Manhattan, KS

Location

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Manhattan, KS is located in the northeastern part of Kansas about a two hour drive west of Kansas City. The center of the United States is located about an hour-and-a-half drive northwest of Manhattan. 

While, on the map, it may appear that Manhattan is not too far from Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; and Chicago, IL, it is, in fact, 8 hours by car to Dallas or Denver and 10 hours to Chicago. The closest ocean is the Gulf of Mexico about 14 hours by car to the south. A trip by car to the east or west coast of the US is a full day's drive - 24 hours! 

History

Before settlement by European-Americans in the 1850s, Manhattan was the site of a Native American Kaw settlement near the Big Blue River where it joins the Kansas River. Upon the grounding at the site of the steamer Hartford on the Kansas River in 1855, two pre-existing settlements of European-Americans were combined and renamed Manhattan. By 1858, Bluemont Central College had been formed and would later become Kansas State University. When the Kansas Pacific Railroad arrived in 1866, Manhattan was already thriving and well settled. 

Nicknamed "The Little Apple" as a play on the more famous Manhattan, NY's Big Apple, Manhattan is home to about 53,000 people. As the location of the main campus of Kansas State University, the city is a vibrant community in the Flint Hills of Kansas. Check out what's going on in Manhattan today at The Hype.

Read more about Manhattan today in the Manhattan Kansas - The Little Apple: Official Guide.

Read more about the History of Manhattan and Riley County Kansas.

Weather and Climate

Summer temperatures average 93°F (34°C) in July with an average of 9 days a year with temperatures over 100°F (38°C), while winter temperatures average 15°F (-9°C) in January. It can be very humid which can make 93°F (34°) feel like 110°F (43°C). Check out the current weather in Manhattan. 

Severe Weather and Tornadoes. In Kansas, during the spring and summer especially, severe weather is likely and tornadoes are possible. We will check the forecast regularly, provide information on safety during severe weather, and make any necessary adjustments to our travels and program to remain safe in the event of severe weather.

Evenings in Manhattan

A calendar with some of the events in Mahattan is available at the Manhattan Convention and Vistor's Bureau.

Check out what is happening at the Manhattan Arts Center.

The Arts in the Park hosted at the City Park Larry Norvell Band Shell is free and open to the public.

The Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art on campus is open and free to visit. 

K-State Insect Zoo is open Tuesday through Saturday and offers a unique experience with insects from around the world. 

When you're in town, also check the Collegian, K-State's paper (weekly during the summer); the Manhattan Mercury, available in the library; and the bulletin boards around campus.

Getting Around

The Flint Hills Area Transportation Association (Flint Hills aTa Bus) runs both fixed route and demand-for-services routes in Manhattan.  Buses on the Red and Blue Routes run during the summer. Services are available Monday through Friday 7am - 7pm and Saturday 8am - 7pm. Rides are $1.00 for adults.

You can also use a taxi to get around Manhattan; however, you will need to call ahead to request one. If you wish to call a taxi, there are two taxi companies in Manhattan you can use. ABC Union Cab company can be reached at (785) 537-1295 and Bell Taxi Transportation can be reached at (785) 537-2080. When you call, make sure you tell them where you want them to pick you up and where you want them to take you and always make sure you ask them to quote the price before you book a taxi.

The cost of taking a taxi in Manhattan is $2.60 for the first passenger plus $1.60 for each mile driven. Each additional passenger is $1.00.