farmers market

Summer Fun Activities in Derby, Kansas

June 20, 2021 by Vanessa Whiteside 6 Comments

Disclosure: The City of Derby sponsored this post, however, all opinions are my own. All of the photos were taken by me.

It’s time you found your happy place this summer in Derby, Kansas! A 20-minute drive from Wichita, the town has a multitude of options for keeping the family entertained. I suggest adding it to your summer day trip bucket list.

I’m going to take the guesswork out of travel planning for you and break down a full day of exciting things to do during your visit. From visiting area attractions to shopping and dining, I’ve created a list of must-have experiences for visitors of all ages.

BREAKFAST

As someone who appreciates dining local, I was thrilled to visit Drury Ln. Bakery & Cafe (1340 Nelson Drive) as a first-time guest. To say their food is delicious is an understatement. The owners make every menu item from scratch. After a bit of contemplation, I opted for an English-style breakfast of soft crepes filled with Nutella and strawberries, an order of Scotch eggs, and a London Fog tea latté. It was heaven on a plate.

When the restaurant’s owner delivered my order to the table, I was impressed by the beautiful plating and the sheer size of the crepes. It was enough to feed two people! If you’ve never tried Scotch eggs, you don’t know what you’re missing. They are prepared with cooked eggs surrounded by a layer of sausage that is breaded and fried to a crisp – ideal for dipping into horseradish mustard. My latté, made with Earl Grey tea, was served in a classic teacup steamed to smooth, silky perfection.

Although Drury Ln. serves breakfast all day, their menu also includes scratch-made sandwiches, salads, and “British Grub.” I recommend checking out the retail section of the café while you wait to dine. Big supporters of fellow small business owners, Drury Ln. is stocked with decorative home goods and gifts by artisans and crafters.

When in Derby, do yourself a favor and visit Drury Ln. Bakery & Café for breakfast. You will discover a restaurant that you wished you had known about sooner. If you’re short on time, stop inside and select a fresh pastry or muffin from the bakery case to go. Did I mention you can pre-order custom cakes? They do it all. View restaurant hours here.

FARMERS MARKET

Nothing makes my heart pitter-patter more than a stroll through a farmers market on a Saturday morning. At the Derby Farmers Market (512 E. Madison Ave.) you will find seasonal produce, tables stacked with honey and salsa jars, Kansas raised meat, and hand-crafted gifts. The market operates from April through October on Saturdays from 8 am-12 pm.

Like me, I know you’ll appreciate the variety of vendors as well as the acoustic live music as the backdrop at the market. I introduced myself to the owner of Sargeant’s Berry Farm and chatted about the seasonal vegetables for sale. He was just the person I needed to talk to about zuchinni. As a gardener, I learn the best tips about tending plants simply from striking up conversations with farmers at the market.

Once you’ve stocked your reusable bag with Kansas-made products, I recommend taking a walk around Madison Avenue Central Park and enjoying the beautiful surroundings. If you’re a parent with kids in tow, a visit to the like-new playground is a must. Watch them as they gleefully cross a suspension bridge and crawl through jungle-gym equipment. Before packing up the car with the kids, make sure they see the two-story waterfall and life-sized chess set located adjacent to the play area.

DERBY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM

Let’s continue the fun! Our next stop is the town’s historical museum, a treasure of finds. Wait until you see what lies inside one of Derby’s oldest buildings, a school built in 1924 that is now listed on the National Historical Registrar! The Derby Historical Society Museum (710 E. Market) invites visitors to travel through time by touring classrooms converted into thematic exhibits. Fifteen rooms are stocked with contributed artifacts and the hallways display special collections.

Even though school may be out for kids during the summer, they will get a kick out of rooms devoted to education (be sure to check out the report card in the case!). Adults will appreciate the historical value of the curated items in rooms celebrating 19th Century history, the military, and ancient artifacts. Everyone will gain a new appreciation for how their ancestors lived from one of the finest collections of artifacts in the state.

What makes this museum special? It has more unique and hard to curate items than I’ve ever seen in a Kansas museum. For example, they don’t just have one antique typewriter or camera – they have dozens of all sizes and colors. I told everyone I’ve met since my visit to the museum about its impact on me. And I have to admit, the more I learned about the town’s history, the more I wished I had gone to school in Derby. “Go Panthers!” I’ll definitely return to the museum with friends and family in tow.

Open April through October on Saturdays from 10 am-2 pm, admission to the Derby Historical Society Museum is FREE. You better carve out at least an hour of your afternoon to tour it. The friendly volunteers (many of whom grew up in Derby) are more than willing to take you on an impromptu tour or you can enjoy the museum at your own pace on a self-guided tour.

PARKS

It doesn’t truly feel like summer until you spend time exploring one of Derby’s picturesque parks. The town has more than 403 acres of parkland, 20 developed parks, and 14 green spaces to enjoy. Their newest addition, Decarsky Park (1600 Line Drive) is worth the short drive to the edge of town. The dog park and ballpark are in pristine condition featuring four playing fields, concessions, dog agility course, dock launch (watch dogs jump for toys into the pond!), and shade structures. Find out more about what you can expect at the park here.

During my visit, the park was hosting youth softball and baseball tournaments. With every crack of a bat and roar of the crowd, the atmosphere erupted with a competitive spirit. It was a good day to visit the park for the first time. The energy was infectious and it was certainly a place to enjoy the sounds of summer.

If you’d rather stay closer to town, a visit to Warren Riverview Park (321 W. Market) promises a good time. Opened in 2018 on the banks of the Arkansas River, it defies your expectations. The four-acre park features kayak/canoe access to the river, covered shelters, a 15-foot ropes course, rentable event space, and public art. View park details here.

LUNCH

By now, you’ve probably worked up quite an appetite. Locals know that Madrocks Restaurant & Sports Bar (1821 E. Madison Ave. #100) is a smart choice for lunch or dinner goers in search of a tasty meal. They serve housemade steaks and burgers using Yoder Meats, fresh salads, deli sandwiches, and mouthwatering pizza.

During my visit, I devoured tangy BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders served on King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls with a side of perfectly crispy tater tots. Seated in the cool air conditioning while enjoying a scrumptious meal was just what I needed to escape the summer heat.

An excellent place for groups to gather, play sports bar games or partake in karaoke on Thursday-Saturday, Madrocks is also known to host live music from time to time. Multiple TVs make watching the game easy and the sports bar also includes a pool table, Golden Tee, and pinball. The restaurant and bar is locally owned and veteran-operated. Check their Facebook page for details.

FIELD STATION: DINOSAURS

With a new boost of energy, you’ll be ready to jump in the car and drive to Field Station: Dinosaurs (2999 N. Rock Road). The adventure park is a world-class family attraction with limitless possibilities for fun. After purchasing tickets, visitors enter via basecamp to start the expedition. Upon check-in, you will receive a trail map, expedition schedule (shows), and each child in your group will be gifted a passport to have stamped at six stations.

You can expect to see over 40 full-size, animatronic dinosaurs nestled amongst 10-acres of walking trails. For the price of one admission, you get access to 30 theatrical shows, games, and activities – no extra charge! Admission to the park also includes a round of Jurassic Golf on the 18-whole course, which is also sold separately if you’d rather only golf during a visit to the park.

Touring the park is an immersive experience. Where else can you walk amongst life-sized prehistoric creators and hear their natural sounds? Don’t miss visiting all of the activity stations. Each one keeps novice paleontologists learning and engaged. Kids will love the Fossil Dig Site where they can unearth prehistoric fossils and dinosaur skeletons. Bigger kids and adults will find the T-Rex Feeding Frenzy interesting as they learn about the Scientific Method to study the eating habits of the creature. Tip: Pick up a Scavenger Hunt at Dino-Bites and return it to Dino-Bites for a prize. As you’re enjoying the amusement park, listen for the showtime warning called out minutes before it begins at the amphitheater.

I was impressed by each employee’s enthusiasm for teaching others about science and the employees that led the shows were highly engaging. It was refreshing to see families singing and dancing along at the Dinosaur Dance Party. To learn more about the park, its hours, and upcoming events, you can visit their Facebook page or Instagram page for details.

DERBY PUBLIC LIBRARY GATHERING SPACE GALLERY

Let’s escape the summer sun and head indoors! Art lovers will appreciate the volume of talented work on exhibition at the Derby Public Library (1600 E. Walnut Grove). As you walk into the building, you immediately see prints and paintings. During my visit, I gazed upon abstract artwork, photography, and drawings by local artists of all ages. While all of the pieces were remarkable, I appreciated one, in particular, tucked away in the back of the library of the musician, Beck. All of the artwork was for sale and modestly priced.

If you plan on staying in Derby for longer than a day, make note of their events calendar that often includes activities tailored for kids and teens. To view the library’s hours, visit this page.

ROCK RIVER RAPIDS

Just when you think you’ve experienced the best of summer fun in Derby, there’s one more place that promises excitement – Rock River Rapids Aquatic Park (1900 E. James)! Just around the corner and down the street from the library, more fun awaits. Families can take a dip in the Zero Depth Pool, relax on the Lazy River, or test their endurance in the Lap Pool. Can you really say it’s summer until you’ve launched yourself down a water slide? The aquatic center has multiple slides to select and the newest one, the Green Slide, has twists and turns that get your heart racing.

Although outside food and drink are not allowed, attendees can purchase tasty treats from Ollie Snack Shack. If you want a place to store your belongings, you can use one of the lockers if you provide your own lock. Other areas of the park include a bathhouse and gift counter. You don’t have to worry about bringing a chair as the park has rows upon rows of available lounge chairs to use. You can also sun yourself laying on a towel on the grassy lawn like others I saw enjoying the space.

I visited the pool on one of the hottest days on record in Derby. It was the best place to wind down and relax while in the shade near the water. It made for great people-watching, too! Everyone was smiling and enjoying the day. If you’re interested in learning more about Rock River Rapids Aquatic Center, the premier water park in South-Central Kansas, view their hours and events via their Facebook page.

Derby offers countless places to enjoy the summer. Whether you’re walking amongst dinosaurs, splashing in the pool, or enjoying a delicious meal indoors, it’s certainly worth the short commute from Wichita. For me, this will not be my last visit to Derby. I can’t wait to return to check out more of the town’s parks and to take another tour of the Derby Historical Society Museum. Oh, and I’m pretty sure there is a cupcake with my name on it waiting for me at Drury Ln Bakery & Cafe.

I’d love to hear if you’ve visited other places in Derby that promise a good time during the summer. Please leave your suggestions in the comments below.

Discovering Lincoln, Nebraska in a Weekend

May 28, 2019 by Vanessa 8 Comments

People in Nebraska pride themselves on being “Nebraska Nice” and from the welcoming treatment I received in Lincoln, I certainly felt like I was amongst friends. Lincoln may be known for it’s historic and award-winning collegiate football team, but I’ll always remember it as the town where I had a super fun time – and the best pasta I ever tasted!

I’m a Kansan and I had never visited Nebraska! I was overdue for a trip, and when I saw that an uber hip hotel called Graduate Lincoln was located downtown, I was convinced. To discover Lincoln, you simply must show up and take it all in — and we did!

The dynamic city, known as Nebraska’s capital and the home of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, completely surprised me. I mistakenly assumed that I would find a cool hotel surrounded by a common college town with typical restaurants and bars. Nope! The city I experienced included hospitable people ready to lay out the red carpet. Whether someone is looking to dine on local cuisine or jam out to ’80s music while playing pinball in the Haymarket District, whatever you’re looking to do, Lincoln has it!

LODGING

I chose to stay at a boutique hotel Graduate Lincoln for the vibes (and it is centrally located in the city’s historic district dotted with restaurants, bars, and retail stores). Also located close to the UNL’s campus, the hotel focuses its design and ambiance entirely around its location — all things collegiate and cool drip from every inch of the hotel’s aesthetic. Everything inside Graduate Lincoln from the wallpaper to the bedding is meant to be nostalgic; to remind you of your glory days as your college/younger self.

As they say, “good ol hay days are had here (nights too),” the hotel is prides itself on “where your intellectual curiosity meets your favorite place to stay.”

The room keys feature iconic Nebraska cultural references from native Johnny Carson to the Kool-Aid Man. “Talent alone won’t make you a success. Neither will being in the right place at the right time, unless you are ready. Are you ready?” – Johnny Carson.

Another bonus of staying at Graduate Lincoln? The love dogs! Whatever the cost of the room, it was worth not having to board our pup who was welcomed in all parts of the hotel from the lobby near to the Top Golf Suites located adjacent to their tiki bar, John J’s.

Anyone want to pet me? Sasha felt right at home in the lobby while we played arcade games like Frogger.

And you know I did my homework! I knew that John J’s was known for serving great food and the ultimate tiki cocktail meant to be drank by two people (I mostly drank it – thank you very much!). So, the scene on Sunday early afternoon was set. I sipped on my rum punch to the backdrop of the local cover band Kelly Oh Brian while my dog dined at my feet on bacon provided by the waitress. Everyone was feeling delightful!

Our room was average in size but not in character. The walls were covered in historical maps, hilarious quotes, and references to the Midwest. The cabinet included a small refrigerator and a Keurig® was placed inside our bedside table which doubled as a hollowed out vintage TV.

Graduate Lincoln has several amenities on-site ranging from old school arcade games in the lobby to an indoor pool and tables games. Street parking isn’t much of an option for guests, so I recommend self parking in the neighboring garage that costs $15/night or $17 for valet parking. (We purchased the room package that included two breakfast tickets, which totaled around $139 plus taxes.) Pro Tip: Eat breakfast at the hotel’s cafe! I was quite impressed with the quality food and the healthy options included on the menu. My avocado toast was covered in a layers of gorgeous farm to table ingredients.

When in Nebraska, I had to drink a craft beer from the area! I would have loved to have participated in the Lincoln Beer Week tour during our visit, but since we were short on time we opted for buying IPAs like this one from Omaha’s Brickway Brewery.

Other options for hotel lodging in Lincoln include The Cornhusker Marriott, Courtyard Marriott, Hyatt Place Hotel, Settle Inn, and the Hilton Garden Inn, but I highly recommend staying at Graduate Lincoln for the ambiance, stellar service and unique amenities.

DINING & DOWNTOWN ENTERTAINMENT

Short on time, we immediately asked locals which Haymarket District restaurants included dog-friendly patios and then we headed out to get a taste of the area! Our first stop led us to Lazlo’s Brewery and Grill where we relaxed on the shaded patio and drank Empyrean Ales best IPAs and seasonal favorites during their happy hour. Pro Tip: Take advantage of beer and drink discounts from 3pm-6pm. $2 off drafts, $2 off appetizers (the beer battered onion rings are to die for).

Lazlo’s Brewery and Grill is located directly across from boutique shops, an art gallery, and not far from the visitor’s center. Empyrean’s beers are always rotating so be sure to ask your server about their current seasonal options.

Lincoln is carving a path for craft breweries in Nebraska. Several are nationally recognized like Zipline Brewing, Boiler Brewing Company, White Elm, and Backswing Brewing. I loved Empyrean Brewing’s (this photo), and the fact that they offer a beer school once a month so guests can explore different types of brews with the head brewmaster is pretty cool.

After returning our dog back to the hotel room, we sought out another patio to enjoy a drink before dinner. We were pleased with the expansive views and comfy rooftop setting at Barry’s Bar and Grill. To the backdrop of country music, we people watched and drank cold, domestic beers while seated in adirondack chairs.

The quintessential college bar, Barry’s is flooded with Husker fans during the school year.

As we grew hungry for dinner, we scoped at a “secret” restaurant The Other Room located in a cobblestone alley. Locals informed us that the eatery and craft cocktail bar is like a speakeasy and “if the light above the door is green, they’re open and open to seating guests. Otherwise, come back another time.” Unfortunately, they were not open when we checked it out, but I’ll be sure to revisit the area just to try it out next time. Instead, we dined at Vincenzio’s Italioano Ristorante, a family owned authentic restaurant serving Italian entrees. Pro Tip: Always ask the server, “What entree from the menu do you like to eat when not working?” Our server’s answer? “Get the Cavatappi Con Broccolo Al Forno. It’s like crack. Everyone loves it!” It was hands down the BEST pasta dish I’ve ever eaten. The dish was served dripping in cheesy, white sauce and baked with a crust of more cheese and breadcrumbs.

I highly recommend sitting on the patio and enjoying a large bowl of pasta served with warm crusty bread at Vincenzo’s. The menu is affordably priced and the food is worth every penny.

Voted one of Lincoln’s best restaurants, their menu also includes an extensive wine list.

Soon after dining, we walked the Haymarket District to Versus Arcade Bar. Open to only adults 21+, the basement arcade is stuff to the gills with all the retro games you remember from pinball to Frogger to ice ball. Don’t have a roll of quarters? You can buy them from the bartender who serves up a long list of fancy cocktails and basic beers. Pro Tip: Make sure you visit the bathroom to check out the “scenery.”

A couple of the pinball machines had free plays left on them for some reason – bonus!

Not much for the bar scene? The city has a number of daytime entertainment options. For football fans, there is no better place to watch the game then at the University of Nebraska. Even if you’re not a die-hard Husker fan, you should treat yourself to a self-guided tour of Memorial Stadium, and be sure to check the Game-Day Experience Room that takes fans on a multimedia tour of a Husker game day and tunnel walk. Located indoors near the trophy room, attendees can also view The Traditionas Lobby Kiosk to learn about former and current NFL players who were one-time Cornhuskers. Want to tour the stadium? Enter the northeast side of the stadium to enter the stadium and prepare to be amazed!

You can park on this side of the building for free and enter to here to experience see the interior displays and ask questions of the staff.

This is the only sneak peak I’m going to show you because you need to check out the stadium for yourself!

Lucky for me, it was the weekend which meant one thing…I had to hit the farmers market in the Haymarket Historic District! Wear comfy shoes and be ready to walk in all directions of the downtown area because it’s a BIG market. Local vendors sell everything from beautiful bouquets of flowers to homegrown vegetables. But leave the dog at the hotel because pets are not allowed! Pro Tip: Park in one of the city owned parking garages for free the first hour or pay $1.25/hr afterward. Prefer meter parking? Expect to pay $1.25/hr enforced Monday thru Saturday 8am-6pm.

Don’t forget to bring your own bag to carry with you as you shop!

This market is only two blocks from Graduate Lincoln and other downtown hotels.

There is something charming about a town that celebrates its local artists by allowing them to paint murals around the city, and Lincoln is no different.

Street art often stops me in my tracks. What about you?

“Serving Hands”
This sculpture located near the downtown area is one of several six-feet-tall fiberglass installations on display through October 2019 by Lincoln Area Youth of Christ.

I promise you’ll love your visit to Lincoln. And because I’m so sure you’ll love the people and the city, I’m going to leave you with the ultimate tip for any visitor. Pro Tip: Make sure to stop at the Lincoln Visitor’s Center (7th and P Street) and ask Betty (or any one of the other amazing employees) your questions about the city. Not only will she give you insider tips but she’ll even take your photo with the infamous bobblehead “Lincoln” before sending you on your way with brochures in hand.

Perhaps you’ve already visited Lincoln, Nebraska? Leave me your tourism tips in the comments below!

4 Reasons to Shop Local All Year Long

December 2, 2017 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

Do you love your hometown as much as I love mine?

Great people make a town great. My home city, Wichita, has some of the best people I’ve ever met. People often say Midwesterners are some of the most polite people in the States. We care about one another, which is one of the reasons I shop local. Actually, there are many reasons why I shop local all year long and not just on Shop Small Saturday.

Consider my 4 Reasons to Shop Local All Year Long and “shop small” at every opportunity you can:

You’re contributing to the vibrancy of your town. For every $100 you spend in your town’s locally owned shops, roughly $68 stays in the local community. There is a rewarding feeling knowing that my purchases contribute to the success of my town’s Main Street every time I walk into a locally owned retail store, mechanic shop or restaurant.
You’re helping another family’s success rather than a big box store’s success. It’s a rewarding feeling to know that my purchases, and the purchases of others, help independent store owners send their kids to college and pay their bills. I don’t know the name of the CEO of Target, but I do know the name of the store owner where I buy hand crafted candles. Better still, she knows my name as well.
You’re inevitably going to make friends with store employees. Each time I stroll into a locally owned store, the employees (and often times the owner) make a point of getting to know me and what I’m looking to purchase. Many local store owners know my preferences and show me items they know I’m interested in purchasing. That saves me time! And the only thing we can’t buy or get back is time.
You’re going to find unique gift items to purchase unlike the standard items in a big box store. I would much rather purchase a growler of locally brewed beer or hand poured scented candle to give to someone rather than a generic gift from Walmart or Target. When handing the gift to a friend, I’m able to tell them the story behind the creation of the gift and about the store’s history.

Of course, there are times when a locally owned store isn’t open when I need something in a hurry. (I know you can relate.) But, I try my best to buy what I need from local businesses.

You can buy locally produced food all year. Many towns have indoor local farmers markets during the winter months.

The next time you need to purchase groceries or a gift, consider where you could make that purchase locally. Need some more inspiration?

The following items are some that I’ve purchased from locally owned stores that I could have easily picked up at a nationally known retailer, but I chose otherwise.

locally grown vegetables
dog food
holiday decor
clothing
hair styling
books
soap
coffee
landscaping materials
chocolate
jewelry
auto repair
kitchenware
beer
entertainment
and much more!

It’s official. I love my hometown and I love supporting it any way I can. What can you buy locally this week? Think back to my 4 Reasons to Shop Local All Year Long the next time you start to drive to a big box store for something you could simply purchase locally.

Perhaps you also support local businesses in your town. Tell me why it’s important to you to shop local in the comment section below!