Come to Hays to experience opportunities you won’t find anywhere else in Kansas. Enjoy award winning tastes after shopping in one-of-a-kind boutiques on The Bricks in Downtown Hays. Learn about our Wild West heritage at Historic Fort Hays or go back 70 million years in time at Sternberg Museum of Natural History.

Why should you visit Hays, Kansas?

We invite you to experience the many opportunities that our charming community has to offer. You’ll enjoy the friendliness of our small town whether you’re here for a family vacation, business trip, sporting event, shopping, or just passing through. We have a colorful history as a wild frontier town, and we encourage you to explore our city’s historic landmarks and see where history walked the streets. Be sure to visit our unique museums and attractions to learn about our military past and Volga German heritage. Discover the scenic beauty of western Kansas with an outing to Frontier Park or our walking and biking paths.

The town was named after Fort Hays, the army’s military post, located south of Big Creek. The U.S. Army established Fort Hays (founded in 1865 as Fort Fletcher, renamed Fort Hays in 1866) to provide protection for settlers and railroad workers from Native American Indian resistance. Fort Hays was named in honor of General Alexander Hays, a Union general killed during the Civil War in 1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness. Many of the first citizens of the rapidly growing town were railroad workers, desperados, and other notorious characters, making the early days of Hays City wild and dangerous. The soldiers from nearby Fort Hays added to the rowdy atmosphere when they came to town to visit Hays City’s saloons, brothels, gambling houses, and dance halls.

The brick streets of Downtown Hays offer more than meets the eye in a beautiful and unique setting. Inside historic buildings, you’ll find a diverse mix of specialty shops, professional services, boutiques, and dining options. The Downtown Hays Development Corporation hosts many events, including Brews on the Bricks, a celebration of local and regional craft beer.

Northwest Kansas is a prime hunting location for ringneck pheasants. Ringnecks thrive in grain fields, wheat stubble, shelter belts, weedy areas, and the native grasses found throughout our region.

Things To Do