36 Hours in Manhattan, Kansas By Abigail Hammack | Jan. 17, 2016

Manhattan, Kansas Overlook – Kzollman Manhattan, Kansas, or The Little Apple, is a small beacon of light amidst the rolling flint hills in northeastern Kansas. A bit different from The Big Apple, sure, but not short on shining small-town charm; though she is small, she is mighty. Bustling with students and locals, Manhattan’s up and coming businesses inside clever restorations provide constant entertainment within a kind community. This down-to-Earth haven welcomes visitors to beautiful nature trails, delicious local restaurants, exciting nights out, and family friendly activities. As it started as an agricultural community, Manhattan keeps close to its roots with many farms just outside of town and many students learning how to one day manage their own. But don’t confuse The Little Apple with just any small town. Manhattan will surprise you with its adventurous yet laid back, cool kid attitude influenced by diverse students and young families.

Friday 1. Campus Life | 3 p.m. Stretch out your travel legs with a self-guided tour of the beautiful Kansas State University campus, chock full of limestone buildings and colorful landscaping. Many say Anderson Hall, which sits atop a spacious lawn, is like Cinderella’s castle. Walk or drive around buildings new and old a get a feel for campus life, which is a huge part of the Manhattan community. Built as a land grant university in 1863, K-State has been a long-time cornerstone of the city-meets-small-town life in Manhattan.

Anderson Hall – Carlos on Flickr: razalas_solrac 2. Aggieville Adventures | 4 p.m. Originally named after K-State’s first mascot, Aggieville is the busy restaurant, bar, and shopping district located in the center of Manhattan. Filled with local owners, the Aggieville Business Association has worked hard to maintain its charm since 1889. The few blocks are stuffed full of quirky options like Acme Gift and The Dusty Bookshelf, which is even home to a shop cat. Plus, it’s just a short walk to City Park, where you’ll find dog walkers, joggers, and Frisbee fiends. Parking isn’t abundant around this area, but once you find a place, you’re good to walk to almost all locations. 3. Fight for Your Food | 6 p.m. Make your way down Moro Street and grab dinner at a local favorite: Taco Lucha. Abbreviated by locals to “Lucha,” patrons love munching on creative tacos ($3-$5 each) and their famous Raspberry Black Bean Dip. If you politely pester the wait staff enough they’ll give you their secret menu, complete with Peanut Butter Steak Tacos, which are better than they sound. Adults can grab a “nancy,” a beer with pineapple juice. For a little extra, spice it up and make it “dirty” with vodka or a “pirate” with coconut rum. The outdoor patio is the best seating. Even on chilly nights you can stay warm by the outdoor fireplace and heating lamps.

Taco Lucha – BBN Architects 4. Late Night Snack | 10 p.m. If you’re up late, grab dessert or a late night snack from everyone’s favorite local donut shop. Silly and bright, Varsity Donuts turned a historic building into a hub of colorful activity that sells yummy treats from a truck parked behind their shop. Only open on Thursdays-Saturdays from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., it caters to late night snackers who crave their infamous Mac & Cheese Grilled Cheeses. If you’re not a night owl, or your kids have a bedtime, the Varsity main shop is open everyday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Its location on Manhattan Ave. makes it one of the shining faces of Aggieville. For a fan favorite, try the Maple Bacon Bar ($2.89).

Saturday 5. Not Your Average Joe | 9 a.m. With many sleepy students and young caffeine lovers, Manhattan has developed a great coffee scene. Before you start your day grab coffee and a pastry downtown at Radina’s Bakehouse or Sparrow Specialty Coffee. The Bakehouse is great for larger parties to sit and pick out delicious treats (about $3 each) made on site in the bakery, while Sparrow provides a trendier environment with a strong focus on artisanal coffee. Woke up late? Go through the drive through at The Bakehouse and find a parking spot for the rest of the afternoon. 6. This Little Piggy Went to Market | 10 a.m. Head north toward the Manhattan Town Center parking lots where you’ll find up to 55 local venders selling their wares in the Manhattan Farmers’ Market. From fresh fruits and veggies to homemade rugs and tie-dye shirts, you’re sure to find something to pique your interest, even if you just want to look.

Click to see live Google map of all locations

7. Iʼd Tap That | 11:30 a.m. Experience historic Poyntz Avenue and dine at a new addition to Manhattan, the Tallgrass Taphouse. They rotate between craft beers and seasonal brews on tap from Tallgrass Brewing Co. or other breweries nearby. Many come just for the drinks, but the food is a huge hit as well. Try anything from a bowl of Build-Your-Own Mac & Cheese to the Midwest Paella (about $12 per person). The three-story Taphouse is both kid-friendly and great for just the grown ups. Pop to the top you’ll find their beautiful rooftop bar overlooking downtown Manhattan. If you come back for more brews, sneak to the hidden English-style pub in the back, The Dirty Firkin, by slipping through the speakeasy door.

Taphouse Interior – David Mayes 8. Flint Hills Hands On | 2 p.m. Walk off your lunch and energize your brain at the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Blue Earth Plaza. A beautiful new addition to downtown Manhattan, this charming courtyard is home to green grass, a friendly pavilion, and dancing fountains. During the winter, the area is stuffed with lights and a giant Christmas tree, mirroring the festivities of The Big Apple in the east. The Discovery Center is fun for the whole family with interactive exhibits that are secretly educational. Tickets are $9 for 18 years and over, $4 for 17 years and under, and free for 2 years and under. Discounts are available for military, students, and seniors. 9. Get Out of Town | 7 p.m. Escape the bustle of town for the night and slip away to the Little Grill. Located north of Manhattan near the Tuttle Creek Dam, here you’ll find a creative menu of Jamaican cuisine (about $12 per person). This very humble and quirky mom and pop restaurant is a true favorite for knowing locals. Chat up the charming owners Kenrick and Cathy who met while Kenrick was singing in Cancun and Cathy happened to be vacationing there. Kenrick and fellow musicians often provide live music for their guests.

Sunday 10. The Food Network Approves | 10 a.m. Ask anyone in Manhattan and they’ll all agree. The Chef has the best brunch in town (or the state if you ask the Food Network!). Go back downtown to the string lights and colorful signs to grab a unique

morning meal, but don’t expect to get right in. Even regulars have to wait up to an hour to be seated. Don’t worry though; it’s worth the wait. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, try the Pancakes Banana Foster ($9). If you’ve got savory on your mind, dive into the Fajita Scramble ($9.25).

The Chef – Abigail Hammack

11. Hike The Konza | 12 p.m. Work off breakfast by hiking through the beautiful Konza prairie. Walk the 2.5, 4.4, or 6-mile loops. Feel free to go fast or take your time, people of all ages and physical abilities hike them everyday. The views from the top are worth it. If you’d rather skip the work and just see the view, stop at the scenic overlook right off of I-70 to get a taste of the landscape.

Autumn in the Flint Hills – Brad Mangas

Lodging Stay at the Hilton Garden Inn on 3rd Street. Located downtown in Blue Earth Plaza, you’ll be in walking distance of many Manhattan favorites. The new hotel (from $129 per night) has outdoor spaces, an indoor pool, and a great gym. Also try the Bluemont Hotel just off the Kansas State University campus; the limestone behemoth is also right next to Aggieville. At the Bluemont (from $89 per night) you can enjoy the awesome location and beautiful rooftop bar.

Transportation Once you get to Manhattan, walking is a great option for many activities. If it’s too far, drive as close as you can get. Manhattan tries hard to be very bike friendly. You can rent single or tandem bikes at Varsity donuts or grab a free one through the Green Apple Bike system – just return it when you’re done. The ATA Buses also serve all of Manhattan on fixed routes (single fares $1 for adults and $0.50 for children). Flying straight to Manhattan could be more expensive, but very convenient. The Hilton Garden Inn and several other hotels provide shuttle services for free from the airport. Car rentals are also available from the airport. If you’re coming from Kansas City or MCI, there are car rentals and shuttle services such as Roadrunner or Quicksilver Airport (from $80).