FOOD!
Who doesn’t like some good grub? Wichita has a variety of food that is sure to make your mouth water. If you are looking for a cozy café, we have just the place - Mead’s Corner. From coffee to smoothies to teas to delicious gelato to live entertainment, Mead's has it all. The best part is that they are a fair trade coffee shop with a mission to help people in need. Nothing else goes better with coffee than donuts, and the Donut Whole is the best place (no autocorrect needed here, that is the actual name!) This place is a coffee shop, donut shop, art gallery, and music venue all in one. The best part is that their drive through is 24 hours (that means donuts all day every day!).
If you are looking for a good lunch spot, head on down to the Delano District and try out Picasso’s Pizzeria. This place is a locally owned and a family run business serving New York thin style sliced pizza. Give the Great White or Kitchen Sink a try! If you are not feeling pizza, then move on down a building or two to Yokohama Ramen Joint and enjoy Wichita’s very own Japanese food. Their ramen is good for your soul and taste buds. Seriously, give it a try; it is a fun and friendly place to chow down. If you are looking for something else, try Felipe’s Mexican Restaurant for a traditional Mexican meal and a vibrant atmosphere.
Wichita is also home to some of the cutest and most creative food trucks around. Go out and find one to satisfy whatever you are craving, from Hawaiian food to cupcakes to pizza tacos to vegan food, we got it all.
BUT WHAT IS THERE TO DO!?
I get this question a lot, “oh, you’re from Wichita (or Kansas in general). What do you do for fun?” In Wichita, we actually have lots to do.
No matter how old you are, the Sedgwick County Zoo is a great attraction. With playful animals to watch, the Sedgwick County Zoo brings you face-to-face with endangered animals for a fun learning experience. For more fun opportunities, the exploration place is another great attraction in Wichita. With multiple permanent exhibits, showcasing the importance of math and science, there is an additional traveling exhibit which varies in interactions. Wichita is also home to Botanica Gardens, where you can explore themed gardens and exhibits. If you find yourself here around Christmas, you have to come see the Botanica Lights. They are amazing!
Wichita’s most iconic feature stands 44 feet tall on top of an additional 30-foot base over the Big and Little Arkansas River. The Keeper of the Plains is a steel sculpture at the joining of the rivers in downtown Wichita. The statue is surrounded by a Ring of Fire that lights in the evening during set times. The Keeper, made in 1974 by Blackbear Bosin, keeps watch over the city and is by far the most iconic attraction in Wichita.
There is plenty to do in Wichita. You just have to get out there and explore. We have escape rooms, movie theaters, museums, theatre companies, parks, and Final Fridays art crawls. My personal favorite is to go to Artist at Large on a Saturday during their walk-in hours for a tattoo!
HOME SWEET HOME
There is plenty to do in Wichita. We are a pretty neat city filled with a lot of history. We are home to the Wichita State Shockers, where we have one of the loudest crowds in the Roundhouse. We may not seem as popular as some other major cities, but we have a lot going for us. Maybe we are not the greatest at politics (thanks, Brownback) and Kellogg may never be finished, but we are a family-friendly fun city. I am proud to be from Wichita, because there is no place like home.
