When people think about tourism, they often picture destinations like Branson, the Rocky Mountains, or a Florida beach. Mitchell County probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind.

However, tourism isn’t reserved for major vacation destinations. It happens here every day, and it plays a much larger role in our local economy than many people realize.

Every time someone pulls off Highway 24 to snap a photo with the World’s Largest Ball of Twine, spends the weekend camping at Glen Elder State Park, travels here for a hunting trip, rides our scenic backroads by bicycle, or explores our historic limestone architecture, they’re contributing to our local economy.

Those visitors don’t just visit an attraction and leave. They fill up with gas, enjoy meals at local restaurants, shop in our stores, purchase groceries and supplies, stay in our lodging, and often discover businesses they never expected to find. Every dollar spent helps support local businesses, local jobs, and the communities we call home.

One of the things we hear time and again is that visitors are pleasantly surprised by Mitchell County. Someone may arrive planning a quick stop at the World’s Largest Ball of Twine but end up exploring downtown Cawker City, enjoying a meal in one of our communities, driving through our scenic countryside, or extending their stay to spend time on Waconda Lake. Others return year after year because they’ve fallen in love with our hunting, fishing, camping, boating, and peaceful pace of life.

Of course, our attractions are only part of the story.

One of Mitchell County’s greatest assets is something you won’t find on a map. It’s our people.

Visitors consistently tell us how welcoming, friendly, and helpful our communities are. Whether it’s offering directions, recommending a favorite restaurant, striking up a conversation at a local event, or simply greeting someone with a smile, those everyday interactions leave a lasting impression. In rural Kansas, hospitality isn’t something we have to manufacture. It’s simply part of who we are.

We’re also fortunate to have experiences that can’t easily be found anywhere else. From the World’s Largest Ball of Twine and the nationally recognized recreation at Glen Elder State Park to our beautiful limestone architecture, scenic landscapes, charming downtowns, and abundant outdoor recreation, Mitchell County offers something genuinely unique.

We don’t need to become the next big vacation destination to benefit from tourism. Instead, we can celebrate what makes our communities special while making every visitor feel welcome.

Every positive experience creates another ambassador for Mitchell County. Visitors share their stories with friends and family, recommend us to others, and often return themselves. That kind of word-of-mouth is one of the most powerful forms of tourism marketing.

As residents, it’s easy to overlook the places we see every day. But through the eyes of a visitor, our communities are full of history, beauty, adventure, and authentic small-town charm.

The next time you see someone taking photos at the Ball of Twine, asking for directions, browsing a local shop, or walking through one of our downtowns, remember they’re helping support our local economy. A warm welcome may seem like a small gesture, but it could be the reason they come back again.

In Mitchell County, tourism isn’t just about where people visit. It’s about the experiences we create, the memories they take home, and the community we build together.

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