People love Emporia. Here are just a few of the accolades we’ve received:

Emporia Named one of five Unique American Cities Worth Visiting
Ezvid Wiki, 2021
5 Unique American Cities Worth Visiting

#1 Disc Golf Small Town in the U.S. 
UDisc, 2020
udisc.com

Kansas SBDC Small Business of the Year – Existing – Sweet Granada
Kansas Small Business Development Center, 2020
Kansas SBDC

Best Burger in Kansas – Do-B’s
msn lifestyle & Yelp, 2019
msn.com

The Most Guitar Strings Changed in One Hour – Thomas Silkman/Flint Hills Music
Guinness World Records, 2018

The Absolute Best Burger in Kansas – Do-B’s
msn lifestyle & Yelp, 2018
msn.com

25 Best Last Minute Family Vacations
VacationIdea Dream Vacation Magazine, 2018
vacationidea.com

Best Small-Town Bar (Kansas) – Mulready’s Pub
Thrillist Food, 2018
Thrillist.com

2018 Existing Business of the Year – Radius Brewing Company, LLC
Kansas Small Business Development Center – 2018 Kansas Small Business Awards, 2018
kansassbdc.net

Top 10 Affordable Small Towns Where You’d Actually Want to Live – Emporia #6
Realtor.com, 2018

Readers’ Choice Best Local Eats – Do-B’s 
Kansas Magazine, 2017

Readers’ Choice Best Local Eats – Amanda’s Bakery & Cafe
Kansas Magazine, 2017

Best Sandwich Shop in Kansas – Do-B’s
Travel + Leisure Magazine, 2017
travelandleisure.com

Forward Thinking Small Business – Best Community Engagement – Dynamic Discs
Forbes
forbes.com

#1 Best Main Street in America
USA Today, 2016
10best.com

Best Brewery in Kansas – Radius Brewing Company
Yahoo Travel, 2015
yahoo.com

Governor’s Tourism Award – Dirty Kanza 200
2015

#25 Best Small City in America
Nerdwallet, 2015
nerdwallet.com

World’s Best Drinking Water
Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting competition, 2013
travel.cnn.com

Most Patriotic City Finalist
Rand McNally Best of the Road, 2013
randmcnally.com

#1 Burger in the State – J’s Carryout
AAA Travel Magazine, 2003

Official Recognition as the Founding City of Veterans Day
United States Congress, 2003
gpo.gov

Tourism Industry Awards

1st Place – Medium Budget Integrated Media, 2019
Travel Industry Association of Kansas

1st Place – Medium Budget Outsourced Visitors Guide, 2019
Travel Industry Association of Kansas

Best Brochure Award – Regional Winner, 2018
CTM Media Group

1st Place – Medium Budget Integrated Campaign, 2018
Travel Industry Association of Kansas

1st Place – Medium Budget Print Material, 2018
Travel Industry Association of Kansas

1st Place – Medium Budget Outsourced Visitors Guide, 2018
Travel Industry Association of Kansas

1st Place –  People’s Choice, 2017
Travel Industry Association of Kansas

1st Place – Print Material (Magazine Ads), 2017
Travel Industry Association of Kansas

2nd Place – Visitors Guide, 2017
Travel Industry Association of Kansas

2nd Place – Print Material (Billboards), 2017
Travel Industry Association of Kansas

Honorable Mention – Online Media, 2017
Travel Industry Association of Kansas

Honorable Mention – Integrated Campaign, 2017
Travel Industry Association of Kansas

1st Place – Integrated Campaign, 2016
Travel Industry Association of Kansas