KTKA

Emporia — This is the front porch to the Flint Hills and home of an eclectic mix of history, art, entertainment and shopping. And, it's all just a day away.

The city boasts several shops and events for all ages. Lyon County, especially in the spring and early summer, provides some beautiful drives through the scenic Flint Hills.

Thousands of people flock to Emporia each year for various events, like the Artists Walk, and theater productions -- not to mention the theater and sports at Emporia State University.

The Emporia Granada Theatre, 807 Commercial St., was a community-wide labor of love and is a national historic site. It was constructed in 1929. The 1400-seat capacity made it one of the larger movie palaces in Kansas. It was dedicated on October 3, 1929, with an opening speech by the "Sage of Emporia," William Allen White.

Today, events like Artist Walk bring people to the venue. So, go and check it out. And, don't forget to stop by The Granada Coffee Company for some chocolate and a cup of coffee.

One of the city's most well-known historic sites is Red Rocks, the historic home of journalist William Allen White. He once owned The Emporia Gazette. White was a local figure in Emporia until 1896, when he wrote a sarcastic editorial, "What's the Matter with Kansas," which boosted him to national notoriety.

David Traylor Zoo is a fun site for families and nature-lovers alike. And best of all, admission is free. The zoo's hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays May 11 to October 5. The zoo is in Soden's Grove Park. The park has Marsh Arch Bridge and the All Veterans Memorial, which has separate markers for each of the Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Persian Gulf War.

And, for the golfer in every family, there's the Emporia Municipal Golf Course.

Learn about recent developments in Emporia at EmporiaBuildingFutures.com.