Located in Geary County in the state of Kansas, Junction City is a charming place to explore if you’re into history and nature. It has numerous sprawling parks, wildlife-rich refuges, historical sites like Freedom Park’s Atomic Annie, Geary County Historical Society, Spring Valley one-room schoolhouse, and a lot more. Also, the city has more activities to offer than you can imagine, which include camping at the Thunderbird Marina, fishing and swimming at Milford Lake Area, hiking at the River Walk Trail, etc. Make sure you also try the town’s vibrant food scene as well as the many nightspots and shopping malls. In case you’re still wondering what else you can do in the area, check out our list of the best things to do in Junction City, Kansas, and have fun traveling around the city.
1. Visit Geary County Historical Society
An extensive historical museum in Junction City, Geary County Historical Society is located in a three-story limestone building, which used to be Junction City High School in 1906. The museum features permanent and rotating exhibits, including artifacts about the early history of Kansas, vintage photographs, genealogical records of Geary County, and newspapers that date back to the Civil War. One of the most-visited rooms in the building is the one containing cameras and photographs about the community, which were taken by some brilliant photographers like J.J. Pennell and C.W. Weller.
Geary County Historical Society
Address: 530 N Adams St, Junction City, KS 66441, United States
Website: Geary County Historical Society
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 1pm - 4pm (closed on Mon)
2. Spend a day at Milford Nature Center
A local wildlife park in Kansas, Milford Nature Center is a family-friendly facility that is home to many animals like birds, fishes, reptiles, amphibians, and more. It also has exhibits about the taxidermic specimens of the same animals mentioned above. Other attractions here include a hiking trail, picnic shelter, playground, and a butterfly house. You won’t only get to see a few wildlife but also learn something about the species, which you can share with friends and families back home.
Milford Nature Center
Address: 3415 Hatchery Dr, Junction City, KS 66441, United States
Website: Milford Nature Center
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4:30pm; Sat - Sun: 1pm - 5pm
3. See different animal species at Bird Runner Wildlife Refuge
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
A 320-acre (129.50-hectare) prairie reserve located in Kansas, Bird Runner Wildlife Refuge is a must-visit nature attraction in Junction City, for half of its land area belongs to the five-million-acre (two-million-hectare) native prairie that remains in Flint Hills. The refuge is now an Audubon of Kansas, which creates safe places for wildlife preservation. You’ll surely learn more about the fauna and flora of the region when you visit, so don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance of exploring nature.
Bird Runner Wildlife Refuge
Address: 11003 Lower McDowell Creek Road, Junction City, KS 66441
Website: Bird Runner Wildlife Refuge
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4. Stroll around Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area
Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area features a 97-acre (39.25-hectare) crystal clear lake that is surrounded by a vast land with an expanse of 180 acres, which serves as a public hunting area. The lake is home to many aquatic animals like walleye, Flathead catfish, black bass, bluegill, and more, which makes it an excellent fishing spot. It also serves as a temporary home for migrating waterfowl during the fall and spring seasons. Moreover, the area has picnic areas, barbecue grills, a primitive camping site, and a boat ramp that are perfect for family holidays.
Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area
Address: US-77, Junction City, KS 66441, United States
5. Have a picnic at Sertoma Park
An excellent place to have quality time with the family, Sertoma Park features many amenities that will keep everyone moving. It sits on a 5.3-acre (21.04-hectare) land that features a baseball field and a sand volleyball court. It also comes with a playground for little kids, picnic area, restrooms for both genders, and running courses. Additionally, the park accepts reservations for special events.
Sertoma Park
Address: 900 E 6th St, Junction City, KS 66441, United States
Website: Sertoma Park
Opening hours: 5am - 8pm (daily)
6. Watch a show at CL Hoover Opera House
For over 130 years, the C.L. Hoover Opera House has served as many things, including as a town courthouse, a fire department, a cinema, and a city jail. Now, the opera house serves as a multi-purpose facility for the arts, such as a center for visual and performing arts, events venue for both business and leisure use for the promotion of cultural and educational possibilities, and other civic activities. Also, the building is one of the most important cultural landmarks in the city, where you’ll find the art agencies of Geary County and Junction city that include Junction City Little Theater, Community Band, and Arts Council.
CL Hoover Opera House
Address: 135 W 7th St, Junction City, KS 66441, United States
Website: CL Hoover Opera House
7. Travel back in time at Spring Valley Historic Site
Spring Valley one-room schoolhouse
Posted by Geary County Historical Society and Museums on Friday, 10 May 2013
If you’re into history and love learning about the past by visiting historical sites, then you need to visit the Spring Valley Historic Site. It is an area in Junction City that features historical buildings like Spring Valley schoolhouse, which is a 19th-century, one-room log cabin that held classes up to 1958. It is also the last one-room school cabin that remained without plumbing in Geary County. Another interesting structure here is the Wetzel’s Log Cabin Church, which is the former home of the C.F. Wetzel family, and where the first meeting of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Kansas took place. Moreover, don’t forget to respect and pay homage to these important things of the past when you visit.
Spring Valley Historic Site
Address: 816 N Spring Valley Rd, Junction City, KS 66441, United States
Website: Spring Valley Historic Site
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 1pm - 4pm (closed on Mon)
8. Explore the River Walk Trail
Set beside the Republican River, the River Walk Trail is a 4.8-mile (7.72-km) course that winds from the Milford Lake and goes all the way to the entrance of Fort Riley in Washington St. The trail is made of limestone screenings which are great for walking, cycling, jogging, and they can also be used by equestrians. Apart from being an excellent trail, it also has a new shelter where families and friends can have picnics. Additionally, the property is open until dark during operating days.
River Walk Trail
Address: Junction City, KS 66441, USA
Website: River Walk Trail
9. Camp at East Rolling Hills Park
A scenic campsite, East Rolling Hills Park’s landscape is composed of rolling hills that features expansive fields of native prairie surrounded by woods. It has two marinas which include Thunderbird Marina, a full-service marina that offers rental cottages, camping, and a few restaurants. Also, you’ll find here the Corps of Engineers campground that has a swimming beach and where you can mount your boats on the shoreline. Additionally, for a more exciting experience, make sure to try their primitive campsite and try living a day or two without using modern conveniences.
East Rolling Hills Park
Address: 5203 North Hwy K 57, Junction City, KS 66441, United States
Website: East Rolling Hills Park
10. View the scenery at Freedom Park - Atomic Cannon
Located in a bluff in Junction City’s Freedom Park, the Atomic Cannon is an M65 Atomic Cannon, popularly known as Atomic Annie. This artillery piece is one of the three surviving cannons in the United States that was never fired. Though it is a famous attraction in the area, the thing doesn’t have any symbolic writings on it or any signs that make it special. Just a heads up, the climb to get an up-close encounter with the cannon is quite invigorating, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. The view up there is beautiful so take as many photos as possible.
Freedom Park - Atomic Cannon
Address: Kennel Dr, Junction City, KS 66441, United States
11. Take a tour of Munson Angus Farms, LLC
Posted by Munson Angus Farms on Friday, 9 November 2018
If you want to see what a working farm looks like, then you have to hitch a ride on a black horse and tour Munson Angus Farms. It is a family operated farm owned by Charles and David Munson. The property is famous for producing the best tasting beef that comes from the Angus Cattle herd. You’ll also learn a lot about farming when you visit, for you’ll see modern equipment and up-to-date machinery in use, while the farmers incorporate traditional values in their work.
Munson Angus Farms, LLC
Address: 4820 Liberty Hall Rd, Junction City, KS 66441, United States
Website: Munson Angus Farms, LLC
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm
12. Play bowling at Junction City Bowl
Are you looking for a fun night or afternoon in Junction City? If so, don’t hesitate to visit Junction City Bowl and make sure you bring your family and friends with you for a more delightful time ahead. The bowling alley has over 24 lanes and a Brunswick SYNC Scoring System, which will make your game a lot better. Apart from bowling, you’ll also enjoy playing darts and billiards, and even watching television is a different experience here. Additionally, they accept birthday parties, company events, and other special occasions.
Junction City Bowl
Address: 835 S Washington St, Junction City, KS 66441, United States
Website: Junction City Bowl
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 12pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 2am
13. Bring out your best dance moves at Tomorrows Bar
Posted by Tomorrow’s on Saturday, October 22, 2022
If you’re wondering how the locals spend their Friday night in Junction City, then you have to drop by the Tomorrows Bar and experience the fun for yourself. It is a crowd favorite nightspot that features a dance floor where you can show your rehearsed dance moves. There is great music like jazz, pop, and RnB, as well as many drinks specials, and amazing pool tables. It is a perfect place to get loose and enjoy dancing with friends until the wee hours of the night. Don’t forget to try their cocktails when you visit.
Tomorrows Bar
Address: 713 S Washington St, Junction City, KS 66441, United States
Website: Tomorrows Bar
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 7pm - 2am (closed on Sun)
Explore Junction City
When in Kansas, you shouldn’t miss visiting this city in Geary County, which offers numerous activities and attractions. Junction City has a lot of surprises in store for everyone, including things of the past and modern attractions like bowling alleys, a farmstead tour, historical sites, war artifacts, nightclubs, and more. On top of it all, this city offers lots of stories, local dishes to taste, and hidden natural gems to discover; all you need to do is explore. So, make sure to read our list of the best things to do in Junction City, Kansas, before planning your itinerary.
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