Iola
Around Iola
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Countryside and towns · Kansas · 37k people
Iola
Locals say Iola area
Prairie skies, small-town smiles.
Allen Community College redPrairie goldFlint Hills green
Welcome to the Iola area, where the Flint Hills meet small-town charm. Come for the county fair, stay for the friendly folks and wide-open skies. We're glad you're here.
Clubs for Iola
No clubs for Iola yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Iola. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Iola. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Cross Timbers State Park On Toronto Lake, offers camping, hiking, and lake access.
- Toronto Lake Popular for fishing, boating, and swimming; a hub of outdoor activity.
- Prairie Spirit Trail Paved rail trail from Iola to Ottawa, great for biking and walking.
- Allen County Courthouse 1886 red sandstone courthouse in Iola, a local landmark.
- Anderson County Courthouse Built in 1902 in Garnett, with a prominent clock tower.
- Coffey County Courthouse Classic courthouse in Burlington with a distinctive dome.
- Outdoors Fishing at Toronto Lake
- Outdoors Hiking at Cross Timbers State Park
- With kids County fair rides and livestock shows
- With kids Picnicking at Riverside Park (Iola)
- Evenings Eureka Downs horse racing
- Evenings Local taverns with live music
- Locals love Small-town diners
- Locals love County fairs
Through the year
- Allen County Fair July Week-long county fair in Iola with livestock, carnival rides, and demolition derby.
- Anderson County Fair July Traditional county fair in Garnett with 4-H exhibits, rodeo, and grandstand shows.
- Kansas State Championship Chili Cook-off September Annual chili cook-off in Iola drawing cooks from across the state.
- Eureka Downs Horse Racing Spring–Summer Live horse racing at the historic Eureka Downs track, a summer tradition.
- Old Settlers Day September Iola's community celebration with parade, street fair, and live music.
Southeastern Kansas has hot, humid summers and cold, sometimes snowy winters. Spring brings thunderstorms, and fall is mild and pleasant. Best time to be out is April–June and September–October. Best: Spring (April–June) and fall (September–October) are mild and pleasant.
Talk like a local
- “The lake”
- Toronto Lake
- “The trail”
- Prairie Spirit Trail
- “The fair”
- The county fair (any of them)
- “Chili cook-off”
- The annual chili cook-off in Iola
Getaways
- Fort Scott National Historic Site Explore a restored 1840s frontier fort and its museum.
- Emporia's Flint Hills shops and trails Visit the David Traylor Zoo and hike the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve nearby.
- Pittsburg State University and dining Catch a Gorilla football game or enjoy the town's Italian heritage restaurants.
- Ottawa's historic downtown and Prairie Spirit Trail Continue the rail trail north and browse antique shops.
Local flavour
Teams
- Allen Community College Red Devils NJCAA
Also rooting for Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Sporting Kansas City, Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas State Wildcats
Eat and drink
- chicken fried steak A diner staple across the region
- bison burgers From the Flint Hills ranches
- sorghum molasses Drizzled on biscuits or cornbread
- homemade pies Especially at small-town cafes
Where people go
- small-town diners Where the coffee is always on and the specials are written on a whiteboard
- county fairs The summer highlight with 4-H shows, carnival rides, and fried everything
- Flint Hills prairie trails Hiking and scenic drives through the tallgrass
- grain elevators The towering landmarks of every town
- historic courthouses The proud centers of each county seat
- lakes and rivers for fishing Quiet spots for catfish, bass, and crappie
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Nearby
Every areaFort ScottKansasPrairie crossroads with a storied pastParsons–ChanuteKansasPrairie roots, small-town soul.OttawaKansasSunflower country, warm hearts.PittsburgKansasWhere the prairie meets the minesEmporiaKansasWhere the prairie meets the sky.LamarMissouriQuiet hills, golden fields, and a warm welcome.LawrenceKansasA lively college town with a creative soulJoplinMissouriWhere the Ozarks meet the plains
Allen, Coffey, Anderson, Greenwood and Woodson counties, KS. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.