A Cozy Winter Weekend in Hays, Kansas
There’s no better way to shake off winter blues than sneaking away for a weekend - and Hays, Kansas is the perfect place to do it. This small town has so much happening year-round, yet winter brings out a special kind of charm. With a vibrant food scene, local breweries, and a lively university atmosphere (plus a full calendar of seasonal events), Hays is the kind of place that invites you to bundle up, slow down, and enjoy a genuinely relaxing weekend away.
And while this itinerary is totally evergreen (you can do every single thing on it, Christmas season or not), Hays does winter right, especially in December. A few annual holiday favorites include:
Hays FrostFest – This annual parade is so much fun for children and adults alike!
Christmas Past at Historic Fort Hays – Old-fashioned holiday traditions with little surprises throughout.
Christmas at Creek Side - This illuminated walking path is fun for the whole family. We were so impressed with this light display!
Downtown Hays Holiday Shopping Events
Clydesdale Wagon Rides, and more!
You can browse current holiday happenings here:
Even without the holiday lights and festivities, winter in Hays has its own charm - making it an ideal spot for a couples’ getaway, a girls’ weekend, or just a cozy change of scenery.
72-Hour Winter Itinerary in Hays, Kansas
For couples, best friends, or anyone who loves good food and small-town charm.
FRIDAY
Check in + unwind at the Hilton Garden Inn
For this trip, we checked into the Hilton Garden Inn, which turned out to be the perfect home base. Clean, modern rooms, a great lobby to hang out in, friendly staff, and a central location that kept us close to everything we wanted to do.
Settle into your room, drop your bags, and enjoy that relaxing feeling when a getaway finally starts. The Hilton Garden Inn is comfy, quiet, and has that slightly upscale-but-still-relaxed feel that makes it perfect for a winter getaway. It’s in a great location too - just a few minutes from Downtown Hays and the breweries, restaurants, and shops you’ll be visiting all weekend.
Dinner & drinks at Gella’s Diner + LB Brewing Co. (Order the Grebble!)
If you do nothing else on this trip… promise me you’ll order the grebble. It’s Gella’s specialty - a golden, fluffy, deep-fried bread that you tear apart and dip into pesto or maple syrup. It’s nostalgic, super comforting, and it was the top recommendation from locals!
Once you’re working through your grebble, grab a beer flight from LB Brewing. Their seasonal brews are always fun to try, and the flagship beers are classics for a reason. The whole space has a casual, yet elevated vibe, so it’s a great first-night spot to ease into the weekend.
Live music or wine flights at The Paisley Pear
Walk (or drive) over to The Paisley Pear, one of the cutest and coziest spots in Downtown Hays. They often have live music on weekends, and their wine flights are such a fun way to end the night - especially if you’re doing a girls' trip. We did a flight full of local Kansas wines and we walked away with a few new favorites!
SATURDAY
Breakfast at Pheasant Run Pancake House
If you want a classic breakfast - the hearty kind that just seems to warm your soul in the winter - Pheasant Run is the spot. Pancakes, omelets, biscuits, the works. It’s casual, friendly, and the portions are huge. Order the corned beef hash with a side of chocolate chip pancakes for the perfect sweet and savory combo. This spot came very highly recommended and I can absolutely see why!
Shop local in Downtown Hays
Downtown Hays is walkable, cute, and packed with small businesses that actually feel unique - not cookie-cutter tourist shops. It’s the kind of shopping district where every shop owner is genuinely kind, and you end up chatting with them for way longer than you planned. There is truly something for everyone here!
Also keep your eyes open for the limestone sculptures sprinkled throughout downtown. They’re beautifully carved and give the area such a cool, historic touch.
Seasonal coffee at Breathe Coffee House
This is the perfect midday warm-up. Breathe is such a calm, welcoming space - high ceilings, soft lighting, a relaxed community feel - and their seasonal drinks really hit the spot in colder months. Think maple lattes, brown sugar espresso, or festive mochas. Take your drink to go and keep exploring downtown, or linger for a bit and enjoy the slow pace.
Tour the Fort Hays State Historic Site
If you like history (or just beautiful scenery), the Fort Hays Historic Site is worth a stop. You can walk through original structures, see artifacts, and learn about the frontier-era fort that once stood here. It’s peaceful, educational, and genuinely interesting. It'll definitely give you a deeper appreciation for Kansas history.
Walk through campus or catch an event at Fort Hays State University
FHSU gives Hays a youthful energy, and the campus is absolutely stunning. Think old limestone buildings, open green spaces, and a quiet, collegiate feel. You can also check their events calendar - sports games, shows at the Performing Arts Center, art exhibits, and more. It’s a great way to mix something different into your weekend.
Comfort food lunch at Thirsty’s Brew Pub & Grill
Thirsty’s is the definition of comfort food - warm, hearty, and satisfying. Their menu is full of classics like burgers, steaks, and homemade sides. It’s exactly what you want on a chilly day. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, so it’s a great mid-day break or to catch the big game on one of their many TVs.
Arcade 11: Beer wall + arcade games
Arcade 11 is the perfect spot for a cold day because you can stay there for hours and not run out of things to do. They have retro arcade games, newer games, and a self-serve beer wall where you can pour your own tasting-size pours of different brews. It’s fun, laid-back, and perfect if you want a break from traditional sightseeing.
Dinner + cocktails at Trio Tap House
Trio Tap House is cozy, modern, and has some of the best cocktails in Hays. Their food is seriously good too - elevated comfort dishes, sharable apps, and rotating specials. It’s the kind of place where you linger, order another drink, and chat the night away. Perfect for a date night or girls' night dinner. If you're there during the holidays, be sure to check out their 12 Drinks of Christmas menu for fun and festive cocktails!
SUNDAY
Slow morning + Explore more of Downtown Hays
Sunday morning is perfect for a stroll through The Bricks. Most stores are closed on Sunday, but the small town charm is even better when the streets are quiet. Grab another coffee and explore! And if your love for Gella’s runs deep (which it will), swing back for one more grebble before hitting the road. No shame.
Hays is one of those towns that surprises you in the best way. Winter here feels cozy, fun, charming, and full of little moments that make a getaway special. Whether you're planning a romantic weekend, a mini girls’ trip, or just need a change of scenery, this small Kansas town packs way more into a weekend than you might expect!
