Manhattan, Kansas A city of noted name that offers its own unique identity and rich heritage. A community that continues to strive toward the brilliant future envisioned by its earliest settlers. Manhattan's residents enjoy the quality of life in the region located at the juncture of the Big Blue and Kansas Rivers.
Education is very important in Manhattan. The city's public school system (Unified School District 383) continues to grow with the addition of a new elementary school in 1995 and two new middle schools in 1996. Three private schools further add to the K-12 alternatives - Flint Hills Christian School, Manhattan Catholic Schools and Oak Grove School.
Further commitment to post-secondary education is evidenced through other choices available to students. Manhattan Area Technical College offers associate of applied science degrees and diplomas in 12 full-time technical education programs. Part-time continuing education courses, an associate of applied science degree in Emergency Medical Science, and customized training for individual businesses and groups are also available.
Kansas State University (KSU) is a comprehensive university and a major center of teaching, research and service with an enrollment of nearly 22,000 students in its nine colleges: Agriculture; Architecture, Planning, and Design; Arts and Sciences; Business Administration; Education; Engineering; Human Ecology; Veterinary Medicine; and Technology (in Salina).
This area offers 12,000 acres of water with 100 miles of irregular, wooded shoreline. Over 16,000 acres of land surrounding the lake have been enhanced to benefit wildlife and provides excellent hunting opportunities Turkey, white-tailed deer, quail, pheasant and waterfowl are common species found here.
Many sites around the lake have been developed for enjoyment of fishing, hunting, boating, camping, picnicking, and outdoor sports. Eleven parks offer a wide range of facilities such as overnight camping pads, beaches, comfort stations, boat launching ramps, utility hookups and picnic tables. Also available for lake visitors are a full service marina, nature trails, equestrian trails, a disc golf course, and areas for the off road vehicle enthusiast.
The Konza Prairie is an 8,600-acre tallgrass prairie preserve owned by the The Nature Conservancy. Although most of the site is restricted for research use, self-guided nature trails are open to the public from sunrise to sunset daily. You will experience the true grandeur of the Flint Hills on these trails, as you are completely isolated from civilization while you trek out onto the prairie. At times during the year, the grass around the trail will stretch high above and around the hiker.
When it comes to shopping, Manhattan has a lot to offer here too. Aggieville, the first shopping center established in Kansas, was so named for the former K-State Aggies. Today, it is still a pre- and post-game host to Wildcat sporting events. Located just southeast of the K-State campus, visitors to Aggieville can find places to shop, wine, dine, dance, get a haircut or enjoy a cup of gourmet coffee.
Well-known as the center for student recreation, services, and nightspots, Aggieville is within walking distance of City Park and K-State. For over 13 years, Manhattan Town Center, located downtown, has been providing one of the finest shopping experiences in northeast Kansas, featuring Dillard's, J.C. Penney, Sears, over 60 specialty stores and a great selection of restaurants.
Just west of Manhattan Town Center lies the historic downtown shopping area of the city known as Downtown Manhattan, Inc. The area provides an attractive and exciting shopping district with tree-lined walks and a nostalgic feel. From fashion to furnishings, hobbies to antiques, fast food to fine dining - great times await you in downtown Manhattan. Just one mile east of downtown and the mall are Manhattan's East Side shopping centers. This area is one of the larger shopping centers in Manhattan. Two national retail discount stores and many shops in between serve visitors to this area.
