This post will go through a few sights in Manhattan before I begin posting on happenings in the town. The first sight is Manhattan Hill. This hill is at the top of a neighborhood drive and provides a lookout over the town. There are three main areas that can be seen from three different points on the hill. The eastern point shows the east side of town and is lit up with the commercial lights when viewed at night. During the day it looks like a bunch of buildings, none of which are too exciting, unfortunately. There is a lack of trees on this side of town, and the only reason this is noticeable is because of the southern view. This is the view that stretches across the Flint Hills and covers the majority of Manhattan. The scene looks as if there are a few buildings poking out of a forest. It’s a marvel to see that beneath those trees, a town is functioning. With all of the talk of global warming and environmental degradation, it is refreshing to see and be a part of natural scenes like these. About a mile off to the right, one can see the business district called Aggieville. Aggieville is the downtown shopping district by day, and happening bar district by night that relies heavily on the students. There are locals who enjoy the scene during the summer, but there is no comparison to the business attained during the months when the University is in session.
Southern View of Manhattan
West Side View (K-State)
Kansas State University is the main draw in Manhattan. About 25,000 students attend every year and as I said before it is a major stimulant to the local economy. Classes are going on in the summer time, but the campus is fairly empty this time of year. The K-State campus is the other site to be seen from Manhattan Hill from a point overlooking the Westside of town. Many buildings can be seen outgrowing the trees, namely the clock tower of Anderson Hall. The architecture of K-State has garnered it the nickname, “Harvard of the Midwest.”
Anderson Hall, Kansas State
Hale Library, Kansas State
The last major attraction in Manhattan is Tuttle Creek Lake. This is hard for me to describe because I have been to Lake Tahoe several times. Lake Tahoe is very blue, and Tuttle Creek is very brown. Nevertheless people can be seen fishing, boating, and doing many other water sports in the lake.
I love Manhattan, Kansas. It has a simplicity about it that removes us from the hustle and bustle of the major cities. It is fairly diverse due to K-State and the nearby military base. Crime is low as is unemployment and the people are extremely friendly as a whole. I frequently hear young people from other places dog Manhattan because the mall sucks or there is nothing to do. That’s part of the simplicity that makes the town what it is. While there is a lack of major entertainment, if you have a sense of adventure and can withstand the humidity, a bike ride through Manhattan will test your endurance and give plenty of entertainment. It is impossible to ride across town without going over at least one fairly steep hill, and frequently there are more. There are several nature trails to enjoy and avoiding drivers on cell phones can be a fun challenge when riding through town due to the lack of bike lanes.
I also am amazed at the beauty of the city as seen from Manhattan Hill. If you live here, and have not been up there, do it. You take Juliette up the hill and take a right on Bluemont Scenic and you will run right into it. The first time I saw it at night, I marveled at the commercial light show on the east side of town. Once I saw the southern and western views during the day, it made me proud to be a part of this creation. It looks like a city within a forest.
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