Flint Hills Yellow Brick Road Trip

Flat? Not here. Empty? Not if you look closely.

Soaring and diving from hilltop to valley along one of the quiet country highways through the Flint Hills will quickly challenge your notions of prairie. The continent's largest remaining tract of tallgrass is also one of America's unique places, harboring a wealth of adventure, beauty, and history. The region's sweeping horizons and carpets of wildflowers captivate artists and enchant visitors.

Day 1

Aggieville Historic District

Manhattan Avenue and Moro Street
Manhattan, KS 66502
Phone: (785) 776-8050

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-This 6-block/16 acre region contains over 100 shops, restaurants, taverns and a beautifully landscaped park (locally known as “The Triangle”) and is perfect for your enjoyment and entertainment! ... More

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Cottage House Hotel

25 N Neosho St
Council Grove, KS 66846
Phone: (620) 767-6828

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A trip to Council Grove, Kansas, and a stay at The Cottage House Hotel and Bed & Breakfast is a beautiful and captivating journey back to the days of the early West. Council Grove was a vital ... More

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Flint Hills Discovery Center

315 S 3rd
Manhattan, KS 66502
Phone: (785) 587-2726

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The Kansas Flint Hills protect the last remnants of unbroken tallgrass prairie. Once, the tallgrass prairie dominated the heart of North America, but now only 3 percent remains, most of it in the ... More

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Hays House Restaurant & Tavern

112 W Main St
Council Grove, KS 66846
Phone: (620) 767-5911

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First opened in 1857, you can enjoy fine dining in the oldest, continuously operated restaurant west of the Mississippi River. A steak house that gets patrons' raves about its fried chicken, ham ... More

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Hibachi Hut

608 N. 12th Street
Aggieville
Manhattan, KS 66502
Phone: (785) 539-9393

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Located in historic Aggievielle, the Hibachi Hut offers a distinctive menu. The Hibachi Hut, in operation since 1959, specializes in Cajun/Creole cooking with some unique and tantalizing twists on ... More

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Kansas State University Gardens

1500 Denison Ave
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506
Phone: 7855323271

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The KSU Gardens is a horticulture display garden that has been established as an educational resource and learning laboratory for K-State Students and the visiting public.The Insect Zoo, located ... More

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Konza Prairie Biological Station

232 Ackert Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
Phone: (785) 587-0441

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8,600 acres of quiet, rolling hills marked with flint and limestone dominate the landscapes around Manhattan KS. Kansas State University Division of Biology manages the land that is owned by the ... More

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Milford Nature Center/Fish Hatchery

3415 Hatchery Dr
Junction City, KS 66441
Phone: (785) 238-5323

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While visiting the Nature Center, you will have the opportunity to see live animal exhibits featuring native animals like snakes, frogs, prairie dogs, bobcats and birds. Spectacular views ... More

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Day 2

Allegawaho Heritage Memorial Park

500 N Mission St
Council Grove, KS 66846
Phone: 6207675410

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Site of the Last Kaw (Kanza) Indian Village in Kansas prior to forced removal of the tribe (for which Kansas is named) to Oklahoma in 1873. Begin tour at restored Indian Agency Ruins for two and ... More

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Council Oak

210 E Main
Council Grove, KS 66846
Phone: (620) 767-5413

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US Commissioners and Osage Indian Chiefs signed the treaty under this tree on August 10, 1825 guaranteeing safe passage to all traveling the Santa Fe Trail through Osage territory. The US paid the ... More

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Grand Central Hotel & Grill

215 Broadway
Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845
Phone: (620) 273-6763

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Beautifully appointed and oversized rooms that reflect an extraordinary and unparalleled quality. Each is "branded" with historic brands of local ranchers. The Grand Central Hotel and Grill ... More

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Kaw Mission State Historic Site

500 N Mission
Council Grove, KS 66846
Phone: (620) 767-5410

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Start of the Historic Tour of Council Grove. Mission school for state's namesake tribe, the Kaw or Kansas. Interpretation of the Kaw, Santa Fe Trail, and Council Grove. Exhibits feature the ... More

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Neosho Riverwalk

W Main St at the Neosho River
Council Grove, KS 66846
Phone: (620) 767-5413

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The Neosho Riverwalk is a paved, scenic walking and bicycle trail along both sides of the river surrounding the most documented river crossing on the Santa Fe Trail. The well-lighted walkways ... More

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Self-Guided Tour: Santa Fe Trail in Council Grove

207 W Main St
Council Grove, KS 66846
Phone: (620) 767-5413

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Self-guided tour of over 24 historic sites on the Santa Fe Trail and the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway including the Kaw Mission Historic Site & Museum, Hays House Restaurant est. 1857, Old ... More

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Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

2480 Kansas Hwy 177
Strong City, KS 66869
Phone: (620) 273-8494

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The preserve is the only unit in the National Park Service dedicated to preserving a rare remnant of tallgrass prairie. Visitors may experience the prairie via prairie bus tours (May through ... More

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Trail Days Cafe & Museum

803 West Main St
Council Grove, KS 66846
Phone: (620) 767-7986

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Guests are transported back to a time when some homes along the Santa Fe Trail served as eating places. Delicious, made-from-scratch American Indian, Old World, Early American, and 20th-Century ... More

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Day 3

Emma Chase Cafe & Country Store

317 & 319 Broadway
317 Broadway
Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845
Phone: (620) 273-6020

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The Emma Chase Cafe described in "Prairy Erth" serves country home-cookin' daily. Stop by for morning coffee & conversation from 9 to 11 a.m.; and for a delightful home-cooked lunch from 11 a.m. ... More

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Fiber Factory

209 Broadway, PO Box 387
Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845
Phone: (620) 273-8686

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Come see turn of the century looms in operation. Watch woven rugs, handwoven blue-jean rugs, placemats, blankets, shawls, and scarfs being made. Make your own rope on an original old-time rope ... More

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Flint Hills National Scenic Byway

207 W. Main St.
Council Grove, KS 66846
Phone: (620) 767-5882

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The Flint Hills National Scenic Byway provides a glimpse of where the West begins in the vistas of open spaces and undisturbed views of rolling hills covered with dense prairie grasses, ... More

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