More than just a place to stop for gas on the way to the mountains!

I've lived in Hays, Kansas going on three years, and what I seem to hear most when I tell new people where I lives is "...we spent the night there on the way to the mountains" or "we fill up the gas tank there" or "there's nothing to do there."  While the first two statements seem to be pretty accurate (particularly since Hays is halfway between Kansas City and Denver and there's not much between the two), I'd like to offer you a few ideas about why the last statement isn't true!

First of all, Hays is home to Fort Hays State University, a public university that serves nearly 5000 students on campus and nearly another 5000 through its online Virtual College.  The University is what brought my husband and me to Hays.  If you're looking for something to do, FHSU brings a lot of traveling shows to campus throughout the year, not to mention some fabulous music and theater performances by students and faculty.  And the costs for most of these shows just can't be beat! Check out the University calendar to see if anything is going on while you're in town!  It's a pretty little campus as well, with beautiful limestone buildings, so you could even spend a little time walking around the park-like quads (and one of the few really GREEN places in western Kansas, I think!)

Granted, you won't find fine dining in Hays, but there is history, local charm and things to do beyond the Applebee's and gas stations right off the interestate!

If you like art, Hays has a surprising (and thriving) arts community, and the oldest arts council in the state.  Hays Arts Council, located in downtown Hays, has regular exhibits that are worth visiting (although their web site is not - it's really out of date). While there, they can tell you about some of the local artists and galleries in the downtown area. Three times a year (April, August, and January), there is a gallery walk on a Friday evening that involves most of downtown - art shows, music performances and food/beverages at every turn. This is one of the BEST things about Hays, and if you're lucky enough to find yourself in town on one of these Friday evenings, it is well worth your time!

If you're looking for a little history and culture, you've got several options.  First, the Sternberg Museum of Natural History is a great little museum that kids and adults will be sure to love.  Nice dinosaur diorama, and lots of really old fossils, including one that I guess is in a lot of text books called "The fish within a fish."  There are traveling exhibits as well.  It is not expensive to get in at all.  Also, if you like Old West history, be sure to check out Historic Fort Hays.  There are historic old pictures, uniforms and materials from the 1860's when it was a military outpost, and you can take a tour outside of the old fort grounds.  Neither one of those will take you very long, and they're both a nice diversion. If you're here in the summer and have kids along (or not...), the Hays Aquatic Park is a lot of fun.  We love Precision Valley Golf, where you can play a round of rather challenging mini-golf, hit the driving range, play virtual golf or pool...and they have a bar!

One of the most charming things about Hays is the efforts to redevelop the downtown. There is a great coffee shop, a number of specialty shops (I like Simply Charmed and CS Post), antiques shops and some decent restaurants, including a fabulous microbrewery, Gellas Diner and LB Brewing, which is proud to boast the #2 microbrew in the country in its Oatmeal Stout.  I love, love, love the IPA.  If you are a microbrew lover as we are, you will not be disappointed!  The brewery also has nice live music many nights a week.

The BIGGEST surprise in Hays is by far the beautiful spas.  Yes, I said beautiful!  A short 8 miles south of town you'll find Rockhaven, a spa in a converted barn with an outdoor jacuzzi.  For about $70, you get the jacuzzi, steam and hour-long massage...and that includes champagne.  They also do couples massages really well if you have a willing husband.  Another spa by the same owner can be found downtown at Salon 1007, which also has the only Aveda concept store between Denver and KC.  Even if you don't have time, you should check it out - lots of cool artwork throughout the salon and spa!  Getting reservations at either spa can be difficult, so plan ahead if you can!  It's well worth a day's detour!

Granted, you won't find fine dining in Hays, but there is history, local charm and things to do beyond the Applebee's and gas stations right off the interstate!  I've done some exploring around western Kansas in the last three years, so stay tuned for posts on and pictures about some of the more touristy things we've done near our new home.