Downtown Wichita

3-1-6 Destinations to Experience in Wichita

March 9, 2023 by Vanessa Whiteside Leave a Comment

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

I love to brag about Wichita for its many things to do and genuine people. And for those of us who call the city home, 316 Day is a little extra special. Most people think 316 is just an area code, but 316 Day is another excuse to discover what the city offers. To celebrate it, I’ve included three classic destinations, a can’t-miss experience, and six popular places you must visit.

3 CLASSIC DESTINATIONS

NuWAY Burgers (1416 W. Douglas, 6404 E. Central)

A crumbly burger and fries. A frosty root beer float. There are many reasons to dine at one of Wichita’s longest-running eateries. I’ve eaten at NuWAY since I was a little girl. The food is a classic mainstay of the Wichita food scene.

NuWay Douglas Avenue — The original NuWay location west of the historic Delano district is dine-in only.

The original owner Tom McEvoy was on to something when he made the burgers and root beer fresh daily. NuWAY’s slogan Crumbly is Better!®, is true. The loose meat sandwiches prepared with mustard, onion, and pickle have drawn locals and tourists to the restaurant since 1930. It’s common to see out-of-state plates on cars in the parking lot at the original location on West Douglas.

Crumbly is Good — #1 NuWAY Classic sandwich served with curly fries is $7.79. Add a large, housemade root beer float for $3.99.

Wichita Brewing Company (535 N. Woodlawn, 8815 W. 13th Street, Suite 100)

Wichita Brewing Company (WBC) is where locals go when they want to enjoy quality craft beer and a food menu that rivals the best breweries in the state. On any given day, the dining room at either location is packed with guests seeking hand-crafted beer and thin-crust, wood-fired pizza. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve visited WBC. A Cooperstown pizza paired with a V-6 IPA keeps me coming back.

Since 2009, the brewing has evolved from five beers on tap to over a dozen and counting. Beer enthusiasts will appreciate barrel-aged brews and seasonal rotators, and casual beer drinkers will enjoy approachable house brews like WuShock Wheat.

Better yet? The brewery supports local causes with every beer they serve. Proceeds from the Wichita State Alumni Association Mug Club fund scholarships, and every time beer drinkers order The Pride of Wichita, they support the Sedgwick County Zoo.

Wichita Brewing Company Beer — From wheat beers to IPAs made with unique ingredients, Wichita Brewing Company’s taps offer something for every type of beer drinker.

Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum (204 S. Main)

If there is a singular place in the city that tells Doo-Dah’s story the best, it’s the exhibits at Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum.

One look at the building, built in 1892 as City Hall, and visitors will quickly understand why it’s nicknamed the Palace of the Plains. The four-story structure of native limestone, stained glass windows, and a bell tower is an inviting space. Inside, the museum’s collections include over 80,000 artifacts.

Take a self-guided tour to step into “A Child’s World” to imagine a time of one-room schoolhouses and tour “A Wichita Cottage” to see a Victorian-era interpretation of what a middle-class home looked like in 1890. The third floor’s “Wichita the Magic City” displays help visitors learn the heritage of the Wichita Indians that gave the city its name, the days of booming downtown businesses, and the rise of The Air Capital of the World.

Check the Facebook events page for upcoming Senior Wednesday presentations, holiday parties, and discount admission days.

The Mayor’s Office is decorated as if it was still John B. Carey’s office. Serving from 1891-1892, Mayor Carey was a prominent businessman who built The Carey House luxury hotel, now Eaton Place Apartments.

1 CAN’T-MISS ATTRACTION

Keepers on Parade (Various Locations)

Do you love scavenger hunts? The vibrant public art scene is one of the best things about living in Wichita. Artists’ talents are displayed on every side of town, and the Keepers on Parade are a true example. These mini versions of the iconic Keeper of the Plains statue launched when Together Wichita collaborated with artists to celebrate the city’s 150th birthday.

Located on the Southeast Corner of Douglas and Washington

Today, there are dozens of statues installed around town. Finding each of the 10-foot tall fiberglass replicas makes for a free, family-friendly activity. Use the online map to locate one near you – don’t forget to tag @onedelightfullife on Instagram when you find one.

Located at Stucky Middle School, 4545 Broadview Circle

6 POPULAR PLACES

Aroma Coffeehouse (7348 W. 21st St.)

What sets Aroma Coffeehouse apart from the other cafés on the city’s west side? An unmatched welcoming vibe and a long list of menu favorites ranging from mochas and macchiatos to lattes and frappés. Classic coffee drinkers will also feel right at home with delicious drip coffee like Aroma Blend, and guests avoiding caffeine can select from over a dozen beverages. If you arrive hungry, ask about the café’s avocado toast, breakfast burrito, or BLT sandwich.

I chose the Cinnamon Dolce Chai Tea Latte served over ice during my visit. I didn’t mind the short wait for my iced coffee because I was keen to sit in a tiny alcove of the café decorated with modern finishes and seating for two people. It provided a private space to enjoy my beverage while using free Wi-Fi to catch up on work.

Aroma Coffeeshop received top honors in The Wichita Eagle’s “Best of Wichita” contest for a good reason. Check their Instagram page for seasonal coffee drinks and Friday Night entertainment updates.

Chai Latte — Although I didn’t give in to my sweet tooth, I’ll pair my latté with a muffin or scone on a return visit to Aroma Coffeehouse.

Topgolf (2976 N. Greenwich Rd.)

If you want to try something out of the ordinary, why not hit golf balls from the side of a building? Topgolf offers beginner and experienced golfers the chance to work on their swing. Participants rent climate-controlled hitting bays complete with complimentary golf clubs. The fun starts when high-tech balls land in outfield targets allowing you to score points and compete against friends or family.

Topgolf Wichita — I loved the mural on the stairwell celebrating Wichita. If Topgolf guests require an elevator, they are available, and the golf bays easily accommodate wheelchairs.

But Topgolf is more than an elevated driving range. It’s a gathering place where you could spend hours dining on sports bar-like food, enjoying drinks, watching the game, or perfecting your golf game. During my recent visit, I noticed several private parties rented VIP areas and individual golf bays. Topgolf makes the party extra fun by serving drinks like $20 Golfbags served in a take-home mug for parties of two more.

Topgolf course — The technology tracks your golf ball and scores each shot based on the target it enters.

1400 Elderslie (1400 Museum Blvd.)

The latest addition to the Elderslie Farm business is 1400 Elderslie, a beautiful restaurant inside the Wichita Art Museum. With views of the Art Garden, I devoured the highly recommended Lemon Ricotta Pancakes. Other menu options included salads, bakery items, entrees, and breakfast skillets. Afterward, patrons can enjoy the museum’s American art collection. Admission is always free.

Pancakes with berries — Brunch is served at 1400 Elderslie on Saturday-Sunday from 10 am-2 pm with a menu including additional options.

Reservations can be made via Open Table or by calling the restaurant. Dining with a large group? Ask about the private dining room.

Fans of 1400 Elderslie will want to also check out Everyday by Elderslie for grab-and-go bites and Elderslie Farm in Kechi, Kansas, to tour and experience the Bramble Cafe, Creamery, and Woodworks shop. The farm’s restaurant is a dining and shopping destination using a farm-to-table concept serving guests in a country setting.

Dōma (7703 E. Douglas Ave.)

One of the most popular places to dine with friends in the city is Dōma. Located near Towne East Square, it’s the ideal gathering place to sip a cocktail in the lounge or enjoy a meal of American fare with a global twist in the restaurant’s dining room.

Sandwich and salads at Dōma — Dōma’s dinner menu includes sandwiches, salads, and entreés elevated with global flavors, such as the Fattoush Salad prepared with Mediterranean ingredients, including pita chips.

We appreciated the upscale atmosphere during our visit while indulging in Pork Belly Bao Buns and a bowl of Lobster Bisque as appetizers. The Fancy Grilled Cheese with Tomato and a Fattoush Salad with Grilled Chicken exceeded our expectations for dinner. Another bonus? Chef Harvey updates the menu often. The restaurant serves Sunday Brunch for $35/per person.

Restaurant Dining Room Decor — Shades of red are incorporated into the dining room’s motif, inspired by a mural of red flowers on the wall.

If you’re stopping by for a cocktail, the bar with covered lounge space is ideal for unwinding while listening to live music. Wichita-based musicians like Harrison Steele and Rudy Love and the Encore are known to perform sets under a canopy of lights.

The Selfie Spot (1811 E. Douglas Ave.)

Sometimes you need to let loose and laugh a little, and The Selfie Spot is the place to do it. The self-serve photography playground allows participants to use their phones to take selfie photos in 14 different thematic spaces. Each is designed with unique backdrops and props, making for memorable photos of yourself or when taken with a group.

We had a blast interacting with the spaces during my visit. It was easy to mount my phone to the provided ring light stand and set the timer to shoot photos. Planning a family night out or an evening with friends on the town? Reserve tickets for a weekend session here.

Riverfront Stadium (275 S. McLean Blvd.)

Home of the Wichita Wind Surge, Riverfront Stadium allows spectators to watch the city’s Double-A affiliate team run the bases. The stadium seats 10,000+ roaring baseball fans and hosts theme nights like Thirsty Thursday, Sunday Family Day, and Two for Tuesdays. And it’s always a good time when the stadium gifts attendees with free merchandise, discount concessions, and fireworks on Opening Night. Plus, the stadium is an attraction, offering a stunning view of the downtown skyline, murals, and public artwork to admire.

Look for Windy, the team’s mascot, for a photo opportunity.

When not rooting for a team win, game fans will appreciate touring the stadium’s Wichita Baseball Museum, housing artifacts showcasing the city’s baseball history. A section of the original Lawrence-Dumont Stadium sign and a turnstile is a part of the exhibit. Admission is free Monday-Friday from 9 am-5 pm – remember to call in advance at 316-221-8000 to schedule a visit.

I know I’m biased when I tell others there is always great dining and fun entertainment in Wichita, but it’s true. Let this guide be a starting point for your adventure touring the city on #316Day or any day of the year. For more travel inspiration, head to Visit Wichita.

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.

Updated May 2023

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 prefer 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 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 skilled at its 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 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 local bands often play.

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

PEACE LOVE & PIE (RENAMED BAKESALE TREAT PARLOR (2000 N. ROCK RD., SUITE 106)

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 Sundays and Thursdays from 4pm-6pm when slices are $4, and 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.

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 stroll while learning the significance of historic places. Each site on the app’s tour includes images and 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 I’d 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 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 about 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 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. Since my grandpa worked for Frisco Railroad, I was a lover of trains, so 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, and 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.”