What am I doing back in Wichita? Well, there was so much to do I had to go back!
Turns out the first time I went I barely scratched the surface. You can read about all the activities I did the first time here. This time I thought I would shake it up and try some activities I might not ordinarily be into a long with my usual food trail stops.
I started my stay at Waterwalk Extended Stay by Wyndham. Located right on the, you guessed it, Water Walk! What is the water walk? It is a development along the Arkansas river that makes it pedestrian accessible. You can walk all the way to the Keeper of the Plains. There are many attractions and access points a long the walk way. WaterWalk is one of them. Making it a really great place to stay without a car. I could easily walk anywhere in the downtown area.
The other great thing about the WaterWalk, its an extended stay. This means it is more like an apartment then a hotel. It was a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, living room, eat-in kitchen with a washer and dryer. Any kitchen appliance or bathroom necessity that it didn’t come with I could just ask for and they would provide. I was staying there for 5 days so it was great to have access to anything a house would have.
Not to mention that they have an activity calendar with daily suggestions of things that are happening in Wichita or things they are hosting themselves. A lot of people who stay there are living there for work so it provides them a social outlet which I love. Whether you’re going to Wichita for leisure or for business in your down time you won’t have to struggle to find things to do.
Lets get sporty!
Not my usual MO to invest in sporting activities but I decided to shake it up. I wanted to immerse myself in new adventures and see a different side of Wichita. First thing in the morning I went Kayaking!
Boats & Bikes is run thru Wichita State University. Shocker Rowing is an intercollegiate rowing program for men and women ran within the same building. The Boats & Bikes program provides rentals with the goal to bring outdoor activities to the downtown river corridor. This area is shutdown to motorized boat traffic.
It made kayaking relaxing and easy. You can take a rental out for an hour or two. The current is basically still since there is nothing to disturb it. You can bring your kayaks right up to the Keeper! It was a nice way to spend the morning.
Boats and Bikes obviously have more then just kayaking. They provide bikes, pedal boats, S.U.P’s, rowing lessons and more. Prices vary but kayaing starts at only $10 dollars for an hour and the money goes right back into the college program.
Equity Bank Park – Wind Surges
Take in a game at Equity Bank Park. Opened in 2021, this ballpark is beautiful! The Wind Surges are a Double A team for the Minnesota Twins. What does that mean? Don’t worry I don’t really know anything about sports either. It means that it is the second highest level of play in Minor League Baseball. It is often the last stop before players are promoted to the major leagues! Pretty exciting stuff. You can see these players before they hit it big.
The park also has a great history museum with great photo ops and artifacts from baseball history. For a person who is not in to sports I find myself at a lot of baseball museums because of my love of history and its deep roots in every aspect of American history. Whether its women in World War II or the Negro Leagues and integration in Kansas City I love learning more about how baseball has affected all parts of America.
I also got to go on to the field and hit baseballs from the pitching machine. It was incredibly hard. Out of ten baseballs I barely made contact with three. But what a thrill to be on the field!
Chicken N Pickle
I am obsessed with Chicken N Pickle. I wish I had this regional chain by me. What an incredible idea and I am petitioning to bring it to New York.
Part restaurant, part beer garden and part pickle ball court this place quite literally has it all. Come for the courts, stay for the food.
I am sure the food gets overlooked here but they slow cook their meats all day and their head chef carefully curate the menu. The food was outstanding. Focusing on chicken the menu has a southwestern twist to most of the items. They also have an extensive margarita menu and do fun flights.
I had never even played pickle ball until I came to Chicken N Pickle. There are both indoor and outdoor courts, loads of public events like tournaments, leagues to join and staff to help you if you aren’t sure what you are doing.
The best part of the Wichita Chicken N Pickle is their dedication to giving back to the community. They dedicate monthly nights to different charities for local organizations and raise money to help those in need. I could tell by listening to them talk about it how much it meant to be able to do this for people. Just another reason to make sure you spend your time and money at such a great establishment.
Local Producers
What makes Wichita (and Kansas) as a whole so great is the sense of community and history. It seemed every business had been around for 100 years and passed down through generations. Every place had a story of a family that built a business from the ground up. Some you may never have heard of and some that become international names.
The Spice Merchant
Started in 1980 and relocated to this location in 1994 they have been caring about your tea and coffee needs for over five decades with no sign of slowing down. The building they are currently in was built in 1908 and originally housed a Menthol factory. With all the additional space the store sells loads of other knick knacks and household products along with their signature coffees and teas.
They have over 90 different coffee’s and over 200 teas! They roast their own beans and work directly with their coffee and tea growers to ensure the quality. Don’t live in Wichita? Don’t you worry you can shop online and have it shipped to you. Check out their website here.
Nifty Nuthouse
Steve Jahn is excited for you to come down and check out his business. The third-generation owner, he has watched this place grow from a tiny store front to a massive operation while still keeping costs down. We all know the price of nuts can be steep, but he manages to keep his quite low. Started in 1937 by his grandfather Nifty Nuthouse is now a legend in the area.
It is very much the Disneyland of candy and nuts. You could spend hours trying to make choices of what to bring home from every nut you could think of to the most decadent truffle flavors I have ever seen. They too ship directly to your house (just not chocolate products). He gifted me a box of the millenium mix and if I lived in Wichita I probably would be there weekly.
Pizza Hut Museum
I am not going to lie I was most excited to see this museum. Located on the grounds of Wichita State University and in it’s original building the museum is free for people to enjoy.
Seeing how small the original building was really puts into perspective how wild it is that Pizza Hut became a international phenomenon. Started by the Carney brothers in 1958 and eventually becoming a multi billion dollar company that spawned franchises not only across the country but all over the world the museum has lots of memorabilia from the humble beginnings to celebrity endorsements.
It is a fun little museum to check out especially if you like pop culture. I do wish it ended with a slice but you can find a Pizza Hut in Wichita to enjoy.
The Restaurants
Old Mill Tasty Shop
I love nostalgic 1950’s diners. Old Tasty Mill Shop does look like you have stepped into the past. From the soda jerk fountain to the menu that has largely stayed the same since the opening you feel like time has been preserved. Quality has been too.
I got to try a few different menu items including their famous chicken salad. The recipe is the owner’s mom’s and has been on the menu for decades. It is still driving customers back today.
Nuway
Home of the famous “loose meat” sandwich or crumble burger. Yeah I know it doesn’t sound appetizing but it actually was pretty good. Think of a sloppy joe without the sauce. However that was not the shinning star on the menu for me.
They serve homemade root beer which makes all the difference in taste. I also got to try their homemade garlic salad more like a garlicky cold slaw but also a stand out item for me. I put this on my sandwich and it was a great idea.
Nuway is also the oldest restaurant in Wichita in its original building started in 1925.
More Than Just Food and Drinks
Cocao Dolce
These gorgeous, gorgeous chocolates are almost too beautiful to eat. But then what would be the point? The downtown location is also much more than a chocolate shop it is a place to hang out too. They have an expresso bar with a brand new breakfast menu or come in the evening and pair your chocolate with a glass of wine or beer.
The Work Room
I love returning to a business a few years later to not only see it flourishing but to see it expand into a whole new thing! Three years ago, I came to Wichita for the first time and visited the work room when it was down in the Delano District. A large one room shop and workspace for artists.
Now The Work Room has moved to the Downtown District and has an entire building to itself. Janelle King supports local. She has a “Garage Retail Incubator” program that helps other people develop and launch new retail concepts. Her store is filled with local handicrafts, art and textiles.
On top of local made products there is now a champagne bar inside the store. I can tell you firsthand the cocktails are to die for. They are lavish and beautiful, dripping with chocolate and marshmellows and other extravagant sweets.
Buy some art and drink a cocktail, thank me later.
Beau Monde West Spa
Last but not least treat yourself to a spa day at Beau Monde West. A little oasis just a 15 minute ride outside the downtown area.
My spa day started with time to relax with a glass of wine and a plate of cheese while I lounged with views of a beautiful man-made lake. You can choose to sit indoors or relax outside.
I had an hour massage scheduled with time both before or after to use the steam and sauna rooms. Spending a little time before was the perfect way to relax my muscles after a few days of exploring Wichita.
The massage was perfect. My masseuse made sure I was comfortable, and the pressure was what I wanted. Checking in on me throughout the experience. The service and hospitality from each person there was perfect!
They also have a great little shop for all your wellness needs. When I returned home they sent me a surprise care package with great products that I have been using ever since.
I can’t wait to head back to Wichita. What did I miss that is your favorite spot or hidden gem in Wichita?
