Kansas, known for its flat lands, is ideal for building runways and airports. Many aviation-themed restaurants, bars, and coffee shops celebrate the state’s history in the aviation industry.
Aviation’s roots run deep in Kansas.
Carl Dryden Browne built an airplane prototype in his Freedom, Kansas, factory three years before the Wright brothers went wheels up in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Five years after the Wright brothers’ flight, Kansas’ first successful airplane, the Longren Flyer, was built in Topeka in 1910.
Clyde Cessna, Walter Beech, and Lloyd Stearman launched Travel Air Manufacturing in 1925, and each one contributed to the state’s role in the aviation industry after that. Amelia Earhart spent her childhood daydreaming of aviation in Atchison, Kansas.
As an Air Capital of the World resident and a jet pilot’s girlfriend, I’ve visited my fair share of Kansas’s aviation-themed restaurants, bars, and coffee shops open to the public. I loved them all.
The following must-visit places aim to give the state’s aviation industry the honor the Sunflower State deserves.
Kansas: Aviation-Themed Restaurants, Bars, and Coffee Shops
Coffee Shops
Flight Crew Coffee
Wheels up! Flight Crew Coffee in Manhattan is ready to serve you. The owner, Heather, has considered every detail to ensure seamless “in-flight service.”
The cafe’s interior transports you to aviation heaven. Navy blue walls, black and white prints of airplanes, and a cozy fireplace invite you to nestle up with a coffee in hand. Jazz music plays in the background. As they say, “Our Coffee Gives You Wings,” and after my first visit to Flight Crew Coffee, my mood is flying high.
Bonus: Cross the Missouri border to experience The Roasterie Coffee Company in Kansas City. There, a Douglas DC-3 aircraft is displayed outdoors. The airplane appears on the packaging of its air-roasted coffee and merchandise.
Bars
Flight 1868
As they say, fasten your seatbelts and prepare for take-off at Flight 1868, an aviation-themed cocktail bar in Wichita. Sip on a Mile High Mai-Tai or Wright Flyer between in-flight bites. The bar is stocked with countless bottles of bourbon and whiskey, and yes, flights of 1-ounce pours are available. View my tour video.
During winter, you can reserve an outdoor Patio Sky Lounge (an enclosed igloo with seating) for up to eight guests.
1906 Bar & Lounge
The 1906 Bar & Lounge in Wichita’s Hotel at Old Town is a sought-after evening cocktail space after 5:30 p.m. You don’t have to be a hotel guest to stop by and enjoy live jazz on Fridays and Saturdays after 6:00 p.m. from a velvety couch surrounded by books and artwork showcasing the Air Capital of the World.
You can also stay overnight in a guest suite, located on the hotel’s newly renovated Aviation Floor.
Fly-In Airport Restaurants
Kansas aviation lovers can dine at several restaurants at airports across the state, and you don’t have to fly a plane to enjoy a meal.
Airport Steakhouse
Airport Steakhouse in Hutchinson attracts diners seeking a fine dining experience with a view of the Hutchinson Regional Airport’s runway. The restaurant is known for its charcoal-grilled Angus steak dinners, but the lunch buffet Monday through Friday and Sunday are also popular draws.
Stearman Airfield Bar & Grill
Park your car (or airplane!) at Stearman Airfield Bar & Grill in Benton to enjoy a hamburger or a sandwich inside a building resembling a hanger. During the summer, garage doors lift to create an open-air outdoor patio, a front-row seat to watch bi-planes take off and land at Lloyd Stearman Field.
K18 Café
At the Lucas Airport, K18 Café attracts aircraft owners and pilots seeking comfort food classics and a slice of homemade pie for dessert. Ask about the daily meal special with a choice of salad, mashed potatoes, and a beverage. At lunchtime, hamburgers and cold sandwiches satisfy.
We B Smokin’ BBQ
We B Smokin’ BBQ at Osawatomie-Paola Municipal Airport is often a stop for general aviation pilots and foodies alike. Show up for slow-smoked barbecue meat and crave-worthy sides Tuesday through Saturday or enjoy a breakfast menu on the weekends.
Watch pilots land on Beaumont’s airstrip from the Beaumont Hotel Wednesday through Sunday. The restaurant, located in Beaumont, reopens every Spring to serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The prime rib dinner is served every fourth Saturday of the month starting at 4:30 p.m.
Bonus: Although the following restaurants are not located at an airport, each restaurant’s interior is designed with aircraft in mind: Fly Boy Brewery & Eats (Sylvan Grove), 6S Steakhouse (Wichita), and Hangar One Steakhouse (Wichita).
I’m always eager to learn about new-to-me aviation-themed restaurants in my home state, so if you know of one I didn’t include in this post, please drop the name in the comments.
You may also enjoy reading my additional blog posts highlighting Kansas aviation, Visiting Doc, B-29 Superfortress in Wichita, Exploring the Historic Charm of Atchison, Kansas, and National Aviation Day from the Air Capital of the World.
Meanwhile, I hope you visit one of these aviation-themed restaurants, bars, or coffee shops the next time you’re wheels up (or driving your car) in Kansas.
We watched feats of bravery as each pilot pushed their aircraft to the limit overhead. The show boss called the action to the backdrop of high-energy music choreographed with each pilot’s show.
The crowd engaged with applause and often jumped out of their seats to examine the action on the ground before takeoff.
Our seats, positioned directly behind the guide rope, gave us unobstructed close-up views, which you don’t often get at big city airshows. The Saturday and Sunday daytime shows were spectacular. Unfortunately, due to rain, we didn’t watch the Twilight Airshow.
A proud Wichitan, I especially love witnessing people admire the airworthy 
A DTWA helicopter whizzed overhead, providing non-stop rides over the airport and the surrounding area. Attendees needing speed fastened their seat beats for a Drive Experience with Precision Exotics racing down the tarmac.
At the DreamBig Entertainment experiences, airshow attendees paid a small fee to climb into a stationary F-18 or F/A 18 cockpit for a photo opportunity.
The presence of these remarkable aircraft is fitting, given that Great Bend Army Field was a United States Air Force base. Today, it operates as Great Bend Municipal Airport, the same airport I took my first flight at as a second grader.
Constructed in the 1940s, the installation honors pilots trained to fly the Superfortress bombers and the B-29’s support staff.
PRO TIP: Bring a lawn chair to position it where you’d prefer to watch the show. Keep in mind some vendors only accept cash. Parking is free.
I ordered a single Build Your Own Burger with cheddar cheese and delicious homemade potato chips. The Philly sandwich arrived stuffed with sauteéd mushrooms, peppers, and onions with melted Swiss cheese on a hoagie roll.
PRO TIP: Order your meal when you put in your drink order to accommodate a busy dining room. Prepare to spend more if you order side sauces like au jus or ranch dressing.
The well-designed restaurant’s dining room transports you to Mexico, and the bar area, complete with televisions, is the ideal place to watch the game.
I devoured a traditional chicken and chorizo entreé with savory beans, rice, and warm tortillas. After a visit to the Salsa Bar, I topped each bite with a creamy avocado salsa for added heat.
If you love enchiladas or burritos, you have a variety to choose from, and the steak burrito covered with white queso is worth ordering.
PRO TIP: Visit the restaurant on Taco Tuesday for $2 tacos with your choice of six meats.
The smell of carne asada permeated the air as we ordered street tacos and burritos for an early lunch. Sitting at one of a few booths, we sipped bottled drinks, watching as people arrived to pick up to-go orders.
The food was crave-worthy. Mary’s Kitchen deserves its stellar online reviews.
The cafe is the go-to place for local coffee groups who chat about the day’s news amongst friends. The barista busily prepares steaming hot coffee and tea drinks while the kitchen staff cooks morning meals.
My bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast pizza served on crispy thin crust was some of the best I’ve eaten, and I happily requested a to-go container for leftovers. It tastes better than Casey’s breakfast pizza.
I’ve drank craft beer at over 30 Kansas breweries, and this one is easily one of my favorites for its beer quality and selection. The staff, who took time to get to know us, was friendly and attentive.
We loved our experience so much on Friday night that we returned to celebrate Oktoberfest on Saturday, which included a laugh-inducing stein-holding competition. (If you don’t drink beer, Dry Lake Brewing serves seltzers and signature cocktails and can make just about any drink from its full bar.)
PRO TIP: Lazy Bacon BBQ makes regular appearances in Great Bend. Check its 
The store carries brands including Pendleton, Liverpool, and Wrangler. If you’re in a rush to find a comfortable pair of jeans or shirt for a last-minute date night, you’ll find it here.
Aside from shoes, leather handbags, and hats, their inventory of women’s jewelry impressed me. Ask to try on a turquoise necklace or ring from inside the Southwest jewelry case.
Mosey to the rear of the store to the 
Known for its therapeutic horse-riding program, Rosewood names each wine varietal after one of the horses. From dry to sweet wine, we loved the Smooth Movin Sheik Malbec enough to purchase a bottle.
The shop’s owner stocks various Kansas-made products, including souvenir gifts for travelers seeking a sunflower or Wizard of Oz trinket. However, I spend the most time perusing the shelves in the back of the store shopping for jarred condiments of dip mixes – samples available
The other side of the store is devoted to selling women’s apparel and jewelry. Look for the clearance shelves for deep discounted finds.
If you’re shopping for a gift, consider purchasing Blind Date With a Book (mystery title!) or one of the many screen-printed graphic t-shirts available.
The best part? A massive indoor enclosed patio at the rear of the store is home to new and antique must-have gifts ranging from garden displays to signage with messaging. Refined Medley sells an assortment of great finds hand-selected by its owner, and I’ll cherish the seasonal decor I purchased.
I spotted two new-to-me oversized creations, which prompted me to get out of my car for a closer look at “Leave a Legacy” by artist Melanie Ryan (1307 Lakin Avenue) and a Kansas-themed mural by artist Brady Scott at 1125 Williams Street.
Other artistic creations in the downtown area include painted boxes with varying whimsical designs.
Not to be missed is the awe-inspiring bronze statue of Jack Kilby in front of the Barton County Courthouse, “The Gift,” by local artist Chet Cale (1400 Main Street). It depicts the microchip inventor, a man who grew up in Great Bend, transmitting knowledge from one generation to the next.
Another sculpture installation, “Remember When,” donated by Tommy Hammond, is located at Rosewood Furniture Gallery (1607 Main Street). It features four aging men of distinctive character looking forward to a vision of their youth.
The moderately challenging course is designed among beautiful trees of nearly every variety. Concrete tee pads and highly visible red baskets make it idyllic for a round of 18 holes.
Due to the 12-acre lake, novice players will find a couple of holes challenging, so I recommend they pack a retriever or floating disc.
As mentioned, the park is home to native and non-native trees to pay homage to the Battle of Argonne Forest. If you walk the paved sidewalk through the park, note signs near trees explaining the variety.
Bonus reasons to spend time at Veteran’s Memorial Park include the Kiwanis Club Fitness Trail, new playground equipment areas, tennis courts, ballparks, and sand volleyball.
PRO TIP: Spend a few minutes admiring the restored tanks at the park’s entrance, which are displayed beyond a row of flagpoles.
Managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism, the education center is a must-stop for nature lovers who want to learn how the state’s ecosystems evolved from the days of its earliest inhabitants to today.
An illuminated floor display and tactile exhibits made the self-guided tour engaging and one that kids would certainly appreciate. We especially enjoyed viewing snakes, rodents, and fish in the classroom’s aquariums.
Before returning to the car to drive the Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve and admire birds, we learned more about the recently spotted waterfowl in the area.
Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve is a birder’s paradise offering glimpses of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Before embarking on our trek, a helpful staff member provided a handheld map, which came in handy navigating the acreage.
As we meandered dirt roads on a portion of the 41,000 acres, we spotted a half dozen bird varieties and picturesque views of the Kansas scenery. You’ll love this free outdoor activity.
Outdoor and Indoor Habitats
During our Sunday visit on a cool fall morning, exotic birds mimicked our whistle calls, a grizzly bear used its claws to expose soil in search of grub worms, and a female lion tracked our steps from a raised platform.
Wild birds escorted us, including swans, ducks, and a peacock from habitat to habitat. Periodically, we stopped to take photos at interactive photo displays and bronze sculptures.
For a truly immersive zoo visit, I recommend an animal encounter session led by a zoo keeper, reservable in advance.
You can also opt for a behind-the-scenes tour led by a zookeeper who explains each animal’s story and daily behavior.
PRO TIP: Bring cash for a donation in lieu of admission, if you wish. The zoo’s retail store is stocked with keepsakes ideal for the youngest animal lovers.
The renovated 1950s-era single-family home sleeps four guests and features a queen bed and two twin beds. The highly rated vacation rental, outfitted with traditional-style furniture, is designed with a patriotic theme.
Wood floors creaked underfoot as we toured the home after self check-in (4:00pm). The home was meticulously clean and each room was designed for a comfortable stay with extra blankets, alarm clocks, and charging stations.
We avoided cooking a meal or grilling outside to prevent clean-up, however, I used a Keurig coffee machine and supplied coffee daily.
Although the home doesn’t allow pets, the fenced backyard is a decent size and includes a quaint patio seating area and Blackstone Grill.
REMINDER: The provided house manual emphasizes the house rules and clean-up tasks, which you should adhere closely to avoid added fees.
Nearby towns 
Interestingly, the town got its name during the days of water scarcity in the 1870s. A resident, Mr. Rogers, didn’t charge for water and people often replied “that’s mighty Liberal of you.”
I’ve never viewed a 
The next stop on the tour takes visitors to a 5,000 square foot interactive space, Land of Oz, where Dorothy leads you through scenes from the movie. My experience started by watching an approaching tornado. The thunder rolled, lights flickered like lightening, and window curtains blew.
Following Dorothy as we encountered each whimsical character (mannequins), I was delighted by the craftsmanship of the displays. Each scene reminded me of my childhood when I watched the movie for the first time.
PRO TIP: Make time to tour the retail gift shop. From comfy ruby red slippers to pretty postcards, the shop’s inventory is hard to resist.
Toto’s Dog Park is a new addition providing dog owners a place for their furry family members to roam.
PRO TIP: Take a photo of the life-size bronze sculpture representing the explorer.
Walking inside the museum is like opening a tiny treasure box. The walls and glass cases are adorned with antiques that tell the story of Liberal’s industries.
Outside the museum, the walls of Landmark Center serve as a gallery for framed black and white photography depicting Liberal’s early days.
No matter what you’re in the mood to shop for, it’s likely you’ll find something you can’t live without.
A few handprinted 
While I wasn’t in the mood for a large meat platter with all the fixins’, the menu includes options for more hungry eaters.
The 
I found the first floors collection of lithographs on paper by John Steuart Curry to be the most awe-inspiring. The Kansas-born painter is the same artist painted murals at the state’s capital building, Kansas Pastoral and Tragic Prelude.
Thematic collections of various other pieces, mostly created by Kansas artists, were awe-inspiring including pottery and paintings.
I gravitated to planes produced by Cessna, a company founded in Wichita, but I was equally intrigued when learning that Beech Aircraft once had a production division in Liberal.
The museum also does an excellent job of properly honoring pilots who gave all with a POW-MIA display and exhibit cases filled with uniforms and medals of pilots from Liberal who went to war.
My steaming not P5 Phô with Shrimp had light flavor and oodles of noodles for slurping. I also ordered Fried Spring Rolls, which didn’t last long between spoonfuls of phô.
The ambiance was quiet as I watched a video of wild birds on TV and listened to classical music play from speakers.
When not enjoying my King Rooms 
The staff was courteous upon check in and check out ensuring that I my needs were met.
If you read my blog often, you know I love supporting local restaurants. I’ll return to Liberal to dine at one of dozens of Mexican restaurants or food trucks, a type of cuisine that dominates the dining scene. Plus, a visit to 
Liberal offers visitors plenty of entertaining things to do for an unforgettable day trip or overnight stay. I made memories while dining, shopping, and perusing incredible museums.
If traveling east on Highway 54, use my itinerary suggestions to 
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.
Historically known as the birthplace of female aviator Amelia Earhart, Atchison is a thriving town once home to Kanza Indians. Lewis & Clark explored the area in 1804. Later, it became a hub for steamboats, railroads, and manufacturing.
In 1870, the Atchison railroad served as a learning rail town in the state, but times changed. The last Santa Fe train left town in the early 1990s, but the museum’s inventory of authentic artifacts keeps history alive.
I started the self-guided tour by watching a computer-generated video of Amelia Earhart welcoming guests. The life-like pilot spoke in quotable phrases inspiring museum-goers to go after their dreams.
The Virtual Reality Flight experience was worth the added time and ticketed cost. Donning a headset and using an airplane’s yoke, I attempted Amelia’s historic 1932 flight across the Atlantic Ocean. I didn’t make it to Paris, but I did land the plane safely in a farmer’s field.
A gift to his wife, Evah, the mansion features 25 rooms filled with period antiques, including an 1893 World’s Fair bedroom set, elaborate stained glass windows, and high-quality furnishings.
Walking the rest of the home’s interior, you’ll discover a 200-year-old walking wheel winder used to spin yarn wool. The parlor’s upholstered, open-arm couches with dark wood and framed artwork showcase the luxury the Hetherington family enjoyed.
Outdoors, an elaborate driveway leads to a restored carriage house that begs to be photographed.
The Evah Cray Museum is more than another stunning home in Kansas. It’s a time capsule from the past when a family decided to settle in Atchison and live in the home for 80 years. Given their wealth, they could have chosen to reside anywhere. They chose Atchison.
My tour, led by the museum’s docent, was exceptional. Expect to pay a moderate admission if you go, and you’ll want to plan to spend at least an hour touring the home.
PRO TIP: Ask about the home’s small theater, where you can watch a film about Atchison architecture. Visit the gift shop in the carriage house.
The 14-room home served as a showroom to display the types of wood his business provided and the intricate ways it could be used. You’ll notice he combined oak, walnut, and mahogany into its design from floor to ceiling. He incorporated non-traditional wall materials like leather into the wallboard design.
The cafe is where locals meet to catch up about the latest happenings in town. Where travelers like me enjoy quiet time and peruse the internet using free Wi-FI. And where you can shop for gift items from kitchen towels to home decor.
You’ll find the comfortable cafe is just what you need to set the tone for the day. The menu features freshly baked pastries and specialty coffee drinks. Return mid-day for a Signature Cocktail like The Atchison Mule of Amelia’s Final Flight.
Between bites, I enjoyed learning about Ann’s heritage, which included the Lopez & Vallejo families’ tradition of serving the community delicious food and treating customers “like a part of the family.”
I took my friend’s advice and chose the carbonara prepared with a garlic Parmesan cream sauce over spaghetti. You can expect Italian pasta dishes, shareable plates (crab cakes, anyone?), and chef-inspired main dishes ranging from Steak Diane to Chicken Madeira on the menu.
PRO TIP: The restaurant does accept walk-in diners, but the restaurant is a popular place, so consider making a reservation.
You can count on our favorite bar and grill menu items. The list includes burgers and sandwiches to chicken wings and sirloin steaks.
I chatted with the manager, Steve, while enjoying a Chicken Club Salad. This restaurant location is one of two Willie’s Sports Pub restaurants in Kansas; the second is located in El Dorado.
Whether you are shopping for blue and white ginger jars, holiday decorations, or faux botanicals, you’ll find them at Presley Pierce Interiors. Every corner of the shop draws the eye, and the window displays inspire one’s creativity.
Shoppers so appreciate the store’s merchandise that the owner often hosts pop-up events off-site in people’s homes. To track new inventory arrivals and learn about upcoming events, follow the store’s 
PRO TIP: Collectors will appreciate Thorne’s House Hot Packs containing budget-friendly starter packs. View the store’s 
I was pleasantly surprised the store’s jewelry collection was reasonably priced for its quality. A decent inventory of hats, handbags, and shoes rounded out the accessory options.
To call the Backroad Atlas a store would be to underrepresent its size. It feels more like an antique mall. Staff members are eager to assist you if you’re hunting for a particular item.
Shopping for a unique item is all the more charming thanks to the store’s cat, who occasionally visits customers to say hello.
A physician and the front rooms once owned the house were his examination rooms. As the story goes, the doctor operated on a 6-year-old child, Sallie, before the anesthesia took effect, and she died in the house. Years later, renters reported mysterious happenings, and the man felt as if he was scratched.
You can tour or stay overnight in the home known for its paranormal activity. Items sometimes crash to the floor. Figures are seen in the windows. Doors slam in the night.
A highlight of my visit was standing in the shade of the Moon Tree, a Sycamore grown from a seed taken to the moon on Apollo 14. Underneath, the names of 17 astronauts who gave their lives are recognized in the memorial.
Manicured gardens and tree spaces dot the landscape. Find the gazebo to enjoy a shaded space of solitude. 
PRO TIP: Take note of Memory Lane inductees’ names paying homage to aviation greats such as the Wright Brothers and Eileen Collins.
Families with young kids will appreciate the state-of-the-art playground, then walk to nearby horseshoe pits to teach them how the game is played.
PRO TIP: On-street parking is available at no cost.
My visit was peaceful as I scanned the horizon made up of trees overlooking the Missouri River running from St. Joseph, Missouri, through Atchison, and toward Leavenworth, Kansas.
The dedicated marker remembers the Atchison man who was the victim of violence after accidentally injuring a white man while hunting.
PRO TIP: Earhart created her own fashion line, often wearing clothing from it. Learn more from 
PRO TIP: Visit the 
Final Thoughts
