Top 10 Blog Posts of 2022

I can't believe it has been another year and almost a couple hundred new blog posts have been added to The Little Apple Life! Time truly flies and I am thankful to my sister for suggesting I create a post on the Top 10 Blog Posts of 2022. It is a great way to remember the past year and all the exciting things that happened!

I am about ten days late posting this, but wow, what a ride this has been!!! For those that haven't been here since the beginning, I started this blog in 2020, with the hopes that it would be beneficial to local businesses, current residents, and that who may be new to the area. I knew it was something the area needed, but I did not realize how well it would be received.

When I looked back at the past year, I was overwhelmed when I reviewed the stats! The blog had over 24,000 pageviews by over 14,600 users from countries all over the world! Gotta work on Antarctica though, lol! It was touching to hear from people who used to live here as they shared how the blog allowed them to walk down memory lane.

I also heard from various families who reached out that would be coming to Fort Riley along with new students and faculty who reached out to share how they would be coming to Kansas State University. They shared how appreciative they were to get a feeling of the area, especially those coming from overseas who had never been to America, let alone Kansas before!

While the blog has definitely evolved from where it began, one thing is for sure, I can't wait to see where it goes, but for now, I am looking back at its 2022 success! So without further ado, here are the top blog posts and numbers from 2022!

I created this site as a way for me to share about this amazing region and state that I love. So many great people doing awesome things and as it has evolved it has become more than I could have imagined!

1. TheLittleAppleLife.com was the top link searched for the blog. Since we are such a transient community, there are constantly new people coming in and looking online for information about this amazing area.
2. Top 10 Restaurants in Manhattan, KS! We are such a foodie community this one does not surprise me one bit! There are so many amazing places here and some are hidden gems tucked away, then some you almost have to know someone who knows someone to find out about them!
3. Murals of Manhattan came in at number three and the initiative with Incite MHK has definitely brought some amazing art to town! Murals are definitely a new and trending aspect for communities, but thanks to local initiatives we have been at the forefront of this trend!
4. Robby's Famous Cheesecake in Manhattan, KS. This cheesecake definitely was a community favorite and had been open in Salina for years. Although they closed their doors, this was still a heavily searched item on the blog.
5. MHK Play Studio in Manhattan, KS! As someone who loved science, animals, art, and recess, I love that we have MHK Play Studio. STEM learning is so vital to children and this place has it all. Plus, in their new location, they also have an area for parents to gather for snacks or grab some mocktails (for now) while the kiddos play. The new space for MHK Play has also allowed them to evolve and partner with other local businesses such as The DoughBro, various sellers in their gift shop, and Pacheco Beef!
6. Chipotle Raspberry Black Bean Dip is a cult favorite here in Manhattan, KS! While the OG from Taco Casa and So Long Saloon can never be truly replicated, I did my best and this one is sure to curb your cravings when you can't order the original!
7. Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in Manhattan, KS. Again, with such a transient community, many of our locals are not always able to go home for the holidays and two years ago, after I realized there was a need for this type of list I got to work. The list changed a bit this year, but I do try to keep things as up to day as possible!
8. Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving Day in Manhattan, KS. Much like above, several people could not make it home for the holidays, or were hosting and just wanted to make it easy!
9. Best Place for Brunch in Manhattan, KS came in at number nine! As I have mentioned we are a town of foodie's so it makes sense that we like to brunch. Thankfully there are several options to choose from in town, especially after those KSU home football games!
10. Schatzi's Schnitzel Haus in Riley, KS! As I have mentioned, this blog is NOT just about what is happening in Manhattan, KS. There are so many amazing communities around Manhattan which means there are many more businesses, festivals, and communities that I want people to know about! Schatzi's is one of those places. Growing up in a Volga German community, I literally grew up with authentic German food, and going to Schatzi's was taking a step back into my childhood growing up, 10/10 highly recommend it!

Well, there you have it! 2022 is a wrap and what a year it was. I truly appreciate all the likes, shares, comments, suggestions, and shoutouts that I have received it means a lot. As I look forward to this year I am filled with excitement about all that is to come and definitely so much more to share with you!

Cheers to you all and I wish you the best in 2023!