Manhattan, Kansas

For five days in July 1855, Pawnee, near the Kansas River, was the capital of the Kansas Territory before it was transferred to Fairway, Kansas. All that remains of Pawnee today is a stately stone building where the Kansas legislature met to struggle over the question of slavery. After falling into disrepair for a while, the building was renovated in 1928 by Union Pacific and two of its floors now host exhibits such as Early Town of Pawnee, Kansas Territorial Politics, and Kansas Memory – First Territorial Capitol Restoration Program. The town of Pawnee is now part of the town of Fort Riley. After visiting the exhibits, enjoy a stroll along the Kaw River Nature Trail. The First Territorial Capitol of Kansas is managed by the Kansas Historical Society. 693 Huebner Road, Fort Riley, KS 66442, Tel. 785-784-5535,

The Flint Hills Discovery Center is an interactive, hands-on science, culture, and history museum in Manhattan, Kansas, that educates and informs the general public about the unique ecoregion that includes the Kansas Flint Hills and the northern Oklahoma Osage Hills. This ecoregion is home to the last remaining tracts of tallgrass prairie that once covered the central part of North America. There is only 3% left now and most of it grows in the Flint Hills. The museum exhibits showcase different layers of the prairie. In front of the sustainable, eco-friendly building that hosts the center is Blue Earth Plaza, a pleasant spot to relax in front of an outdoor fire pit and fountains. 315 S 3rd St, Manhattan, KS 66502, Tel. 785-587-2726

Every Saturday morning since 1979, downtown Manhattan welcomes about 40 vendors – producers, growers, and crafters – to a traditional farmers market, the oldest farmers market in Kansas. They bring their homemade, homegrown, and home-crafted meats, breads, vegetables, baked delights, soaps, jewelry, wood sculptures, and much more to the residents and visitors of Manhattan. It is the day to come and stock up with organic and fresh produce and other ingredients for family meals. It is also the opportunity to meet the local growers and artists and pick up a birthday gift or a pie for the party. There is also an evening market on Wednesdays at the Cico Park entrance, which is smaller but equally exciting. In the winter, between November and April, the market moves to Pottorf Hall.

Downtown Farmers Market of Manhattan, 300 N 3rd St, Manhattan, KS 66502, Tel. 620-767-3893,

Located on the Kansas State University campus in a converted dairy barn, the 1,100-square-foot Kansas State Insect Zoo showcases thousands of live, preserved, and fossil insects. Some of the exhibits are hands-on, such as microscopes that visitors can use to look at the preserved insects. There is also a creative kitchen where drawers and cupboards contain examples of various bugs along with detailed information about them. Kansas State Insect Zoo is open Tuesday-Saturday from 1pm to 6pm. Guided tours are available by appointment outside of those public hours.

1500 Denison Avenue, 785-380-9139

The Kansas Wheat Commission built the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center on 35,000 square feet of land owned by Kansas University in order to provide improved varieties of wheat to the farmers as fast as possible. The center includes 10,000 square feet of office space for the Wheat Growers Board Room, the Kansas Wheat Commission, and a number of other wheat-related organizations. The 15,000-square-foot state-of-the-art lab is used by Heartland Plant Innovations to conduct research and find new wheat genetic traits as well as relevant technologies. The last 10,000 square feet of space contain the four greenhouses where varieties of wheat are grown in optimal conditions, with controlled temperature, humidity, and air circulation. 1990 Kimball Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502, Tel. 785-539-0255,

Konza Prairie Biological Station is a biological research station located on 3,487 hectares of native tallgrass prairie in the Flint Hills ecoregion in northeastern Kansas. The station is owned by Kansas State University and the Nature Conservancy and is used by the university’s Division of Biology as a field research station. The station’s mission is ecological long-term research, education, and conservation of the rapidly disappearing tallgrass prairie. The station itself is not open to the public, but its nature trails are. They run through lowland forest, cross Kings Creek at several points, and run over old limestone ledges before entering the tallgrass prairie. It is a pleasant hike with several steep climbs that end on higher points with magnificent views of the Kansas River Valley and the Flint Hills. Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, Tel. 785-532-6011

One of the best ways of exploring historic Manhattan, Kansas, is to hop on the Linear Park Trail, a popular bike path used regularly by the locals for exercise. It is a network of trails that can be accessed from many points in the city, such as Richards Drive, Temple Lane, 3131 Anderson Avenue, and many others. The trail is paved in parts and covered in crushed limestone in others, about 9 miles long and used by bikers, joggers, and walkers. It goes around the entire city, starting at Anneberg Park and ending at Northeast Community Park, following the Big Blue River, Kansas River, and Wildcat Creek. The trails are shady, very scenic, and pleasant, and in the quieter parts of the day you can spot various wildlife.

Manhattan Parks and Recreation Office, Manhattan, KS 66502, Tel. 785-587-2757

It is a rare sight in Kansas: A hill covered in row after row of lush grape vine, ready to be made into first-class wine. Liquid Art Winery and Estate is located on the hill near Manhattan, Kansas, and the visitors to their fun tasting room can enjoy spectacular view of the vineyard and surrounding hills. The winery and estate offer wine tasting on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and also organize events and weddings. The winery produces 13 wines, among them Seyval blanc, unoaked chardonnay, reserve chardonnay, and crimson cabernet. They also make a range of hard cider. All are available at their tasting room, by the glass or bottle, together with an assortment of cheese, crackers, cold cuts, chocolate, and other snacks.

1745 Wildcat Creek Rd, Manhattan, KS 66503

The Kansas State University Gardens in Manhattan serve as a botanical outdoor oasis in the city, featuring displays of beautiful flowers throughout the entire year across its four plant collections and three specialty gardens. Taking advantage of free admission, visitors can take a wall through the gardens during the spring to view the beginning of the blooming season. In addition to being a unique event venue and beautiful grounds to explore, the Kansas State University Gardens also acts as a university student research area. The gardens provide opportunities for hands-on learning for students in a variety of different university programs. Phone: 785-532-3271