Flint Hills Discovery Center

Explore this educational and cultural center to learn about the history of Kansas.

Flint Hills Discovery Center is located in Manhattan, Kansas. It was designed by a team of educators who wanted to provide a space for learning about and maintaining the historical remembrance of life here in Kansas. The center is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, with reduced hours on Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm. An admission fee is required. The Southeast parking lot is free, with metered parking surrounding the building. A free parking garage is located next to the Hilton Garden Inn and the Manhatten Conference Center. The building itself is three stories high with a central lobby and second and third-floor balconies. It features a 65-foot tall cylinder glass curtain wall design along with a rooftop terrace.

Public indoor space is available during business hours, and public outdoor areas are available from 7 am to 10 pm. The building is 35,000 square feet and is an interactive museum. This includes a theater with top-notch audio, lights, and innovative effects that bring the experience of Kansas to life during the 15-minute historical documentaries. The theater is free to enter with a general admission ticket. There is a prairie garden terrace and a play area just for kids. A gift shop is located within the lobby next to guest services. Stop by the discovery center, which doubles as a visitors center to help travelers learn about the local area. It also provides free public wifi and is fully accessible for those with special needs. Closed caption devices are available for the theater, and wheelchairs rentals are also available at the guest services desk.