5 ways to entertain your visitors this holiday

Are you hosting family and friends for the holidays this year? Need something to do with them this weekend? Get out of the house and enjoy what Emporia has to offer!

1. Visit Lyon County History Center

Give your guests a glimpse into the past with a visit to the Lyon County History Center. Eight core exhibits highlight the area’s history through the lenses of agriculture, Native American culture, natural history, immigration and more. The current featured exhibit is Answering the Call: A WWI Exhibit.

The Lyon County History Center, 711 Commercial Street, will be open Saturday, December 22 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Suggested donation is $3 per adult / $1 per child. Lyon County residents and veterans are free! Find more information at explorelyoncounty.org.

2. Visit Emporia Arts Center

Emporia’s premier art gallery and studio space is sure to get the creative juices flowing! Still need to find that perfect gift for someone on your list? Explore the main gallery where more than 50 local artists have items available at the annual Art Gifts sale, happening through December 29. When you purchase an item from Art Gifts, a majority of the total goes directly to the artist who made the item, but a portion also goes to the Arts Center and helps to further their mission to Educate, Advocate and Celebrate the Arts in Emporia and surrounding communities.

Emporia Arts Center, 815 Commercial Street, is open Saturday, December 22 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Entry is free. For more information, visit emporiaksarts.org.

3. Visit David Traylor Zoo

The Emporia zoo is smaller than many, but beautifully designed and maintained. Bring your guests for a stroll and visit prairie dogs, foxes, badgers, eagles, and more. A local favorite is Flint, a young mountain lion who was rescued after his mother was killed and brought to the zoo where he roams his habitat and surveys his kingdom.

Mission Madagascar is another popular exhibit. Home to a variety of lemurs, Mission Madagascar provides safe, permanent habitats for ring-tailed lemurs which are on the endangered species list.

And be sure to come back after dark to view the spectacular lighting display! Happy Holidaze illuminates Emporia’s zoo with more than 50,000 lights, turning it into a favorite destination during the holidays.

David Traylor Zoo, 75 Sodens Road, is open 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily. The lights are on from 6 – 11 p.m. daily. Admission is free!

4. Go shopping

Still working on that gift list? Many Emporia merchants will be open both Saturday and Sunday before Christmas, offering unique items to help you finish your holiday shopping. From cycling and disc golf enthusiasts to book lovers to kids to gourmets to fashion gurus to the outdoorsy types, you’ll find the perfect gift when you shop Emporia merchants.

Plan your shopping strategy at visitemporia.com/shopping.

5. Catch a movie at Flinthills 8

If the weather outside is frightful and you want something delightful, a movie is just the ticket! Recently renovated to include large recliners and a broader concession selection, Flinthills 8 Cinema is your destination for blockbusters, award-worthy movies, and retro classics. Take the whole family or escape holiday stress and sneak out on your own for a couple of hours!

Located inside the Flint Hills Mall, 1614 Industrial Road, Flinthills 8 has eight screens and reserved seating available. Find show times and ticket prices at bbtheatres.com/location/emporia-flinthills-cinema-8.