I’ve enjoyed staying at several Kansas hotels over the years that I wholeheartedly recommend. Haunted rooms. Incredible architecture. Each hotel offers a unique experience made more memorable for its history.
THE ELDRIDGE, LAWRENCE
Originally built in 1855 and called the Free State Hotel, The Eldridge was one of the tallest most beautiful buildings in town. Unfortunately, its fate was doomed. In 1856, the hotel was burned to the ground by pro-slavery forces. Later rebuilt by Colonel Eldridge it was destroyed again in an 1863 attack. Quantrill and his men rode into Lawrence and burned much of the town to the ground. Like a phoenix, the hotel rose from the ashes when it was rebuilt again.
The hotel is considered haunted. Hotel employees have seen Colonel Eldridge’s ghost sitting in an original hotel chair in storage. A photograph taken in the lobby shows a ghostly spirit standing in the lobby’s elevator.
Room 506 is considered to be the most haunted guest room in the hotel and it is considered the colonel’s favorite spot. Of course, I requested room 506 for my overnight stay. Lights flickered. Phone power drained. Would you stay there?
AMBASSADOR HOTEL AT WICHITA
Located in the heart of downtown near entertainment venues, Ambassador Hotel at Wichita is within walking distance of historic neighborhoods Old Town and the Delano District. The building also has a rich legacy of its own.
Once home to the Union National Bank and Dockum Drug Store in 1926, it opened as Ambassador Hotel Wichita eight decades later. Fourteen stories tall, it was considered the tallest building in Kansas when it was completed.
In addition to its architectural significance, the building also has historical value. It was the site of a student-led sit-in in 1958 at the Dockum Drug Store led by African Americans in an effort to end segregation. Ask about the on-site speakeasy, Dockum.
DRURY PLAZY HOTEL BROADVIEW, WICHITA
To enjoy an overnight stay at the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview in Wichita is more than your average hotel experience. It’s a step back into time, a historic glimpse into the city’s history while surrounded by luxury. Today, the hotel provides 200 guest rooms and a host of comfortable amenities for travelers.
Owned by George Siedhoff, The Broadview Hotel’s grand opening took place on May 15, 1922. Originally built to give railway passengers added convenience when traveling, it was the premier hotel of the Midwest. In fact, you can still see the train depot’s stone archway entrance on the east side of the building.
OTHER HOTELS TO PLACE ON YOUR LIST
Several other historic hotels remain on my travel writer’s radar. The “most haunted hotel in Kansas” aka Josephine Hotel in Holton, Kansas is one that intrigues me. It’s chef-prepared meals and on-site boutique may just be worth hearing any bumps in the night.
Hotel at Old Town was once a Keen Kutter warehouse that produced tools. The boutique hotel caters to visitors in Wichita’s downtown area for one-night, overnight, and extended stays. History lovers will appreciate the hotel’s ambiance and history dating back to 1906.
Since 1879, Beaumont Hotel was a stagecoach and railroad stop for travelers. Today, the restored building overs overnight accommodations as well as a restaurant and café often visited by aviators. A 2,600-foot north and south native grass airstrip welcomes pilots who can land and taxi to a parking spot near the hotel.
What other hotels should I add to my list of Kansas lodging options? Tell me about your overnight stay in the comments below. I’m eager to delve into the history and learn the story of another historic hotel.
A popular venue for hosting weddings, receptions, and private parties, the barn below is available for rental. A nearby patio attached to the tasting room provides outdoor seating. The winery and event spaces stay consistently busy, but they always welcome wine lovers who show up to sample wine.
Visit the tasting room to enjoy the winery’s long list of varieties, order a wine flight or ask about the Wine of the Week. I would highly recommend asking for a guided tour to fully appreciate the winery. Visitors can schedule an informative tour by appointment.
When the owners are not busy making wine or socializing with customers, they also make preserves, jams, and jellies available for sale in the tasting room.
The veteran-owned and operated winery’s tasting room is centrally located downtown across from Hay Market Square. They are open for wine tastings and retail shopping. I chose a seat at the tasting room counter and ordered the Tasting of the Month, a flight of five selections.
A flight lets you discover a wine that you will appreciate the most – take home a bottle for your personal collection. They also sell jarred jellies and gifts for all of the wine lovers in your life. Plan a visit to the tasting room by viewing their hours 
Located on 10 acres, the tasting room is open Thursday-Sunday from 12pm-5pm or by appointment. Marc and Pame Rowe have operated the vineyard since 2005 and depend on volunteers to help them harvest grapes from over 3,000 vines. The first vineyard in Wyandotte County, they produce 9 varieties of hybrid and American native grapes.
My recommendation is to bring someone with you to the tasting room and each purchase a different flight so you can sample all of the wines. When in doubt, choose the dry to semi-sweet flight. Bottles range from $17-$18 and fruit wine bottles are $16. View the current list of wines available 
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.
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.
There is also an indoor tasting room that serves about a dozen wine drinkers at a time. Bottles of wine are available for purchase. I recommend arriving when they open on the weekend to avoid waiting to be served or you can book a tasting 
There is always a fun event planned at the winery. Check 
The building has been a number of businesses over the years but has always remained a memorable landmark on the edge of downtown Shawnee. Today, it’s owned by Kansas City residents who have enlisted the expertise of an executive chef and sommelier to celebrate food and drink. One step inside the castle and you are transported to an exceptionally beautiful setting.
Reservations are highly recommended, however, I stopped by the castle for a wine flight during the late afternoon between meal times and was served swiftly in the bar area. I chose Reds of the World, a flight that included three pours from Portugal, Washington, and Spain ($16). Premium wine flights are $26. I loved them all.
The owners wanted guests to use all of the senses while visiting. Whether you’re noting the smell of fresh cedar inside the red barn or sitting on a swing and enjoying the view with a wine glass in hand, you’ll get the full experience.
The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about the award-winning wines. They carry two dozen varieties of wine that are grown a short drive west of town.
Can’t make it on the road any time soon to a winery? Tune into the KNSS 98.7FM radio show, 
It wasn’t easy narrowing down a list to only 100 things to do. I thought to myself, “who would need this book?” I wrote it as a resource for visitors to Wichita, long-time residents, and newcomers. Actually, the book features more than 100 things to do as I’ve also added bonus lists and insider tips.
The woman behind the counter the added two donuts to my to-go bag and thanked me for coming into the bakery for the first time. She (and the owner) had worked since 8pm the night before to prepare donuts. Wow!
My 
The rest of the hotel’s amenities were equally as nice. Every morning, guests enjoy a full complimentary breakfast adjacent to the lobby. For those not staying for a morning meal, a self-serve coffee bar is available just beyond the spacious lobby.
Although the hotel had an indoor pool and fitness equipment on-site, I opted to get my exercise by walking directly across the street to The Legends Outlets for a little retail therapy. If you choose to stay at the hotel, I know you’ll find it impressive. To search for available rooms and rates, visit 
Visitors can also enjoy outdoor sculptures and public art displays at almost every turn. As you wind your way around the complex, you’ll notice that each one pays homage to legendary Kansans who made their mark in history. The courtyards and corridor showcase the stories of Amelia Earhart, Clyde Cessna, and Buster Keaton.
In fact, if you happen to have someone in your group that doesn’t prefer shopping, they can easily be entertained by walking the grounds and learning about the movers and shakers who made Kansas what it is today. A yellow brick road gives a nod to the Wizard of Oz while native grasses surround towering sculptures.
At Christmas time, the annual lighting of the holiday tree in the center of the courtyard brings hundreds to the area. Families can follow the event with a movie night at AMC Theatre Legends 14. The movie theatre includes 14 screens and one of them is four stories tall with a VIP balcony lounge. Later, the family can head to Santa’s Mail Station to drop the kids’ letters to the North Pole.
Aside from racks and shelves filled with the latest outdoor gear, the retail store is filled with taxidermy including the world’s largest collection of trophy mule deer.
The second floor of the retail store is where deal hounds need to shop. Clothing and shoes labeled with end-of-the-year deep discounts on outdoor equipment are found in the Blowout Sale Room. If you’re looking for a new coat, pair of boots, or flannel shirt that is slightly out of season, you’ll find it here.
As I was exiting the salesroom, I heard a familiar sound “Ho ho ho, big guy! Do you like candy canes?” It was Santa! He was greeting children waiting in line with their parents to have their photo taken with the jolly fellow. Cabela’s is known for hosting events like this one, so be sure to check their 
I noticed dozens of table games including roulette and craps. Walking through the casino, it was easy to find a game to play. The 12-table Poker Room was bustling. Prefer video poker? Pull up a chair and inside your casino card to start a game.
With access to several bars and restaurants, casino players can satisfy their cravings for a delicious meal between gameplay. Final Cut Steakhouse’s menu offers fine dining selections and they promote meal deals during the holidays. What could be better than celebrating a jackpot with a steak dinner and a cocktail?
A friendly bartender greeted me and served up a heaping bowl of chips with salsa and an ice-cold Corona. The menu has more entree choices on it than you can imagine, and by the looks of the plates in front of diners around the restaurant, the portions were going to be massive.
When I have a food craving, there isn’t any denying it. I created a combination meal consisting of a chile relleño and a taco with rice and refried beans. I’ve ordered chile relleños in many places and I know a good one when I taste it. The cheese was delicious and the battered and fried pepper was perfectly crisp.
The restaurant’s setting was colorful and vibrant from the plates to the decor on the walls. TVs surrounded the bar area allowing patrons to watch the game at any time. About eight varieties of tequila bottles lined the back of the bar. The bartender stayed busy filling the margarita machine with fresh-made mix (he makes about 20 gallons a day!).
Directly across the street, I spotted a gigantic mural depicting what appeared to be a laborer. Kansan Printer (901 N. 8th St.) is a mural highlighting a printer at a hand press to honor the workers of the Kansas City Kansan newspaper. The building it is painted on housed the newspaper plant for 80 years.
Before leaving the downtown area, I spied another beautiful mural worthy of a photo, Facing the Past, Looking Into the Future (751 Minnesota Ave.). It showcases the story of the modern and traditional Hmong culture by highlighting work, play, and celebration. The vibrant colors can’t be missed as you drive down Minnesota Avenue.
To view an online map of the Avenue of Murals Project and other street art finds including sculptures in the area, click 
The bbq joint is known for its ribs, serving perfectly charred but moist burnt ends, and a host of mouthwatering side dishes. They’ve been in the biz since the Pearce brothers began touring the barbecue competition circuit. The restaurant serves healthy portions of smoked meat to diners looking for authentic Kansas City bbq.
I took my place in line and waited about 20 minutes until it was my turn to order dinner. The outdoor seating area was filled with families, so I ordered a meat combo plate to go.
When in Kansas City, you simply must eat at 
Kansas City, Kansas is where you go when you want to eat like the locals. It’s also a mecca for destination shopping, mural hunting, and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Rich with history dating back to when Lewis & Clark arrived at Kaw Point in 1804 to today’s vibrant community, Kansas City is an urban area that quickly wins you over.
