are located everywhere all over the town.

I tried my best to see and find them all, but I’m certain that I missed quite a few. All are painted unique and fun and have a plaque talking about them and their meaning. Download your copy of the map HERE.

Other fun things to do in Lindsborg, Kansas

Make certain that you take the time to really explore all that the town has to offer. Pick up some Swedish snacks at Scotts Hometown Food and take a hike on the Valkommen Trail.

Eating some fun Swedish traditions for breakfast and following it up with a hike was great! (and those cookies? Perfection.)

One last thing to see in Lindsborg has to be all the beauty of the painting and artwork around town. If you slow down and look, you’ll find murals like this one scattered about…

And other fun artwork that shows Swedish traditions and heritage as well.

It’s no doubt that we loved our weekend in Lindsborg, KS. It’s a town full of Swedish traditions and awesome stores that showcase the pride of the community.

If you’re looking for the small town feel with a ton of amenities and fun experiences, a weekend at Lindsborg is the perfect destination for you!

Lindsborg, Kansas: A Small Town Full of Swedish Traditions, Festivals and Fun

Lindsborg, Kansas: A Small Town Full of Swedish Traditions, Festivals, and Fun