Hays
Around Hays
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Town and around · Kansas · 29k people
Hays
“Queen City of the West”
Where the prairie meets the sky
Fort Hays State University gold
Welcome to Hays, the heart of the High Plains! Whether you're here for the fossils, the football, or the friendly folks, you'll find a community that knows how to enjoy the wide-open skies. Grab a bierock and settle in.
Clubs for Hays
No clubs for Hays yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Hays. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Hays. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Sternberg Museum of Natural History Fossils and exhibits on the FHSU campus.
- Fort Hays State Historic Site Restored 1860s fort buildings and interpretive trails.
- Fort Hays State University Public university with a scenic campus and sports events.
- Hays Arts Center Community arts venue with galleries and performances.
- Ellis County Courthouse Historic courthouse in downtown Hays.
- Hays Public Library Modern library with community programs.
- Outdoors Hike along the Smoky Hill River
- Outdoors Fish at Cedar Bluff Reservoir
- With kids Visit the Sternberg Museum of Natural History
- With kids Explore Fort Hays State Historic Site
- Evenings Local breweries
- Evenings Live music at Hays Arts Center
- Locals love Local bakeries
- Locals love Coffee shops
Through the year
- Hays Wild West Festival June A summer celebration with a parade, live music, and family activities.
- Ellis County Fair July Agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, and local competitions.
- Sternberg Museum Fossil Fest October Hands-on fossil activities and exhibits at the museum.
- Hays Symphony Orchestra Season Fall and Spring Classical concerts performed at the Hays Arts Center.
- FHSU Homecoming October Parade, tailgating, and the big football game on campus.
Semi-arid continental climate with big temperature swings. The sun shines often, but wind is a constant. Best to be out in spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for being outside, with mild temperatures and lower winds.
Talk like a local
- “The Fort”
- Fort Hays State Historic Site
- “FHSU”
- Fort Hays State University
- “Bierock”
- A savory stuffed bread, a local staple
- “Wheat country”
- The surrounding wheat-growing region
Getaways
- Great Bend Visit the Cheyenne Bottoms wetlands and Barton County Historical Society.
- Dodge City Explore the Boot Hill Museum and historic Front Street.
- Salina Check out the Smoky Hill Museum and the Salina Art Center.
- Hutchinson See the Kansas Underground Salt Museum and Strataca.
Local flavour
Rooting for Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, Sporting Kansas City
Eat and drink
- Bierocks
- German sausage Bratwurst and other sausages, served at local festivals and diners.
- Wheat bread Fresh‑baked breads from the surrounding wheat country.
Where people go
- Prairie landscapes Vast, rolling plains with a sense of endless sky.
- Grain elevators Iconic structures that punctuate the flat horizon.
- Historic forts Frontier landmarks like Fort Hays, reminders of the Old West.
Heritage and traditions
Hays and the surrounding Smoky Hills take pride in their German-Russian heritage, frontier history, and the wide-open prairie that shapes a resilient, hardworking community.
This time of year in Hays
- Pheasant hunting Fall The opening of pheasant season is a big event for hunters.
- Volga German Fest October Celebrates the area's German-Russian roots with food, music, and dancing.
Say it like a local: “you bet” — you're welcome
Festivals
- Volga German Fest October Celebrates the area's German-Russian roots with food, music, and dancing.
- WaKeeney Christmas Lighting December WaKeeney transforms into the 'Christmas City of the High Plains' with thousands of lights.
Landmarks with a story
- St. Joseph's Catholic Church A beautiful historic church reflecting the German-Russian Catholic heritage.
- Russell County Courthouse A stately courthouse in Russell, built in the early 20th century.
- WaKeeney's Historic Downtown Preserved frontier-era buildings along Main Street.
Food traditions
- Bierocks A German-Russian meat-filled pastry, a local favorite.
- Kuchen A German-Russian coffee cake, often with fruit or cheese, served at community gatherings.
- Knoephla soup A hearty dumpling soup with potatoes and cream, a comfort food from the German-Russian tradition.
- German sausage Smoked and fresh sausages from the German-Russian tradition, often served at festivals.
- Wheat bread Fresh bread made from the region's wheat, a staple at meals.
Music and arts
- German polka music Polka bands play at festivals and community events, keeping the German-Russian heritage alive.
A little history
- 1867 Fort Hays established as a military post to protect railroad workers.
- 1870s German-Russian immigrants arrive, bringing their farming skills and traditions.
- 1902 Fort Hays State University founded as a branch of Kansas State Agricultural College.
- 1930s Dust Bowl impacts the region, leading to soil conservation efforts.
- 1960s The Sternberg Museum becomes a major fossil research center.
Rivalries
- FHSU vs. Washburn College football rivalry in the MIAA.
- Hays High vs. Russell High Friday night football bragging rights.
- Hays vs. Great Bend Friendly competition in sports and commerce.
- Game day FHSU Tiger football
- Game day High school football
- Outdoors Stargazing
- Outdoors Birdwatching
- With kids Playing at Chetolah Park
- With kids Visiting the Ellis County Historical Society Museum
Locals speak with a neutral Midwestern accent, and you'll hear 'pop' for soda. Some older residents may use German phrases from their heritage.
Only here
- The Sternberg Museum's 'fish-within-a-fish' fossil is a unique specimen.
- WaKeeney is known as the 'Christmas City of the High Plains'.
- The Hays Symphony Orchestra is one of the oldest in Kansas.
New here? A few tips
- Be prepared for the wind - it's a constant companion.
- Try a bierock from a local bakery - it's a taste of the region's heritage.
- The nearest big city is Salina, about 90 miles east.
- Hays is pronounced 'Hayz'.
- Check out the Sternberg Museum for its incredible fossils.
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Nearby
Every areaSmoky HillsKansasWhere the prairie meets the post rockGreat BendKansasWhere the wheat meets the skyLarnedKansasWhere the wheat fields meet the endless sky.NortonKansasBig skies, warm hearts, and the hum of the harvest.Dodge CityKansasCowboy country with a warm heartScott CityKansasWhere the wheat meets the skySalinaKansasPrairie roots, open skies.HutchinsonKansasWhere the prairie meets the salt
Hays, KS. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.