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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 founded Travel Air Manufacturing in 1925, and each contributed to the state’s role in the aviation industry thereafter. 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 recognition 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 is also a popular draw.
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 hangar. 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.
Beaumont Hotel Cafe and Restaurant
Watch pilots land on Beaumont’s airstrip from the Beaumont Hotel Cafe and Restaurant, 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.
Milk and Honey at the Flight Deck
As a pilot’s girlfriend, I know something about flying into airports to appreciate on-field restaurant fare, and Milk & Honey at the Flight Deck is certainly worth the trip to Garden City Airport.
You don’t have to be a pilot to enjoy their elevated breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu items with views of the tarmac.
Bonus: Although the following restaurants are not located at an airport, each restaurant’s interior is designed with aircraft in mind: 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, which highlight 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.
Did this blog post inspire your love of air travel? Be sure to read 10 Essential Items I Always Pack In My Carry-On Bag before departing for the airport.
Committed to adopting out the cats in their care through a strict vetting process, I was impressed with the store’s mission to provide cats and book lovers with a space where they can get to know one another.
You’ll quickly be impressed by the high-quality selections as you peruse the bookcases. Of course, my eyes darted right to the cookbooks and travel guides, but I also found myself gazing at the rest of the gently-used books. The backend of the story is dedicated to the littlest shoppers, while the rest of the store stocks books for all ages.
Open since 2015, the store is operated as a non-profit with the hope of connecting people with the resources they need. Within moments of my visit, I spotted books and supplies for every age. Parents with children in tow will appreciate the dedicated kids’ section, which caters to their reading needs.
A haven for college students, the upstairs tables are typically occupied by college-aged scholars seated behind laptops. Downstairs, the register area doubles as a cafe.
Decorative ravens cut from paper dangle from a string overhead as shoppers choose their next read. Like any good indie bookstore, a couple of curious cats are known to greet customers.
Shoppers can expect a wide range of fiction and non-fiction titles, and I was impressed to see several best-selling titles in stock. Are you on the hunt for a good read during a road trip? Do you have a young adult reader interested in a new book? You’ll find multiple genres at Seven Stories.
You’ll notice that they don’t carry just best-selling titles but also curate new books that might not be found elsewhere. For example, they stock a sizable selection of books by Indigenous authors, and the children’s book inventory is sizable.
But you’ll find more than books at Red Fern Booksellers. I was impressed to discover handmade gift wrap, stationery, puzzles, stickers, and handcrafted greeting cards. My visit ended perfectly when a butterfly greeted me as I exited the store, a delightful experience.
The café offers patrons a place to sit back and relax with a book or meet in small groups. During my visit, several locals met friends and colleagues at oversized tables with free Wi-Fi access. Other areas of the coffee house were dedicated to families with kids, and the back patio offered a quiet, more secluded place to unwind.
I particularly appreciate their local interest and Kansas history books, a modest section located on the second floor. In 2021, I was proud to see they stocked my first book and encouraged me to sign it when visiting.
In business since 1977, the store regularly hosts author signing events and book talks.
Also in Wichita, adults will appreciate 
In Andover, the entire family will find something to love at 
Outdoor landmarks worthy of touring include 
Other places to view well-known holiday light displays include 
You don’t have to be an experienced painter to appreciate the fun of adding paint to canvas at 
Hopefully, this list inspires you to add more delight to your Thanksgiving break spent with family. It’s the time of year when we’re reminded that quality time spent with family is important.
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 
Aside from offering long-arm quilting services and classes, shoppers will be delighted to discover kits, fabric, batting, notions, thread, and patterns available for purchase.
Consider Eclectic Threads Quilting Studio a hub for quilters of all skill levels who want to bring their creations to life.
The customer service was genuine and helpful during my visit. Employees, who are experience quilters, are eager to swap project stories or assist shoppers of all quilting experience levels.
Having visited several quilt shops across Kansas, I was impressed by the staffers’ knowledge of on-trend designs and how to teach others the techniques for every kind of quilt.
PRO TIP: The Seneca Sampler Quilt Mural (425 Main Street) is the most vibrant and colorful one in town. Seneca native Ellie Haynie painted a collection of quilt blocks, each submitted with a donation by community members.
In business for almost three decades, they carry over 6,000 bolts of fabric (check out their 
Known for carrying a large selection of cotton fabric, notions, and floss, it’s one-stop shopping. Beginners and veteran quilters can take advantage of on-site classes.
PRO TIP: Walk down to The Great Hall of Quilts to see handcrafted masterpieces.
Quilters, who often seek out retreat spaces in groups, will appreciate The Creative Place’s sleeping quarters, which include a full kitchen (bring your recipes!), two full baths, and individual lockers.
Attend one of The Creative Place’s 
I discover far more than expected. Quilt Town USA is home to 16 quilt shops and multiple vibrant murals depicting quilts. A tea shop, café, restaurants, and more line Hamilton’s Main Street, making it the ultimate destination for a day trip.
PRO TIP: Check out 
You can count on five rotating Now Showing galleries, and their inventory of acquisitions is the largest in the public collection in the world, so exhibitions of regularly rotated.
Have you seen miniature quilts? Viewed a 3-D quilt? See them and more at the annual Airing of the Quilts, a massive collection on exhibit every September.
On the day of my visit, I voted for my favorite quilt, a 3-D pattern, from the collection “Welcome Home: A Celebrate of Quilts.” It was interesting to look closely at the handiwork of quilts dating back to the 1850s. The museum installs new 
