Visit Emporia - Emporia Knows Disc Golf

So you have been thinking about making the trek to the Disc Golf Capital of the World - Emporia, KS. Many refer to Emporia as the “Mecca of Disc Golf” because we have more permanent disc golf baskets in the ground per capita than anywhere else in the world. We plant disc golf baskets like trees and love growing disc golf at every opportunity.

This article is geared to help you make plans for coming to Emporia and getting the most out of your trip. Birthday parties, bachelor or bachelorette parties, bro weekends, family trips, or just a personal getaway, if you are coming to experience all things disc golf, you won’t be disappointed. If you haven’t made lodging plans yet, there is one place in Emporia that holds a special place in my heart, and that is the Country Club Estate Airbnb property. It is located in the most ideal part of town for your disc golf weekend and is a beautiful home that you will greatly enjoy with a Veteran basket in the backyard that is perfect for entertaining. I love interacting with my guests over a couple of beers when I’m in town, so if you want to talk disc golf, I’d be happy to stop by and say hello!

With most travelers coming to Emporia for an extended weekend, the ideal agenda begins no later than 11:00 am on Friday and begins with arranging a Dynamic Discs Warehouse Tour. When it is all said and done, this will get you out the door in time for lunch, and that is where I recommend heading to the Emporia Country Club and grabbing lunch, renting a cart, and enjoying 18 holes of championship disc golf.

After the Club, I’d make the 6-minute commute to Peter Pan Park to enjoy this beautiful course and historic park in Emporia. This is my favorite course to play in Emporia but one that I don’t play as often as I should, because it is a “long” 12-minute drive from my house, and Jones, Country Club, and Hammond Park are all within a couple of minutes for me.

No need to overdo things for the first day in town, so I’d suggest heading to your Airbnb or hotel, cleaning up, and getting prepared for a fun evening on the town. If you know anything about me, you know that I love Mexican food and some good margaritas, so if you run into me on a Friday evening at Casa Ramos, you shouldn’t be surprised. Say hello to Jenny & Carlos, and be sure to ask for the Jenny Margarita. I usually splurge and get Patron Tequila. Street tacos are not on the menu but can be made to order.

After a Jenny Margarita (or two), walk outside, turn left, and walk a few doors down to enjoy another beverage at Mulready’s Pub. This is a relaxed and casual bar that typically has more of an adult crowd during the evening, but as the elders get tired, the younger crowd starts to arrive. Uber & LYFT are not as prominent in Emporia, but there are typically a few drivers out and about helping to return people home safely at a reasonable price (or about 1000x less than a DUI).

Saturday: If you are looking for breakfast food, head down to Commercial Street Diner and enjoy a massive cinnamon roll, oversized pancakes, massive biscuits & gravy, or just some good cheesy crispy hashbrowns and eggs. If you didn’t stop in to check out the Dynamic Discs retail store on Friday, drive three blocks to the North and check out disc golf paradise! From the retail store, take the 3-minute drive to Jones East where you’ll be in for a challenging & enjoyable round. There are so many good lunch choices, but since Do-Bee’s has a basket on the property, head over there and tell them that you are in town because of disc golf and that you appreciate their support for disc golf.

Load up on caffeine and head back out to finish up the Jones Park West course, which is the shorter of the two. We have two gourmet coffee shops on Commercial Street where you can caffeinate or quench your thirst: Granada Coffee Company and Gravel City Roasters. Since there is plenty of extra time to get ready for your Saturday evening, go get in a quick 9 holes at Hammond Park to finish up the five ‘must-play’ courses before getting cleaned up and ready for a great Saturday evening. RADIUS Brewing Co. is a must and you’ll see why when you arrive. Great beers and a staff that supports and plays disc golf will quickly be evident. Grab a flight to take a sample of six different beers on tap. Don’t leave without picking up a Radius/DD shirt and/or disc. Looking to experience a little more nightlife? Head to Bourbon Cowboy, and maybe they’ll have their 9-hole mini disc golf course set up to play.

Sunday Funday - you are likely either completely wiped or ready for more golf. Pick a course from the bonus courses list, and you won’t be disappointed. If you haven’t had lunch at Bobby D’s BBQ, make sure you swing through there and enjoy some great Kansas BBQ. If you are looking for a little more shopping adventure, head over to Twin Rivers Winery where they have a wine-themed gift shop that carries bulk spices, cheeses, local honey and more. Emporia’s gourmet chocolate shop, The Sweet Granada, has hand-dipped chocolates, fresh baked cookies, fresh fudge, and the ever-popular PopChoc. Emporia even has a charcuterie, which you don't find just anywhere. Check out the fabulous selection of meats, cheeses, and accouterments that Vault Meats & Cheeses has to offer.

Thanks for coming to visit Emporia; we truly hope you can make it back to join us for GBO or simply for another weekend!

MUST PLAY:

Peter Pan Park (18-holes) | 1.5 hours

Jones East (18-holes) | 2 hours

Jones West (18-holes) | 1.5 hours

Hammond Park (9-holes) | 30 minutes

Emporia Country Club (18-holes) | 2 hours/cart, 2.5 hours w/o cart

Bonus Courses

New Life Christian Church (9-holes/18 tees) - 1 hour

Emporia RV Park (6-holes) 20 minutes

Swope Park - Cottonwood Falls (18-holes) 1.5 hours

Clover Cliff Ranch - Elmdale (18-holes) 2 hours

Kanza View - Council Grove (18-holes) 2 hours

https://visitemporia.com/

Jeremy Rusco
Dynamic Discs
Owner & Founder