In the Morning
Today you take a real step back in time....say 80 million years or so! This morning you'll enjoy a tour of the FHSU Sternberg Museum of Natural History. Located in a 4-story dome, you will find a recreated day 88 million years ago when the mighty T-Rex haunted the land and Kansas was covered with water. Beware of predators when you explore the animated, life-sized upland diorama of the late Cretaceous time period.
There is also a Discovery Room, where children of all ages can learn through hands-on experience with specimens and live creatures of the Great Plains.
Make sure you visit the changing exhibit gallery featuring traveling exhibits on natural history. The tour usually lasts two to three hours.
Lunch Break
We might suggest you check out our visitor guide for local restaurants.
In the Afternoon
After lunch get ready for a unique experience at a one and half hour tour with Sculptor Pete Felten - one of the Midwest's finest sculptor's. Pete's tour begins at his carving area and gallery. Then Pete steps on board with you on your motor-coach to narrate a tour of his public sculptures located throughout the community. This is a special opportunity to contemplate and understand significant artwork under the guidance of the artist himself.
Boyhood Home and Museum of Walter Chrysler
Then finish the day with a short drive to Ellis, located 10 miles to the east of Hays, to visit the Boyhood Home and Museum of Walter P. Chrysler. This famous American and founder of the Chrysler Corporation grew up in Ellis in the 1880's, and his boyhood home is filled with period furnishings and personal memorabilia. This tour is usually 1 hour.
Bukovina Museum
Also located in Ellis is the Bukovina Museum, which provides the history of the German immigrants who arrived from Bukovina, which is currently part of Romania and the Ukraine. They originally migrated from Germany to Bukovina in the late 1700's and early 1800's. After one to two generations of living in Bukovina, land became scarce and many of the German immigrants came to the United States as well as Canada and South America. Touring time is thirty to forty-five minutes.
Dinner
Sample one of the locals favorite places to get a great meal. Vernies, Pheasant Run, Gella's, Golden Q, The Paisley Pear Wine Bar, Bistro & Market, and JD's Chicken are your typical small town restaurants with lots of appeal.