5 of My Favorite Places to Exercise in Manhattan

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I am a military spouse, and one thing, and only one thing, is constant. Just when you get comfortable with where you live, it’s time to go. We’ve been here for more than 2 years now, and a routine has emerged. I know where the best places to eat, exercise, and enjoy my best life. And for the past two years, I’ve learned to enjoy the hills, rivers, and wildflowers of Kansas. Here are 5 of my favorite places to work out in Manhattan.

5 of my Favorite Places to Work Out 

in Manhattan Kansas

Linear Bike & Walking Trails

One of my favorite ways to workout in Manhattan, Kansas, is hiking the Linear Trail, a popular bike and walking trail. The network of trails can be accessed from many points in the city. It’s approximately 9 miles of paved and crushed limestone. In others. about 9 miles long. You can walk from Anneberg Park to the Northeast Community Park alongside Big Blue River, Kansas River, and Wildcat Creek. The trails offer some shade from the Kansas sun and a chance to enjoy the vegetation and local wildlife. It’s one of my favorite places to work out in Manhattan. This summer, there was even an alligator sighting. Imagine that. I bet you never thought that possible in the heartland of Kansas.

Konza Prairie Nature Trail Loop

Working Out in Manhattan

One of the best things about the area is you don’t have to work out in a gym all the time. There are so many walking and hiking trails around Manhattan. One of my favorites is the Konza Prairie Nature Trail Loop, a 2.7 mile moderately trafficked loop trail near Manhattan. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and trail running and is best used from April until June. Please do not hike alone. There are many hiking groups in the area that hike the trail on the weekends. If you are looking for someone to work out with, hit me up at stacey@duffelbagspouse.

Anneberg Park

There aren’t too many days I don’t visit Anneberg Park to work out in town. The park has a popular walking path that weaves in and out of the tree-line for almost 2 miles. Like the Linear Trail, it’s relatively flat, alternating between paved, crushed stone, packed dirt. Several group sports fields, a covered pavilion and BBQ, and a large pond stocked with fish for the local fishermen.

Wildcat Fitness & Fun

One of my favorite things to do in Manhattan is working out. I work out at Wildcat Fitness Center almost every day. It’s a small, family-owned gym that includes a 9-hole golf course and a driving range located in Anneberg Park. It’s not fancy or state of the art, like other gyms in the area. It’s a safe space where I can workout without feeling insecure or judged.

However, it’s where everyone knows your face, lol. You get used to seeing the same faces, based on the time you go. However, the staff will remind you if they haven’t seen you in a while.

There are a miniature golf course and batting cages for the younger members of your family. The facility offers family-friendly pricing and another location on the east side that is open 24×7.

            

Aggieville

Aggieville made a list because there are a few great places to eat and drink. I also read that it’s one of the oldest shopping districts in Kansas. But be forewarned, it’s home base for the KSU students on the weekend. The area is less than 3-4 streets wide but has more than 100 bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and businesses, including a yoga studio and bookstore; in my book, that makes Aggieville a great place for a different kind of work out in town.

Besides, many of the holiday parades, food festivals, and KSU spirit celebrations occur in Aggieville throughout the year. For more information on events and business, check them out here.

Planet Beach Spray & Spa

When someone recommended Planet Beach to me, I thought they were crazy. Does it look like I need a tanning booth? But the spa is much more than tanning and makes the top 5 things I love about Manhattan, Kansas, because of that. It’s the one place I can spend hours pampering myself— and I have. The staff is the friendliest group of young ladies I’ve met since I got here.

There are saunas for lounging and Hotworx hot yoga and cycling. You can zone out on the water-powered massage bed or get a facial or scented oxygen in the massage chair. Or try full-body hydration or red light therapy (my favorite treatment) for skin rejuvenation. And oh, yeah— there’s tanning too.

It’s currently open. Reservations are required due to Covid-19. For more information, go to www.planetbeach.com or call for an appointment (785) 776-8267 and tell them Stacey sent you.

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