Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Manhattan, Kansas

Commonly referred to as the Little Apple, Manhattan is home to Kansas State University, established in 1863 by the same advocates of freedom who founded the city.

The connection between the university and city is profound, exemplified by Aggieville, a vibrant district that emerged at the dawn of the 20th century.

Moreover, Manhattan stands as the largest town within the Flint Hills, which represent the last significant expanse of tallgrass prairie in North America, stretching across a vast area from eastern Kansas to northern Oklahoma.

The rocky soil of the hills rendered farming impracticable, imparting a unique history and identity to the region, distinct from the adjacent plains.

1. Flint Hills Discovery Center

This contemporary heritage and science center opened in Manhattan in 2012, providing comprehensive insights into the Flint Hills ecoregion.

The interactive, multimedia exhibits on the first floor delve into the unique ecology and essence of this distinctive area.

Visitors will observe the profound, living roots of tallgrass prairie species and learn about ranchers’ close ties to the land, employing controlled burns to rejuvenate the grasses for grazing.

The exhibit titled “Where the Air is so Pure” poignantly narrates the story of European immigration in the 19th century alongside Native American displacement.

On the second level, there is a hands-on Prairie Playscape for children, coupled with the Tallgrass Gallery, which hosts fascinating temporary exhibitions.

2. Aggieville

Located adjacent to KSU’s campus, this charming commercial area arose at the turn of the century as a hub for students procuring books and supplies.

The name, Aggieville, has a nostalgic ring, referencing the university’s prior mascot from its history as an agricultural college.

Within a compact six-block by six-block layout, more than 100 local businesses thrive, and to enhance convenience, the district provides free public Wi-Fi.

The area boasts an abundance of dining and drinking establishments, making it nearly impossible to experience all in a single visit, and the district consistently hosts various events.

The centerpiece event is the “Little Apple New Year’s Eve,” where the streets fill with enthusiastic revelers eager to witness the illuminated apple descending from the marquee of Rally House (formerly Varney’s Bookstore).

3. Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art

Adjacent to Aggieville, in the southeastern corner of the KSU campus, lies the museum housing the university’s extensive art collection.

The Beach Museum of Art, inaugurated in 1996, expanded with a new wing a decade later. The diverse collection features a variety of paintings, prints, sculptures, photographs, drawings, decorative arts, ceramics, and historical artifacts, predominantly related to Kansas.

At present, the museum is showcasing remarkable photography exhibitions highlighting the works of Gordon Parks and local photographer Doug Barrett.

The museum actively engages with the Manhattan community by offering classes, workshops, tours, lectures, and more. Additionally, visitors can explore the Hummel Family Meadow, a native plant garden utilized for STEAM programs.

4. Bill Snyder Family Stadium

The Kansas State Wildcats football team competes at this 50,000-seat stadium, which commenced its inaugural season in 1968.

Competing in the Big 12 Conference, the Wildcats experienced their most successful era under the guidance of Bill Snyder, whose name now honors the stadium.

From the 1990s to the 2010s, Bill Snyder led the team to an undefeated regular season in 1998 and established one of the longest AP Poll streaks in college football history.

The Sunflower Showdown against the University of Kansas is a highly anticipated event, known for its vibrant atmosphere. For many, KSU offers one of the best tailgating experiences in the Big 12, especially around Aggieville on game days.

5. Sunset Zoo

Manhattan has sustained a zoo since the early 1930s, serving as a year-round destination, attracting around 100,000 visitors annually.

Currently, Sunset Zoo is home to over 330 animals from more than 100 species, housed in spacious and sustainable habitats, with peacocks freely roaming the park.

The zoo boasts several zones, such as the African Trail, featuring chimpanzees and cheetahs, the Australian Walkabout with wallabies and emus, and the South American Trail for peccaries, anteaters, and flamingos.

To introduce visitors to local wildlife, the Kansas Plains zone showcases bobcats, prairie dogs, and more, while the Asian Trail is home to sloth bears and tigers. Additionally, five beautifully designed gardens within the park attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

6. Riley County Historical Museum

Established in 1914, the Riley County Historical Society oversees five significant historical sites, in addition to an outstanding museum located just west of the Kansas State University campus. The museum features captivating and thoroughly researched exhibits that are periodically refreshed.

During a recent review, the primary exhibits highlighted 19th-century settlement, the Kansa Indians, and an intriguing selection of items from the society’s collection, including seating from the historic Wareham Opera House and a penny-farthing bicycle once owned by Guy Varney, whose bookstore in Aggieville operated for an impressive 126 years until 2016.

The museum is situated next to Goodnow House (1861), a preserved residence of the abolitionist and co-founder of Manhattan and KSU, Isaac Goodnow (1814-1894).

7. Linear Trail

On the southern and eastern periphery of Manhattan, individuals can walk, cycle, and jog along the banks of the Kansas and Big Blue Rivers for over nine miles.

Additionally, the trail meanders alongside Wildcat Creek and consists of paved and crushed limestone sections, where one might be surprised by the abundance of wildlife near downtown Manhattan, particularly geese that are frequently seen.

Accessing the trail is straightforward, with eight distinct trailheads available to choose from. The most picturesque segment is embellished with an outlook at the confluence of the two major rivers.

8. Tuttle Creek State Park

Situated directly north of Manhattan, Tuttle Creek Lake ranks as the second-largest reservoir in the state, encompassing 12,500 acres and featuring 100 miles of shoreline. Tuttle Creek State Park spans over 1,200 acres distributed across four units along the lakeshore.

The closest unit to Manhattan is River Pond, located by the dam, where visitors can engage in fishing, canoe and kayak rentals, and partake in hiking or mountain biking along over 20 miles of trails.

The park also features an 18-hole disc golf course, an archery range, and a campground accommodating over 350 campsites (including 159 water/electric, 8 electric/water/sewer, and 200 primitive options).

9. Konza Prairie

The expansive Konza Prairie, managed by Kansas State University, encompasses over 13 square miles of the Flint Hills just outside Manhattan. This former cattle ranch now serves as a preserve dedicated to the research of native tallgrass prairie.

The gently rolling hills showcase limestone outcrops, and the area is rich with wildlife, including a herd of approximately 200 bison that graze on the prairie.

Due to the significance of the landscape, public access is limited; however, visitors can explore three designated loops measuring approximately 2.6, 4.5, and 6 miles in length, with a lookout point offering a stunning view just off K-177.

10. Manhattan Town Center

Much of downtown Manhattan’s commercial activity is centralized in this mall, which opened in 1987. One notable feature of Manhattan Town Center is its direct connection with Poyntz Avenue, which imparts an integrated feel with the downtown area, unlike most malls.

Notable retailers in the center include JCPenney, Dillard’s, H&M, Foot Locker, Kay Jewelers, and Victoria’s Secret, complemented by an AMC Dine-In IMAX movie theater featuring 13 screens.

The eastern end of Poyntz Avenue is lined with a diverse array of restaurants, bars, cafes, and unique local shops offering homewares, antiques, jewelry, games, shoes, fabrics, and more.

11. Kansas State University Gardens

The Kansas State University Gardens, covering 19 acres on the KSU campus, function as an educational resource, living laboratory, and attractive public area, open during daylight hours from March through November.

The gardens are under continuous development, aiming to evolve into a world-class botanical facility. During spring and summer, visitors can delight in impressive collections of roses, irises, peonies, and daylilies.

Additionally, the gardens feature three specialized areas: an Adaptive/Native garden showcasing Kansas species, the charming Cottage Garden, and the Butterfly Garden, which hosts hundreds of native butterflies on calm summer days.

12. Kansas State University Insect Zoo

For a unique experience, visitors can explore the “insect zoo” located within the Kansas State University Gardens.

This venue houses thousands of live, preserved, and fossilized insects within a historic Dairy Barn. Guests can delve into captivating details regarding these creatures’ life cycles, diets, and ecological roles.

Visitors may observe directly into a beehive and watch leafcutter ants in action. For those with strong constitutions, there’s also a replica kitchen filled with cockroaches.

For enriched context, guided tours conducted by expert entomologists are available. Additionally, the gift shop offers unique items, including baby pet tarantulas for sale.

13. Midwest Dream Car Collection

In 2019, local collectors Ward and Brenda Morgan exhibited their remarkable automobile collection permanently.

This collection, known as the Midwest Dream Car Collection, features nearly 70 vehicles manufactured between 1907 and the present day. Few collections in the region match the prestige and diversity exhibited here, including classic cars, muscle cars, exotic vehicles, and custom creations.

As patrons explore the collection, they can also take advantage of a self-serve wine and beer wall, a feature unique to the state. Furthermore, an engaging kids’ area is available, complete with games, puzzles, LEGO, and various activities to keep younger visitors entertained.

14. CiCo Park

This park, situated in the western part of Manhattan, was established collaboratively by the city, county, and a local school district, each responsible for different segments of the park.

In terms of amenities, the park includes county fairgrounds, a rodeo arena, event facilities, and recreational space featuring ballfields, tennis courts, a swimming pool, trails, a skate park, and playgrounds for children.

CiCo Park serves as the venue for the Riley County Fair in late July, coinciding with the Kaw Valley Rodeo.

15. Wildwood Adventure Park

Experience the natural beauty of the Flint Hills from an exhilarating perspective on a zipline high above the forest canopy.

Located just outside Manhattan, Wildwood Adventure Park features no fewer than seven ziplines within a course that takes approximately two hours to complete, interspersed with informative hikes.

During the adventure, participants will gain insights about the Flint Hills, including their forests, grasslands, wildlife, and rich geological history.

The park’s base camp provides picnic tables, games, and a campfire area, allowing guests to bring everything needed for s’mores, hot dogs, etc.