FIND YOUR HOME IN GREAT BEND
Quality of Life
We are committed to growing Barton County and creating our future utopia. Part of that mission is ensuring that every citizen of our region has the chance to thrive. On this page, you can see information about the vibrant culture of Great Bend, from arts and entertainment to education and more!
Arts and Entertainment
Great Bend is a vibrant community full of culture, history and fun. For all of those that have an appreciation for art, we invite you to explore our Great Bend Mural Project downtown. You might also enjoy our Bronze Sculptures, rich with history. Nothing can make a person smile like Christmastime, so go see our Santas Around the World to get your Christmas spirit fix any time of year.
Maybe you're a history buff and are looking for a weekend of learning? If that's the case, you won't want to miss our Kansas Oil and Gas Museum or the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. Both options will introduce you to Great Bend's past, while giving you the knowledge to appreciate our present and future.
Just looking for some weekend fun or a night out with the family? Just downtown you can catch a play at the Crest Theatre or a short distance away you can pretend your on safari as you check out the many animals waiting to meet you at our Brit Spaugh Zoo. During the summertime you'll want to block out your schedule to attend some of our many community events such as, Summer Street Stroll, our Farmer's Markets, Outdoor movies and, a hometown favorite, June Jaunt.
There are always opportunities to learn, grow and experience life in a positive way with your family and friends.
Outdoor Recreation
Welcome to the self-proclaimed hunting capital of the midwest! Here in Great Bend we have a rich hunting culture - with the largest inland marsh in the United States and internationally-known Cheyenne Bottoms right in our backyard and many successful outfitters right here in town there are many options to meet all of your hunting wants and needs.
If hunting isn't where your outdoor passion lies, visit our Lake Barton walking and biking trails for a scenic ride you won't soon forget. Or take a stroll around Veterans Memorial Lake then exert your energy on the Veterans Memorial Park outdoor fitness trail. Your kids will thank you if you let them spend a day at our Wetlands Waterpark and then head over to one of our many parks for a picnic supper (You'll thank us too once your kids are fast asleep from an action-packed day).
Whether it's fishing, hunting, family activities, sports, biking or hiking we can fulfill all of your outdoor recreation wish list.
Retail and Dining
Whether you're looking for fantastic finds at a local shop or wanting the quick convenience of a one-stop-shop, big-box store much of what you need is here. If it's not found here, the major shopping districts of Wichita, Kansas City or even Oklahoma City are just a short drive away.
Are you a foodie? We are so lucky to have many locally-owned gems serving up mouth-watering dishes that will make you want to come back for more. From the flaky goodness of the flour chips at Delgados, to the burgers-of-dreams coming from Handlebar and Grill, all the way to the unexpected new local favorite Sarocha Thai and so many more in-between, you'll have a list of favorites a mile long in no time at all.
Education
In Great Bend there is no shortage of educational opportunities. Barton Community College offers traditional general education courses, fine and performing arts opportunities, a plethora of career and technical training offerings which keep workforce ready teachings front of mind, GED courses, transfer options, online classes and an athletic program that boasts 57 national championships. On-campus housing is available for up to 330 students. Every year Barton gets the opportunity to serve more than 15,000 students.
In addition to our community college Great Bend offers much in the way of pre-college learning. With over (5) five elementary schools, (1) one large middle school, (1) one large high school and several additional opportunities for private education, virtual learning and home-schooling Great Bend is proud to say we appreciate our youth and are invested in their future through education.
*New this year we are offering the Youth Entrepreneurial Challenge to allow our youth the opportunity to work with our business professionals to create and compete with their own business ideas.
Neighborhoods
Living in Great Bend is exactly what you would expect from small-town living. A welcome basket from your neighbors, an invite to a local hang out, an offer of help to finish a project or even a neighbor picking up your mail for you while you're out of town are all an everyday occurrence. Your dream home in your dream neighborhood can be found right here, whether you have a love for old Victorian style homes with charm for days or you're more interested in a simplistic approach we've got that and everything in between. Some of our neighborhoods boast lake views and water activities, while others can offer community parks or short walking distances to most amenities. Wherever you choose, your new neighbors are waiting to welcome you home.
Additional Resources
Click above to view the Barton County Source, a publication highlighting all of the wonderful things to do in Barton County
Click above to be directed to our Explore Great Bend website. Here you'll find all of the real-time updates on events and city happenings.