Community & Neighborhood

Any city can offer the go-to shopping options that have become household names. Target, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and Dick's Sporting Goods are all represented here in Manhattan. However, the culture of a community is not represented by corporate mega stores. Manhattan’s locally owned specialty shops will keep you browsing until the sun goes down.

Aggieville - You’ll find the Aggieville Business District adjacent to the KSU campus in the heart of Manhattan. Known locally for the best nightlife in town, Aggieville also offers an abundance of retail outlets. Whether your looking for clothing or books, music or home decor, a day spent is Aggieville is a day well spent. 

Downtown Manhattan, KS - From the historic look and feel of main street (Poyntz Ave.) to the expanding new developments behind Manhattan Town Center, you can find what you need in the Downtown Business District. Jewelers, department stores, home and audio suppliers, and upscale clothiers all call downtown Manhattan home. If you’re looking to walk the streets and window shop, or take on a day in the mall, downtown has it all.

Westside - Although not as condensed as Aggieville or downtown, the west side of Manhattan offers just as many opportunities to find exactly what you are looking for! Golfing and sporting goods, pet needs, nutritional supplies, home furnishings, and home improvement projects are just some of the options that Manhattan’s west side can provide. 

Sure you could just grab something at a chain restaurant but what’s the fun in that. Besides there is no time like the present to start exploring your new community.

Visit any old website and you’ll get a list of restaurants. Just pick up the phone book for that matter. The list below was compiled by our staff and friends of places we like to eat every day. The Best Food in Manhattan, KS if you will.

There are a lot of great restaurants in town and not every one of them listed below, but you can be sure that if it is, it’s because its worth a mention.

Enjoy!

Our Favorite Local Dives:

LITTLE APPLE BREWING COMPANY - The Little Apple Brewery is a classic Steak House on the Westside of Manhattan in Westloop Shopping Center. They brew a full line of quality beers in house and have the best Scotch selection in town. Don’t miss out on the Salad Bar.

ROCK-A-BELLY DELI - Classy College dive bar by night, Fantastic Deli by day. Rock-A-Belly is an Aggiville destination. I recommend the Belly Buster!

COCO BOLOS - Loud Food & Spicy Music. Located in Aggieville, Coco Bolos is always a great choice. If you’re daring, try the Evil Chicken. Not so Daring? Try the Cuban BBQ Pork Sandwich.

SO LONG SALOON - Sliders, Fried Tacos, Buffalo Burgers. It’s all delicious. Or, Man up and take the Cowboy Challenge (10 Layers between a bun) a Tee shirt yer prize. In Aggieville. 

TACO LUCHA - My name is Taco Lucha. I started out wanting to be a fun, little outdoor taco stand and grew into what is now a full sit-down, cocktail-driven, funky Aggieville Taqueria. I am Mexican street food with my own modern twists. I offer flavorful food made from scratch daily in small batches. My drinks are made from fresh-squeezed citrus fruit and organic Agave nectar. I hope to offer you an experience full of smells, flavor and colors, honoring my beloved Lucha Libres. 

COX BROS. BBQ - These Guys know BBQ. Cox Bros BBQ smokes every kind of meat. Stock up on the napkins. You’re going to want to try ALL their sauces. You can find them on McCall Rd. North of Walmart.  

THE CHEF - Have a craving for Breakfast at 2 in the afternoon? The Chef (located downtown) has signature Banana’s Foster Pancakes (yum). A hip Diner style restaurant awaits. Sure, they have healthy options… but that’s not why we go there. 

BLUESTEM BISTRO - If you are a coffee nut you’ll appreciate the top-notch quality of Bluestem Bistro. Located in Aggieville, The Bistro offers great food and coffee and with a liquor license you can get a little “pep” in your Java. 

RADINA'S COFFEEHOUSE & ROASTERY -  With its three locations around Manhattan, Radina’s is dedicated to providing fresh, handcrafted coffee roasted to its peak flavor. Known for its in-house, specialty roasted drinks like the City Roast, Full City Roast, Vienna Roast, and French Roast, Radina’s has many options to satisfy the choosiest coffee connoisseur. 

EARLY EDITION – Two locations on the east and west sides of Manhattan.  Breakfast/Brunch American Food.  Possibly the best breakfast in the area!

College/University:

Kansas State University

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Manhattan Christian College

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MATC

High School:

Manhattan High School West and East Campus

Middle School:

Susan B. Anthony Middle School

Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School

Elementary School:

Amanda Arnold Elementary School 

Bluemont Elementary School 

Frank V. Bergman Elementary School 

Lee Elementary School

Marlatt Elementary School 

Northview Elementary School 

Ogden Elementary School

Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School

Woodrow Wilson Elementary School

Manhattan Virtual Academy 

Manhattan and the surrounding area offers all kinds of indoor and outdoor recreation. The following links can help you plan a quick weekday outing or an all weekend adventure. 

Wildwood Outdoor Adventure Park

Living Water Ranch

Golf - if your idea of a good time involves 18 holes and a 9 iron, Manhattan’s golf courses await your arrival! With three public courses and one private course, you are sure to find the perfect green.

Colbert Hills Golf Course - Visit Website

Stagg Hill Golf Club - Visit Website

Wildcat Creek Golf and Fitness - Visit Website

The Manhattan Country Club (Private) - Visit Website

Parks and Recreation - the City of Manhattan has conveniently sprinkled neighborhood parks all over the city. Some are small and cute with playgrounds for the kids. Others are large and in charge, hosting our three recently updated aquatic complexes. And a select few are still wild and untamed, perfect for an evening stroll away from city lights. Check out these links for more information:

Overview of Manhattan Parks

Manhattan Pool Information (Seasonal)

The Ice Rink at City Park (Seasonal) 

Sunset Zoological Park

Flint Hills Discovery Center

Tuttle Creek State Park - from boating to hiking to camping, Tuttle Creek offers big water fun for the whole family. Spend a day on the lake with your boat, or call some friends for a BBQ at one of the nine cabins provided by the State Wildlife Department. For more information, call the office at 785-539-7941.

“What’s there to do in small town Kansas” you ask? More than you think. With a major University and thriving business environment, Manhattan, KS is not shy on culture. From KSU’s McCain Performance series to The MAC there is always a show to catch. Looking for some nightlife? Head to Aggieville to hear some live music or over to the Union to see a comedian. College scene not your speed? Make some new friends at one of UFM’s Indian Cooking classes or take in a Lecture. We have highlighted some of the best below. If you are still starving for things to do, check out "150 Things to Do in and Around Manhattan".

McCain

McCain Auditorium at Kansas State University offers Manhattan residents a cultural roller coaster of great shows and entertainment. These are “BIG Name” people. Check out the current McCain Performance Series concert schedule.

Manhattan Arts Center (MAC)

The Manhattan Arts Center offers a wide range of performing and visual arts activities and showcases the artistic talents of amateurs and professionals alike. The facility includes a performance hall, two galleries, clay studio, art studio, dressing rooms, set design shop, and offices. 

UFM

UFM is a non-profit campus and community education program serving Kansas State University, the Manhattan area and communities across Kansas. Based on the philosophy that everyone can learn and everyone can teach, UFM provides opportunities for lifelong learning and personal development. UFM serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas and as a catalyst for new programs and services that enhance the quality of life for all. UFM offers dozens of classes at a very affordable price. Things like swimming lessons, Kung Fu, CPR certification, French cooking, wine tasting, personal finance, belly dancing and living green are all part of the vast UFM curriculum. Classes vary in scope and depth but are usually short fun classes anyone can find time for. 

Manhattan Public Library

The local Public Library is far more than just a place to check out books. The Library offers a continuing Lecture Series and a whole host of Youth activities including reading to dogs. Yes, I said dogs. Of course, you CAN still check out books as well as dvds and music. Or just spend some time in the state-of-the-art tech center.

Arts in the Park

During the summer months the City of Manhattan, KS hosts an “Arts in the Park” in City Park. Mostly musical in nature you’ll hear everything from Blues to Bluegrass and Jazz to Rock.

Whether you’re visiting Manhattan for a night, staying for an extended weekend, or looking for long-term lodging there are plenty of available options. These businesses can help you get here with ease and stay here in comfort.

Living Water Ranch is a non-profit  faith-based retreat and conference center located 16 miles north of Manhattan, Kansas, on Tuttle Creek Lake Reservoir. Located in the Flint Hills, the ranch lies nestled in the middle of hundreds of acres of rolling hills. The hills provide a stunningly beautiful backdrop to the shimmering sun-kissed waters of Tuttle Creek Lake with access to the shore. Opportunities abound to experience wildlife such as the White-Tailed deer, wild turkey and the majestic Bald Eagle.  Our surroundings support the kind of atmosphere we strive to provide our guests during their stay at Living Water Ranch.  The Ranch is versatile enough to cater to families, youth groups, organizations, churches and even individuals. We are open all year round.  

KCI Roadrunner provides transportation to Manhattan from KCI Airport. With multiple shuttles running everyday you can spend less time at the airport and more time enjoying the Little Apple.

Manhattan Regional Airport is located 3 miles west of Manhattan. Offering non-stop flights to and from Dallas / Ft. Worth and Chicago O’Hare, a flight to Manhattan lets you plan a visit without a road trip.

Manhattan offers numerous hotel and lodging options for your stay. We’ve compiled a list of the best:

Clarion Hotel – located on the west side of town, the Clarion boasts an indoor minitature golf course surrounding a pool and hot tub. Go bowling at Wildcat Lanes right next door, take in a movie at Seth Childs Cinema, or take on 18 holes at Stagg Hill Golf Course. The Clarion also offers the quickest access to the U.S. Army Facilities at Fort Riley.

Holiday Inn Express – directly across from the Kansas State University campus, Holiday Inn Express is centrally located for convenient exploration of the entire city. Relax in the evening by eating at Houlihans Restaurant on site, or walk a few blocks to Aggieville for some of the best nightlife in the Midwest.

Fairfield Inn – Manhattan’s Downtown Business District is thriving, and the Fairfield Inn is in the heart of it all. Whether you’re enjoying a day at Tuttle Creek Lake or browsing the mix of history and new developments in downtown Manhattan, the Fairfield Inn is the spot for you.

If hotel rooms are a little too stuffy and you’d prefer a cozier retreat, stay at one of Manhattan’s friendly Bed and Breakfast’s.

The Morning Star Bed & Breakfast - with five exquisite rooms (all named after our favorite tea blends) the Morning Star is sure to make your stay in Manhattan as comfortable as it can be. Unwind from your day in the two person jacuzzi located in each suite. 

The Scenic Valley Inn - located two miles west of Manhattan on Scenic Drive, the Scenic Valley Inn is your home away from home. With three guest rooms, a lofted living room, and an on-site event center, you can enjoy your time in Manhattan without leaving the comfort of home behind.

The Daughters House - placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007, the Daughter House is sure to satisfy your yearnings for nostalgia. Each of the three guest suites is filled with antique-style furnishings and bedding. A cozy fireplace sets the mood for amazing meals made with local and organic foods.

University Christian Church            uccmanhattan.net

Crestview Christian Church            www.crestviewchristian.org/

Westview Community Church         www.westviewcommunity.com

Faith Evangelical Free                       www.faithmanhattan.org