Meadowlark Hills - Other Points of Interest

Other Points of Interest

Manhattan is in the heart of the Flint Hills region, a beautiful strip of gently rolling hills and agriculture-rich land running from north to south across east-central Kansas. Nestled within the hills and valleys are numerous day-trip destinations, which Meadowlark residents frequently visit as part of organized tours, with a small group of friends, or on their own. These spots also make great outings when friends and family come to visit. Whether you’re interested in history, politics, the outdoors, the arts or popular culture, there’s something for everyone within an hour’s drive of Meadowlark.

Abilene

The home of Dwight D. Eisenhower, our nation’s 34th president, Abilene is located just 45 miles to the west of Manhattan on I-70. Make plans to visit the Eisenhower Center, which consists of the Presidential Library and Museum, Visitors Center, boyhood home, and Place of Meditation, the final resting place of Dwight D. and Mamie Eisenhower.

Council Grove

Located at the crossroads of the Santa Fe Trail and the Flint Hills Scenic Byway, Council Grove is a beautiful 35-minute drive south of Manhattan on K-177. Visit the quaint downtown, relive trail days at 18 historic sites, dine and bunk at famous 1800s establishments, or anchor at one of the two lakes.

Fort Riley

Only eight miles west of Manhattan on K-18 is Fort Riley, home of the Big Red One. Founded in 1852, Fort Riley was originally established to protect settlers on the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails. Many legendary and historic characters have been associated with the fort over the past century — Buffalo Bill Cody, Wild Bill Hickok, General George Armstrong Custer, General George S. Patton and General Lewis Armistead. Today, Fort Riley is home to the 1st Infantry Division. Many historic points of interest on post are open to the public, including Custer House, the only set of surviving officer’s quarters from the Fort’s early history. When visiting Fort Riley, you will need to secure a visitor’s pass, which will require you to present a photo ID, proof of vehicle insurance and vehicle registration.

Junction City

Just off Fort Riley, Junction City offers the Geary County Historical Museum, the Civil War Memorial Arch at the entrance of Heritage Park, the Buffalo Soldier Memorial and the State of Kansas Vietnam Memorial. Just outside of Junction City is the state’s largest lake, Milford Lake, known for its excellent fishing. Also at Milford Lake, the Nature Center and Fish Hatchery offer visitors a better understanding and appreciation for the ecology in Kansas.

Marysville

Historic Marysville, located 60 miles north of Manhattan, sits adjacent to the Big Blue River. Home to an original Pony Express station, Marysville features a bronze statue of a Pony Express rider displayed on the west side of town. City Park is also home to a sod house, a one-room schoolhouse, a steam locomotive, and a 1901 Union Pacific depot.

Paxico

Located east of Manhattan about halfway to Topeka, Paxico features a series of historic buildings in near-original turn-of-the-19th-century condition. Visitors from miles around come to this quaint town to enjoy a wide selection of antiques.

Tuttle Creek State Park/Lake

The second largest lake in Kansas, Tuttle Creek Lake is situated five miles north of Manhattan. Boasting over 12,000 acres of water and approximately 100 miles of wooded shoreline, the lake is a great place for boating, fishing and camping. With over 16,000 acres of land adjacent to the lake, this is also an ideal spot for hunting everything from turkey and white-tailed deer to quail and pheasant.

Wamego

A rural community of 5,000, Wamego offers several day-trip options, including The Columbian Theatre, Museum & Art Center, a renovated 19th century opera house exhibiting six rare paintings and other artifacts from the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The Columbian has a main floor gallery and hosts a performing arts series in its theatre. Also in the heart of downtown Wamego, the Oz Museum houses one of the largest private collections of “Wizard of Oz” memorabilia in the world. Wamego’s 13.6-acre city park, which is framed with a beautiful one-acre pond, is home to The Dutch Mill, Kansas’ only operating stone mill.