Hays, Kansas

The city of Hays is located in central Kansas, 184 miles (296 kilometers) northwest of Wichita and 202 miles (325 kilometers) west of Topeka. It is the county seat of Ellis County, and home to 20,013 people.

To learn about the city's past, visit the original Fort Hays which gave the community its name. Established in 1865, the fort protected travelers along the Smoky Hill Trail. Visitors today will see the original blockhouse, guardhouse, officers' quarters, and a number of Native American artifacts. Every September, Fort Hays Days gives tourists a glimpse into daily life in the 1800s with demonstrations in blacksmithing, wool spinning, flint knapping, and many other activities.

History buffs should also head to the Ellis County Historical Society Museum, where you can learn about "Buffalo Bill" Cody, "Wild Bill" Hickok, General George Armstrong Custer, and the other historic figures that shaped the Hays' colorful past. The museum grounds also include the Volga German Haus, a replica of the sod homes built by early German setters. Many of the area's citizens are descendents of German farmers who relocated to Russia's Volga River region, and later America. The community's German roots are also evident in annual celebrations like German Heritage Days, Herzogfest, and the Midwest Deutsche Oktoberfest.

In addition to historic attractions, Hays also offers many opportunities for agri-tourism. Visitors can explore the grounds of the Agricultural Research Center, tour local ranches and pumpkin farms, and see everything from antique farm machinery to miniature horses.

A great family attraction is the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, which offers a fine collection of dinosaur and other fossils, a demo lab, and a variety of traveling exhibits.

Fans of the visual arts will find great works at the Fort Hays State University's Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art and in the many artists' galleries located throughout the city. Art buffs working at the Hays Medical Center won't even need to leave work to enjoy beauty, since the center houses more than 200 pieces in its Hadley Art Collection. Looking for a great evening's entertainment? Take in a performance by the Hays Symphony Orchestra or Fort Hays State University's Performing Arts Department.

Fort Hays offers phenomenal opportunities for fishing and hunting, and is one of the nation's top spots for pheasant harvesting! Local state parks include Webster Reservoir, Cedar Bluff Reservoir, and the 9,040-acre (3,658-hectare) Wilson Lake.

With its great blend of historic and modern attractions, Hays proves that there really is "no place like home!"

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