Disclosure: Wichita Festivals, Inc., sponsored this blog and provided courtesy photos for it. All opinions are mine.
Every fall, I clear my calendar the second weekend of September to attend Autumn & Art at Bradley Fair Parkway in Wichita, a free community event hosting more than 100 artists from across the United States.
Autumn & Art is more than an artists’ exhibition. It’s a welcoming setting where enthusiasts can mingle with artists, hang out with friends and family amongst live entertainment and food trucks.
5 Reasons I Attend Wichita’s Autumn & Art Every Year
Meeting the Artists and Admiring One-of-a-Kind Creations
Autumn & Art offers attendees the opportunity to meet the artists and learn what inspires them. Unlike an art gallery, Autumn & Art provides access to the artists who enthusiastically greet visitors and are eager to make conversation.
I’ve met remarkable photographers, painters, jewelry makers, and ceramicists by introducing myself to them while admiring their work. Sometimes, you can catch a moment with an artist while they work on a new piece.
Wichitans will tell you the city is large, but it feels like a small town. After a brief conversation with photographer Mickey Shannon, we learned that we are Wichita natives who share a love of Colorado.
Drawn to his vibrant photograph of the Flint Hills at springtime, I found myself purchasing Shannon’s coffee-table book “Kansas is Beautiful.”
You can find artwork for sale at every price point.
PRO TIP: Don’t miss the annual Featured Artist set up in the middle of the Parkway.
Local Food and Drinks Make It More Than an Art Show
A bonus to attending the fine arts show is pausing between shopping to grab a bite to eat and a beverage.
Friday night’s Patron Party, a ticketed event, kicks off the weekend and is a must-attend event. I’ve sampled cuisine from some of Bradley Fair’s premier restaurants under the shaded canopy of trees.
It’s an excuse to mingle with friends with a handcrafted cocktail between bites of local fare. You can count on a lively atmosphere with live music, and organizers always gift guests a swag bag at the end of the night.
Plus, food trucks are on site from Friday through Sunday for all Autumn & Art attendees to enjoy.
PRO TIP: You can purchase Patron Party tickets in advance or pay for them at the party’s entrance tent.
Live Entertainment Creates a Vibrant Fall Festival Atmosphere
It’s not uncommon to discover live entertainment along the Bradley Fair Parkway throughout the weekend, so I recommend bringing a lawn chair to enjoy performances by dancers and musicians at the Main Stage.
Additionally, the Autumn & Art mascot greets families and is available for group photos. The mascot is featured in the annual coloring book available for children.
Shopping for a Gift For Myself or Someone
For me, discovering artwork I love is easy. Deciding which piece to purchase is difficult.
One year, I adored a photograph of a flying falcon so much that I purchased the framed print. I simply had to gift it to my boyfriend, a pilot, who is fascinated with falcons.
As the photographer gently packaged the framed print for me, he told me the story of how he captured the moment on film.
I think about the photographer’s account of that day each time I admire the photo displayed in our home.
The Artwork Inspires Me To Create
As a travel content creator, my career is focused on writing and photographing destinations to motivate readers to experience leisure travel. Since attending Autumn & Art, I’ve tried a new medium.
I’ve allowed myself the creative freedom to paint.
My newfound hobby grounds me and allows me to express myself in a delightful way.
You’ll be glad you experienced Autumn & Art, whether you stroll Bradley Fair Parkway for an hour, stay for the day, or make a weekend of it.
I hope to see you there.
WHERE TO PARK: Autumn & Art attendees can park anywhere within Bradley Fair and make the short walk to the Parkway.
WHAT TO BRING: Tote a lawn chair so you can kick back and relax while watching performers at the Main Stage.
Built in 1910, the renovated loft space beautifully showcases the historic building’s architecture, from its brick-exposed walls to the original wood floors. The 1,600 square foot, two-bedroom, one bath loft sleeps four guests.
You’ll appreciate the private parking with front door or back door self-entry keypad access. Once inside, it feels like home with amenities such as a washer and dryer, full kitchen, streaming television channels, Bluetooth compatible speakers, and high-speed WiFi.
A bonus room includes a poker table and additional couch with television for lounging with friends or family.
The bathroom, designed with his and her sinks, is spacious and includes in-shower products. Plush body-size towels and a motion detector for the overhead light are added touches you don’t always find in a vacation rental.
Pro Tip: Shop the loft owner’s store, 
PRO TIP: Don’t expect to be able to check in early to your room, but instead, ask if the hotel will hold your bags until 4 pm check-in.
It sits as short walk on campus from the bronze gorilla sculpture in front of PSU’s Student Center.
PRO TIP: Use the 
If you choose to play the 18-hole course, expect the wooded areas to offer a bit of a challenge. The course is a mix of open fields and covered trails. All 18 holes are a par 3. Are you ready for a game?
The family-friendly urban park welcomes musicians after dark on Friday nights and hosts other events, such as movie nights on occasion. Come early to grab a table. I recommend purchasing a snack or a beer at the permanent food stand or ordering from the menu of a food truck.
Visitors to The Greenway who craft a craft cocktail can stop inside 
Shoppers will also appreciate its high-quality grooming supplies, candles, shoes, and shelves of on-trend ballcaps. I couldn’t leave without a beer logo t-shirt and stylish socks.
You can often find vinyl records for sale, which I’ve purchased for my home collection. They also support music performances at the 
Committed to adopting out the cats in their care using a strict vetting process, I was impressed with the store’s mission to provide cats and book lovers a space where they could relax and get to know one another.
As I shopped, I watched as a new pet parent returned with a cat carrier to take her pet home. The staff was elated for the owner and her feline family member.
The store carries books of every genre from bestselling titles to juvenile fiction and young reader must-haves. And like any business that favors felines, they stock an array of merchandise for shoppers smitten with kittens, such as stickers, bookmarks, and apparel.
The massive warehouse was filled to the brim with antiques from every decade. Love depression glass? College memorabilia? Old watches? You can find all of it and more tucked inside the booth spaces of Paradise Mall Antiques.
As I made my way through the store, I noticed many of the booths’ contents showcase the vendor’s preference in antiques. Sometimes you have to bend down, look around, and dig through a box to find a buried treasure. Paradise Mall Antiques is where you go shopping for yourself and that hard to buy for friend or relative.
Serving happy customers since 2019, the brewpub prides itself on its multiple beer taps and New York-style pizza selection prepared in a brick oven.
The brunch selections are a draw but the lunch and dinner classics paired with a thoughtfully crafted cocktail have earned the eatery high praise. To my surprise, each dining experience starts with complementary chipotle seasoned popcorn.
Menu selections during my dining experience exceeded my expectations for beautiful plating, quality, and value. Appetizers like Almost Deviled Eggs or the Warm House Ricotta and Garlic with sourdough are guaranteed good bites.
At mealtime, dig into tasty Avocado Smoked Salmon Toast or a dinner-size Grilled Cajun Shrimp Salad, served with a zesty house-made dressing.
The owner/chef’s creativity shines in the For the Boys whiskey-and-honey cocktail, and any of her after-dinner desserts with creamy gelato are surefire winners.
PRO TIP: Watch my 
Whether you’re in the mood for a cold beer, hot coffee, or fruit smoothie, the cozy watering hold delivers. Come hungry and enjoy affordable meals like a Walking Taco, Philly Cheesesteak, or a Turkey Wrap. I found a shaded spot under a patio table’s umbrella to relax.
Deep blue walls, flanked by a dark-wood bar, welcome guests as jazz standards play in the background. The bartender hummed the melody as he prepared a Lemon Tea Fizz prepared with house-made syrup, a cocktail you won’t find on any other menu in town.
PRO TIP: The bar opens at 5 pm. on Wednesday-Saturday. Arrive early to claim the best seat or be prepared to order your drink in a to-go cup to drink on 
But you’ll find more than beverages on the menu as the owners are culinary pros using their skills to prepare pastries and crepes daily as well as breakfast handhelds like a waffle or bagel sandwich. At lunchtime, ask about bread bowls, quesadillas, and protein and veggie-packed sandwich wraps.
The tradition of serving full-flavor fried chicken began when two women opened restaurants on the same street catering to hungry coal miners during all hours, and it was a way to support unemployed, disabled men enduring the hardships of the Great Depression. A competition between two restaurants led to more fried chicken houses opening in the region.
Each restaurant is recommendable, and my favorite spot is a 22-minute drive northeast of Pittsburg to 
On Mondays, a line forms at Gebhardt’s Chicken Dinner door. The draw? Chicken and noodles.
In the mood for a live show? 
Artists can reserve a day pass to gain unlimited access to the warehouse’s equipment during open studio hours. Summer is a busy time for the studio when about a dozen instructors teach classes. Are you interested in painting, ceramics or paper crafts? They have a 
My instructor, Darren, taught me the step-by-step process of making a linocut drawing using a provided pattern. Admittedly, I wasn’t the best at carving intricate lines into the linoleum square (it’s more difficult than it looks!), but he patiently talked me through the process until it was ready for inking and rolling through the press.
I watched Problemista, a film about a mild-mannered young man working toward getting a VISA 
During your stroll downtown, you’ll quickly notice vibrant-colored murals peeking out from around corners and down alleyways. Each October, selected artists from across the globe converge on Salina to paint street art during the 
PRO TIP: Surround yourself with multiple murals by walking 
I took my time enjoying breakfast in the dining room as I watched the owner, Taylor, and her staff serve breakfast to drive-up window and dine-in customers.
The museum is known for hosting thematic events featuring specific makes and models of cars. 
PRO TIP: If you’re looking for a place to reserve for a group event, consider their party rental options.
PRO TIP: If traveling with a pet, ask the hotel staff to direct you to the pet walking area. Prepare to pay a pet deposit.
After lunch, we shopped the retail store downstairs, loading up on Sweet Corn Salsa and Maple Dip jars as well as a six-pack of Doc Otto’s Hard Cider. Customers will find it hard to resist sweet and salty bagged snacks, and the frozen pie case is irresistible. (The orchard dates back to the 1940s!)
Outdoors, the 
I appreciate the hard work and dedication that new owners Denny and Emily Stucky and their employees have put into maintaining and improving The Community Orchard, a favorite destination for locals and visitors searching for an immersive farm experience.
PRO TIP: Check for 
Anne, the winemaker, introduced us to wines we never knew we liked but most certainly loved at the Tasting Bar. Our tasting experience included a short list of dry wines, starting with Ghost Pig (Apple Cider and Rosé Wine) and ending with Marquette 2021 Limited Release (Red). She explained how she uses only Iowa grapes to produce each handcrafted wine.
After tasting six different wines, we enthusiastically raved about dry white Petite Amie 2022 (Best of Show at the 2023 Iowa State Fair) and Marquette 2021 (Fruit-forward dry red). We were gleeful when she offered us a bottle of Marquette 2022 to bring back to Kansas.
After the tasting session, Anne gave us a tour of the winery’s newly expanded production facility and further explained the process of making wine from concept to harvest.
Are you interested in a tasting experience? You can walk in during tasting room hours or make an appointment. I recommend reserving a tasting if traveling with a small group. Light snacks and non-boozy drinks are available to purchase, and they welcome DoorDash food deliveries.
Created in 2015, concrete tee pads and easily recognizable holes make the course simple to navigate without using the UDisc app. If you want to play the entire course, plan for 1.5-2 hours and be prepared to walk a course mostly without shade.
Each 18-hole course provides manicured course play using rentable golf carts for golfers of all skill levels. While we didn’t have time to play a round of golf, I could easily see myself returning to Fort Dodge and carving out time to do so. Having played high school golf, the courses looked well-maintained and worth playing.
We sipped on a flight of four beers ranging from a crisp lager to a red ale. The brewery can produce 15 beers using 5 fermenters.
The size of the brewery is intentionally smaller than most, creating a setting where the community can sit down over a beer and get to know one another. The back patio features a meat smoker and grill available to patrons who want to cook dinner for themselves or friends while they sip on sids.
Check out the brewery’s 
The restaurant’s setting is unique, located inside the 
We enjoyed savory Dak-gang-jeong (fried chicken) and Mandu (dumplings) as appetizers.
A delightful evening in Fort Dodge isn’t complete without visiting The 
The Freedom Rock pictured above is dedicated to veterans suffering from the after-effects of service, like PTSD and mental illness. The front side of the mural rock honors two local aviators and medal recipients who both graduated from Fort Dodge High School
The state’s largest mural, it depicts Fort Dodge residents who contributed to the community. Do you see the man holding the ornate bowl? The town’s pottery industry is represented by this scene.
While admiring another downtown mural, I accidentally discovered The Starry Night (Central Ave. and South 9th St.) painted by Iowa Central Community College students.
No matter where you are in town, you’re bound to see a mural in the distance, whether it’s under a bridge like the one pictured below or in town visible to passersby.
Click 
If pizza isn’t your go-to at lunchtime, the brewery also serves specialty and build-you-own sandwiches with chips. Seven macaroni and cheese bowls appear on the menu.
If you go, flights of four 5-ounce beer samples are $12. Not a beer drinker? Opt to view the cocktails, wine, and Moscow mules menu instead.
PRO TIP: Dining with four people? Ask about the Big A$$ Mule, a 192-ounce Moscow Mule served in a monstrous mug.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time in our itinerary to sit down and create a piece, but I did chat with the owner and several women who were busy creating new glass projects.
They told me how they meet there once a week to chat about their lives and bond while creating art. Soon, they grabbed their phones to show me photos of past projects completed for friends and family. What started as something fun to do became a love affair producing fused glass.
You don’t need an appointment to work at the studio, but if you’re traveling with several people, you should call to reserve seating.
PRO TIP: If you want to take a structured class to create a holiday project. check the 
Beyond the home showroom, women’s apparel racks displayed the latest fashions in the season’s popular colors. Tunics, pants, shorts, and accessories make shopping at The Apple Attic worthwhile.
Located on the 
With an ever-changing display of works from their 1,200 permanent collection, you will see something new each time you visit. The museum hosts a visiting artist every three months.
PRO TIP: Admire the black and white photography on the walls highlighting the day Senator John F. Kennedy visited Fort Dodge before speaking at an airport rally in 1960. You’ll appreciate learning the story Olde Dog and a Massachusetts town that inspired the restaurant’s name 
Decidedly stuffed from my dinner meal, I choose a small dish of classic vanilla soft serve with rainbow sprinkles. Couples approached the walk-up window, ready to order, as I watched car after car enter the drive-thru.
A popular stop for locals near downtown, Snack Shack reminds me of a hangout you’d see in a 1950s movie. The community loves to gather at the colorful tables outside to gab about local happenings between bites of ice cream.
Known for their scratch-made scones, Andy Mae Coffee and Desserts has a loyal following that often tracks down their food truck when it shows up at community events.
I encourage you to walk inside the original Harcourt City Jail, where town drunks, thieves, and outlaws were once taken. Tour the Border Plains School, one of the oldest school buildings in Webster County, to imagine life as a student from 1857-1959.
Tour the inside of the Carlson-Richey Log Home from 1855 to smell the musty wood planks and admire the handiwork of the log home’s builder.
We appreciated the historic details inside a blacksmith shop, drugstore, carriage repair shop, and wood shop. I recommend spending about an hour exploring all the buildings on a cool weather day.
Other nearby buildings house actual artifacts curated from the area that documents one of Iowa’s most valuable resources, gypsum. Early settlers mined the mineral in and around Fort Dodge. Now, the chalky material is used to make wallboard, and Fort Dodge contributes nearly 75% of the state’s gypsum production.
Other displays house Native American arrowheads, beadwork, and clothing. Nearby, military uniforms and weaponry tell the story of those who fortified Fort Dodge.
When visiting Blanden Art Museum, you will be in the 
My sense of wanderlust is strong, and I typically have a fun travel experience wherever I travel. Yet something about Fort Dodge, my first Iowa travel experience, stays with me. It’s a feeling of contentment and longing to return.
In 2015, Gress said, “If people at least understand what’s going on out there and how important it is, maybe they’ll come to appreciate it and want to protect it and maybe change their own behavior to improve the situation.” (Source: The Wichita Eagle)
In 1958, the budding entrepreneurs grew the company from a humble start-up business to one of the world’s biggest, most well-known restaurant companies. Today, the company’s net worth is worth over $810 billion.
Today, Chance Rides is the only one of the three businesses still in operation, producing roller coasters, rides, and park trains.
He laid out the trail between his trading post at the mouth of the Little Arkansas River to the Indian territory that extended northward to Abilene, Kansas. Cowboys pushed cattle herds through town and across the river near the Douglas Street Bridge.
Nicknamed “The Rave,” the 6-7 forward averaged 24.3 points in four seasons at WSU and helped lead the team to their first NCAA appearance in 1964.
The highly decorated leader earned the National Security Medal, the President’s Citizens Medal, National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal (twice), and the Distinguished Intelligence Medal (three times).
Her tirades continued for years. Eventually, she was jailed many times before dying in Leavenworth, Kansas, on June 9, 1911.
I appreciate that Wichita Park and Recreation, in partnership with Byers, decided to beautify the city’s parks with artistic benches that beautify the surroundings and showcase Wichita’s history makers. Byer’s use of vibrant colors, the Wichita flag, and the city’s abbreviated name, ICT, make them symbolic.
Disc golf is a popular sport for outdoor enthusiasts in Kansas, and 
Have you heard of geocaching? A treasure hunt using an app to locate a hidden container lets participants enjoy a free outdoor activity at various locations in Lindsborg. To start, visit 
