Disclosure: Kansas I-70 Association sponsored this post. However, all opinions and photographs are my own.
No two Kansas towns are alike and Colby is definitely one-of-a-kind. I was excited for an afternoon of exploring having heard only good things about The Oasis on the Plains. I turned off of KS I-70 at Exit 54 to check it out for myself.
COLBY VISITOR’S CENTER
Colby’s Visitor’s Center (350 S. Range Road, Suite 10) is quite the sight. A grain bin is part of its architectural design, a nod to the progressive agricultural community. I had the pleasure of meeting one of the town’s longtime residents who worked there. Ralph was a wealth of knowledge about the town’s history. We talked for at least an hour.
In the late 1800s, homesteaders built sod homes on railroad land not far from the original post office. The town is named after Joseph R and Mary J Colby. They ran a boarding house, and Joseph was a part-time preacher. Later, a general store was built, serving as the town’s first merchant. A major contributor to the town’s growth, the Union Pacific Railroad and farming brought jobs to the area and increased the town’s population. The agriculture industry thrives in Colby, producing wheat, corn, milo, and sunflowers.
Why should you take a detour from the highway to Colby? There are a lot of cool places to visit in this western Kansas town.
PRAIRIE MUSEUM OF ART AND HISTORY
The Prairie Museum of Art and History (1905 S. Franklin Ave.) is one of Colby’s best places to explore. All of its collections tell the story of the lifestyle of the high plains, and many of the artifacts were donated by local families. I recommend starting the museum tour inside the building and then walking outdoors to the 1930s homestead and barn, one-room schoolhouse, sod house, and to view the Cooper Barn up close.
The indoor galleries include eight collections ranging from priceless collectors’ items to local high school memorabilia. The house you see below anchors the “High Plains Journeys” exhibit. It’s tall enough that visitors of all ages can tour it.
“A Little This, A Lotta That” exhibit includes items from Joe and Nellie Kuska. She was a Colby school teacher who devoted her entire life to collecting glass, coins, furniture, toys, dolls, and more.
Joseph and Nellie eventually moved to California and opened a museum, but now the collection is on display for visitors of The Prairie Museum to enjoy. Of all of her belongings, I was enamored by her collection of glass pieces. Having visited the Corning Museum of Glass and the Wichita Art Museum’s collection of glass, this exhibit easily competed with them regarding the quality of singular pieces.
The exhibit “Over Here Over There” stopped me in my tracks. The case you see below houses uniforms from different military branches worn by Thomas County residents dating back to WWI. Looking closely, you will see a white badge on each uniform identifying the soldier who wore it. Some of the badges also include a photo that personalized the story.
Beyond the museum’s doors is a campus of historical buildings worth checking out. The yellow house pictured below, owned by the Eller family, is significant because it is one of the earliest homes built in Colby in 1903. The family purchased the home three years later.
I was surprised to walk inside and find a fully furnished home – even the piano in the living room had sheet music on display. A home tour revealed the story of rural life in the 1930s.
The one-room schoolhouse, aka Nicol School, serves as a time capsule to an earlier time. Schoolhouses in Thomas County closed when school consolidation took place.
Walking into the District #15 building gives you an idea of what almost 100 schoolhouses across Kansas looked like at the time. I noticed that the schoolhouse didn’t have a bell atop its roof to allow the teacher to alert students to return to class after recess. Did she use the bell on the desk?
Colby is known for its hardworking farmers, so it was no surprise to find antique farming equipment on site. According to kfb.org, one farmer feeds 168 people. Farmers and ranchers receive only 19 cents of every dollar spent on food eaten at home and away from home. Farm fields as far as the eye can see greet visitors to Colby along KS I-70.
A major reason for my visit to Colby was to step foot inside The Cooper Barn. The largest barn in Kansas stands 66′ wide, 114′ long, and 48′ high. Voted one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture, I had to look inside. I drew back one of the barn doors. The interior was impeccably clean.
The first floor’s exhibit, “Agriculture on the High Plains: High Dry,” encourages visitors to imagine farming during water scarcity. What’s on the third floor? You’ll have to see it for yourself when you visit Colby.
Lone Star Church is a quiet space to collect your thoughts and enjoy a bit of solitude while on the museum’s grounds. Built in 1915, it was brought from Gem, Kansas to its current location. Visitors to the sanctuary will appreciate its stained glass windows and restored woodwork. Would you ring the church bell?
COLBY AQUATIC PARK
After wrapping up my tour of the Prairie Museum, I made the short drive to one of the town’s biggest attractions, Colby Aquatic Park (1610 S. Franklin Ave.) Locals appreciate it for its water slides, lazy river, and friendly lifeguards.
“The Oasis on the Plains” knows how to bring paradise to its residents and visitors. It’s open seven days a week, offering swimmers relief from the sweltering Kansas sun.
COLBY EVENT CENTER
Colby’s pride and joy these days is its newest attraction, the Colby Event Center (1200 S. Franklin Ave.). The massive structure opened in 2021, and I was game for a visit.
Before heading into the main gym, I peeked into a nearby office to meet the staff. I was met by a friendly employee who was excited to show me a country concert video on his phone taken earlier in the week. The stands were full, and the crowd was singing along. With seating up to 3,000 people, it is a premiere venue space. To view upcoming events at the center, click this link.
MAEVIS & MAGPIE
After touring the state-of-the-art event venue, I decided to check out a store in town that I heard rave reviews about, Maevis & Magpie (1005 E 4th St.). One step inside, and I knew I was in trouble. I was in heaven.
The boutique is an epicenter for rustic farmhouse and primitive home decor. But it isn’t like other stores of its kind in Kansas. It has not one but two buildings filled to the brim with reasonably priced items.
The photo below is of the boutique’s second building, which mostly features kitchen and dining room items. Garden lovers will appreciate the animal statuary and botanical stems. Calligraphy signs are tucked neatly into vignettes. Who doesn’t need a little sign that reads, “If you had to choose between tacos every day or being thin forever, would you choose hard or soft?”
The shopping fun continues in Maevis & Magpie’s main building, where final transactions are made.
The store has a space devoted to lounging and enjoying confections, ice cream, and cold drinks. Brightly colored booths line the wall, and jars of retro candies tempt shoppers to stock up on their favorites. I bet it also doubles as a great place to keep the kids happy while Mom shops until her heart’s content.
CITY LIMITS BAR AND GRILL
With bags of home decor finds in my car, I drove to the ever-popular City Limits Bar and Grill (2227 S. Range Ave.) for lunch. Surprisingly, the restaurant was tucked away behind Colby’s popular highway rest stop. Palm trees welcomed me as I entered the parking lot, an Oasis on the Plains!
City Limits Bar & Grill (2227 S Range Ave.) was recommended by a couple of Colby residents. The owner, Keith O’Dell, is also the head chef, and he is known for serving delicious meals consistently. On this day, he was also my server. He handed me a lunch menu and told me about the all-you-can-eat soup and salad buffet. I chose to dine on bottomless bowls of chicken noodle soup with heaping helpings of salad.
The restaurant is a must-stop for travelers driving on KS I-70 who don’t want to travel downtown for a meal. Other lunch menu items included burgers, chicken tenders, and hand-cut top sirloin. The food is downright delicious.
FIKE PARK
With time to spare before heading to Goodland, I drove back into town to relax at Fike Park, located north of City Hall. The park, named after a one-time town mayor, was breathtaking.
It includes over nine acres of manicured lawns and oversized trees. During my visit, I followed a winding sidewalk to check out the public art installations only to spy a man practicing juggling at the basketball court. Children giggled as they ran to nearby playground equipment. It was a happy space.
A highlight of the park was capturing photos of its remarkable art installations. I appreciated how a chainsaw artist took what was most likely a dying tree and transformed it into a work of art.
A second masterpiece caught my eye. It was a mini Statue of Liberty similar to the one I had seen in downtown Hays, Kansas. She stood with poise, welcoming park visitors at one corner of the lawn. It is one of the 25 Statue of Liberty replicas in Kansas. The tiny Lady Liberty statues were placed in public spaces by the Boy Scouts of America for their 40th anniversary.
The clock was ticking, and I needed to get back on the road, but my day in Colby was made better by the many cool things to do in town. I can’t wait to return to shop on Main Street and dine at B’Hive Bar & Grill next time. Can I convince my new friend Ralph from the Visitor’s Center to join me for dinner?
While you’re in Colby, consider Must-See Destinations in Goodland, Kansas and Top Things to Do in Oakley, Kansas.
Scott, a Kansas native, has completed several murals in the state and his work is commissioned nationwide. Visitors to Hutchinson are bound to stumble upon his large-scale paintings. His contemporary style often includes animals, people, references to the prairie, and history.
Scott’s “Bison Trail” mural (411 S. Main) was completely painted by hand. I appreciated the small brushstrokes that gave the animal’s coat texture. The bison’s piercing blue eye looks down at you from above as if to say, “This is my home where I roam.” The Latin “Ad Astra Per Aspera” translates to “to the stars through difficulties” and adorns the work.
Mural seekers will discover a piece painted with a sun, moon, and stars on the side of 
As you drive down Main Street into the center of town, you will notice numerous murals, including “Community Mural” painted by Shaelee Mendenhall (29 S. Main). The artist added brightly colored landmarks to create a sense of hometown pride. She is the same artist who combined forces with Kylee Baldetti to paint the “Spread the Love” mural series featuring heart-shaped murals in Hutchinson.
Keeping your eyes peeled is key when looking for murals. The Chester I. Lewis Plaza (15 East 1st Ave.) is home to three murals. The first panel (left) is by Brendan Martinez, the middle panel is by Josh Tripoli and Rebekah Lewis, and the last panel (right) is by Jocelyn Woodson. I recommend parking on the street and walking up for a photograph of the murals. What thoughts come to mind when you view them?
The three-fold mural pictured below was finished in 2008 and serves as an anchor piece for the 
A mural by the local non-profit 
Jose Ray painted this whimsical wonder on the side of a building at Avenue A Park in 2013. I love the way her eyes are looking up at the top window. Ray’s works typically include fantastical scenes painted using bright colors. When not painting murals, Ray works as a DJ spinning tunes.
“Farmer Time” (111 W. 2nd Ave.) by Brady Scott beautifies the side of Sandhills Brewing Company. It makes a good-looking backdrop for brewery fans who want to take a photo to document their visit.
“Ad Astra” (Avenue A and Main) painted by David Loewenstein in 2012 shows a night sky full of stars. But if you look closely, the constellations resemble symbols of the Sunflower State. Which ones do you recognize?
A ferris wheel, which I think references the Kansas State Fair, is part of “Ad Astra 2” near the constellations painting. Just below it figures enjoying Hutchinson attractions like the 
The “Rainbow Lion” (2 N. Main) leaves a big impression on downtown passersby. Painted by Jerimiah Tolbert, the colorful cat was commissioned by Bob and Ann Bush in 2018. It’s a stretched canvas print, but it looks like a mural from afar. The artist sells mini prints, coffee mugs, and cards featuring the lion 
I’ve often taken photos of this pheasant in flight mural while visiting downtown Hutchinson. Brady Scott adorned the backside of Sandhills Brewing Company (111 W. 2nd Avenue) with the bird scene. Although referred to as the “Farmers Market Mural,” it suits the building well since the brewery’s interior is decorated with illustrations of feathered friends.
A hub of all things creative in town, the 
Hutchinson, Kansas, is a vibrant community with murals to match. A short drive from Wichita, I encourage you to visit the town and slowly drive up and down its downtown while looking at street art.
This mural round-up only scratches the surface of Hutchinson’s street art collection. To view more of them and locate their whereabouts, visit this 
Inside the Buffalo Bill Culture Center, you’ll find permanent and on-loan displays that provide details of the area’s history. I watched a fascinating short movie, “Hidden History – The Ghost Town of Sheridan Kanas 1868,” about a lawless town made up of mostly saloons not far from Oakley. The Kansas Pacific Railroad’s tracks ended there. The video told of men hung from railroad trestles and a mass grave created to bury the dead. The town existed for 15 short months. You can view an oil painting, “End of the Track,” by local artist Chuck Bonner on the wall of the center.
The center also serves as the town’s travel information center, so it’s best to stop there before exploring Oakley. I discovered extensive travel brochures, maps, and a gift shop. The staff was eager to answer my questions and offered me freshly brewed coffee. If you need to research area attractions, knowledgeable employees will help you, or you can use the free WiFi to search the internet. A pet-friendly building, and travelers with dogs appreciate the indoor and outdoor accommodations.
George Sternberg’s rare fossil, a 15′ Xiphactinus Audax, is the world’s oldest known mosasaur, and it sits on display for museum visitors to enjoy. The room that houses it also showcases a mosasaur skull. For fossil hunters and fans, this room promises to get their hearts racing. Since the museum sits on the 
Other museum rooms tell the story of the life of the prairie. You can walk into a replica of a sod house, view the interior of a general store, and listen to audio stories about the railroad. What do you think it would have been like to live before modern technology? The museum showcases the impact of modern communication on society, dating back to the telegraph to the telephone.
I scanned the land. I didn’t see tall rocks protruding from the land. Where were they? Then, out of nowhere, I spotted them. Monuments Rocks or “The Chalk Pyramids” stood as an outcropping just off the road, and I had the entire place to myself.
Located on private land, Monument Rocks is open to the public during daylight hours. The sedimentary formations are Niobrara Chalk, formed during the Cretaceous period on the Western Interior Seaway 80 million years ago. The lines in the rock indicate how the limestone evolved over the years. Listed as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas, it nearly takes your breath away. It’s easy to see why it was listed as the first National Natural Landmark in Kansas.
I circled the formations with my car and then parked. My path was bright white, and the sun bounced off the rock, illuminating the area. It’s hard to describe the size and scale of the formations. They are enormous. It is reported that every inch of rock represents 700 years of history.
If you’re interested in visiting the outcroppings for yourself, I recommend traveling on a cool weather day or during the morning hours. Avoid making the drive if rain is in the forecast. It’s advisable to pack water and wear closed-toed shoes. To get there, drive 20 miles south of Oakley on U.S. 83, then 4 miles east on Jayhawk Road, 3 miles south, and 1 mile east (dry weather road only).
The Keystone Gallery overlooks the Smoky Hill River valley with a view of Monument Rocks in the “Badlands of Kansas.” I encourage you to look inside the glass cases at the museum and ask questions. Each fossil comes with a story about its discovery, journey to the museum, and the process of preparing it for display.
Before I left Keystone Gallery, I had one question for Chuck and Barbara. What was the story of the old car sitting near the entrance? I was told that Chuck used the 1948 Chevy Suburban for fossil hunting. Now, it sits as an artistic showpiece on the property. Oh, the stories this car could tell! Look closely at the photos below to enjoy the characters representing creatures of the deep.
I’ll never forget meeting Chuck and Barbara. They taught me so much about the region, but more importantly, how to enjoy what you do for a living. To visit Keystone Gallery, drive on U.S. 83, 26 miles south of Oakley or 18 miles north of Scott City. Thirty years later, the couple continues to share their love of fossils with others. View the gallery’s hours 
A visit to Oakley offers more than a few tourist stops. (I’ll return to visit 
Originally built in 1855 and called the Free State Hotel, it was one of the tallest most beautiful buildings in town. Unfortunately, its fate was doomed.
The hotel is considered haunted. Hotel employees have seen Colonel Eldridge’s ghost sitting in an original hotel chair in storage. A photograph taken in the lobby shows a ghostly spirit standing in the lobby’s elevator. Room 506 is considered to be the most haunted guest room in the hotel, and it is considered the colonel’s favorite spot. Of course, I requested room 506 for my overnight stay.
In 1932, the Bonnie and Clyde Gang stayed at the hotel and later robbed the bank across the street. They fled across state lines without issue. According to an article on The Eldridge’s website, the gang made off with over $33,000. You can read more about the hotel’s history and ongoing renovations 
The hotel serves as a venue for guests who want to celebrate weddings, reunions, and private gatherings for up to 180 guests. The ballroom pictured below includes original crown molding, archways with windows, and crystal chandeliers. The hotel’s concierge wanted to show us other rooms of historical significance, so he took us to a few private areas not open to the public.
We entered what looked to be a boiler room of sorts that included a narrow, steep staircase without a railing. It was time to scale the stairs to see Colonel Eldridge’s favorite chair first-hand. I climbed the stairs steadying myself with my hands upon each stair. There it was! A dusty ornate chair that many employees say they’ve seen Eldridge sitting on smoking his pipe. Would you want to see the chair for yourself?
All in all, my stay at The Eldridge was exceptional. The hotel stay went above and beyond to cater to my curiosity about the hotel’s history by taking me on a guided tour and telling me the background story of many of the black and white photographs hanging in the lobby.
Quantrill and his men rode up to the house with 400 men on horseback on their way from the town of Franklin to raid Lawrence on August 21, 1863. He was recognized by one of the Miller daughters. She greeted him. He and one of his men most likely stayed overnight at the home weeks earlier during a scouting mission.
The second stop on the bus tour took us to the 
The final stop of the Bleeding Kansas Bus Tour took us to the 
The building’s founder loved ornate architecture and the finest materials available. The building is a masterpiece, with its marble staircases, salvaged stained-glass windows, hand-carved woodwork, and marble mosaic flooring. The bank originally functioned as a place where farmers came for land loans. Later, it was donated to the city and was used as the City Hall until 1970.
For the last 10 years, Watkins Historical Museum has been welcoming visitors to tour the building and its permanent exhibits for free. Four smaller rotating exhibits are updated about every six months. The permanent collections’ themes range from Lawrence’s history to University of Kansas basketball to pioneer life artifacts.
The space in the photo below is part of Watkins’ original office, which still includes his fireplace, bank vault, and shutter-covered windows. Artifacts from his wife’s contributions to the University of Kansas are included nearby.
An authentic electric car sits on display in one corner of the museum. The Milburn Light Electric car was owned by Lawrence resident Eleanor Henley, who used it to run errands in town. When you visit the car, look inside! It doesn’t have a steering wheel. How did Eleanor drive it? You’ll have to take a trip to the museum to find out.
Below are two significant items from the University of Kansas’ basketball program’s history. James Naismith used the desk in the Robinson Gymnasium on the KU campus. It most likely was also used by Forrest “Phog” Allen. If you open the desk’s drawer, you will see handwritten locker combinations, which may have belonged to the basketball players’ lockers. Allen designed the 1940s practice backboard to teach his students how to arc the basketball.
Individuals and groups are welcome to visit for self-guided tours, though the museum prefers to prepare for student visits. To find out more about visiting the museum and its collections, view their 
Their menu has always featured dishes made with fresh ingredients, with flair. You won’t find standard pub grub at Free State. The menu options appeal to foodies who appreciate unique flavor combinations and the freshest ingredients.
We enjoyed the Filipino Egg Rolls with Sesame Chile Soy Dipping Sauce as an appetizer and shared the Nashville Chicken Mac and Free State Fish and Chips for dinner. 
I highly recommend stopping at Free State Brewing Co. for lunch or dinner during your visit to Lawrence. Although they are not hosting brewery tours now, you can check their 
My explorations led me to 
Unsure what beer you want a pint of? Ask the bartender for samples. I enjoyed tasting the Mosaic Dream IPA and the 1865 Black Stag.
When in Lawrence, I also like to revisit a few tried-and-true hangouts. 
A friendly server helped me choose a cocktail recipe from a long list of options. Since it was the eve of the anniversary of Quantrill’s Raid, I chose the John Brown made from whiskey, rum, demerara sugar, and bitters. It was spirit-forward but smooth.
During the tour, Jewell pointed to buildings that were rebuilt after that fateful date in history. A post-raid campaign was the focus of community members who wanted to rebuild a shattered community. Lawrence’s downtown district is a testament to their will to survive.
We enjoyed Avocado Toast with Scrambled Eggs and Huevos Rancheros with Corn Tortillas. With room left for dessert, I chose a slice of peach pie with a latticework crust. Beyond delicious. He said, “It’s one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had.”
The original sword belonging to Brown is also on display in a rotunda room not far from the Kansas Constitution. It is part of a larger collection of artifacts that tells the story of when the Kansas Territory was established on the brink of the Civil War. We got lucky and visited the capital minutes before a guided tour was about to begin.
To truly understand a town’s existence, you must dive deep into its history books. Peruse its museums. Walk its streets. I invite you to travel to Lawrence and visit these historical places and the ones that welcome visitors today. It’s a town near and dear to my heart, and now I appreciate it that much more.
It may have been a sweltering 99-degree summer day in Kansas, but it certainly conjured up thoughts of winter. I thought, “Why does this town love Christmas so much?”
Since 1950, the town has lived up to its nickname when local businessmen displayed a 35′ Christmas tree covered in 3,000 lights in the center of town. The tree and display are lit the Saturday after Thanksgiving and stay illuminated until New Year’s Day.
Some of the decorations stay up the entire year along Main Street and inside its businesses. How many trees will you spot around town?
I was craving a hearty and comforting meal. I ordered the Breakfast Plate of eggs, potatoes, and toast along with a freshly brewed coffee. I could hear the cook, who I assumed was the owner, whistling while she prepared meals in the kitchen.
It’s meticulously restored, spacious, thoughtfully decorated, and clean. It has all of the comforts of home. Five beds and three bathrooms provide roomy accommodations for a family visiting the area.
The museum’s textiles date from the early 1800s-1970s. Many of the museum’s items were donated by families in the area. Can you imagine walking the streets of WaKeeney and seeing women wearing dresses like the ones below as they headed off to church or a formal occasion?
A newer addition to the Trego County Historical Museum includes a large mural depicting the life of an earlier time. Governor John P. St. John signed a proclamation to organize the county on June 21, 1879. What do you notice about the mural below that tells the story of the county?
One exhibit that the museum is continuously working hard to build is the Trego County Honor Roll that features names of residents who have served in the military. I felt a sense of patriotism as I read about the soldiers who wore the uniforms on display. The collection dates back to World War I. The artifacts in the case situated left of the honor roll wall are phenomenal.
Several tiny towns in Trego County eventually combined into one school district. The one-room schoolhouse pictured below is available for visitors to enjoy with access provided by museum employees. It was used from 1910 to the early 1960s.
PRO TIP: Start your self-guided tour by learning more about the town and its founders. WaKeeney was named after Albert Warren and James Keeney who dreamed of a city with 80′ wide brick streets. They got their wish.
PRO TIP: Stop by The Studio 128 (128 N. Main) to ask for an address directory to help you locate all of the trees on the tour. Like me, you may simply stumble upon them as you walk around the main square of WaKeeney. I spotted the tree below in front of my lodging accommodations at 1909 Cottage House.
I’m told that the town’s youngest residents love the Green River, a super sweet drink. One of about forty authentic soda fountains still in operation in the state, Gibson’s includes seating for nine patrons. Thirsty? Flag down any employee who is ready to happily whip up a nostalgic drink for you.
Visit the tasting room to enjoy the winery’s long list of varieties, order a wine flight or ask about the Wine of the Week. A fan of dry wine, Kirk poured several varieties for me to try but it was a dry red, Noiret, that was by far my favorite selection. I’d also recommend sampling Norton and Vidal Blanc. Bottles of wine and gourmet chocolate are available for sale.
A popular venue for hosting weddings, receptions, and private parties, the barn below is available for rental. A nearby patio attached to the tasting room provides outdoor seating. The winery and event spaces stay consistently busy, but they always welcome wine lovers who show up to the tasting room.
PRO TIP: Ask for a guided tour to fully appreciate the winery. Visitors can schedule an informative tour by appointment.
The WaKeeney Water Park sits adjacent to a manicured city park – one of four in town. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a covered picnic inside a pavilion or play a game of disc golf, WaKeeney’s city parks have something for everyone to enjoy at their pace.
My time in WaKeeney seemed to fly by preventing me from visiting several more places that I look forward to experiencing on my next visit to town. I would love to tour 
It truly is a quintessential American town. I will always have fond memories of my stay in WaKeeney.
I loved walking around downtown Hays and imagining it as a lawless town. Many of the original buildings have been restored. The photo below shows the historic George Philip Hardware building, established in 1894, at 719 Main Street.
The 100-room hotel features a restaurant and bar, indoor pool, fitness room, and free parking. I was shocked at the size of my room. It was larger than some of my college apartments.
Hilton Garden Inn is one of those hotels where you look back at the sign as you leave and think, “I want to stay here again.” It’s modern, spacious, clean, and has many awesome amenities. A pet-friendly hotel, I feel good knowing that the next time I visit, I can bring my four-legged family member with me during my return trip to Hays.
The 
The museum’s paleontology area allows visitors to get an up-close view of animatronic dinosaurs, prehistoric animals, sea swimming creatures, and fish that lived in Kansas over 80 million years ago. It was a different world when the seas flooded North America. The museum’s exhibits give visitors a glimpse into the past.
A major draw of the museum is its collection of fossils found in the Great Plains, which largely exists because of the work of Charles H. Sternberg. He collected fossils in Kansas starting in 1867.
Because of their lab testing and research, rural farmers know how to improve their methods resulting in a better harvest or herd. From cattle nutrition to land management and plant pathology to entomology, the folks at the center work year-round to learn from nature. In fact, it was at the KSU Agricultural Research Center that many of the biggest contributions to the science of farming took place. Using ultrasound information at the center helped scientists learn more about beef marbling, which led to the USDA’s grading system for quality.
I chose a seat at the bar so I could have a clear view of the brewers at work behind the glass wall. My bartender was friendly and happy to provide a few beer samples until I eventually decided on a pint of the unfiltered Grapefruit Radler. Undecided between two lunch options, she persuaded me to order a local’s favorite, a Smothered Bierock covered in creamy cheese sauce with homemade chips. She also ensured my meal came with creamy bacon horseradish and sweet onion dip to eat with the chips. Lunch never tasted so good! And the beer? It was crisp and aromatic. I’d order it again. Maybe a growler of it.
Knowing that I didn’t have room left for dessert, I ordered the French Toast Brulèe anyway. The crisp exterior gave way to a pillowy center as my spoon cracked into it. Combined with vanilla bean ice cream and fresh whipped cream, it was beyond delicious.
I recommend stopping at Gella’s for lunch or dinner whenever you’re in Hays. The restaurant is large enough that it can easily accommodate groups. Menu prices were reasonable for the quality and portion sizes. If you drink craft beer, you can expect 12 taps, with two rotating regularly.
