Are you looking for a destination with lots of history, many interesting (and free) places to visit, unique attractions, world class museums and plenty of things to do for all ages? We invite you to come take a look at HAYS!

Hays has something for everyone. From adventures for the kids to antique shops for serious collectors and recreational opportunities for those who want to play hard while on vacation. If you are looking for a charming "Small Town America" vacation site, then you won't find a better place then Hays. Safe streets, clean air and water, peaceful residential neighborhoods and friendly, honest people. Western Kansas also offers exceptional value for your money. Your dollars go further because many of our attractions are free or inexpensive. Lodging and other amenities are typically less then what you pay in larger cities. 

Agricultural attractions Air transportation Antique shops Art galleries Arts & crafts fairs Bar & grills Baseball stadium Bird watching Bowling Bus service Campgrounds Christmas events Churches Community events Concerts Convention & meeting facilities County fair Disc golf Downtown celebrations Farmers market Fishing Fitness center Fitness/walking paths Fine dining

Frontier attractions German Heritage Golf Health fairs Hiking/biking trails Historical landmarks Home & garden show Horseshoe pits Hunting Independence Day celebration Libraries Lodging Microbrewery Military history Miniature golf Movie theatres Museums Natural history attractions Oktoberfest Parades Parks Performing arts center Picnic areas Playgrounds

Private schools Pumpkin patches Public library Public schools Recreational facilities Retail shops Restaurants Rodeos Shopping malls Sidewalk sales Skate park Soccer Sports facilities Sporting supply stores State university Swimming Technical school Tennis University library Veterans Park Walk-a-thons Walking tours

Visitors to Hays have easy access to lodging, restaurants, shopping, conference facilities and convenience stores at I-70 exit 159 (Highway 183) on Vine Street. Hays is small enough that you will not have to deal with big city traffic congestion and you'll find it easy to get around. Hays is large enough to have over 1000 motel rooms, 65 restaurants and over twenty different museums and attractions.

Distance to Hays

From   Miles   From   Miles Denver, CO   340   Chicago, IL   787 Goodland, KS   145   Dallas, TX   545 Garden City, KS   139   Pittsburg, PA   1,113 Omaha, NE   334   Los Angeles, CA   1,413 Kansas City, MO   268   Minneapolis, MN   710 Salina, KS   98   New York, NY   1,462 Topeka, KS   205   St. Louis, MO   518 Wichita, KS   175   Seattle, WA   1,660 Bismarck, ND   683

Community Profile

Founded in 1867      Population – 20,368

Climate – Four distinct seasons with mild and sunny days spring through fall.
Average annual temperature – 53.8
Average annual precipitation – 21.85"
Average annual snowfall - 19.71"
Altitude – 2004.6 feet above sea level
GPS coordinates: Latitude 38'- 52 minutes 34 seconds
            Longitude 99' – 19 minutes 41 seconds

Hays is the county seat of Ellis County and is a prosperous and growing community. We are proud of our outstanding educational system, which includes: Fort Hays State University, North Central Kansas Technical College, KSU Ag Research Center, Hays Academy of Hair Design, TMP/Marian (private high school) Hays High School and the public elementary & junior high schools. We have one of the finest medical facilities in western and central Kansas and many dedicated medical professionals that provide state of the art rural health care. Much of the economy of Ellis is based on ag related jobs.  We are fortunate to be surrounded by productive agricultural land and large underground oil reserves. The industrial, commercial and retail growth in recent years has established Hays as the retail and trade center for Northwest Kansas. Hays has many interesting retail stores, shopping centers, specialty shops and restaurants.

Visit Hays

Below are several tour ideas that will help you plan a trip and learn about what there is to see and do in Hays. These suggested itineraries are designed to give you a general overview of our city if you only have a few hours to visit, or if you're planning to spend a couple nights over a long weekend. For more information, admission fees and website links to any of the attractions suggested in these tour itineraries, please click on the attractions section of our website. 

One day sightseeing trip to Hays
(Half day itinerary)

If you only have a couple hours to stop by and see some of the interesting sights in Hays, we would recommend printing this map off and taking a short driving tour to see several of the historic places throughout our community. You can start at 27th & Vine and drive by the Mount Allen Cemetery, then continue on to the Boot Hill Cemetery, which is located at 18th & Fort. Both of these locations are historically significant landmarks going back to the early days of Hays. Fort Street was the main road leading from the town of Hays to the Fort Hays military post. You will notice this street gradually slopes to Big Creek, located on the southern edge of Hays, and which was the northern border of the Fort. Along Fort Street you will see the Kennedy Middle School, named after Senator John F. Kennedy who visited Hays on Nov. 20, 1959 during his successful presidential campaign. At the time of Senator Kennedy's visit, the school was still called Jefferson West. It was later renamed Kennedy School in 1969 in honor of the late president. The area near 13th and Fort was known as "Gospel Hill" because of the concentration of churches located at one time in this area. Today in this area of downtown Hays, the Baptist and Catholic churches continue to have active congregations and their churches are visible near this intersection.  Other sights you will see downtown are the Ellis County Courthouse, downtown historical markers and the old Opera House at 9th & Fort. Turning left onto 8th Street you are now traveling a road that was used by thousands of travelers coming through western Kansas. Before the arrival of the interstate in 1969 Highway 40 (8th Street) was the main east-west road through Hays. At the southwest corner of 8th and Main is the George Philip hardware building. Initially built in 1874 as a dry goods store by Hill P. Wilson, this stone building was home of the government land office from 1875 until 1877. In 1894 the building was acquired by the Philip family and for 103 years, four generations of the family operated it as a hardware store. Main Street is vibrant part of the community with unique retail shops, specialty stores and the Hays Public Library located at 1205 Main. You will also find the Railroad Park, Liquid Bread Microbrewery, C.S. Post General Store, Hays City Mercantile, the Hays Arts Center Gallery and a unique day spa – Salon Ten-0-Seven. You'll want to stop and do some sightseeing/shopping before you venture to your next point of interest, the Ellis County Historical Museum. On the north side of 7th Street you will also notice the Volga German Haus, a small dwelling built of native stone similar to the homes used by the Volga Germans that settled in Ellis County in the late 1870's. 

Fort Hays State University is located at the west end of 7th Street and the beautiful campus has many buildings built of native limestone that was locally quarried. Founded in 1902, the university sits on a campus of 4,160 acres of land that once was part of the Fort Hays military post. Drive past Lewis Field Stadium and Frontier Park on your way to see the Buffalo herd and the Fort Hays Historic Site. The mighty buffalo once roamed the prairies of Kansas and numbered in the millions before the arrival of the railroads and buffalo hunters. As you drive by the fort, you will notice the large statue "Monarch of the Plains" that greets visitors along the Highway 183 by-pass. One more stop you have to see is the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, located near 27th and Canterbury on the northeast edge of Hays. This unique dome shaped building has one of the most impressive Cretaceous Period fossil collections in North America.   

Spend the night in Hays
(One day itinerary)

When you first arrive and check in your hotel, you may want to pick up several brochures about Hays in the hotel lobby that will guide you to the numerous attractions and museums available. A good late afternoon activity that will acquaint you to our community, is a driving tour to various historical locations in Hays. A self guided brochure or cassette tape is available from the Convention and Visitors Bureau office at no charge. Touring time: 1 hour. No admission fee

As you finish your driving tour, you may want to work your way back to downtown Hays and do some shopping/sightseeing in the historic Chestnut Street District. The downtown area is a great place to stroll while window shopping or visit the Hays Arts Center Gallery, Hays Public Library or Railroad Park.  Touring time: 1-2 hours. No admission fee

For a delicious meal, there are several unique restaurants located in downtown Hays including: Augustine's Bakery, Gella's, Gutch's, Rooftops, Semolino, and Soda Shoppe Café. After your evening meal, you can take a self-guided walking tour along 9th, 10th and Fort Streets. There are twenty-five bronze markers that tell about the historical buildings in downtown Hays. Touring time: 1 hour. No admission fee

Before you head back to your hotel room and call it a day, you may want to take in a movie, go bowling, enjoy a round of miniature golf or watch a baseball game at Larks Park. The next morning would be a great time to explore Frontier Park and see the Buffalo Herd. Frontier Park is a very scenic and natural recreation area. This 89 acre park features several walking trails, bridges, playground equipment, 3 shelter houses and plenty of large shade trees. Big Creek winds through the park creating several waterfalls and scenic views. The Hays Parks Department has maintained a buffalo herd for over 40 years. The herd is located in West Frontier Park. The area now occupied by the park and buffalo used to be the site of the Fort Hays military outpost. Touring time: 1 hour. No admission fee

Visitors to the Fort Hays Historic Site will see four of the original structures. The stone blockhouse, guardhouse and two of the frame officer's quarters survive today. A modern visitor's center provides models of the fort, interpretive panels and a gift shop. Guided tours available. 
Touring time: 1 hour. $3 admission fee

A visit to the Ellis County Historical Society Museum will provide an understanding of the history of our county, from its early wild west days when Hickok, Cody, and Custer walked our streets, to World War II when B-29 bomber pilots from the Walker Airbase and German prisoners of war made Ellis County their temporary home. Over 25,000 artifacts are on display in addition to seasonal temporary exhibits. Touring time: 1 hour. $4 admission fee

Lunch Break.

See dinosaurs, fossils, prehistoric animals, and giant sea-swimming lizards and fish that inhabited Kansas over 70-80 million years ago at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History. An extensive collection of exhibits and artifacts explain the natural history of the Great Plains. Touring time: 2-3 hours.
$5-$8 admission fee

A stop in Hays would not be complete without seeing the wonderful little horses at the Blue Sky Miniature Horse Farm. Not to be confused with Shetland ponies, this award winning Arabian type horse is only 26-34" tall. The tour includes information about the history, grooming, training, and showing of these miniature horses. The kids love this tour and so will the adults. Touring time: 1-2 hours. $5 admission fee
 

Two night trip to Hays
(Two day itinerary)

DAY 1

Shortly after the Civil War, railroad builders and settlers began pushing into western Kansas with ever-increasing intensity, provoking resistance from the Indian inhabitants of the area. To provide protection for this citizenry of railroad workers, soldiers and desperados, Fort Hays was established in 1867 and the city of Hays sprang to life on the plains. This wild and lawless town soon became the home for such infamous characters as "Wild Bill" Hickok, "Buffalo Bill" Cody, George Custer and Clamity Jane. The city of Hays can boast a true "Wild West History. To begin the day you will be taking a guided City Tour that will provide an overall sketch of Hays' historic attractions; the original Boot Hill Cemetery, Old Hays City, Rome Townsite, Hangman's Bridge and the Buffalo Herd. Touring time: 1 hour. Guide fees: $1 per person.

Next, a guided tour of Historic Fort Hays will open windows to a fascinating glimpse of life on a frontier military outpost. Visit the unique Fort Hays blockhouse and retrace the steps of Philip Sheridan, George Custer and the Forts' "Buffalo Soldiers". A visit to the guardhouse will focus on army punishments of the day. The furnishings of the officer's quarters will illustrate the privileges the rank permitted.  Touring time: 1 hour. Admission fee: $3 per person

Adjacent to the Fort you will find a scenic, tree-lined drive leading visitors to the KSU AG Research Center.  The Center, established in 1901, owns or leases more than 3,700 acres making it one of the oldest and largest research centers in the United States. Your guide will share information about the research being conducted in wheat, sorghum, beef production and the outstanding contributions the Center has made to the field of Agriculture. Touring time: 1 hour. No admission fee: $2 per person guide fee appreciated

Lunch Break.

This afternoon you will be touring the Ellis County Historical Museum, the Harness shop and the Volga/German House where you will be learning about our communities' settlers and rich ethnic heritage. Your tour features a visit to a reconstructed home lived in by Volga-German settlers, an ethnic group that settled in Ellis County. These people were German speaking Catholics who migrated here from the Volga River area of Russia in the 1870's. Touring time: 1 hour. Admission fee: $4 per person

Next you will take a short ride to the small village of Victoria where you will be visiting the magnificent St. Fidelis Church, more commonly referred to as the "Cathedral of the Plains", a towering monument to the Volga/German immigrants and their enduring lifestyle.  Constructed of native limestone, this Romanesque structure, built in 1911, features twin towers rising 141 feet above the plains. Touring time: 1 hour. No admission fee: $1per person guide fee and church donation appreciated.

Tonight we might suggest you make special arrangements for a real treat...an authentic Germanfest! You'll soon find out hard work is not all these German/Russian immigrants are famous for when you enjoy Volga/German food, broasts, beer and plenty of lively polka music.)

By special arrangement only.

Day 2

Today you take a real step back in time....say 80 million years or so! This morning you'll enjoy a tour of the world famous Sternberg Museum of Natural History. Located in a 4-story dome, you will find a recreated day 88 million years ago when the mighty T-Rex haunted the land and Kansas was covered with water. Beware of predators when you explore the animated, life-sized upland diorama of the late Cretaceous time period. There is also a Discovery Room, where children
of all ages can learn through hands-on experience with specimens and live creatures of the Great Plains. And make sure you visit the changing exhibit gallery featuring traveling exhibits on natural history. Touring time: 2-3 hours. Admission fee: $4 - $6

Lunch Break. We might suggest you make special arrangements for your group to dine at Expeditions. This banquet/meeting facility is located on the lower level of Sternberg Museum of Natural History. Arrangements must be made to book the banquet facility for special lunch or dinner meals. Seating capacity of 55. Contact the reservations manager at 785-628-5298. 

After lunch get ready for a unique experience....a tour with Sculptor Pete Felten. one of the Midwest's finest sculptor's, Pete's tour begins at his carving area and gallery.  Then Pete steps on board you motorcoach to narrate a tour of his public sculptures located throughout the community. This is a special opportunity to contemplate and understand significant artwork under the guidance of the artist himself. Touring time: 1 1/2 hours. Guide fees: $1 per person guide fee appreciated.

Then finish the day with a short drive to Ellis, located 10 miles to the east of Hays, to visit the Boyhood Home and Museum of Walter P. Chrysler. This famous American and founder of the Chrysler Corporation grew up in Ellis in the 1880's and his boyhood home is filled with period furnishings and personal memorabilia. Touring time: 1 hour. Admission fee: $2 per person

Also located in Ellis is the Bukovina Museum, which provides the history of the German immigrants who arrived from Bukovina, which is currently part of Romania and the Ukraine. They originally migrated from Germany to Bukovina in the late 1700's and early 1800's. After one to two generations of living in Bukovina, land became scarce and many of the German immigrants came to the United States as well as Canada and South America. Touring time: 30-45 minutes No admission fee: $1 per person guide fee appreciated

Dinner – Sample one of the locals favorite places to get a great meal. Al's Chickenette, Vernies, The Pheasant Run and JD's Chicken are your typical small town restaurants with lots of appeal.