Welcome to the Iola Area
Planning a trip to or through Allen County, Kansas? Moving to the area? The Iola Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism welcomes you!
Enjoy our Great Location
Iola sits at the crossroads of U.S. Route 54 and U.S. Route 169, nestled between Kansas’s Flint Hills and Missouri’s Ozarks. Enjoy Kansas’s quaint small-town and rural environment while staying within a 3-hour radius of five major cities.
➼ 93 miles south of Kansas City
➼ 107 miles east of Wichita
➼ 126 miles north of Tulsa
➼ 126 miles west of Springfield
➼ 76 miles west of Joplin
Browse Our Downtown Square
Iola hosts the largest downtown square in the United States. Colorful historic buildings line the square’s eight blocks. A large manicured lawn sits at the middle of the downtown square and provides a perfect place for a picnic and recreation. Stick around on summer Thursday evenings to listen to the city band play--the longest continuously-performing city band in Kansas. The downtown includes:
➼ Unique boutiques, antique shops, and consignment stores
➼ Original restaurants and bars, a coffee shop, and a bakery
➼ Bowlus Fine Arts Center
➼ Allen County Veterans Memorial Wall
➼ Funston Historical Home
➼ Allen County Historical Museum
➼ Old Jail Museum
Explore the Outdoors
Iola’s rural setting provides a peaceful location to get away. The area offers wonderful views, recreation, and relaxation. It includes:
➼ Kansas’s best walking/running/biking trail network featuring:
> Prairie Spirit Trail
> Southwind Rail Trail
> Lehigh Portland Trails
> Missouri Pacific Recreational Trail
➼ Thrive Allen County’s FREE courtesy bicycles
➼ Riverside Park’s
> Ball Fields
> Running Track
> Skate Park
> Water Park
> Playgrounds
➼ Eight additional public parks
➼ Elks Lake
➼ Elm Creek Disc Golf
➼ Happy Tails Dog Park
Discover our Rich History
Cruise Iola’s tree-lined streets and encounter dozens of historical churches and homes displaying Victorian to Craftsman style architecture. Visit the local landmarks and discover the stories that helped shape the local culture into what it is today.
➼ Allen County Museum
➼ Northrup House
➼ Civil War Statue
➼ Funston Historical Home
➼ Allen County Veterans Memorial Wall
➼ Old Jail Museum
Join Our Events
Bring your family and friends to the Iola area’s seasonal and holiday celebrations. Stay the night at one of Iola’s hotels or stay longer at Experience the Lofts and AirBNB style accommodations.
➼ Allen County Fair
➼ Farm City Days
➼ Veterans Day Parade & Memorial
➼ Santa House on the Square
➼ Downtown Christmas Block Party
➼ Bowlus Fine Arts Center Musical & Performance Shows
➼ Iola Community Theatre Shows
➼ Iola Public Library Programs
➼ Fearless Fred Trolley Tours
➼ Allen Community College's
> Sporting Events
> Theatre, Musical & Art Showings
➼ Allen County Farmers Market
➼ Summer Lehigh Roots Festival at Elks Lake