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Located in the “Heart of the Kansas Flint Hills” - Historic Adventures and Outdoor Experiences await those who travel to Junction City, and Geary County. Junction City known as the “Hometown of Fort Riley” has numerous historic locations. One of the

first things you will notice is the use of limestone. Some say the downtown area of Junction City has some of the best limestone structures in all of Kan-sas. You will also find Junction City limestone in our state capitol. When you use the new under-ground parking at the Kansas State Capitol, you will enter the building through the ground level. This level of the Capitol and the east wing was made of native Kansas limestone from the Junc-

JUNCTION CITY, KStion City area.

Heritage Park, located at 6th St. and Washington St., is home to the Civil War Arch, State of Kansas Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Desert Storm Memorial and the Junction City/Geary County Law Enforcement Memorial.

Located one block from the park, at the corner of 7th St. and Jefferson St. is the C. L. Hoover Opera House. Built in 1882, a multi-million dollar renovation has once again made the C. L. Hoover Opera House the “Jewell on the Prairie.”

Travel to 18th St. and Buffalo Soldier Drive and dis-cover the history of the 9th and 10th Buffalo Soldier Regiments. The Buffalo Soldier Memorial depicts a Buffalo Soldier preparing to mount his horse. “Play Ball” can be heard at historic Rathert Stadi-um. Constructed in the 1930’s and recently renovated, it’s now the home of the Junction City Brigade base-ball team, Junction City High School Bluejays and the Junction City American Legion ball team. Make sure you watch some baseball, beginning June 1, 2013 at Rathert Stadium. The Geary County Historical Museum, located at 6th St. and Adams St., served as the high school from 1904 to 1929. Today special galleries and displays feature the history of pioneer life. There is a deposi-tory for family and communities histories in the Jef-fries Research Center and an extensive collection

of 1800’s newspapers as well as vintage photos. Fort Riley, the Home of the 1st Infantry Di-vision, offers visitors a true look at military life from the 1800’s to now. You can visit the 1st Ter-ritorial Capitol of Kansas, U.S. Cavalry Museum, Custer House, First Infantry Division Museum and many static displays of old military vehicles. A valid government photo ID is required to enter the post. Step outdoors in the scenic Flint Hills and you will have opportunity to see many species of birds and waterfowl. In addition to birds, wildlife is plentiful and not hard to see. Located to the east of Junction City, on McDowell Creek Rd. is KONZA Prairie. KONZA has three trail systems, varying in length from 2.5 miles to 6 miles. Pets are not al-lowed on the trails. Bring your camera.

To the northwest of Junction City is Milford Lake, the largest lake in the state and known as “The Fishing Capital of Kansas.” Anglers can catch bass, catfish, walleye, crappie, wipers and white-bass. With its open water and sandy beaches, it’s a great place for boaters and jet-skiers. Below the dam is the Milford Nature Center and Fish Hatch-ery. On the east side of the lake is one of the larg-est motorcycle and ATV off-road areas in Kansas. Or those looking to camp or spend the night, plenty of RV sites are located around the lake as well as cabins. Junction City and Geary County – It Is That Good!For a free Visitor Information Packet about the history, outdoors and special events, contact the Junction City/Geary County Convention and Visi-tors Bureau at 800-528-2489, Extension 53.

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Visit Salina! Salina has many distinctive assets that create our community personality. It blends just the right amount of rural heritage and hospitality with the excite-ment and amenities of urban America. It’s known for its visually exciting public art located throughout the city. SculptureTour Salina is an exciting exhibit of outdoor sculptures displayed in historic downtown Salina. Artists from across the country submit pieces to remain on loan May through April. Take an easy walking tour and vote for your favorite! Theatrical art abounds at the Salina Community Theatre, presenting year-round productions. The Theatre’s recent expansion added a second, more inti-mate stage and an education wing. The facility is ADA accessible, has assisted listening devices, and provides discounts to seniors, students and groups. The Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts is a beautifully restored 1931 theater, which presents diverse performing arts, including concerts, dance, theatrics, movies, comedians, and is home to the Salina Symphony. The Stiefel’s Watson Gallery displays exhibits of local and area artists and photographers. The Salina Art Center has changing, innovative exhibits and related programs.

The Artery is an interactive area for children of all ages to create their own art. The Art Center Cinema features thought-provoking films nightly. Artists in residence are housed in The Warehouse where they cre-ate their work. The second full weekend of June brings the Smoky Hill River Festival to Oakdale Park – fine art and crafts, musical performances, food and more! The River Festival, which be-gan in 1976, offers four stages of top-notch musical and roving entertainment that round out the menu for this ‘create your own’

experience that officially kicks off summer in Salina. This year’s dates are June 6-9.Rolling Hills Zoo is a must see with more than 100 species. The Wildlife Mu-

seum presents a “journey around the world” with full-mount animals in natu-ralistic dioramas and a 360° domed theatre. The Earl Bane Gallery within the museum offers changing art exhibits. This family friendly attraction truly has something for everyone. Don’t miss the traveling live penguin exhibit, “Penguin Landing”, April 20-September 30!

Smoky Hill Museum is a collection that began in 1879 and stills grows today with more than 10,000 items illustrating the region’s history and local heritage. A permanent exhibit, Crossroads of the Heartland, features a full-size sod dug-out and historical exhibits. This summer’s exhibit is “Capturing an Image.” Chil-dren and adults alike enjoy exploring One Keeper’s Place in the Museum, where they can do history mysteries and play games like checkers! The Yesteryear Museum is a 20-acre complex that features collections of antiques that pertain to our agricultural heritage. There is something for everyone: an 1880’s print shop, a general store, a library of antique machinery manuals, a Kansas-made windmill, a one-room schoolhouse, country church, and an extensive collection of antique farm machinery. Coming soon . . . the Scouting Museum!

Lakewood Discovery Center is all about the natural side of Salina with nature trails and fishing. Or take a stroll through the fields at Prairie Lavender Farm just north of Salina. Dad may want to hit the links at one of our great golf courses or take in the Father’s Day Car Show (June 16) at Rolling Hills Zoo, or the fabulous KKOA Leadsled Spectacular car show (July 29-31) in Oakdale Park. Mom can shop to her heart’s content in quaint specialty shops and favorite national brand stores, or get away from it all with a luxurious spa day. The kids can splash the day away at the exciting Kenwood Cove Aquatics Park!

Whatever you choose, you’ll find great hospitality and some of the Midwest’s best shopping, lodging and dining in and around the city. Visit Salina soon, we’re waiting to welcome you! For more information including a look at our Visit Salina Guide, see us at www.VisitSalina.org.

SALINA, KS

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PAINT YOUR EXPERIENCE.E.MAKE IT A

ENTERTAINMENTRECREATIONTHEATRECONCERTSMUSEUMSFESTIVALSZOO

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The Sternberg Museum, rich with Natural History of the Hays area, features both permanent and frequently changing exhibits, from animals or meteorites to mammoths or arrowheads. Be sure to visit the hands-on Discovery Room and ‘Nature at Night’ section. In the replicated chalk cave, visitors have a chance to move between life-sized robotic dinosaurs while exploring the ‘age of dinosaurs’. The museum also houses a world-class fossil collection, from a time when Kan-sas was covered by the Cretaceous sea. In 1952, George F. Sternberg discovered the famous “fish-within-a-fish” fossil. Visitors have an opportunity to watch fossil preparation by museum staff. In August, 2012, we had the featured exhibit Giants, African Dinosaur’s. Hundreds of millions of years ago, Africa was the perfect habitat for one of nature’s most ferocious creatures. African reptiles with 16-foot wingspans swooped and dove in the air, catching fish in their mas-sive jaws from the sparkling waters that once existed in the Sahara. Jobaria, a 70-foot-long plant-eater, grazed on the lush foliage, and Suchomimus ripped apart its foe with its powerful forelimbs and foot-long thumb claws. The Sahara has proven to be an incredibly rich source of fossils. It was there, hidden in the sands of the African desert, that world renowned paleontologist and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Dr. Paul Sereno found the discoveries of a life-time. Giants featured these significant discoveries—providing clues to the mys-tery of how shifting continents affected dinosaur evolution. Coming Sept. 22, 2012 through Sept. 27, 2013, Explore Evolution features eight groundbreaking scientific studies of the evolutionary processes that have shaped life on Earth. These include, for example, evidence of the evolution of whales millions of years ago, rapid mutations by the HIV virus during the search for an AIDS cure, and present-day research on adaptations of finches in the Galapagos Islands that builds on work first undertaken by Charles Darwin. The exhibition is geared to young adults and offers engaging ways to understand processes such as natural selection as well as the effects of global climate change on evolution. Admis-sion. Call: 785-628-4286. For a taste of history with a modern appeal, visit the historic Chestnut Street District in beautiful downtown Hays. The district’s unique art galleries, retail stores, restaurants, specialty shops and an award-winning brewery are at the heart of the community and give visitors a glimpse of life in a simpler time, a time when everyone knew your name and no one was a stranger. Besides delec-table dining, assorted entertainment, trendy shopping and plenty of history and heritage, the Chestnut Street District also has a very active arts community. As the oldest arts council in the State of Kansas, the Hays Arts council has played a dominant role in fostering and encouraging the arts in the Hays community, helping make it a better place to live. The Hays Art’s council sponsors Gallery Walks, which is a great way for the local community as well as visitors, to take in the arts and music while spending time with friends and family in the Chestnut Street District. Ellis County Historical Society Museum has a replica of a traditional limestone home of the Volga German settlers, and harness and shoemaking shop. Volga German settlers were perhaps the most notable of those coming to America from the Volga River Valley in Russia. Artifacts include saddles from local and area ranches, exhibits depicting the history of the early town, buffalo hunters, saloons, the railroad and there is a hands-on area in the learning Center for children. 785-628-2624. Historic Fort Hays Museum is made up of an original block house, guardhouse and officers quarters. A variety of artifacts, exhibits and displays interpret early

day life of Fort Hays and its occupants. The fort was originally built for protection of those traveling the Smoky Hill Trail: settlers, soldiers and railroad workers. Exhibits at the modern day visitor center interpret pioneer and military life. Call: 785-625-6812.

The Wild West Festival July, is an old fashioned Independence Day Celebration. A tribute to veterans, the four-day celebration is complete with one of the largest fire-works displays in Western Kansas. Throughout the event, top name bands present country and rock ‘n’ roll concerts. There are fishing contests, a carnival, lots of food and a children’s activity center to name a few of the exciting things happening during this festival. Admission. Call: 800-569-4505.

Fountains, leisure pool, water spraying toys, diving boards and challenging slides best describe the Hays Aquatic Park. A 580-foot lazy river wanders through the park and ends in a lagoon area. When the water park replaced the old pool, constructed in the Depression-era Works Progress Administration (WPA), the native stone bathhouse was renovated. The old lettering was also restored and retained. The beautifully land-scaped park offers many hours of summer fun. Admission. Call: 785-628-2653.

Known as the “Cathedral of the Plains,” St. Fidelis church is one of the most popular visitor stops, located in nearby Victoria, Kansas. It was built of native post rock lime-stone by the parishioners in the early 1900s.

The Hays Convention & Visitors Bureau has information for a self-guided tour of some of the area’s famous churches, a walking tour of the Historic Downtown Chestnut Street area, Smoky Hill Trail Tour and Historic Sites Driving Tour. Call: 800-569-4505

HAYS, KS

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Colby, located 53 miles east of the Colo-rado border, is often called the “Oasis on the

Plains”. A progressive community of medial, cultural, commercial and educational facilities with western hospitality and friendliness of the people as its greatest asset. At Exit 53 & I-70 the Colby Visitor Center is built around a grain bin, which is a part of the facility and used as a photo gallery. A new park with a state-of-the-art play-ground and 2.2 mile long walking trail will be open to the public this summer. It has been added next to the aquatic park. All the sign- age: mile markers, bridge and entrance signs, feature rough-cut limestone with a color pal-ette found in nature. Aquanauts of all ages will enjoy not only the pool, but the lazy river and a myriad of slides. Built in 1906, the Thomas County Courthouse is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The architectural Renaissance Revival style features extensive period woodwork. Of notable interest is the Seth-Thomas, eight-day, one hour strike movement clock with a 1000 pound bell purchased for $12,000, that faces all four directions. The clock was installed in the tower in August 1907 and is still working today. At the entrance is the statue, “Spirit of

the Prairie” by artist Charlie Norton. This was a Centennial project funded with donations of the people of Thomas

County. The Prairie Museum of Art and History complex covers 24 acres and is the site of a 1930’s farmstead, sod house, one-room school and the Lone Star church. The Cooper Barn, largest barn in Kansas (114’ x 66’ v 48’) now houses the ex-hibit “Prairie grasses to Golden

Grain” featuring farm implements, vehicles and photographs de-picting the history of agriculture during the past century. The cavernous up-per level is used for social activities. The main museum building was added in 1988. It is surrounded by a berm of buffalo grass. This unique building houses over 28,000 artifacts collected from around the world by Nellie Kuska,

COLBY, KSa former Colby resident. Textiles, furniture and antiques as well as a very rare doll collection are just part of the exhibits. Thomas County archives also are located in this building.

The Northwest Kansas Research-Extension Cen-ter, a division of KSU, features a unique opportuni-ty for photographers. Here visitors will find crops, trees and flowers. Colby is also host to the annual “Pickin’ on the Plains” Bluegrass festival, July 19-21 at the Thom-as County Fairgrounds. Each year nationally known bands gather for the pleasure of Bluegrass Fans.

Visitors will want to attend the Thomas County Fair July 29th thru August 3rd, the fair activities include a parade, carnival, BBQ and rodeo. Visit www.oasisontheplains.com for more infor-mation.

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