The city of Hays, with a population of over 20,000 people, was founded in 1867 as a 'railway town' at 'the end of the tracks'. It sits just north of the I-70 in northwest Kansas, 4 hours west of Kansas City.
During the 'wild west days' of the late 19th century, Hays was a lawless town and it became famous as such. Among the colorful figures that roamed the streets of Hays were Wild Bill Hickok, General George A. Custer and his wife Libby, 'Buffalo Bill' Cody and 'Rattlesnake Pete' Lanahan. These days visitors can still experience the old west by taking a tours of historic downtown, Historic Fort Hays and the Boot Hill Cemetery.
Hays is home to Fort Hays State University with almost 10,000 students. The 200-acre campus has more than 40 limestone-faced buildings and outdoor art displays. It is home to Sternberg Museum of Natural History, which has on display fossils of prehistoric animals including dinosaurs, and giant sea-swimming lizards that inhabited Kansas millions of years ago.
Hotels and motels in Hays are all located within 5 miles of downtown, the university campus and major area attractions. Most hotels can be found along Highway 183 (Vine Street), which is the city's main north-south artery.
The city of Hays, with a population of over 20,000 people, was founded in 1867 as a 'railway town' at 'the end of the tracks'. It sits just north of the I-70 in northwest Kansas, 4 hours west of Kansas City.
