STAYCATION | Past and present meet at Hays

HAYS — This Kansas college town, rich with history from the Cretaceous Period to the Old West, still attracts travelers today.

Located just off Interstate 70, Hays is just over two hours west of Manhattan, making it a great destination for a long day trip or overnight stay. However, if you’re in the area, stopping in town gives you the chance to grab a bite to eat, support local businesses, and immerse yourself in Kansas history.

First, you should visit some of Hays’ historical sites. You can spend the day traveling back in time, stopping to see dinosaurs and gunslingers.

Hays was founded shortly after the Civil War in 1867. Settlers and railroad builders were flocking west, which led to resistance from local Native American tribes. To protect these settlers and workers, Fort Fletcher was built in 1865 before being renamed Fort Hays two years later.

The Seventh and Tenth Cavalries were stationed there. The Seventh is famous for its later involvement in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and the Tenth, composed entirely of blacks, was nicknamed the “Buffalo Soldiers” in deference to its time protecting the fort.

In its early days, Hays was a rough and lawless town. Although Dodge City is better known for its Boot Hill Cemetery, the original Boot Hill was located in Hays and was heavily used. There were over 30 homicides in and around Hays between August 1867 and December 1873.

The small town was home to many famous Old West characters, including “Wild Bill” Hickok, George Custer, “Buffalo Bill” Cody and Calamity Jane.

The Historic Hays Walking Tour lets you retrace their steps, with plaques offering information about the buildings and individuals. The route runs from Boot Hill south to downtown along Fort, 10th and 11th streets.

After the fort was abandoned, its land was given to the state of Kansas to build a university: Fort Hays State University. Four of the fort’s original structures still stand in Frontier Historical Park, which features exhibits about life at the time.

The Sternberg Museum of Natural History is one of Hays’ most famous historical sites. Here you can see a giant diorama filled with life-size dinosaurs. The museum is full of fossils and specimens of plants and animals, and this year it celebrated its 25th anniversary of sharing history with the public.

After getting your fill of history, Hays offers a variety of businesses and restaurants to explore.

Cattleman’s Cafe is a family-friendly restaurant serving classic dinner dishes like chicken-fried steak, meatloaf, hamburgers and pot roast. The restaurant opened its Hays location last year.

Northglen Antiques offers a variety of items such as records, books and glassware, and will host a summer flea market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 20.

If you prefer a more contemporary aesthetic, Be Made is a two-story home decor and clothing store that also carries kitchenware, toys and seasonal items.

Hays Waterpark features water slides, a lazy river, a competition pool and diving boards, making it a great destination for kids and adults alike. It is open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through the Sunday before school starts.

Downtown, the Bricks Chestnut Street neighborhood is the hub of the community, filled with restaurants, grills, breweries, bakeries, boutiques, coffee shops, and more. A great place to stop for a drink is Gella’s Diner + Lb. Brewing, a modern brewery in a cool building whose menu nods to the city’s German heritage.

With these attractions and more, Hays is a great place to stop your road trip, stretch your legs and explore all this city has to offer.