Overview
The Flint Hills is a region of Kansas.
1 things to do · 2 places to eat
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Flint Hills
Flint Hills Discovery Center
Open 360 days a year - showcases the Flint Hills in an ultramodern $12 million museum in downtown Manhattan.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 93°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: May and Jun. (climate data from nearby Wichita)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ICT Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, Wichita — 44 mi away. Directions
- SLN Salina Municipal Airport, Salina — 82 mi away. Directions
- TUL Tulsa International Airport, Tulsa — 124 mi away (major hub). Directions
Manhattan Municipal Airport (MHK)
Full “Get in” guide ↓Sample 3-day trip
- Day 1: Manhattan — Kansas State University, Konza Prairie, Sunset Zoo.
- Day 2: Abilene — Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad, Seelye Mansion.
- Day 3: Junction City — Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Arch, Christian Wetzel Cabin, Milford State Park.
Built from the best-covered destinations in this region; open each for its own day plan.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Places in Flint Hills
Understand
The Flint Hills encompasses 13 Kansas counties (Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cowley, Elk, Geary, Greenwood, Lyon, Marshall, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley, Wabaunsee) and smaller areas of 7 peripheral counties (Clay, Dickinson, Jackson, Marion, Ottawa, Saline, Shawnee). Some people are surprised to learn that such a large section of Kansas is so hilly, as much of the rest of the state is relatively flat.
Cities
Cassoday- Home of the Cassoday bike run. 1st Sunday of the month.
- Abilene — boyhood home of former president and World War II General Dwight D. Eisenhower.
- El Dorado
- Emporia — This sleepy college town becomes an explosion of activity in early June when the prestigious Unbound Gravel bicycle race rolls through.
- Howard — known for Hubble's Rubble, a park just off Highway 99 where rubble has been welded and constructed into statues
- Junction City
- Manhattan — home to Kansas State University
- Salina
- Winfield
Get in
Manhattan Municipal Airport (MHK)
Get around
Driving is the best way to get around in this region.
Do
Eat
Eat The Brookville Hotel
105 E. Lafayette Abilene, KS. Not a hotel, but a restaurant that only serves family style fried chicken dinners in an authentic recreation of the 1800s hotel in nearby Brookville, Kansas. Food is superb and reservations are recommended. Honored as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine.
Eat The Cozy Inn
Salina KS. Small restaurant that serves small burgers, similar to those made by White Castle. Better get carry-out; these burgers are piled high with onions and if you eat in, you'll smell like onion all day. Honored as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine.
Stay safe
Kansas is a part of Tornado Alley. If you are traveling in this region, it's a good idea to brush up on Tornado safety.
Nearby
Peabody
City / town · 10 listings · 31 mi away
Newton
City / town · 5 listings · 38 mi away
Wichita
City / town · 51 listings · 39 mi away
Winfield
City / town · 5 listings · 47 mi away
Sedan
City / town · 2 listings · 59 mi away
McPherson
City / town · 1 listings · 63 mi away
Hutchinson
City / town · 16 listings · 69 mi away
Independence
City / town · 16 listings · 70 mi away
My experience
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