Discover Hastings

When choosing Hastings as a destination, you can give different weight to culture, city history, outdoor recreation and events. The city offers clearly distinct themes: a municipal museum with a large dome planetarium, historic walking tours, parks and Lake Hastings, as well as festivals held in different months. If you’re looking for hotels in Hastings, these places and events offer concrete ways to decide what to focus on during your trip.

Culture and History in Hastings

The Hastings Museum is the largest municipal museum between Chicago and Denver. Its facilities include a large dome planetarium. The museum is also home to dozens of animal species, displayed in their natural habitats. If you’re interested in both planetariums and animal exhibits, these two distinct themes come together here.

The Jacob Fisher Rainbow Fountain is a local and regional landmark that attracts many people during the summer months. Its water jets reach a height of 60 feet. The fountain’s history includes two specific milestones: in 1932, it was used as a temporary exhibit at the Adams County Fair; in 1933, it was moved to Highland Park. The site therefore has seasonal significance for Hastings as well as a historical connection to the fair and the park.

The self-guided Fountain to Fountain Tour runs along Lincoln Avenue in the Central Hastings Historic District. The tour book describes a main walk featuring 24 houses along the avenue, as well as five sub-tours. This makes the tour a self-contained way to explore the historic cityscape, focusing on specific houses and a defined street.

The Heartwell Park District is also part of Hastings’ history: it is one of the city’s two residential areas listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Naval Ammunition Depot in Hastings offers a different historical connection. During World War II, it supplied approximately 40 percent of the naval bombs.

Recreation, Events and Downtown

The Pioneer Spirit Trail offers a walking, cycling and exercise route between important recreational centers in Hastings. Destinations include Libs Park, Heartwell Park, Lake Hastings, Hastings College and the Downtown Central Business District. A separate rule applies to boats on Lake Hastings: permits are required for all motorized boats.

Events also have different seasonal focuses. Kool-Aid Days take place every August in Hastings, bringing locals and visitors together to celebrate the city’s historical significance to Kool-Aid. The Flatwater Music Festival takes place annually in June. Its program includes live concerts, music jams, workshops, arts and crafts vendors, food, drinks and family activities. The two events therefore take place in different months when planning your trip; check the specific event dates before you travel.

Downtown Hastings offers specialty retail, dining and entertainment in a pedestrian-friendly setting. Steeple Brewing is a downtown taproom serving local craft beer. The Hastings Community Theatre is also part of the recurring cultural program: it puts on four performances each year, showcasing local talent from Hastings. You can consider a visit to the city, local offerings and stage performances as different aspects of your stay.

For the broader travel overview: Adams County.