"Hays, America" Top 5 Page for this destination Hays by basstbn

Hays Travel Guide: 33 reviews and 110 photos

Wild Bill Hickock still stands tall on Front St

Wild West Cattle Town Reformed

What was once a raucous trail head teeming with cowboys, saloons, and dance hall girls is now a progressive community on the high plains of Kansas, home to a fine university, and an agricultural center.

I was fortunate to attend Fort Hays State (then College - now University) for a couple years in the early 1960s, but had not been back to visit campus or the town until a brief stop the summer of 2003. I wish I had more time to look around and to take more photos. Maybe I will get another chance. Especially worthy of a visit is the Sternberg Museum which features a fascinating collection of fossils and skeletons from the dinosaur age.

Hays exhibits a very strong German influence, the area having been settled by Volga-German farmers.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Friendly community, has advantages associated with a university
Cons:You're a long, long ways from a city. You have to really like small-town life.
In a nutshell:I have great memories of my school days there.

Last visit to Hays: Jun 2003
Intro Written Sep 12, 2003
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Reviews (2)

The administration building, mid-summer - Hays

Fort Hays State University Things to Do (2)

I began my college career at Fort Hays State College, and still have special feelings for that college and community.... more travel advice

Visit Old Fort Hays Things to Do (2)

This small army outpost on the high plains of Kansas was home to the (in)famous 7th Cavalry and General George Custer.... more travel advice

Comments (2)

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atufft Feb 20, 2011 at 10:46 PM

What's the college like? My visit showed it full of nice architecture, but the downtown was pretty lacking for college bars...
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mrclay2000 Oct 26, 2003 at 3:23 PM

I have this same picture from 7 a.m. Anything on the golf course beyond the barracks?