Tag Archives: Kansas

Hays: Small-Town Charm and Big-Time Fun!

Hays, Kansas is known as a place with small-town charm and big-time fun! And the friendliness of those who call Hays home is evident to travelers who are enjoying a family vacation, business trip, sporting event or even just passing through.

In town, there is always something exciting and interesting happening throughout the year, including the “Great Planes on the Plains” fly-in, which will be held June 7-12 at Hays Regional Airport. This year, Universal Helicopter, Kansas State University-Salina, the Civil Air Patrol and the Arizona Commemorative Air Force, among others, will be in attendance. The Commemorative Air Force will also be offering tours and rides in a B-25 Mitchell Bomber that flew combat missions in World War II. This yearly event is sure to provide an educational, fun-filled weekend for all those who attend.

Those making their first visit to this historic frontier town will definitely appreciate the many low- or no-cost attractions that are available, including the chance to learn about Hays’ often dangerous early days when the town was filled with railroad workers, desperados and other notorious characters. The city also offers historic downtown tours and shopping, a look into frontier military history, annual festivals and sporting events, art studios and performing art, and much more!

In its early days, Hays developed a reputation for lawlessness and as a tough “end of the tracks” town. During several months in 1869, James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok served as an interim sheriff to quell the almost constant homicides, bloodshed and feuds. Visitors can experience some of this history with a trip through time on a self-guided walking tour of downtown. Twenty-five bronze plaques mark the route where some of the most famous and notorious characters lived and walked.

The Fort Hays Historic Site offers a glimpse into a soldier’s frontier life in this unique location that was founded to protect settlers from native resistance. Today, visitors can see the original blockhouse, guardhouse and officers’ quarters, and the information center provides exhibits and artifacts about the fort and military history.

Get started on an historical adventure to Hays aboard one of the two daily SkyWest Airlines flights, operating as United Express from Denver. The best fares can be found at united.com.

Hays for the Holidays

Tucked away in Northwest Kansas, the town of Hays should not be overlooked. This old railroad town settled by German immigrants after the Civil War has much to offer any visitor, especially during the upcoming holiday season.

Offering the magic and spirit of the holidays minus the big crowds and never-ending traffic, Hays is home to the annual FrostFest. The celebration kicks off on the first weekend of November and runs through December. Visitors can enjoy numerous holiday-oriented family activities, highlighted with the Annual FrostFest Illuminated Parade on the first Sunday of December. Carriage rides, visits with Santa, caroling and a festive tree lighting also take place throughout the season. On top of that, Hays’ rustic shops that will remind shoppers of simpler times and make it the perfect spot to kick off the holidays.

Hays was originally established as a U.S. Army fort near the end of the Civil War to station soldiers during the cold winter months and the Christmas season gave soldiers an opportunity to reconnect with activities they would have been doing at home. Today, visitors can take part in Christmas Past at Historic Fort Hays to see what life would have been like for those soldiers, including how the Fort would have been decorated in the late 1800s. They’ll also enjoy strolling the fort grounds and seeing living-history programs, luminaries and caroling.

After the Army cleared out, German settlers began to make Hays their home and their influence is still felt today. More than 50 percent of the town’s population claims German heritage, giving this Old West town a unique feel at any time of the year. In particular, September and October are a great time to plan a visit to one of the Oktoberfest celebrations held in the community.

Hays is also a fantastic destination for any art lover. In fact, the city boasts more artists per capita than New York City! Four times a year (one for each season), the Hays arts council coordinates a city-wide gallery walk that includes visual and performance arts around Hays. The Winter Gallery Walk adds to the already festive atmosphere felt throughout the town.

Kick off the holidays with a trip to this charming and unique destination with convenient United Express flights from Denver, operated by SkyWest Airlines. The best fares can be booked at united.com.