Lindsborg Kansas USA

Directions to Lindsborg
Lindsborg is a small town, but a gem worth visiting with extra time at hand. Features of this city include the Smoky Hill River and its Swedish background. From I-135, take exit 72 or 78, whichever comes first, depending on the direction of your travel. K-4 travels through both directions of the town as well. At Exit 78, take K-4 west a few miles until you eventually arrive. At Exit 72, take the road west for a mile or so, then there will be an obvious turn right up north that will take you directly up to Lindsborg after another mile or so. This route used to be Business US-81.

Karpov International School of Chess Lindsborg Kansas USA
Even the Dala Horses are masked for Covid!

Karpov International School of Chess
I like traveling here for multiple reasons. When available, there is open chess at the Karpov International School of Chess on Monday evenings at 6:30 to 8 PM downtown west of Main Street and just south of Lincoln Street. Also downtown, there are Swedish decorations you can find. On a nice hot summer afternoon, you can visit their swimming pool in the south part of town. You can even find more history of the town near the pool such as the McPherson County Old Mill Museum and the 1904 World’s Fair Swedish Pavilion. 

St Lucia Christmas Bethany Lutheran Lindsborg USA
St Lucia Christmas Bethany Lutheran Lindsborg USA

In the north part of town, you can find Bethany College. Smoky Valley Middle and High Schools are on the west side of the town. The highway is really what is east of town, where there are gas stations and few places to eat and stay in the city. 

We have more content about Lindsborg here.


Kanopolis Lake Kansas

Kanopolis Lake is located west of Salina and Lindsborg, and east of Ellsworth and the town of Kanopolis. You can get here via K-141. Take K-140 or K-4 to get to this highway.

Up north you can find more campgrounds and hiking grounds to take. For the people wanting to ride a boat, a way to do it is going to the Buzzard Bay Boat Ramp. My youth group took me here once and it was pretty interesting. We went hiking, and then made a campfire to cook hotdogs and smores. There is one public swimming beach along Beach Road. The best way to get here is by taking Vendago Road west. It splits into Horsethief Road and Beach Road and you can navigate from there depending on your desired destination. 

Langley Point State Park Kanopolis Lake Kansas USA
Langley Point State Park Kanopolis Lake Kansas USA

Down south include more campgrounds, but most importantly, in my opinion, a better beach for swimming. There are showers and restrooms nearby. There are also some included up north for the activities up there. The way to get there is by taking Langley Point Road.

Langley Point State Park Beach Kanopolis Lake Kansas USA
Langley Point State Park Beach Kanopolis Lake Kansas USA


On the other side of the highway, the same road is called Riverside Drive. This is how you get to the outlet which requires another left turn. This is where the Smoky Hill River comes back from the lake and meets Sand Creek. Last time I went here, I saw people swimming, so I assume you can swim as well. There are restrooms in the same area. Or if you don’t like the water, it is a good place to take pictures.


St Lucia Christmas Little Sweden USA

St Lucia Christmas Bethany Lutheran Lindsborg USA
St Lucia Christmas Bethany Lutheran Lindsborg USA

Christmas in Lindsborg comes alive with Swedish traditions. St. Lucia Christmas is celebrated all day mid December. Young girls dressed up in white march in procession into the Bethany Lutheran Church. The procession is a community event with singing and beautiful music.
The procession is led by a young girl dressed as St. Lucia with candles on her head.

St Lucia Christmas Bethany Lutheran Lindsborg USA
St Lucia Christmas Bethany Lutheran Lindsborg USA

There are also beautiful Swedish folk dances performed by both young and old during the day in Lindsborg, Kansas, USA.

Please click to watch.


Christmas in Little Sweden USA

Lindsborg Kansas USA (also known as Little Sweden) is a cute little town to visit anytime of the year. You can find all things Swedish here from liggonberry jams to beautifully painted wooden Dala horses.

In Spring, you should get tickets for Handel’s Messiah Easter Performance at Bethany College. It is worth it.

If you come visit in the Summer, enjoy the MidSummer’s Festival. You will see real folks dressed in real Swedish national costumes performing beautiful dances.

The town offers several stores to purchase good gifts and souvenirs. Enjoy some good Swedish food at the Swedish Crown and pasteries while you are in Lindsborg. I love the Swedish Meatballs (Svensk Köttbullar) with the dill potatoes. Finish it off with some Swedish Almond Cake or some Ostkaka (creamy custard).

Christmas in Lindsborg is fun as you get to celebrate the European Swedish heritage right in Kansas. The traditions are kept alive in fun ways. You will see young girls dressed up in white carrying candles for the St. Lucia Festival. The are plenty of fun activities all day for the St. Lucia Festival.
I think Christmas time is extra special in Lindsborg as many festive events lead up to Christmas.

Click to watch Swedish Dances.

St Lucia Christmas Bethany Lutheran Lindsborg USA
St Lucia Christmas Bethany Lutheran Lindsborg USA


Everything from Christmas (Jultide) Concerts to traditional Christmas Services (Julotta Christmas Morning Service and Annandag Jul Day After Christmas Service) at the Bethany Lutheran Church. Enjoy a little bit of Sweden right here in the USA!

Bethany Lutheran Church Lindsborg Kansas USA
Bethany Lutheran Church Lindsborg Kansas USA

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