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Wichita, Kansas: Experience the City Like a Local

July 12, 2020 by Vanessa Whiteside Leave a Comment

Disclosure: Visit Wichita sponsored this post, however all opinions and photographs are my own.

What better way to celebrate Wichita’s 150th birthday than by experiencing it like a local? Whether you visit a museum, winery, or take a historic downtown walk, each destination will provide you an authentic experience of Wichita, Kansas.

I’ve included a number of places that I think you’ll love! For bonus ideas, head over to Visit Wichita’s page for 150 ways to celebrate the city I call home.

FOOD AND DRINK

JENNY DAWN CELLARS

When in Wichita, make your way to the city’s first and only urban winery, Jenny Dawn Cellars located in historic Union Station (703 E. Douglas, Suite 180) for a glass of wine, or better yet, a wine flight! Owned by Kansas State University grad, a certified sommelier and winemaker, Jenny McDonald launched the winery in 2016 after years of honing her craft. Visitors to the tasting room can expect a lesson in wineucation as they sip on award-winning wine—a win-win.

Thanks to her extensive research in Napa Valley, and her partnership with grape growers in California and Kansas, McDonald brings the best in handcrafted wines to Wichita. Jenny Dawn Cellars began from McDonald’s unrelenting passion to make and serve first-class wines that easily competes with any nationally recognized brand in concept and quality.

During our visit, we enjoyed two separate wine flights ($15) to enjoy as many selections as possible. Jenny Dawn Cellars serves 2oz pours of each wine along with a slate board of four artisanal cheeses ranging from cheddar to goat cheese imported from Denmark. I highly recommend the Traditional Flight, which appealed to my love of dry wines and included four options from white to red. We also appreciated the Rosé and Trains Flight, a journey of semi-sweet wines.

Wine drinkers from the area love Union Station, a 2019 Chardonnay from Kansas, that is light bodied with a smooth finish. Show your Wichita pride by sipping on sweet wines, Wichita Passion or Wichita Moment.

A bottle of wine sells for $19.99-$49.99 depending on the selection and they can be purchased by the case. If you’re someone who prefers something other than vino during your visit, the winery also serves beer ($5-6). Ask about the charcuterie and dessert plate options to complement your wine of choice.

If you’re unable to make the trip to the winery, you can purchase Jenny Dawn Cellars wines at liquor stores across Wichita, the Kansas City market, as well as several in Kansas towns. Visit the Jenny Dawn Cellars online store to have bottles shipped to your door (she ships to 37 states!).

The tasting room is closed Mondays and Tuesday, so plan your visit by viewing the operating hours here.

THE POURHOUSE

Within walking distance of Jenny Dawn Cellars sits The PourHouse (711 E Douglas Ave) restaurant and tap house. They serve exclusively Walnut River Brewing Company’s craft beers. The PourHouse is the brainchild of WRB’s owners who wanted to make their beer more accessible to the Wichita community since they’re home base is located 30 minutes away in El Dorado, Kansas. An amazing thing happens when hobby home brewers relentlessly work on recipes until they’re perfected. You’ll love sipping on suds at The PourHouse!

Visitors to The PourHouse will discover at least 12 beers on tap, and the restaurant serves quality food, or what I refer to as gastropub dining. I can recommend many items from the menu from appetizers like the Charcuterie Board ($16) and Fried Cheese Curds ($11) to the Cobb Salad ($13), a hearty portion ideal for lunch. Diners like myself will appreciate that all of their salad dressings and most condiments are made from scratch. We devoured the charcuterie board, which could have easily served 3-4 people. All of it was delightful, but I’m still dreaming about the bacon jam.

Some of my favorite beers on tap include the Falconer’s Wheat and Teter Rock Kölsch, although another one of their flagship beers is quite popular, Warbeard Irish Red. I recommend asking about their specialty beer, Carmine, an American Wheat Ale aged in red wine barrels now available in limited quantities. Brewing beer is an art form, and Walnut River Brewing Company is definitely skilled at their craft. They make beer you want to drink.

The PourHouse is closed Mondays. Check their hours via their Facebook page here. (Love to visit breweries? Check out my post about WRB in El Dorado here.)

THIRD PLACE BREWERY

Continue the craft beer tour by heading over to another independently owned and operated business, Third Place Brewing (630 E Douglas Ave #150). A cozy space to gather with friends or make new ones, we appreciate that locals and tourists alike love the laid back atmosphere. Although we’ve always enjoyed drinking a pint indoors, they also have an outdoor seating area east of the building where you can often find local bands playing.

Red Headed Stranger is a popular beer selection amongst locals, but I’d encourage you to try one or more of their rotating taps. I appreciated drinking Danke Schön (Berliner Weisse) as well. Note: If you visit before July 21 and mention #CelebrateWichita150, you’ll get $2 off your second pint (per person).

A trip to the taproom is always an experience! We met a nice couple who was visiting from Kansas City just to try our city’s breweries. Excitedly, I welcomed the chance to tell them about our city and thank them for supporting our local economy. We swapped brewery tour stories and shared our favorite bands with one another as the conversation turned to topics of missed summer concerts and nostalgic vacations.

Third Place Brewery is located directly across Douglas Avenue from the new Naftzger Park, an outdoor entertainment venue, park, and commercial retail space.

PEACE LOVE & PIE

No adventure downtown is complete without a stop at Peace Love & Pie (645 E. Douglass, Suite 104) adjacent to Naftzger Park. More than a pie shop, the eatery is the dose of nostalgic comfort that we all crave. What I love about Peace Love & Pie is that they consider eating pie to be an experience that conjures up feel-good vibes or as they say, “Pie happens. Enjoy the journey.”

The shop offers mouthwatering pie by the slice ($5), and if you want to order a whole pie, you can reserve one in advance for pickup. During my visit, I had the hard decision of deciding on which one of six seasonal summer pies that I wanted to try. They all looked so delectable!

I devoured a warm slice of Triple Berry made with blackberries, blueberries and raspberries topped with dried lavender bud streusel crumb. Upon first bite, the lavender’s floral flavor came right through, a welcomed delight. One might think that coffee (they serve a local favorite, Reverie Roasters) or milk would be the perfect complement to a slice, but I opted for a glass of wine with mine. They match each available pie with a wine, making the tasting experience a true journey of flavors.

The entire menu is authentic. They make every recipe from scratch. Other menu options include Pie Shakes ($6), Pie-Faits, Franken Pie (a pie designed with seven of your favorite slice selections, $30), Pie à la Mode (+$2), Pie-Fries (think fries but made with baked pie crust), and specialty coffees and teas.

Whether you’re enjoying a day at Naftzger Park or looking for a place to enjoy a locally made dessert, Peace Love & Pie is a must-stop! Don’t miss their HapPie Hour Sunday and Thursdays from 4pm-6pm when slices are $4, Franken Pies are only $20.

Shop Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11am – 6pm. You can also find Clementine, their pie van, serving slices to happy diners at Bradley Fair. Find the pie van by visiting this link.

AUGUSTINO BREWING COMPANY

But wait! The brewery tour doesn’t end yet! Hop in the car and head west from the downtown district to Augustino Brewing Company, 756 N. Tyler Rd. There, you find locally produced beers and a tasty, bbq restaurant The Angry Elephant.

During our visit, Augustino had four of their flagship beers on tap including a Blonde Ale, Wheat Ale, IPA, Nut Brown Ale, and Coffee Porter. You can expect to find several more speciality beers on the menu. Of course, I sampled a few before ordering a signature series selection, Chad’s Hibiscus Saison ($6.25), a summery-sweet craft beer that I enjoyed enough to order twice.

Depending on the night, you might catch a live band playing in the tap room. Check the event listings via their Facebook page here.

The Angry Elephant was voted #5 Best BBQ in Kansas by USA Today in 2019. The servings are large and the flavor is big or what I call a “flavor bomb.” Owner Sanitago Munoz’s menu is loaded with delicious smoke bbq sandwiches and the heaping appetizers, like the loaded nachos below, are more of a meal than a starter. Have a sweet tooth? You will want to save room for towering desserts. Dining with the family? Stop in for dinner on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday and order an adult entree and kids eat free.

The brewery and restaurant is closed Mondays. View the hours here.

OTHER THINGS TO DO

WICHITA HISTORY WALK

Do you love learning about local history when you travel? Use the PocketSights app to listen to the story of downtown Wichita created by The Wichita Library! The free app connects to your location for a self-guided tour of the area’s buildings and parks allowing you to take a stroll while learning the significance of historic places. Each site on the app’s tour includes images and an audio narration.

You can also use the app in the East Douglas area, Delano District, or while on a walking tour of Old Cowtown Museum.

As a native Wichitan, I was amazed at how much I didn’t know about the buildings that I’ve passed hundreds of times. For example, I didn’t realize that the Delano District was originally known as a town called Elgin and was considered to be a rowdy wild west town and home to artists and innovators. When wild cowboys would get injured or shot, they were taken to a hospital at the intersection of Douglas and Seneca, now occupied by a QuikTrip gas station.

The app also gives you the option to take a photo in real time and upload it to the historic page you’re listening about in the app. Mind blown! You’ll love exploring Wichita’s neighborhoods while learning the city’s past. Download the PocketSites app here.

GREAT PLAINS TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM

If you glance up while walking along the Downtown Historic Walk on Douglas Avenue near the Union Station, you’ll spot the Great Plains Transportation Museum with many trains on display.

Opened to the public in 1986, train enthusiasts come from all over to learn the history of trains and view them first-hand. A lover of trains since my grandpa worked for Frisco Railroad, I jumped at the chance to tour the train cars. Did you know that railroaders were the settlers of the west? Steam railway replaced travel by stagecoach in the mid-1800s, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation. Trains made travel readily available from Kansas City to Lawrence in 1864. Within 20 years there were 8,000 miles of track in Kansas. A branch of the Santa Fe Railroad expanded to Wichita and the town “busted wide open.”

Today, the museum displays steam locomotives, meticulously restored train cars, railroad equipment, and the indoor exhibits showcase prints and artifacts.

The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays during these hours. Stay tuned to their Facebook page about upcoming events they host including the Great Plains Trains and Toy Trains Celebration, Railfest, and Final Friday art crawl.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Plan a road trip or flight into Wichita (we have a new and improved airport!) to experience a city that’s pride is on display for you to discover. I encourage you to talk to small business owners or strike up a conversation with a local. We’re inclined to brag about our city because we’re proud of its history and vitality.

To discover more ways to experience the city like a local for #CelebrateWichita150, check out Visit Wichita’s list of 150 things to do. Have a delightful visit!

Do you have questions about Wichita? I’d love to help you navigate your visit. Comment below or email me at info@onedelightfullife.com. For more highlights of Wichita, follow One Delightful Life on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

Walnut River Brewing Company: Naturally Better

June 21, 2020 by Vanessa Whiteside Leave a Comment

Disclosure: The brewery hosted my visit to their location, but all opinions and photographs are my own.

Brewing beer is an art form, and Walnut River Brewing Company is definitely skilled at their craft. They make beer you want to drink.

The exciting part about living in Kansas is that I continue to discover unique places to visit that I wish I had found sooner. Walnut River Brewing Company, located at 111 W. Locust Avenue, is a hidden gem in south El Dorado. Their beer is approachable, and if you’re a craft beer fan, this microbrewery is worthy of a visit.

Founded by B.J. Hunt of Wichita and Rick Goehring of El Dorado, the microbrewery began from a passion for creating quality beer. What’s unique about the brewery’s early story is that the owners knew they were on to something special; something that would require real hustle to get it off the ground. They stayed patient as they scaled their business. The end result is a successful brewery business that serves quality product.

Why open a brewery in El Dorado? The water! Brewing beer in El Dorado promised to be naturally better since the water in the area is of superior quality in comparison to nearby Wichita.

Eventually, Walnut River Brewery Company expanded their initial physical space and added a tasting room and small kitchen. (Don’t forget to order lunch!) The brewery also operates a cannery allowing their beer to be accessible in liquor stores and area grocery stores.

Warbeard Irish Red remains one of their most requested flagship beers. I would also recommend the HighBeam IPA. Drinker’s who prefer a lighter brew will appreciate the Falconer’s Wheat and Teter Rock Kölsch. Also, they often do collabs with areas breweries likes Norton’s or Norseman, so you never know what new creation may be added to their lineup.

I appreciate that Walnut River Brewery Company continues to push the creative envelope. On my visit to the brewery, I enjoyed a barrel-aged American Wheat Ale called Carmine. Stored in red wine barrels for six months, the 8% ABV ale tastes of citrus, red berry, and vanilla. It was so delicious that I brought a bottle home to open on a special occasion.

Today, they operate the brewery and tasting room in El Dorado as well as the PourHouse ICT in downtown Wichita where patrons can expect to find 12 brews on tap and and an extensive restaurant menu (think gastropub-style grub). They knew Wichitans wouldn’t want to drink and then commute 30 minutes each way from the city, so they opened the PourHouse.

If you can’t make it to either location, it would be wise to follow their Facebook page to keep tabs on their participation upcoming tasting events. I’ve seen their beer served at large events like the Wichita RiverFest to downtown yoga sessions.

The brewery continues to expand. I’m excited to watch their business continue to scale as they look to enlarge their El Dorado brewery into the now vacant building adjacent to their current location.

You won’t find nicer people serving beer than at Walnut River Brewing Company, and they truly care about the brewing process. Trust me, you’re going to want to visit the brewery’s tasting room first-hand. To view their El Dorado location business hours, visit their Facebook page. They host Happy Hour on Wednesday-Friday from 4pm-6pm. If in Wichita, stop by the PourHouse ICT for a pint, and be sure to order a basket of the fried cheese curds with it. Cheers!

Can’t get enough of craft beer? You may also want to check out my posts “5 Craft Beers You Need To Try” and “Upstate New York Brewery Tour Tips.”

Going Underground in Historic Ellinwood, Kansas

February 10, 2020 by Vanessa Whiteside 14 Comments

The best part about saying “yes!” to adventure is discovering a destination you didn’t know existed. That was my experience after visiting Ellinwood, Kansas to tour the town’s underground tunnels and The Historic Wolf Hotel. Make sure you add Ellinwood to your central Kansas trip itinerary.

Established by German immigrants in 1870 along the Sante Fe Trail, the town was designed to include two blocks of main street stores with stairs leading underground to additional retail spaces, saloons, brothels, bath house, and an authentic barber shop. Early residents of the town made their income from farming wheat and producing flour. References to wheat can be seen everywhere in the centrally located Kansas town that is located ten miles outside of Great Bend and less than a half hour drive from Lyons.

Ellinwood’s Underground Tunnels allow visitors to walk some of the original passageways while tour guides share stories of early prohibition and entrepreneurship in the area. I was enthralled by the antique relics of the past found deep within the tunnels. The town’s early residents used the tunnels for refuge during WWI, to possibly bootleg alcohol during Prohibition, and to support cowboys and families traveling through the area by providing services to them.

A manhole cover seen from below the town of Ellinwood’s sidewalk along Main Street, the colored glass is illuminated by the afternoon sun.

The best part of the tunnels? They have remained nearly untouched! During your tour, you will see items sitting exactly where they were left before the tunnels were abandoned in the 1940s. Much of what you see in these photos is authentic to the space.

Make your way down this hallway to discover a barber shop, brothel, and bath house. Hot Baths 15 cents, Used Water Baths 5 cents.

Why build tunnels under the town? Imagine how hot the dry summers were in Kansas thanks to open plains and midwestern heat! The underground tunnels were much cooler in temperature and visitors could escape the blustery Kansas wind.

Tom Drake’s Harness Shop established sometime between 1890-1900.

While walking the long, dusty hallways into rooms where turn of the century shopkeepers ran their business, you begin to wonder if you’re being watched by the ghosts of Ellinwood’s past. According to our tour guide, the underground tunnels were active from 1887-1920.

William Young’s Barber Shop. Ask about the medical instruments in the case, and don’t leave the room without looking for the bullet holes.

No longer accessible, this stairway once connected to The Wolf Hotel’s tunnels across the street.

If you want to tour of the underground tunnels and The Historic Wolf Hotel, the admission is $10 per person. The first leg of our tour was led by Ellinwood Emporium owner, Richard Casagrande, and the final leg of the tour took us back to the hotel for a tour led by Chris McCord. Additionally, I highly recommend making a reservation at The Sunflower Room for a country-style lunch of fried chicken and homemade side dishes followed by a slice of pie.

Tourists who appreciate learning the rich history of the area will love the renovated The Historic Wolf Hotel, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1894 by John Wolf at the corner of Sante Fe and Main Street to be a grand focal point of downtown Ellinwood. (The total cost of building it was $10,000.) Today, it serves as a bed and breakfast and event center. However, you don’t have to stay overnight to enjoy its restaurant, The Sunflower Dining Room, or “The Underground” restored saloon.

Ellinwood native, Christopher McCord, purchased the brick and limestone building in 2013 to restore it.

The Sunflower Dining Room opened Easter Sunday 1924 with a live orchestra playing for visitors to enjoy.

When not serving guests a meal on Sundays, the dining room doubles as a reservable event space for meetings, private parties, and weddings. From its original flooring and windows to the decorative columns, the room is rich in architectural history and well restored.

During Sunday Bunch dining service, the place setting above is set for Bernard Millit. I don’t want to ruin the tour for you by telling you why, so be sure to as your tour guide the story behind it — and don’t forget to look up to the ceiling.

These beautiful stained glass doors were photographed from inside The Wolf Hotel in an area that was once a bank.

If you’re someone who appreciates learning the historic roots of a town and about the hardworking people who established it, many of which were immigrants to the area, then I recommend taking a step back in time and visiting Ellinwood, Kansas. Want to discover more about the early construction of The Historic Wolf Hotel and the surrounding area? Read this document available from the National Register of Historic Places.

My time in Ellinwood concluded with a photo sitting upon an antique shoe shiner’s station, and by the looks of my dusty boots, I could use one.

Love learning about Kansas history? Learn more about Abilene, Kansas, the boyhood home of U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Weston, Missouri: Making the Most of a Weekend Visit

November 10, 2019 by Vanessa 4 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for information.

Let me introduce you to one of my favorite towns — Weston, Missouri! This charming town, located northwest of Kansas City and only 20 minutes from Leavenworth, Kansas, has been voted The #1 Best Day Trip by Ingram’s Magazine 15 years running. I love Weston for its abundance of shops and attractions including a brewery, winery, and seasonal entertainment!

During a fall weekend, I spent as much time as I could in Weston soaking up sunny days strolling Main Street shopping unique boutiques. From home decor stores with shelves lined with candles and specialty food items to one of a kind shops stocked with artwork or antique cameras, Weston has it all!

The town was established in Northwest Missouri in 1837 and sits nearby Weston State Park, a must-stop for those who prefer to opt outside and enjoy tree covered trails for walking or biking, overnight camping areas or an off-leash dog park.

The shops are the main attraction in Weston’s historic district. People travel to the area to visit the locally-owned boutiques and artists’ spaces. It’s not uncommon to walk into a shop and find an artist at work on their craft. View the town’s store directory here.

Weston Brewery Company

On our last visit to Weston, we skipped the brewery because we were short on time and the annual Irish Fest was underway — the area was crawling with tourists! I wasn’t going to miss experiencing the brewery and restaurant this time around.

Although we didn’t reserve a tour, which is not necessary but recommended, we did convince a very nice employee to give us a short walk-thru tour of the O’Mally’s 1842 Pub. (Brewery tours are available at 1pm, 3pm & 5pm on Saturdays. Expect a one hour tour of the brewery, underground cellars, the secret 4th cellar, and tasting. Tickets are $5 for anyone over 14, and younger visitors are free.)

Established by German immigrants, Weston Brewing Company has been operating since 1842. The walls are covered in black and white photos of the past. It’s tough not to be in awe of the operation’s historical roots.

Can you see me? This is the hallway that leads into O’Mally’s 1842 Pub, an underground space where they host Celtic bands. You must experience it!

If you love visiting museum and enjoying a craft beer or cocktail, you’ll definitely appreciate visiting the underground pub. Just sitting there while gazing at the stone walls covered in historic memorabilia, I felt like I had transported by to 1842 when the brewery was established.

The cellar pub originally used to make lager beer and was built six stories underground. It was closed during Prohibition, and remains the second oldest brewery west of the Hudson River.

American Bowman Restaurant

After enjoying our refreshing craft beers, we headed back upstairs to the American Bowman Restaurant for a bite to eat for lunch. Although I was a bit disappointed to learn the restaurant was out of Hand Rolled Soft Pretzels (they must have been hoarding them for the Irish Fest the next day?), we thoroughly enjoyed the Sausage Sampler and Irish Eggrolls.

This is the restaurant menu, which looks like a newspaper, and includes a listing of upcoming events and the history of the building.

Tin Kitchen

Noted for some of the best ribs in the Kansas City areas, the Tin Kitchen stays busy from 11am-9pm serving authentic barbecue meats and yummy side dishes. We were able to snag a two-top table within 10 minutes of waiting at the hostess desk, which was surprising since it was in the middle of their Saturday lunch rush.

We dined on barbecue ribs (of course!) and opted for the homemade mac-n-cheese and baked beans for our mouth-watering side dishes. Their meat is slow-smoked for up to 16 hours over pecan-wood. When making the most of a weekend in Weston’s historic district, make sure to leave time for a stop at Tin Kitchen.

We loved the service at Tin Kitchen. The waitress had the kitchen split our lunch order without even having to ask her.

Pirtle Winery

Perhaps you’ve sipped wine in church before, but not like this! Established in 1978, the family-owned Pirtle Winery is inside a former Lutheran Evangelical Church that was built by German immigrants in 1867.

We enjoyed a wine flight in the tasting room, located on the top floor as you enter the outdoor stairs. I was impressed by the award-winning selection of wines. One of the white wines I sampled was poured from a can! (They sell wine by the bottle, but three of the varieties come in 4-packs at $24.95 each.)

I found the stained glass windows inside the Pirtle Winery’s tasting room to be beautiful!

Shop white wine deals Shop now

I went outside my comfort zone and selected their famous Blueberry Mead as one of my flight selections. Noted to be “a blend of orange blossom honey and fresh blackberries,” I was impressed with how much I enjoyed its flavor. The selection has earned the family multiple gold medals, and came highly recommended from a local store owner. When in Weston, make sure to stop at the winery!

The Pirtle Winery has been family-owned and operated since 1978.

Shopping

The best reason to visit Weston, Missouri is for the town’s quaint shops. Main Street is lined with independently owned businesses ranging from an antique camera store (the man who works there is the sweetest and he is incredibly knowledgable!) to multiple home interior decorating boutiques. During out recent visit, I made sure to return to Buffalo Ranch Home Furnishings, a store stocked to the brim with holiday decor, home accents, candles, jewelry, and a bunch of other cool stuff you don’t need but totally want!

If you don’t find an open, free parking spot on Main Street, there are a couple lots available in the historic district or you can park on adjacent streets.

Holladay Distillery

Known for its rich history of producing bourbon, Holladay Distillery was established in 1856 by Ben Holladay who originally acquired the Pony Express. Today, it is operated by the McCormick Distilling Company (you’ve heard of the vodka, right?) and is the total experience for booze loving tourists.

The grounds at Holladay Distllery are expansive and stretch as far as your eye can see from the road. Look at that cute pup! Sasha enjoyed relaxing with us outdoors after our tasting room experience.

My only regret is that we didn’t think ahead to reserve our spots on the afternoon tour of the distillery, but that’s another great reason to return to Weston! The highly rated tour experience costs $10 for adults and allows you to “see, smell, taste, and touch real Missouri bourbon being made using the original recipe from 160 years ago.”

In the early 1800s, Ben Holladay purchased gallons of whiskey for 25 cents, and then sold a sample shot for the same price. Today, the distillery is well-known for its 25 cent shots in the tasting room. You can also enjoy the same experience in the “McCormick on Main” tasting room in town.

If you’re looking for a fun weekend of dining, drinking, and shopping in a town with friendly locals and small town charm, add Weston to your road trip itinerary. There is more than enough to do to fill weekend if you take advantage of all of the area’s entertainment options. If you need lodging, Weston has cute bed and breakfasts. We stayed at the spacious Hilton 2 Suites in Leavenworth where we enjoyed generous amenities and our dog was welcomed.

There is always something going on in Weston! View upcoming events. If you’re in the area, also make a point to visit the nearby town of Leavenworth, Kansas just over the bridge and across the state line. Love the historic aspect of a small town? Consider adding Abilene, Kansas, the boyhood home of U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Thinking of visiting Weston, Missouri? Pin the image below to our Pinterest board!

4 Reasons to Visit Four Fights Distilling in Corning, New York

July 10, 2019 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

After a return visit to Upstate New York and the Corning area, I decided to add an adventure we had never included on our itinerary before – a tour of a local distillery! Four Fights Distilling should be a must-stop for any traveler who appreciates locally crafted spirits.

Operating for the last five years from their location in “Extended Corning,” Matt and Donna Bowers craft spirits one small batch at a time. Every hand-sealed, labeled bottled.

We were fortunate enough to have our tasting room experience and tour sponsored by the Bowers and went behind-the-scenes to learn more about the distilling process. Why should you visit? I have 4 great reasons to add a visit to Four Fights Distilling to your travel plans!

1.) You’re supporting a local business. The Bowers are some of the friendliest and hospitable people you’ll ever meet. Matt makes the booze while Donna mixes the drinks! The couple is incredibly welcoming. You’ll appreciate hearing their story of the distillery’s origination and learn how they manage to do it all themselves.

2.) They know their stuff. From the science behind creating the spirits (and there’s a lot to learn) to the branding, the Bowers do an excellent job. During your tour, you’ll learn that Matt’s knowledge of spirits is vast (he’s self-taught!), and that there a lot involved in producing each spirit.

Four Fights Distilling gets their corn from a local farmer and then the mash goes back to a pig farm to complete the cycle. According to Matt, the water in Corning is “limestone water similar to Kentucky enzyme water” aiding in the distilling process.

3.) Four Fights Distilling’s spirits could compete with some of the well known brands on the market. Matt does his homework and continues to push boundaries when developing ideas. While I appreciate a smooth vodka, I was surprised to find that I also like Four Fights’ Bourbon. In fact, upon sipping it I exclaimed, “Wow! I don’t normally care for Bourbon, but that’s one I like!” Everything we tasted was fantastic. Their top sellers continue to be the Four Fights Bourbon, Suite 101 Gin, Emperial Apple Pie, and Emperial Cinamoon.

4.) Learning about the process of creating booze makes you love it that much more. Over the years, the more I discover about the craft of creating something, the more I appreciate it. You’ll never look at a bottle of aged bourbon or distilled vodka the same way either.

Visitors can enjoy sipping on craft cocktails Thursday-Sunday during select hours. (I recommend trying The Corning Mule or Crystal City Cosmo.) Cocktails range from $7-$11 each or you can try a Spirits Flight made of four tasters for $6. Interested in learning more about Four Fights Distilling? Visit their site or follow them on Facebook or Instagram!

Know that you’re going to visit Corning, New York soon? View my complete post highlighting the best of the Crystal City here.

How to Make the Most of a Weekend in Omaha, Nebraska

June 11, 2019 by Vanessa 8 Comments

Want to visit an affordable midwestern city where you never run out of things to do and they are all pretty affordable? Head to Omaha, Nebraska!

Easy to navigate because of its grid system, visitors will appreciate the accessibility of the city and its on-trend downtown scene. Omaha is dotted with historic neighborhoods. We stayed in the Midtown Crossing area located within minutes of the Old Market district, the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, and the Blackstone District (a ultra-hip area for those who appreciate supporting local eateries).

Let me show some of the BEST places to visit while in town!

OMAHA ZOO

This isn’t your typical zoo. The Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium’s exhibits are world famous! It is known for its indoor Desert Dome and North America’s largest indoor rainforest, but if you ask me, one of the ultimate stops within the park is the Antarctic penguin area!

Dress comfortably for the season you’re visiting the zoo. You’ll be doing a lot of walking unless you traverse the park by train or Skyrail.

While walking through the Lied Jungle you will be able to observe over 90 species of animals and towering waterfalls. Crossing a rope swing bridge takes you to a new area of the jungle while winding paths lead you to an abundance of tropical flowers and seating areas. Bring your camera! You’re going to want to capture the bright colors (and sounds!) of the jungle.

When visiting the zoo, you can expect to see plants and animals from all parts of the world. Fun Fact: You can sign up for Backstage Tours that take you behind-the-scenes at the zoo.
Ask about how to gain an all access pass!

I think visitors will need a minimum of three hours to tour the zoo and aquarium, a swift look at many of its best features but certainly not enough time to enjoy the behind-the-scenes opportunities or animal feeding sessions.

The Desert Dome can be seen from the road as you enter into the zoo’s parking lot. It’s mammoth! Get ready to be transported to another climate as you walk red dirt paths to view reptiles, meerkats, bobcats and much more!

Again, you’re going to want to plan your journey since the park features seven indoor exhibits and eight acres of African Safari. My second favorite area to observe the animals was the inside the Cate Giraffe Herd Rooms. A female giraffe was born only weeks before our visit, and we were able to see resting while her mother ate nearby!

Is this the closest you’ve been to a giraffe? Get a closer view by heading inside the giraffe herd rooms or you can even sign up to feed them!

Pro Tip: Secure round-trip tickets for the Skyfari (think ski lift) that takes you above and across the zoo. The slow moving rail system is the perfect way to observe animals in their habitats without fighting the crowds. I don’t recommend taking the tram, which stops way too often along it’s trail and you’ll find yourself sitting and waiting for passengers to board rather than moving on to your next stop. Prefer the train? It winds through the top-half of the park.

If you ride the Skyfari, you get an unobstructed view of the entire park and directly above the African Grasslands.

A steam locomotive features 11 open-air coaches and a caboose, an ideal choice for those who want to see almost the entire zoo without walking it.

You’re going to want make a trip to the zoo in the early morning hours. We scored a great parking spot close to the entrance because we arrived at 9am. However, the lot was beyond capacity by the time we left the park three hours later. And it’s a HUGE parking lot!

If you want to plan your experience prior to arriving at the zoo and aquarium, you can download their free app. You can even purchase your tickets via the app! The park is open year round except on Christmas Day.

THE DURHAM MUSEUM

Dripping with history and filled with interactive exhibits, The Durham Museum is a must-stop during your visit to Omaha. The building was originally opened in 1931 as Union Pacific’s train station but today it is the home of permanent, interactive exhibits highlighting the city’s story.

The Union Station lobby is a photographer’s dream!
If you appreciate taking photos of architecture and design, you’ll easily spend upwards of thirty minutes shooting images of the restored railroad station.

Kids (and adults!) will enjoy walking through restored locomotives and viewing the model trains, pretending to be a shopper in the Buffett Grocery Store, and exploring a life-size tipi when learning about Native American history.

Enjoy diving deep into the history of a location you’re visiting? Step inside the Mutual of Omaha Theater to watch a film detailing the history of Omaha. Prefer to view photography? Don’t miss the museum’s expansive photo gallery and make a special stop at their photography archive open to the public Tuesday-Friday only.

For me, I enjoyed the locomotive exhibits and the history of the steam train the most since I come from a railroad family. Visitors of all ages will appreciate the meticulous restoration of the commuter trains on-site. You’ll feel like you’re a passenger traveling from Omaha to Kansas City while sitting inside train!

Pro Tip: Be sure to save time to visit the soda fountain and candy counter located adjacent to the museum’s main entrance. You’ll love stepping back in time to the early ’30s while enjoying an old-fashioned phosphate or sundae!

The museum is open at Monday 10am-5pm, Tuesday 10am-8pm, Wednesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, and Sunday 1pm-5pm. Admission is $11 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $7 for children ages 3-12. Children under 2 years old are admitted for free. Another bonus? Parking is free on the 10th Street bridge located across from the main entrance. There are two levels for parking, so it shouldn’t be an issue.

DINING

When you think of Omaha, you don’t necessary think of tacos, oysters or duck salad. You’d be wrong! Dining options in Omaha are vast and on any given day you can find meals that appeal to every palette.

When visiting the Blackstone District, a renovated neighborhood near Midtown Crossing, we dined on tacos at Mula, a Mexican Kitchen & Tequileria. If you love tequila, you’ll feel like a kid in a candy store thanks to over 150 tequilas listed on the menu! The staff is well-versed in the history and production of tequila.

We enjoyed the homemade House Guac as an appetizer to accompany our drinks (a Michelada and a Cucumber Margarita). Later, we dined on delicious tacos made with flavorful grilled meats and fresh produce. I highly recommend the Carne Asada Taco and the Baja Fish Taco. (Each taco is sold individually.) Eventually, I ordered a warm plate for freshly fried Churro Bites covered in cinnamon and sugar – so yummy I nearly finished them all on my own!

Pro Tip: Dining with eight or more people? You’ll need a reservation. If you have a party of four or less people, ask for a table near the window for an open air dining experience that allows you to dine while people watching the neighborhood.

When in Omaha, you have to dine on the classic “Blackstone Reuben” sandwich at Crecent Moon. “Originally created at the famous Blackstone Hotel (just a few steps away) with slow cooked corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss and 1000 island dressing, plus a couple of our secret ingredients, grilled on marble rye. This is one Reuben you’ll rave about.”

Another great place to eat is Plank Seafood Provisions, located in the Old Market district. We snuck in just in time for their “Coastal Happy Hour in the Heartland” from 3pm-6:30pm on a Saturday and took advantage of the discounted menu options! Bellied up to the Edison-lit bar for discounted oysters and a plate of loaded fries covered in clam chowder, we sipped on cold wine and beer to our hearts’ delight.

Hours later we found ourselves hungry for dinner! Despite our efforts to find an affordable steak house in the Old Market district that didn’t require a reservation (or that didn’t have an 1.5 hour wait), we were drawn to the outdoor patio at M’s Pub.

Someone waiting for the hostess told us that we needed to book a reservation, but we were sat within minutes without one and happily dined on premium dinner entrees including this warm duck salad drizzled with warm bacon vinaigrette.

Pro Tip: Why wait in line for a table? Opt for patio dining or sit at the full-service bar! Sometimes you actually score faster, better service.

Turner Park located in Midtown Cross near our hotel, Element.

Trust me! You’re going to be glad you visit Omaha, Nebraska. The city welcomes you with open arms and they make it hard to leave. I guess we’ll be returning then!

This post contains sponsored experiences. Since I was planning to travel to the area, I contacted Visit Omaha who sent me on a few adventures!

Want to extend your trip? Head about an hour’s drive to the state’s capital city, Lincoln! Plan your trip using my post including insider pro tips!