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Manhattan is a city of about 55,000 people where the Kansas and Big Blue rivers meet in the Flint Hills of northeast Kansas. Founded by New England settlers in 1855, it calls itself "The Little Apple" and is home to Kansas State University, the nation's first operational land-grant college, founded in 1863.
The Flint Hills Discovery Center tells the story of the tallgrass prairie, one of the last large stretches of which surrounds the city. The Konza Prairie Biological Station, just south of town, has hiking trails with sweeping prairie views. Tuttle Creek Lake, just north, offers boating, fishing and camping.
Aggieville, one of the oldest shopping districts in Kansas, has restaurants and bars next to campus, and downtown Manhattan has the historic Union Pacific depot, the Riley County Historical Museum and Blue Earth Plaza. K-State football at Bill Snyder Family Stadium draws huge purple-clad crowds in the fall, and Fort Riley is nearby.
A modern museum downtown dedicated to the tallgrass prairie of the Flint Hills, with an immersive film, interactive exhibits on fire, cattle, geology and people of the region, plus changing exhibits. It is a great start before exploring the prairie. Allow about two hours; admission is charged for exhibits.
The art museum of Kansas State University, built of local limestone, with a collection focused on art of Kansas and the region, including prints, paintings and ceramics, plus traveling exhibitions. Admission is free. It sits on the edge of campus with free parking nearby on weekends and evenings.
A free county history museum with exhibits on Manhattan's founding, Native American history, farm life and Kansas State's beginnings. The Wolf House and Hartford House historic homes are nearby. It is a good rainy day stop, and the staff can suggest local history sites to visit in the area.
The 1860s limestone home of Isaac Goodnow, an anti-slavery pioneer and one of the founders of Kansas State University, furnished with period pieces. It sits in a quiet neighborhood near the Riley County Historical Museum and is open on limited days. Check hours ahead, or combine with the museum.
A tallgrass prairie research site owned by Kansas State University, with public nature trails of about 2.6, 4.7 and 6 miles through rolling Flint Hills grassland, with views back to Manhattan. Bison live in parts of the preserve. Trails have little shade, so bring water; dogs and bikes are not allowed.
A crushed gravel trail of about 10 miles that circles much of Manhattan along the Kansas River and Wildcat Creek, connecting parks, neighborhoods and Northeast Park. It is popular for walking, running and biking with river views. Access points with parking are found along the route near city parks.
A state park on the shores of Tuttle Creek Lake just north of town, with beaches, campgrounds, boat ramps, mountain bike trails and a disc golf course. The River Pond area below the dam is popular for fishing and camping. A daily vehicle permit is required, and summer weekends get busy.
A city zoo on a wooded hillside with animals from Asia, Africa and Australia, such as snow leopards, chimpanzees, red pandas and wallabies, plus a children's farm. It is small enough to see in about two hours. Admission is modest, and it is especially pleasant on cooler spring and fall mornings.
A large land-grant university founded in 1863 with a handsome campus of native limestone buildings, the historic Anderson Hall, gardens and a famous dairy bar making Call Hall ice cream. Visitors can stroll freely. Try the ice cream and walk through the K-State Gardens near the north end.
The home football stadium of the Kansas State Wildcats, seating around 50,000 fans in a purple sea on fall Saturdays. Tickets for big games sell fast, and tailgating in the lots is part of the experience. Outside the season, you can see the stadium and the statue of coach Bill Snyder from outside.
One of the oldest shopping districts next to a college campus in the country, with bars, restaurants, coffee shops and stores just east of Kansas State. It is the heart of Manhattan's nightlife, especially on game days. Daytime is quieter and good for browsing; parking is in the nearby public garage.
The city center along Poyntz Avenue with historic limestone and brick buildings, local shops, restaurants and the Manhattan Town Center mall, close to the Flint Hills Discovery Center. It hosts parades and markets through the year. Walk the blocks around Poyntz and 4th Street for the best mix of places.
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