Nicodemus National Historic Site

Things To Do Near Nicodemus National Historic Site

There is much to say about visiting a town where the sense of community overcame the forces of discrimination, suspicion, and outright hate. The five structures listed as historic buildings — Township Hall, Saint Francis Hotel/Switzer Residence, Old First Baptist Church, African Methodist Episcopal Church, School District Number 1 — represent the spirit of resistance that founded and promoted the town. Visiting each of these sites informs travelers of the hardships, heartbreaks, and victories experienced by people determined to find their freedom and define their culture. A roadside park with play structures, picnic areas, and easy access to the town buildings is the perfect spot for a family gathering. 

Hiking Trails

• Nicodemus Walking Tour

  The Nicodemus Walking Tour visits all the old structures that witnessed a community of African Americans develop, prosper, and fade away. The trail is a mix of asphalt, grass, and gravel. While most of the tour is level, one section is quite steep with an 11% grade, but it is a short part of the path and easily bypassed.

  Location

  304 Washington Ave., Nicodemus, KS 67625

  Length

  1.0 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

• Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site Trail

  One of the more exciting trails in the area is the Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site Trail in Hays, KS. The pathway wanders through a brief grass meadow, circles around a pond, and darts back under the canopy of trees. The path is paved with observation stops along the way so that visitors can watch animals in their natural habitat. 

  Location

  1401 Hall Street, Hays, KS 67601

  Length

  1.1 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

Sightseeing

• Fort Hays State Historic Site

  Take a drive 50 miles south to see the Fort Hays State Historic Site. The fort operated until 1889, defending westward-bound emigrants and local communities from every type of threat. You find the remaining blockhouse, the guardhouse, two officer's quarters, and four historic buildings on the grounds. The site features films on the fort's construction, its mission, and the conflicts through which it stood.

  Location

  1472 U.S. Highway 183 Alt, Hays, KS 67601

• Rolling Hills Zoo

  Drop by the Rolling Hills Zoo to let the kids enjoy an array of animals found worldwide. Walk amongst the natural habitats of aardvarks, wolverines, giraffes, rhinoceros, and big cats.

  Location

  625 North Hedville Road, Salina, KS 67401

Museums

• Rooks County Historical Society Frank Walker Museum

  Do not leave the area without visiting the Rooks County Historical Society Frank Walker Museum. The museum features the largest collection of dolls in the area. A section of the museum is dedicated to the medical history of the region, including exhibits of dental extractions and appendectomies with no anesthesia. 

  Location

  921 North Cedar Street, Stockton, KS 67669

• Yesteryear Museum

  As you travel east from the Nicodemus National Historic Site, you will come to Salina, KS. Outside the city, the Yesteryear Museum provides an intimate knowledge of agricultural developments throughout the history of Kansas. In an interactive museum, visitors see the intense physical activities involved with planting, reaping, and processing wheat and other crops during the early days of settlement.

  Location

  1100 West Diamond Drive, Salina, KS 67401

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Majestic Cornerstone

  Majestic Cornerstone is a unique gift shop. The gifts you find on their shelves show the influence of local Native American art. Their inventory shifts with the seasons, so ask to see their specialty items when you visit.

  Location

  Gift Shop

• Broken Halo Country Antiques

  Only 10 miles south of the Nicodemus National Historic Site, the Broken Halo Country Antique store includes three buildings filled with unique antiques. These items are found stored away in attics and old barns, relatively unused and in excellent condition.

  Location

  3884 P Road, Damar, KS 67632

• Asia Food and Thai Food

  Asia Food and Thai Food is a restaurant specializing in Thai cuisine yet adds several menu items that cross the whole of Asia. Their cooking is second to none, and friendliness is always present. Try their Thai spring rolls with an addition of sushi for an elegant and tasty treat.

  Location

  413 Main Street, Stockton, KS 67669

• Gella's Diner

  Drop by Gella's Diner for a traditional diner menu. Sit at the bar and choose between a mix of American cuisines. The food is typical for diner fare with plenty of chicken, chips, and fresh fish plates.

  Location

  117 East 11th Street, Hays, KS 67601

How To Get To Nicodemus National Historic Site

The nearest large community to the Nicodemus National Historic Site is Salina, KS. To get to the site from Salina, get onto Interstate 70 West, and drive 92.9 miles to Hays, KS. In Hays, turn right onto US Highway 183 North, and go for 23.5 miles. Turn left onto Kansas Highway 18, and travel for 19.9 miles. Turn right onto 2 Road and drive for 4.7 miles. Turn left onto US Highway 24 West, and go for 1.6 miles. Turn onto Washington Street, and you'll find the Nicodemus National Historic Site Visitor Center directly ahead.

The Nicodemus National Historic Site is open year-round. The site's grounds are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Hours for the Nicodemus Township Hall visitor center are limited to five days per week, Thur.-Mon., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Address

304 Washington Ave., Nicodemus, KS, 67625

Fee: Entry fee $0

The best method to travel the wide-open plains of northeastern Kansas is with an RV. With so much space between places of interest, using an RV allows you to rest between stops. Once you grasp the immensity of this area of the country, it is easy to appreciate the "deliverance" African Americans felt after generations of suffering under slavery. The Nicodemus National Historic Site is a statement of human persistence under incredible stress. A visit here gives hope for the country's future and is an event the family will remember for a lifetime.