Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau ~ Things to See & Do ~ Christmas ~ Group Tour Information

Things to See & Do

Lots To Do (Click Here for Holiday Season Schedule of Events) Visitors can enjoy so many wonderful things during the holiday season in Great Bend.

Here are just a few of the ways your group can enjoy the holiday season in Great Bend, KS when you visit the Trail of Lights. Your group will love the lights and the Midwestern hospitality. The Trail of Lights is one of the American Bus Association's Top 100 Events for the Year 2000!

Trail of Lights Itinerary

Time	Event	Other Information
Arrival	Welcome! Check into your comfortable hotel, stretch your legs and get ready for an afternoon filled with holiday spirit.	Special "holiday packages"are available at our hotels. Check with the CVB for more information.
Lunch 11:30 a.m.	Tasty, relaxing, interesting, spicy... Forget fast food, try one of our outstanding and unusual examples of local cuisine.	Restaurant listing, menu suggestions, and pricing available from the CVB office.
Afternoon 1:30 p.m.	Shafer Gallery or Barton County Arts Gallery	View outstanding art by area artist amidst whimsically decorated trees and special displays.
2:30 p.m.	Santas Around the World	Twenty-five life-size international Santas, handcrafted by noted local artist, Loretta Miller.
4:00 p.m.	Great Bend Mural Project and Kansas Quilt Walk	Visit Great Bend's growing collection of colorful murals and quilt patterns surrounding the historic courthouse square.
4:30 p.m.	Ready to Shop?	The Mall brings artists and crafts people from all over the area to set up shop and offer one-of-a-kind-shopping.
Dinner 5:30 p.m.	Dinner at Historical Village or Dinner and Relax at your Hotel	Historical Village offers delicious catered food. Hotel offers poolside buffet.
6:45 p.m.	Hit the Trail! Tour Great Bend's beautiful holiday displays	Map available for self guided tours.Step On Guides/Receptive Operator - Rebecca Weller at 620.792.7485 - available for a fee.
9:30 p.m.	Sweet Dreams!	Gather poolside at the hotel for a hot drink and cookies before you drift to sleep with visions of Christmas lights dancing in your head.

Tour Scheduling Contact Information

Shafer Art Gallery
Barton County Community College
245 NE 30 Rd
620-792-9342
Mon-Fri 10 am-5 pm & Sun 1-4 pm
Nov 14-Dec 9, 2007: Holiday Tree Display

Enjoy the permanent fine western bronzes of Gus Shafer plus displays of other area artistis amidst the whimsically decorated Holiday Tree Display of area school children's handmade ornaments. No Charge.

Santas Around the World
2332 Kansas
Nov 18-Dec 30: Wed-Fri 12-7 pm & Sat-Sun 1-7 pm or by appt.
To schedule appointment other than regular holiday hours listed above (for groups of 10 or more), call RSVP at 620-792-1614.

Santas from all over the world will welcome you to enjoy their beautiful costumes and one-of-a-kind faces. Santa World features 25 life-size international Santas, handcrafted by noted local artist, Loretta Miller.

Kansas Quilt Walk & Great Bend Mural Project

Click here for maps and more information or contact the Great Bend Convention & Visitor's Bureau.

Barton County Historical Village
S. 281 Highway, 122 SE 30 Rd
620-793-5125

A glance at the past, decorated for the season. Take a break here for hot cider and cookies or a delicious catered dinner while you browse and visit the gift shop. Contact Bev at the above number for dinner menu selections and cost.

Trail of Lights
Step On Guide Service:
Rebecca @ 620-792-7485 or bweller@cox.net
620-792-2750 for general information

Maps available for self-guided tours. Step on guides are available for a fee. Complimentary if you overnight.

MORE in Great Bend…

FREE Ice Skating: Nov 17-Dec 31: Thurs-Fri 4-8 pm & Sat Noon-8 pm & Sun 1-5 pm, Downtown, 620-793-4111

Christmas Craft Mall: Nov 17-Dec 28: Mon-Sat 9 am-7 pm & Sun 1-6 pm (closed Thanksgiving & Christmas) Over 70 exhibitors, 620-792-3201

Dorothy Moses Morrison Chapel: Tours of the chapel to see the stained glass windows-by appointment only. Located at Barton County Community College, 620-792-9342

Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau

P O Box 274
3111 - 10th Street, Suite 109
Great Bend, KS 67530

Telephone: (620) 792-2750 or Toll Free: 1-877-427-9299
Fax: (620) 792-7959

information@visitgreatbend.com