Around Manhattan
Welcome home
Manhattan is a great atmosphere to explore new possibilities in a welcoming environment. In fact, the city was ranked Top 10 college town in the nation by the American Institute of Economic Research in 2017. Students love Manhattan because it's big enough to offer opportunities and adventures but small enough to center on the university.
Fast fact
- Nickname: The Little Apple
- City population: 56,000+
- Metro population: 113,000
- Original name: New Boston
- Founding: New York settlers ran their steamboat aground.
- Wildcat pride: Ranked No. 2 in the nation for town-gown relations, according to the Princeton Review's 2020 edition of "The Best 385 Colleges."
Discover the Little Apple
Places
- Shop, dine and stroll the cozy streets of Aggieville, a hot spot for students with prime shopping, nightlife, dining and entertainment.
- Visit the vibrant and revitalized downtown and the mall for even more shopping and dining.
- Learn more about this beautiful region around you at the Flint Hills Discovery Center.
- The Sunset Zoo is home to more than 300 species of animals.
- Take a step into the past at the Riley County Historical Museum.
- Relax and enjoy the natural beauty inside the university gardens.
- Check out creepy crawlies at K-State's insect zoo.
Arts and entertainment
- The Beach Museum of Art on campus has traveling exhibitions and a collection of regional art.
- K-State's McCain Performance Series hosts acclaimed Broadway musicals, comedians, musicians and dance ensembles.
- The Manhattan Arts Center features visual and performing art.
- Improve your international culinary skills, master swing or salsa moves, scuba dive underwater, harmonize your mind and body with yoga, or learn how to Zumba at the UFM Community Learning Center.
- Check out on-campus activities, including sporting events, movies, guest lectures, concerts, art exhibits and more on any day of the week with the university calendar.
Outdoors and recreation
- Hike the Konza Prairie, one of North America's largest tallgrass prairies.
- Water ski, fish, hunt, camp or hike at the sprawling Tuttle Creek State Park, one of the Midwest's largest man-made lakes. Go from campus to camping in 10 minutes!
- Skate the ice rink, take a walk, go for a swim or listen to an outdoor concert at City Park in the heart of Manhattan.
- Sunbathe on the rocks at Pillsbury Crossing, a limestone ledge over Deep Creek east of Manhattan.
- Walk, jog or bike city trails, including the Linear Trail that circles Manhattan and follows the Kansas and Big Blue rivers.
Need more ideas?
Visit the Manhattan Convention and Visitors Bureau.