Manhattan, Kansas, is a town along the banks of the Big Blue and Kansas rivers. Manhattan, Kansas, is a lovely area with various exciting attractions and activities. With its charming historic center, quality food, and unique sites, you’re sure to love it! The city has plenty of exciting things to do. Here are a few of them.
The Wonder Workshop Children’s Museum is great for children to explore science and history. The museum offers a range of educational activities for children, including storytimes, pottery classes, and art workshops. It also hosts birthday parties and business retreats.
Tuttle Creek State Park
Tuttle Creek State Park is a 1,200-acre park in Northeast Kansas that is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. It is home to several wildlife and offers a wide range of activities.
The Tuttle Creek Reservoir area is excellent for camping and fishing. The main boat ramp is located at Spillway Park. In addition, there are several hiking and horseback riding trails in the area.
There are two types of campsites available at the Tuttle Creek Reservoir area. One type is called primitive. These sites are free to use. Those who wish to camp at these sites must be at least eighteen.
Another type of campsite is called electric. These sites have 50 amp electrical service. Places at this type of campground are located near the River Pond and Cotton Trail areas.
Blue Earth Plaza
Blue Earth Plaza in Manhattan, Kansas, is perfect for a picnic. It boasts a small but impressive water feature, a seasonal shade structure, and a large masonry warming fireplace. In addition, this is the site of local events, including the fall’s Flint Hills Beer Fest and the Winter Festival of Lights. Besides, the park is close to other great attractions like the Flint Hills Discovery Center and the Manhattan Hilton Garden Inn.
The Plaza has several other noteworthy features, such as a state-of-the-art conference center, the giant tree in Manhattan, a state-of-the-art outdoor pool, and a handful of restaurants and lounges. While these amenities are lovely, the park’s most impressive feature is its central location.
CiCo Park
CiCo Park is one of Manhattan’s many parks and rec facilities. Its main draw is the Lud Fiser Youth Sports Complex, which features a 25-meter swimming pool, a four-plex, and three surfaced tennis courts. Aside from sports, the complex hosts many other events, including a select rodeo, the Kaw Valley Rodeo, and a 4H event.
Located near the center of town, this 97-acre park is an excellent place for families to unwind. In addition to the Lud Fiser Youth Sports Complex, the city also manages a community center, a dog park, a skate park, a swimming pool, and a public fitness course.
The City of Manhattan’s Park and Rec department has been improving the complex for years. New amenities include a paved parking lot, a splash pad, a fitness course, and a water fountain. Other notable additions include a soccer field, baseball fields, and several trails.
Colbert Hills Golf Course
Colbert Hills Golf Course is a public course located in Manhattan, Kansas. It features a sand trap, a pond, and a par-five hole. In addition, the course includes a driving range, a golf shop, and a restaurant. In addition to being a public course, it is the home of several Kansas State University golf teams. Besides being a great place to play, it has hosted the Big 12 Women’s Golf Championship and the 2005 Kansas Amateur.
Jeff Brauer and Jim Colbert designed this 18-hole links-style course. In April 2000, the course opened with an invitational pro-am tournament. Some notable participants included former golfers Annika Sorenstam, Raymond Floyd, and Spencer Alefs.
There are five tees on each hole, and the course is challenging. It has many creeks and tall native grass outside the fairways. During the summer, the course is a riot of color. While it is not as lush in October as it was during summer, the course still offers good conditions.
The course boasts a full-service golf shop, a dining establishment, and a clubhouse with the best views of Manhattan. The club has a capacity of 240 guests. Among the amenities are a fully stocked Pro Shop, an elegant dining room, and a large banquet area with a modern yet comfortable feel.
As you might expect, Colbert Hills offers first-class service. With a new 12,500-square-foot Clubhouse opening in March 2010, management and operations are centralized in one location. Along with the clubhouse, the facility has partnered with several local hotels within a ten-minute drive from the venue. So whether you’re planning a wedding or business function, the Colbert Hills Golf Course is the ideal venue.
Wolf House Museum
Wolf House Museum is a historic landmark in Manhattan, Kansas. The museum is located in a house built in the late nineteenth century. It has been decorated in a grand design to reflect the period’s style.
The museum features a living room, dining room, sewing room, kitchen, and bedrooms. It is a beautiful place to learn about the history of Riley County.
The building is an excellent example of the mid-century modern revival style. It has a high degree of integrity for the original portion.
A significant piece of local architecture, the Union Pacific Depot is a reminder of the many railroads constructed in Manhattan during the early twentieth century. The Depot was completed in 1901 and served as the area’s central transportation hub for freight and passenger traffic.