Arts, Entertainment and Culture
Junction City-Geary County residents enjoy an abundance of arts and cultural experiences.
The Junction City Arts Council helps make arts activities and opportunities available throughout the community, with free art classes for kids and adult art education for different skill levels.
Since 1882, the C. L. Hoover Opera House has been one of the crown jewels of Junction City’s downtown. This beautifully renovated Romanesque landmark continues to serve as a hub for live theatre, ballet, musical performances, children’s plays, and more.
Our community also enjoys a wide range of family-friendly events that reflect the region's unique culture and character, including:
- Freedom Fest, Junction City's Independence Day Festival
- Oktoberfest, held annually with parades, military displays, celebrity musical acts, delicious local delicacies, games, and spectacular fireworks displays!
Additional Highlights include the Fort Riley Apple Day Festival, Juneteenth, the Junction City Open Rodeo, Geary County Free Fair, the Annual Christmas Parade, various farmers/crafters markets, and a variety of events hosted by JC Main Street.
Visit the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce's calendar for even more!
Outdoor Recreation
Geary County is a place of scenic beauty, located in the heart of the Flint Hills, where the Republican and Smoky Rivers meet to form the Kansas River.
Milford Lake is one of the area’s finest features. With its 163 miles of shoreline, there are abundant options for picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, swimming and boating as well as camping at Acorns Resort and Thunderbird Marina & RV Resort.
Milford lake has earned a reputation as the fishing capital of Kansas thanks to an abundance of bass, walleye, and catfish. It’s surrounded by thousands of acres of public hunting land for both small and large game.
Junction City-Geary County also puts a priority on green space. It’s home to 19 city parks with an array of playgrounds, ball fields, picnic areas, walking trails, historic monuments and more.
Additional outdoor recreational opportunities in Geary County include:
Rolling Meadows Golf Course: Rated 4.5 Stars by Golf Digest, its beautiful grounds stretch across 160 acres of north central Kansas and is widely regarded as one of the premier public golf courses in the state.
Rathert Stadium: Built in the 1930s, this historic architectural landmark is often referred to as the “finest baseball stadium in Kansas!” and is also home to the Junction City Brigade and the Junction City Brigade Collegiate Baseball Team, which is composed of student athletes from colleges and universities throughout the country. The Brigade gives these student athletes a venue during the summer to continue developing their skills in a highly competitive environment.
Shopping and Dining
One of the most charming aspects of Junction City-Geary County includes one-of-a-kind, locally owned shops and boutiques. Check out Junction City Main Street's website to learn more about their outstanding efforts to revitalize and renew our historic downtown.
When it comes to dining, foodies can savor a variety of mouthwatering options, from authentic Kansas-style barbecue to Caribbean, Italian, Mexican or Korean cuisine.
Thirsty? Pop into Highwind Brewing and take your pick from 15 unique craft beers, ranging from light lagers to Irish stouts and enjoy a bite from their their lunch and dinner menus featuring artisan pizzas, hearty burgers, fresh salads and more.
Just outside of Junction City, visitors can enjoy a beautiful countryside setting while sampling some of the finest foods in Kansas at the Hildebrand Farm Store. This micro creamery has everything from homemade cheese to fresh flavored milks, soft serve ice cream, and other locally sourced specialties.