visit k-state
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ABOUT MANHATTAN
Manhattan is noticeably smaller than its New York namesake. But this "Little Apple," founded by accident when a steamboat ran aground on the Kansas River, has grown into a classic college town.
Manhattan, home to about 50,000 residents, offers many urban amenities while retaining the best qualities of a small town.
Located in the heart of the scenic Flint Hills, Manhattan is home to a range of high-tech, scientific, and service-related businesses. Among the largest employers are K-State, Fort Riley, Mercy Health Center, Kansas Farm Bureau, and Manhattan Medical Center.
Manhattan offers an excellent school system, which has been selected as a winner of the Blue Ribbon Citation of Excellence and the 1999 What Parents Want Award. Additional educational options include the Manhattan Area Technical College and Manhattan Christian College.
Manhattan's quality of life has won national recognition. Manhattan is one of only 76 cities designated as a national "Clean City" by the U.S. Department of Energy, and the National Arbor Day Foundation has named Manhattan a Tree City USA for 30 consecutive years. Men's Journal selected Manhattan as one of the 50 best places to live in America.
Manhattan is two hours west of Kansas City via I-70. The Manhattan Airport offers daily flights to Kansas City and other destinations.
What is there to do in Manhattan?
Arts and attractions
- Enjoy the Beach Museum of Art's traveling exhibits and collection of regionalist art.
- View the animals at Sunset Zoo or watch the music fans at the annual jazz festival.
- Tour the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area, the nation's largest tallgrass prairie preserve.
- Visit the historical sites at Fort Riley, a nearby Army base.
- Catch a Broadway show or music recital at McCain Auditorium.
- Bring your lawnchair to a summer concert in City Park.
Shopping
- Sample the nightlife and restaurants in Aggieville, the first shopping district in Kansas.
- Visit Town Center Mall, with 60 specialty stores and restaurants, and the historic downtown district.
Sports and recreation
- Cheer on the Wildcats at Big 12 sporting events.
- Boat, fish, and camp at Tuttle Creek Reservoir, one of the midwest's largest manmade lakes.
- Golf at Colbert Hills, a PGA Tour course, or Manhattan's two other public courses.
- Walk, jog, or bike the citywide trails and parks.
- Play at one of the best softball and soccer complexes in Kansas.
- Take a class in ballroom dance, financial management, or Indian cooking at the UFM Community Learning Center.