Affectionately nicknamed the “Little Apple”, Manhattan is a vibrant city set in the heart of the Flint Hills, a picturesque region of the Great Plains surrounded by tallgrass prairies. The city offers family-friendly attractions, including an interactive discovery centre and one of the state's best zoos.

Things to do

The Flint Hills Discovery Centre showcases the Sunflower State's unique tallgrass prairie ecosystem. It's filled with multimedia exhibits, including kid-friendly play areas and a multisensory theatre. Opposite the discovery centre, Blue Earth Plaza features landscaped gardens and music-synchronised water fountains.

If you love animals, don't miss exploring Sunset Zoo, a family-friendly wildlife park housing over 300 animals, including tigers, anteaters, chimpanzees and boa constrictors. The zoo is passionate about its conservation programmes and is an active member of the global Cheetah Conservation Fund.

Just north of the city, Tuttle Creek State Park offers recreational activities for the whole family. You can explore nature trails, cast a line out for river bass and enjoy a game on the 18-hole disc golf course. Nearby, the Konza Prairie Biological Station is laced with scenic tallgrass trails.

Housed on the Kansas State University campus, the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art celebrates local talent from across the region. Inside you can admire regionalist murals from John Steuart Curry, woodblock prints from Patricia Duncan and surrealist landscapes by Birger Sandzén.

Getting around

Downtown Manhattan is easy to get around on foot, while designated paths make cycling simple. Manhattan is also serviced by local buses. The town is a two-hour drive from Kansas City and flights arrive at Manhattan Regional Airport, four kilometres from the city centre.