Easy fun at a heartland pace in Manhattan
Curious about what you'll do when you live in Manhattan? Wondering what there is to do in Manhattan beyond K-State football? More than you'd expect for a town this size. From Konza Prairie hikes to Aggieville nights, campus events to Tuttle Creek weekends, here's how people fill their time in the Little Apple when they're not bleeding purple at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Jackie, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Jackie has spent her entire life in Kansas, from KC suburbs to college apartments to the rural southeast where she planted her forever flag and refuses to move again. She followed the classic move-every-year rhythm through young adulthood, then abruptly settled into acres of land, a cottage home, a husband, two sons, a cat, and an unreasonable amount of love for the state. Kansas taught her to slow down, notice sunsets, and never underestimate BBQ sides, especially cheesy corn. By day she is an elementary art teacher. By night she is a writer juggling kids content, client work, and creative projects that spill everywhere. At Snappy Scout, Jackie edits Kansas guides with prairie level patience, local intuition, and the confidence of someone who knows the interstate does not tell the whole story.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What Will You Do in Manhattan?
From weekend adventures to iconic road trips, here's how locals spend their time off.
on a Saturday with perfect weather
Tailgating at Bill Snyder Family Stadium hours before kickoff with the entire city dressed in purple
when the gals come to town for the weekend
Aggieville bar crawl hitting Kite's, Rusty's, and anywhere else with a patio and cheap drinks
dude hangout
Call Hall Dairy Bar ice cream on K-State campus while pretending you're still undergrads who belong there
rainy dreary day
Tallgrass Brewing Company tap room sampling their full lineup and playing board games
intellectually stimulating
Flint Hills Discovery Center exploring prairie ecology and tallgrass history through interactive exhibits
outdoorsy
Konza Prairie's hiking trails where bison roam freely and the views stretch for miles
fitness oriented
Linear Trail's paved paths running through town or biking the full 5-mile loop
with your dog
Warner Park's off-leash area where dogs outnumber humans on weekend mornings
family oriented
Sunset Zoo is the place to see red pandas, tigers, and Kansas wildlife without leaving town
you have to see this
Purple Pride covers literally everything during football season, brace yourself
on a budget
Saturday Farmers Market downtown for fresh Flint Hills produce and live music, bonus free people watching
for sports fans
Bramlage Coliseum for Wildcat basketball games where the student section gets absolutely unhinged
My Favorite Local Spot in Manhattan
I'm always a fan of checking out local breweries. The Little Apple Brewing Company has been around for as long as I can remember. Great suds, and the food isn't bad, either!
— Jackie Hostetler
Kansas Local Expert
Ready to See If Manhattan Fits You?
Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full Manhattan guide for the bigger picture.