Manhattan Summer Bucket List

Whether you’re looking for free fun close to home, annual festivals or day trips, this list will help you fill out your summer bucket list for the fun in Manhattan and the state of Kansas!

Summer Bucket List for Manhattan Area Families

1. Splash around and meet other moms at the Manhattan Moms Park Meet-Up (June 7).
2. Sign your little up for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and start getting free books every month!
3. Spend the day at Sunset Zoo.
4. Use the Sunflower Summer app for free admission to new adventures in the state of Kansas!
5. Earn your wings at the Amazing Butterflies exhibit at the Flint Hills Discovery Center.
6. Get some Disney Magic at the Disney 100 exhibit at Kansas City’s Union Station.
7. Check out the new Brain Station at AJ’s Pizza during Downtown Manhattan’s Third Thursdays.
8. Embark on an unforgettable journey with the Manhattan Public Library’s Summer Reading Program: “Adventure Begins at the Library!”
9. Take a day trip to a new zoo in the Midwest!
10. Walk through the story Set Sail for Pancakes at the StoryWalk Downtown.
11. Celebrate Swedish culture with the MidSummer Festival in Lindsborg (June 15).
12. Rock out to the free concerts in Manhattan City Park every Friday beginning June 7.
13. Get ready for some K-State football at Purple Power Play on Poyntz (Aug. 30).
14. Enjoy the beauty of our region at the signature event, Symphony in the Flint Hills (June 8).
15. Learn and celebrate at Manhattan’s Juneteenth events.
16. Cheer for the flying dogs at Dock Dogs (June 14-16).
17. See Kansas in a new way at the Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park.
18. Compete in a mini golf game like you’ve never seen before at Sinkers Lounge.

19. 

    Take a ride on the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad.

20. Play at all Manhattan area playgrounds using our Park Guide.
21. Ride the mini train at Wamego City Park.
22. Get your fair on at the Riley County Fair (July 25-29).
23. Travel to munchkin land at the Oz Museum in Wamego.
24. Learn at the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka.
25. Take a day trip to Salina.
26. Get local produce at the Manhattan Farmer’s Market.
27. Put on your cowboy hat and check out the Kaw Valley Rodeo (July 25-27).
28. Go through your closets and donate your unwanted stuff!
29. Take the whole family to Kauffman Stadium for a Royals game!
30. Plan a day trip to Eisenhower’s hometown, Abilene.
31. Indulge in a donut at Varsity Donuts – where donuts make people happy!
32. Spend a rainy afternoon exploring books at Dusty Bookshelf.
33. Check out the splash pad at Milford State Park.
34. Explore STEAM learning during open play at MHK Play Studio.
35. Get the wiggles out at LEAP trampoline park.
36. Rent a canoe at Tuttle Creek State Park.
37. Get the best ice cream around at Call Hall.
38. Experience animals like you’ve never seen before at Tanganyika Wildlife Park.
39. See a new movie at AMC.
40. Spend the day riding rollercoasters at Worlds of Fun.
41. Adventure at the outdoor exhibit at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center.
42. Swing at Wildcat Fitness + Fun batting cages.
43. Find your favorite car at the Midwest Dream Car Collection.
44. See the bugs at the K-State Insect Zoo.
45. Take a tour of the Plumlee Buffalo Ranch.
46. Plan a family camp getaway at Rock Springs Ranch.
47. Try a new local pizza place.
48. Hike at Konza Prairie.
49. Check out a storytime at the Manhattan Public Library.
50. Take your Pokemon lover to free play every Sunday afternoon at the Village Geek.
51. Enjoy the area’s best fireworks at Wamego’s Fourth of July celebration.
52. Ride your favorite bike, scooter, stroller, wagon and more at Freedom on Wheels in Junction City (July 6).
53. Check out the open gym every Wednesday and Friday at Paragon Performance Sports.
54. Bike or run the Linear Trail.
55. Shoot some hoops at the Anthony or Eisenhower Recreation Centers.
56. Get your Junior Ranger badge at the Brown v. Board of Education site in Topeka.
57. Cool off at the City Park Splash Park, open 10 a.m. – 8. p.m.
58. Go on a dinosaur adventure at Field Station: Dinosaur in Derby.
59. Enjoy a date night out and take advantage of Parents Night Out.
60. Create your own candle at the Fragrant Blends Candle Bar.
61. Test your skills at the Locked Manhattan escape rooms.
62. Check out the Topeka Zoo’s LEGO themed exhibit, Animal Super Powers.
63. Learn more about the area you live at the Riley County Historical Museum.
64. Watch a classic film at Wareham Hall every other Friday.
65. Attend a special event at Liquid Art Winery.
66. Check out a performance or class at Manhattan Arts Center.
67. Experience all things lavender at the Lavender Bazaar at A&H Farm (June 23).
68. Plan a weekend trip to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo, voted No. 1 in the nation.
69. Check out the music, food and children’s activities at the Smoky Hill River Festival (June 13-16).
70. Go back in time at Old Abilene Town.
71. Celebrate Father’s Day at Monster Jam at Arrowhead Stadium.
72. Get a sweet treat at one of Manhattan’s best bakeries.
73. Take the time to smell the flowers at K-State Gardens.
74. Explore the Beach Museum of Art‘s exhibit, “Where the Magic Happens.”
75. Hike and play in the water at Pillsbury Crossing.
76. Sign up for Kids Bowl Free and knock down pins at Little Apple Lanes.
77. Explore programs for kids of all ages at Wonder Workshop.
78. Take a self-guided tour of African American history in the area.
79. Get competitive at Chess Night at the MHK Library.
80. Attend the summer reading pool party with the Wamego Public Library (June 5).
81. Head to the Wild West for National Day of the Cowboy at the Discovery Center (July 27).
82. Do a school playground tour including one of our faves – Lee School Playground.
83. Find all the murals and make a scrapbook of selfies!
84. Explore the Kansas section of Route 66.
85. Go into space at the Kansas Cosmosphere in Hutchinson.
86. Get some new MHK swag at Acme Local.
87. Spend a day at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead.
88. Plan a picnic!
89. Attend a local Vacation Bible School program.
90. Check out the real locomotive at Lawrence’s Watson Park.
91. Try your luck at fishing at Milford State Park.
92. Get creative at an Uncorked Inspiration class.
93. Check out the vendors at Wamego Community Market on Wednesdays.
94. Take a free tour of the Kansas Capitol building.

    

95. Donate your used toys to Toys for Manhattan.
96. Visit the U.S. Cavalry Museum at Fort Riley.
97. See the MANHATTAN sign up close at the Bluemont Scenic Overlook.
98. Treat yourself to an iced coffee at a local coffee shop.
99. Try out a new gym.
100. Slide along the zip line at Wildwood Adventure Park.
101. Host a lemonade stand for your neighborhood.