Fort Riley, Kansas - Polaroids on Post
This Polaroid on Post feature about Fort Riley Kansas is from Anna! She’s lived there for almost 3 years. She married her high school sweetheart 7 years ago and they’ve been moving with their senior rescue dog wherever the Air Force sends them! Yep, they are an Air Force couple who always lives at Army posts… it doesn't make much sense, but hey, neither does the military sometimes! They’ve done two military moves, about to be three, and have truly loved each adventure so far. If you want to follow along with Anna at Ft. Riley and beyond (and like pictures of plants and elderly dogs) feel free to pop over to her instagram: @anna.marie.butler
Is there anything you wish you knew before heading to Riley?
We were fortunate enough to be able to travel to Manhattan to house hunt before moving and I'm so glad we did! Getting to see the area, even if it was only for 3 days, was so helpful and made me more excited for our PCS. We are originally from the Midwest so moving here was like coming back home - it felt very comfy!
What is your favorite & least favorite thing about Riley?
This is the closest my husband and I will ever get to living near our hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, so it's been so nice for us to be close to family during this time! Manhattan reminds me a lot of my college town, has such a fun and young vibe, and the people in the Midwest are truly the nicest people you will ever meet! Sorry, southerners, I lived in Tennessee, too, and I'm still sticking with this one! You will meet people everywhere who complain about where the military has sent them, but we are definitely in the camp that each duty station is what you make it, and the people we are here with have just made it so wonderful for us! I truly cannot think of anything we don't like about being here. Yes, you're in the middle of Kansas and far from the coasts, but there is so much to do outdoors here! Hiking, biking, canoeing, boating, and zip lining! And you're a hop, skip, and a jump from Kansas City, Wichita, and Omaha which have so many wonderful "big city" things to offer!
What is the weather like in Kansas?
WINDY. Seriously. Hello, Great Plains! Invest in cute scrunchies, girls! But other than that, we get all 4 seasons, a nice, hot, long summer and some snow in the winter.
Did you live on or off post?
We live in the city of Manhattan, which is about 30 minutes away from post, and is a small, very family-friendly college town home to Kansas State University. We are so, so glad we choose to live in Manhattan instead of Junction City (the city adjacent to post) or on Fort Riley because Manhattan has sooo much more to offer! Cute stores and boutiques, local and delicious restaurants, and a fun, young vibe! We have a few friends who live on post and enjoy it, the housing is very nice, but always wish they lived closer to all the fun things in Manhattan.
What should a newcomer know about the installation itself?
Fort Riley is quite large and very spread out. There is one medium-sized commissary and it is right next to the Post Exchange. Housing ranges between almost brand-new (with solar power panels!) to historic housing which is located on the East side near Division Headquarters. There is one gym that is quite nice next to the hospital, but on the smaller side. The hospital, Irwin Army, is brand-new, very nice, and actually has really, really good food! My husband and I meet there sometimes for breakfast or lunch if I have appointments around those times!
What bloggers or Facebook pages should people follow?
EAT. DRINK. SHOP. MANHATTAN on Facebook is the place for all things in and outside of Manhattan! Events, offers, new places, info on the farmer's market, etc. You name it, it's probably on this page! I would also suggest following the Manhattan police department page and the Fort Riley Facebook pages for safety and all other information.
Food & Drinks
Do you have any date night recommendations for other milsos?
324 Speakeasy (look up the password on their Facebook page)
Where should someone go for a great coffee?
Arrow Coffee which is right on the edge of K-State's campus has a very cool hipster coffee vibe. They also have delicious baked goods and the world's best breakfast burritos! Brother's Coffee, also on the other side of campus, has a very relaxing and chill vibe, is a nice place to sit and talk with friends and they make a really excellent chai. We also love Paramore Coffee on the west side of town.
Where is your go-to spot for brunch?
The Chef is our favorite breakfast place - I am a creature of habit and always get the turkey sausage omelette with hash browns, but my husband's basically tried the whole menu and hasn't gotten one thing he doesn't like! They've got great alcohol brunch drinks too! Very fun but very crowded on Saturdays during football season! My other favorite brunch spot with girlfriends is Wine Dive. Two words: mimosa pitchers. Their quiche of the day is always good, too!
Add it to the Bucket List
What should a milso add to their Riley bucket list?
Beautiful hiking trails: Marlatt Memorial park for plains and forest trails that you can have your furry besties accompany you on. Konza Prairie hiking trail if you want to straight up feel like a pioneer for an afternoon. Tuttle Creek state park has trails surrounding the lake, too.
Rent a weekend cabin out at Tuttle Creek State Park for a little romantic or family -friendly staycation - cheap, cozy, beautiful views, s'mores, swimming, and the great outdoors.
Attend a K-State athletic game in any season - the University and city buzzes with a really fun energy during football season, especially!
Little Munchkin's pumpkin patch in the fall is a wonderful spot for family fall fun.
Strawberry picking at the local Britt's Farm in May.
The rodeo comes to town every spring and it is always so much fun!
Are there any surrounding big cities you took weekend trips to?
WICHITA- Wichita's museums and hip vegan food scene (2 hours south),
KANSAS CITY-Kansas City baseball, museums, amazing BBQ, and jazz clubs - our favorite is the Phoenix (2 hours east),
LAWRENCE- downtown shopping in Lawrence (1.5 hours east on your way to KC)
OMAHA- #1 zoo in the world, The Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska (3 hours north)
What are some ideas for people with kiddos or families?
Manhattan is a very family friendly community, full of parks not far from every neighborhood, several pools, two large and brand new community/rec centers that regularly offer parents' nights out, a splash pad, a trampoline park, and tons of kids activities year-round with several camps and outdoor activities available during the summer especially.
Other Recs!
HAIRSTYLIST- Tress Salon - Jess and Andrah are both military are are just wonderful souls! Platinum and Co. is very popular and does great work, too.
NAIL SALON-Salon Essentials for Mani Pedis, facials, massages, and brows.
FACIALS- Gaia Salon for the best hydra-facial you'll ever have!
DENTIST- The Dental Health group is the best dentist in town.
OBGYN- The Women's Health Group is the most popular OBGYN in town and has a pelvic floor therapist on staff (you can get referred here easily with Tricare) and they have two locations in town.
VET- If you need a vet, there is no shortage of great options in town, K-State has one of the best veterinary programs in the country and a lot of them choose to stay in this area because it's so great!
LOCAL SHOPPING- The local shops on Poyntz downtown or in Aggieville are so much fun, I'd highly recommend ACME, Confetti and Cashmere, The Boutique and Furnish!
YOGA- Orange Sky Yoga
