Disclosure: Downtown Hays at The Bricks sponsored this post, and Visit Hays sponsored my vacation rental stay. All opinions and photographs are my own.

In Hays, Kansas, the downtown area is the heart of the town, where there is always something attracting locals and visitors. Whether you’re craving a memorable dinner, a night of entertainment, or a leisurely morning spent shopping and exploring, Downtown Hays at The Bricks makes pulling off I-70 more than just a stop—it makes it a destination.

From catching a live concert at The Fox Theatre to sipping wine or browsing the seasonal farmers market, an overnight stay guarantees you won’t miss a moment.

And the historic neighborhood is the ideal place to take a self-guided tour. A stop on the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail, thanks to its history as a cow town from 1867 to the 1870s, you’ll see references celebrating its iconic story when exploring the area.

Just Like Home Lodging

Walnut Wonder

When you’re seeking the comforts of home while in Hays, I recommend booking an overnight stay at vacation rental, Walnut Wonder, located a five-minute drive from Downtown Hays. The pet-friendly home is a duplex with on-street or driveway parking located in a quiet neighborhood.

After my stay, it was easy to understand why guest book entries raved about the property and why it’s rated on Airbnb.com as a Guest Favorite. The one-bedroom home consists of a spacious bathroom, a living room with a large sectional sofa, and a full kitchen.

I curled up with a blanket to watch a movie on the large sectional sofa using available Roku streaming, a comfy place to unwind when I wasn’t exploring Downtown Hays. The owner even left microwave popcorn and a handwritten note thanking me for “popping in” at Walnut Wonder.

The bedroom’s work desk and available high-speed WiFi made it easy for me to get a little work done as well. I had plenty of room to spread out my belongings and access outlets to charge my devices.

The home’s amenities are top-notch, and because the hosts considered a guest’s stay, I didn’t need anything.  If you’re seeking like-home lodging with comfortable amenities, reserve Walnut Wonder for your travel accommodations.

NOTE: The downtown apartment is occupied by a permanent resident, who was quiet during my stay. Guests have secure access to the home’s front door and Walnut Wonder’s code-entry door.

Shop, Stroll, Splurge

World Atlas added Downtown Hays in The Chestnut Street District to its list of 9 Kansas Towns With Unforgettable Main Streets, and it’s a well-deserved recognition for its abundance of retail shops, located in preserved historic buildings.

Regeena’s Flowers & Events

The smell of flowers permeates the air inside Regeena’s Flowers & Events (1013 Main Street) on any given day. Owners Norman and Sandy Keller gave me a warm welcome, as did their adorable shop pups, who meander to the front of the store as each shopper arrives.

Norman, who has nearly four decades of floral arrangement expertise, and his staff create custom arrangements for any occasion. Shoppers seeking gift-worthy items will be pleased to find an array of beautiful home decor items. The seasonal floral displays at the front of the store’s front windows wow passersby.

Simply Charmed

Next door at Simply Charmed (1011 Main), women will find themselves in jewelry, handbags, and hair accessories heaven as they peruse displays showcasing brands such as Brighton and Enewton.

Other sections of the spacious store include women’s apparel, children’s clothing, and gifts.

I appreciate when a clothier thoughtfully selects on-trend women’s apparel brands, and Simply Charmed carries a range of sizes up to 2X. Shopping for your children or grandkids? Pair a coveted Jellycat stuffed animal with an outfit as a gift. Sizes range from newborn to 7.

PRO TIP: Simply Charmed offers Fuzed Permanent Jewelry by appointment.

Refine

Like the name suggests, Refine (1009 Main) carries wardrobe essentials women need to complete any outfit, from tailored looks for dressier occasions to jeans and knit tops to wear for a casual outing.

Refine is one of 115 national Liverpool destination stores that carry the jeans brand, One can expect to find clothing sizes 2-16, handbags, and shoes by well-known names such as Joseph Ribkoff, Katie Loxton, and Sorel.

Kat’s Hallmark

A fixture downtown, Kat’s Hallmark (1003 Main) is a go-to gift and greeting card destination. The Hallmark Gold Crown store hosts official ornament events, giving collectors early access to shop for items featured in the 2025 Hallmark Keepsake Dream Book.

The owner informed me she is closing her doors in January 2026, so she is offering mega discounts on select inventory items housed in a showroom upstairs. In the meantime, one can shop for seasonal decor or gifts for special occasions during regular business hours.

Diamond R Jewelry

Everyone deserves a little sparkle, and locally-owned Diamond R Jewelry (807 Main) is the place to shop for a modern jewelry selection that makes an impression. As an official broker, the store’s staff helps customers find the best value in loose diamonds.

Beautiful, shimmering diamonds captured the overhead lightsfrom beneath glass. The men’s wedding bands, available in a range of styles and metals, equally garnered the attention of shoppers. Couples hoping to find the perfect engagement rings and wedding bands will be pleased with the jewelry options.

The Arc of Central Plains Thrift Store

What if you could shop for yourself while paying it forward to others? Discover gently used treasures at The Arc of Central Plains Thrift Store (600 Main) and support their mission to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

I was impressed with how well the volunteers organized the inventory by category: clothing, household items, books, toys, and seasonal costumes and decorations.

Customers eagerly filled carts with donated garments and household supplies as I walked the aisles. A little girl tested out a small bicycle while a mother and son searched for pants in his size. Expect the store to be particularly busy on Saturdays.

The Furniture Look

The Furniture Look‘s (1000 Main) two-story showroom is tastefully arranged with American-made furniture and one-of-a-kind pieces. I noted Amish-built dining tables, modern power-reclining chairs, and brand-name bedroom and living room brands, including Bassett and Flexsteel.

If you think you know what you want but need design advice, Karen and her team are happy to chat with you in the Design Room with access to fabric and wood samples.

Eclectic Threads Quilt Studio

The long-arm quilting machine hums at Eclectic Threads Quilt Studio (1012 Main), where customers commission quilts to be made or finished. In the front of the retail shop, a sign showcases upcoming classes open to the creatives who want to learn to quilt.

Aside from offering long-arm quilting services and classes, shoppers will be delighted to discover kits, fabric, batting, notions, thread, and patterns available for purchase.

Chestnut Street Floral

If you love fresh flowers, gourmet food products, whole bean coffee, and chocolate truffles, shop at Chestnut Street Floral (1310 Main). For me, it’s one-stop shopping for a friend or loved one.

I stopped by to select Le Grand chocolate truffles after a day of shopping downtown. The staff eagerly told me their favorite flavors, which were tempting, but I settled on a delectable white chocolate apple pie truffle.

The store’s candy bouquets include a variety of chocolate bars and hard candy designed for the sweet tooth in your life.

Couture for Men

I was delighted to discover Couture for Men (1109-1111 Main), a store dedicated to carrying a full line of men’s clothing with brands such as Tommy Bahama, Southern Tide, Liverpool, and Johnnie O.

Instead of men skipping a Main Street shopping experience, the store caters to them with a wide selection of casual wear suitable for any season. Also, the store doubles as a tuxedo rental shop for one’s more formal occasions.

Custom Creations

Custom Creations (1107 Main) is more than a home decor and furniture shop. Launched in 2016, the goods are handmade by individuals served in DSNWK’s College for Living day services, a program for people with various disabilities.

Donated furniture is restored and improved to become one-of-a-kind pieces. Beautiful artwork is created for the home. Each purchased piece is a compliment to the individuals who create them.

Lilly and Marie

Carol, the owner of Lilly and Marie (113 W. 11st Street), knows her regular customers well. She greets them by name as they shop for the fashionable women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories. During my visit, I overheard one woman say, “Oh, I love her clothes because they’re so soft!”

New products are added weekly. Women who prefer to shop for the latest in women’s fashions online can do so via the shop’s online catalog.

Azalea Avenue Boutique

In search of a new pair of jeans? Perhaps you need a classic, neutral-colored blouse or dress for an upcoming event? Azalea Avenue Boutique (117 N. Main) is always refreshed with new arrivals ideal for women aged 25 to 45. Clothing sizes range from small to 2X.

The shop’s owner had such success with her online shop that she decided to open a downtown Hays location. Trust me, you’ll want to swap your closet staples for selections from Azalea’s Avemie Boutique.

Note: There are additional retailers worth visiting downtown; however, these are the ones that I had time to fit into my itinerary. View The Bricks’ business directory for more suggestions.

Choose To Dine Local

No matter the time of day, I was happy to discover local restaurants serving diverse menus downtown, from sushi to street tacos.

9th Street Diner

Start your day with a meal at 9th Street Diner (230 9th Street), a fixture in the Hays community where locals gravitate to chat over comfort food. The clatter of plates and forks is heard over a voice in the kitchen calling servers to deliver orders to customers.

The menu, which also includes classic lunch sandwiches and salads, offers something for every kind of eater, young or old. I finished every bite of the French Toast Platter, served with a side of warm syrup and whipped butter.

Paisley Pear Wine Bar, Bistro & Market

If you’re in the mood for a Saturday brunch served with a mimosa, I recommend Paisley Pear Wine Bar, Bistro & Market (1100 Main) for a late-morning bite to eat paired with wine or a boozy cocktail.

While sipping a Wicked Pickle Bloody Mary, the sound of the doorbell chimed as small groups arrived to dine. If you prefer lunch fare, order a sandwich with Kettle® chips to enjoy al fresco at a patio table.

PRO TIP: Most of Downtown Hays is a Common Consumption Area, so ask about to-go cocktails for your pickup food orders.

Verdant Bistro

Part restaurant, part event space, Verdant Bistro (230 E. 8th Street) caters to diners who appreciate a menu of chef-prepared pasta, steak, and seafood entrees.

At lunchtime, I recommend taking advantage of the soup and salad combination, which tasted delicious, and it was a value for the quality.

While the French Onion Soup’s caramelized onions with cheese in a beef broth were rich in flavor, it was served so hot that I needed to wait to eat it. The refreshing pomegranate mocktail cooled my palate.

Las Hefas Latin Cuisine

More than one person told me I should dine at Las Hefas Latin Cuisine (224 W. 11th Street), and I’m glad they did. The locally owned Mexican and Latin restaurant serves traditional meals you don’t always see on a menu like pupusas and gallo pinto.

My order of Tacos De Barbacoa was served with tender, shredded beef, which I topped with an avocado cream sauce. I’m eager to return for dinner to try the day’s special with one of the five margaritas available.

PRO TIP: Don’t leave without eating dessert. The Tres Leches cake is a shareable, moist slice of heaven served with drizzled chocolate sauce.

Sake2Me Sushi Rolls

It’s difficult to find a quality sushi restaurant with an affordable menu, but Sake2Me Sushi Rolls (803 Fort Street) checks all the boxes. A local go-to for dine-in and to-go orders, Abba played over the speakers as I watched two sushi chefs prepare orders from my seat at the bar.

I started my meal with appetizers: crab rangoon and salted edamame, followed by the day’s special, Golden State Rolls.

The crab-stuffed sushi rolls were presented on a dinner-size plate drizzled with eel sauce and Japanese mayonnaise. Each roll was large enough that I had to cut it in half.

For $21 before tax and tip, my dining experience lived up to the restaurant’s positive online reviews.

Gella’s Diner and LB Brewing

The dining room and bar are always filled with locals and out-of-towners at Gella’s Diner and LB Brewing (117 E. 11th Street), with people craving award-winning craft beer with pub grub fare.

The night of a concert at The Fox Theatre, I found one seat left at the bar for a pre-show German-style ale. Steaks, pasta dishes, and chicken entrees dominate the menu. I recommend the Smothered Bierock served with chips, a must if visiting Kansas for the first time.

Cold Stone Creamery

Ice cream is my go-to dessert any day of the year, so a visit to Cold Stone Creamery (507 Main) was on my travel bucket list when shopping downtown.

Create your ice cream combination or order from a menu of signature selections. When in doubt, order the Founder’s Favorite®, and then watch as an employee mixes pecans, brownie, fudge, and caramel into sweet cream vanilla ice cream on a cold granite table.

Tap Into Your Artistic Side

Hays Art Center

Open six days a week, the galleries at the Hays Art Center (112 E. 11th Street) provide art lovers a free opportunity to view creative works on regular rotation.

During November, the Hays Arts Council hosts Block Party on the Bricks, an art auction featuring live music and art demonstrations to fundraise. At springtime, the galleries feature the Smoky Hill juried exhibition, which is an anchor event for the Spring Art Work.

The Niche Studio

Viewing artwork is rewarding, and so is creating your own at The Niche Studio (707 Main). Opened in 2017, the public is welcome to drop in during Open Studio sessions to select a painting or do-it-yourself craft project to complete.

The owner provides workshops for creatives of all ages and skill sets, ranging from tie-dye t-shirt classes to painting decorative wood signs.

Hays Public Library

I’ve visited many public libraries across Kansas, and the Hays Public Library (1205 Main) is one of the best. Originally built as a Carnegie Library in 1910, the interior has been modernized.

The multi-level building houses a spacious art gallery, and patrons are welcomed to help themselves to complimentary coffee while lounging with a book or magazine in a sun-drenched window seat.

PRO TIP: If you’re a Kansan or curious about the state’s history, venture downtown stairs to the Kansas Room. It contains a large inventory of books about the Sunflower State.

Make Time For Self-Care

Travel can sometimes take a toll on you, which is why reserving a massage or facial at a spa is well-advised to feel replenished.

The Collective at Body & Soul

A relaxing massage helps you reduce stress and lifts your spirits. My one-hour massage at The Collective at Body & Soul left me feeling renewed.

My massage therapist, Dawn, listened and understood my goal to relieve muscle tension, and she did a remarkable job.

Other services provided at the spa include facials, light therapy, laser hair removal and waxing as well as lip fillers and Botox. View the services and reserve an appointment here.

PRO TIP: Build in extra time before or after your massage to sip a Jokir Juiceey cold-pressed juice drink in the lounge.

Public Art Tour

Hays is a hub for talented artists, and there are examples of their work painted throughout the downtown corridor and beyond. Each one begs to be photographed with unique depictions of Hays’ history, the Kansas landscape, and university pride.

I photographed most of them while walking downtown, but you’ll likely want to drive to the few murals that are painted on buildings beyond Main Street.

Use the Downtown Hays mural guide in your quest to locate each street art installation.

The town’s rich history as a cattle stop for cowboys and gamblers is celebrated in its public art, including dozens of hand-carved sculptures by local, nationally-knowned artist Pete Felten.

Over the years, I’ve increasingly loved his work, noticing how many of Felten’s masterpieces showcase animals, often tucked away at a sculpture’s base or hidden from view in the back.

You’ll be amazed at the Hays artist’s handiwork using a hammer and chisel to carefully carve away limestone sourced from the region. Learn about 28 sculptures in Hays and surrounding towns and view a map here.

PRO TIP: Take a self-guided stroll along Shinbone Alley, a street located behind Ellis County Historical Museum, to view bonus carvings or visit The Stone Gallery (107 ½ W. 6^th Street) to see the artist’s studio.

Participate in Entertaining Events

There’s never a dull moment in Downtown Hays at The Bricks. Check the event calendar for seasonal and annual events.

Downtown Farmers Market

The Downtown Farmers Market, held at the Downtown Pavilion on Saturday mornings from May through October, is a happening event (weather permitting). Local artisans and farmers from beyond Hays set up booths to sell Kansas-grown produce and unconventional art. Supporting local is paramount for me, which is why I chose to get to know the Svaty’s Produce farm family before buying a melon from them. At another booth, I learned how a retired couple, the Maier’s of Handcrafted by MSM, taught themselves how to carve wood into beautiful cutting boards and home decor items.

PRO TIP: Enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee, courtesy of Breathe Coffee House, at the visitor’s table before shopping. The breakfast burritos and sandwiches at Professor’s Classic Sandwich Shop & More’s booth are delicious.

The Fox Theatre

Built in 1950, The Fox Theatre (1202 Main), was thoughtfully restored to its historical beauty, which includes Mid-Century design and hand-painted murals. The two-story event space hosts live music, comedy acts, and private events.

I had the pleasure of attending an Eli Young Band concert, which was the first band invited to play there once the theatre re-opened its doors after renovations were complete.

They packed the theatre with country music fans on a lively Saturday night who sang along with hits from their album, Strange Hours.

PRO TIP: If you prefer to sit down during a show with access to a private bar and bathrooms, reserve tickets in the balcony. Purchase tickets to upcoming events for ages 18+ here.

Take a Walk Through History

Ellis County Historical Society

Step into the past at the Ellis County Historical Society (100 W. 7th) to learn about the settlers who chose to make Hays home. The building, once a Presbyterian Church built in 1917, is a relic housing exhibits and research space.

Next door, a limestone church, a Volga German Haus replica, and the Younger Harness Shop are worth viewing firsthand. Look closely at the architectural details of the Firehouse Museum to appreciate the designer’s handiwork.

Walk the alley behind the museum, also known as Shinbone Alley, to appreciate more of Felten’s carvings, which are also evident in benches on the museum’s grounds.

The museum is open four days a week, and it often hosts traveling exhibits. Its retail shop includes Volga German apparel, books, and gifts.

Historic Walking Tour

Take the Historic Walking Tour through Downtown Hays at The Bricks to learn about the notable sites where the West’s famous characters like Wild Bill Hickock, Buffalo Bill Cody, and Calamity Jane hung out in saloons and gambling houses. Each bronze plaque along 10th Street represents a significant site with a story.

Use the map to find historic places beyond 10th Street, such as the site that once occupied The Pioneer Store, Gospel Hill, and the U.S. Land Office, where George Philip and Son Hardware Store operated from 1896 until 1997.

It’s worth hopping back into the car and making the short drive to Boot Hill (1806 Fort Street) to view the grave site where anyone who died with their boots on during 1867-1874 was buried.

PRO TIP: If you prefer a brochure with a map, you can pick one up at the Downtown Visitor’s Center or at a brochure kiosk along 10th Street.

Downtown Hays at The Bricks blends history and hospitality with a variety of entertaining things to do, proving that a small town can deliver big energy. It’s one of my favorite Kansas walkable districts for its shops, restaurants, and vibrant events.

NEARBY BONUS STOPS

While you’re traveling on Kansas I-70, you may also enjoy stops in towns Russell and WaKeeney. The Cathedral of the Plains (The Basilica of St. Francis) in nearby Victoria is an architectural wonder worth pulling over for its majestic beauty.