Stay Smarter

One great way to shake off the long drive across Kansas is to enjoy all that the hotel’s great indoor pool and hot tub have to offer. These are a major bonus and not something you’re used to seeing at your typical hotel in such a small, isolated town. A good area for both adults and children to relax and stretch out their legs. It’s well worth throwing a swimsuit into your luggage just for this underrated ‘what-if’.

To really take in the area, the hotel is your home base to leisurely travel the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway. One definite recommendation is to plan a day trip driving a portion of this exquisite route that features the large, beautiful, and rather rare tallgrass prairie ecosystem. One stop visitors must make along this byway is at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve near Strong City, just a 45-minute drive away where you can hike and even see a herd of bison.

For a taste of local history visitors can drive a short distance to downtown Herington to see the Herington Historical Society Museum. It gives such an interesting view of the past of the town as a major division point for the Rock Island Railroad. Knowing about this heritage of the railroad makes one appreciate much more why the town came into being, and what role it played in the ‘Wild Wild West’.

Now, while that may be true that the town’s dining options are few and far in between, here is a tip for getting you the best home-cooked meal and who knows maybe a great experience to meet some of the locals: Ask the hotel staff what local family-run place they recommend. In small-town Herington, that inside tip is more often than not your ticket to a mouthwatering home-cooked meal rolled up with an opportunity to talk to some local residents. It’s a great means of witnessing real hospitality in small-town Kansas.