Truly the "Oasis on the Plains," Villa High Park was created in 1960 with the aid of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. This park, consisting of 20 acres, offers plenty to enjoy including playground equipment, picnic shelters, disc golf, fishing, and a walking trail. Sneak away on a serene escape at Villa High!

2.5 Miles of trails

1930's Dust storm

Prairie Museum of Art & History is located 1/4 mile north of I-70 between exits 53 & 54. The museum is home of the Kuska collection as well as the Cooper Barn (which is the largest barn in Kansas), Eller House, Nicol School, Lone Star Church, Vacin Barn and the sod house on 24 acres.

1 of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture Located at 1905 S. Franklin Ave as part of the Prairie Museum of Art & History. This is the largest publicly accessible barn in Kansas. Built in 1936 to house Hereford show cattle. The barn, including the massive loft, is open during the Prairie Museum hours.

Visit Santa City during the holiday time.

Featuring two gyms, 400 people-capacity meeting rooms, catering services, and a small indoor playground, Colby Event Center is utilized for basketball and volleyball games played by Colby Community College, Orange and Black Tournaments, many Unified School District #315 sports activities, family reunions, wedding receptions, and concerts.

Lots of fun in the summertime! The Aquatic Park consists of a leisure pool with a lazy river, zero depth entry, a floatable walk area, a family slide, a speed slide, a flume slide, and a water slide splash-down area. Located separately is a competition lap pool with two diving boards. The Aquatic Park offers Water Walking, Lap Swimming, and private parties.

Downtown Colby Walking Tour “As a partial fulfillment of his need for a feeling of security during this time of great change, man naturally turns to his ancestors and their history in order to get a feeling of permanency. Therefore, the history of Thomas County and its neighbors has become very important to all who live in the area……” The previous is a preface of the January 1960 publication, Thomas County, Yesterday and Today, a monthly Historic Journal, published by Prairie Printers, Inc., by owners/publishers Bill James and Daughn Avery. Residents submitted pictures, stories, or information concerning the 1885-1900’s early history of the county for issues of the monthly publication. In addition, it is said that the late, W. T. “Bill” James would walk Franklin Ave, from South Franklin, travel north to the park and return on the opposite side of the street twice daily to visit with business owners and greet pedestrians while collecting news for the article “Anklin’ Down Franklin” published in Thomas County, Yesterday and Today as well as the newspaper, The Prairie Drummer. In 2012, the family of Bill James granted The Movement Connection, LLC permission to use “Anklin’ Down Franklin” for walking programs in Downtown Colby. In a beautiful collaborative effort between The Prairie Museum of Art and History, Colby Downtown Business Association, Colby Rotary, Colby Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Colby Chamber of Commerce the project expanded. Information was compiled on the historic buildings including, photographs, previous businesses, stories related to the building and the present business. The material collected is linked to QR Codes posted on windows of participating businesses. The benefits! Anklin’ Down Franklin in our historic Colby downtown district can be a draw for tourism, a resource for new residents, educational, and a source of pride for those families who have lived and worked here for generations. Participants will be WALKING FOR GOOD HEALTH – for recreation and leisure, cardio endurance, stress relief, to boost energy, curb cravings, and boost immunity. Having a mission or purpose makes walking feel like an adventure! The Anklin Down Franklin, Downtown Walking Tour is documenting history contributing to the feeling of security and permanency of our entire community for years to come.

Come see our Grain Bin and browse through travel pamphlets to plan your trip! CVC also offers a sitting area both indoors and outdoors to take a break, eat lunch, or look at a map. Children can pick up a free coloring packet with Kansas-native pictures to enjoy along the way.

Beautiful drive Through station

The courthouse was built from 1906 to 1907 and replaced the county’s original courthouse. Architect James C. Holland designed the courthouse in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. The Thomas County Courthouse, located at 300 N. Court in Colby, is the seat of government of Thomas County, Kansas.