100 Things to Do in Wichita Before You Die

by Vanessa Whiteside

Overview

Wichita aka “Doo Dah,” is a mid-size city with attractions that easily rival the nation’s largest metropolises in entertainment value. Fun awaits for all who come to discover it! 100 Things to Do in Wichita Before You Die is a bucket-list book filled cover to cover with timeless destinations and lesser-known places. Dig into the burgeoning arts scene with tips for the First Friday Gallery Crawl or the Tallgrass Film Festival, founded by a Wichita native in 2003. Find out the story behind the 44-foot-tall Keeper of the Plains statue in downtown. Root, root, root for the home team, the Wichita Wind Surge at Riverfront Stadium. Outdoor activities, delicious dining, shopping, concerts, and a thriving arts scene scratch the surface. As they say, “Wichita is what you make it,” and around every corner is an experience waiting for you. Wichita native and travel writer Vanessa Whiteside is your personal guide to her favorite parts of her much beloved hometown. Crack the spine on this book and choose an adventure in the Magic City!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681063577
Publisher:	Reedy press, LLC.
Publication date:	05/15/2022
Series:	100 Things to Do Before You Die Series
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Vanessa Whiteside is a native Wichitan who never shies away from telling others about the city she holds dear. She has celebrated her love of Wichita as a contributing writer for the Wichita Eagle, 360Wichita.com, and VisitWichita.com. Vanessa’s blog, onedelightfullife.com, features travel narratives from the perspective of a former journalist turned curious tourist. In her free time you might find her shopping local, snapping pictures of street art, or winding her way through a museum.

Table of Contents

Preface xiii

Acknowledgments xv

Food and Drink

1 Enjoy a Slice of Heaven at Peace Love & Pie 2

2 Munch on a Meaty Sandwich at NuWAY 3

3 Stuff Your Face at Ziggy's Pizza 4

4 Leave No Bite Behind at Bagatelle Bakery 5

5 Lick the Bowl Clean at Tanya's Soup Kitchen 6

6 Dine in a Historic Building at Public 7

7 Enjoy Award-Winning Mediterranean Food at Bella Luna Café 8

8 Be First in Line for Ribs at Pig In! Pig Out! 9

9 Choose Dinner with a View at Newport Grill 10

10 Love Your Lunch at the Muse Café 11

11 Give In to Your Sweet Tooth at Cocoa Dolce 12

12 Order Flavorful Pho at Little Saigon 14

13 Say "Bon Appetit!" at Georges French Bistro 15

14 Sip in Secret at Dockum 16

15 Make Memories at Mort's Martini & Cigar Bar 18

16 Eat a Burrito at El Mexico Cafe 19

17 Devour a Meal at Doo-Dah Diner 20

18 Savor the Flavor at Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers 22

19 Enjoy Foodie Fellowship at Food Trucks at the Fountains 24

20 Ask for Extra Napkins at Dempsey's Burger Pub 26

21 Send Cheers to Wichita at Jenny Dawn Cellars 27

22 Toast to New Friends at Central Standard Brewing 28

23 Go Big with a Bloody Mary at Bite Me BBQ 30

24 Sip Suds on a Swing at Nortons Brewing Company 31

25 Sit at the Soda Fountain at Old Mill Tasty Shop 32

26 Start Your Day at Reverie Roasters 34

27 Belly Up to the Bar at The Anchor 36

28 Better Your Brunch at The Belmont 37

Music and Entertainment

29 Track Down Murals in the Douglas Design District 40

30 Go Trick-or-Treating in College Hill 41

31 Watch a Movie at Naftzger Park 42

32 Listen to the Wichita Symphony Orchestra 43

33 Gaze at the Gardens at Botanica 44

34 Get Fired Up at Wagonmasters Downtown Chili Cookoff 46

35 Find the Keepers on Parade 47

36 Take in the Acoustics at The Cotillion 48

37 Watch a Sunrise at the Largest Mural in the World 50

38 Catch a Movie at Starlite Drive-In 51

39 Roar with Laughter at the Loony Bin Comedy Club 52

40 Explore Your Creative Side at City Arts 54

41 Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at the Artichoke Sandwichbar 55

42 View a Live Show at The Orpheum 56

43 Become a Fan of Music Theatre of Wichita 57

44 Revel in the Wichita Riverfest 58

45 Discover a Favorite Flick at Tallgrass Film Festival 60

46 See the Bronze Sculptures on Douglas Avenue 61

47 Party Down at Bradley Fair's Summer Concert Series 62

48 Sing in Unison at INTRUST Bank Arena 63

49 View One-of-a-Kind Artwork at First Friday Gallery Crawl 64

50 Watch Fireworks from the Bank of the Arkansas River 66

51 Press Play at The Arcade 67

52 Get Hands-On at Exploration Place 68

53 Rock Out under the Stars at Wave 69

Sports and Recreation

54 Cheer On Wichita State University Men's Shocker Basketball 72

55 Lace Up Your Skates at Wichita Ice Center 74

56 Find Your Fun at O. J. Watson Park 75

57 Get Rowdy at a Wichita Thunder Hockey Game 76

58 Bowl a Perfect Game at Seneca Bowl 77

59 Take to the Trails at Sedgwick County Park 78

60 Ride Bikes during Open Streets ICT 79

61 Be Blown Away by the Wichita Wind Surge 80

62 Try Water Sports on the Arkansas River 82

63 View Animals at Kansas Wildlife Exhibit 83

64 Explore the Arkansas River Trail 84

65 Get Your Game On at Chicken N Pickle 85

66 Walk on the Wild Side at Sedgwick County Zoo 86

67 Root for a Caddy at Wichita Open's 17th Hole 88

68 Burn Off Energy at Wichita Sports Forum 89

69 Study Wildlife at Great Plains Nature Center 90

70 Perfect Your Game on a Golf Course 92

Culture and History

71 Pay Tribute at Kansas Firefighters Museum 96

72 Salute a Hero at Veterans' Memorial Park 97

73 Expand Your Mind at Ulrich Museum of Art 98

74 Step Back in Time at Old Cowtown Museum 99

75 Hone In on Heritage at Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum 100

76 Contemplate the Collections at Museum of World Treasures 102

77 Wind Your Way through Wichita Art Museum 103

78 Immerse Yourself in Native American Culture at Mid-America All-Indian Museum 104

79 Foster Your Creativity at Mark Arts 105

80 Putt-Putt to the Pizza Hut Museum 106

81 Shout "All Aboard!" at Great Plains Transportation Museum 107

82 Appreciate Architecture at Frank Lloyd Wright's Allen House 108

83 Admire the Awe-inspiring Keeper of the Plains 109

84 Geek Out on Planes at the Kansas Aviation Museum 110

85 Honor Legacy at Kansas African American Museum 111

86 Climb into the Belly of a Warbird at B-29 Doc Hangar, Education and Visitors Center 112

Shopping and Fashion

87 Shop for a New Read at Watermark Books & Café 116

88 Buy Grilling Supplies at All Things Barbecue 117

89 Spend Money on Others at Best of Times Cards & Gifts 118

90 Shop and Dine Local at Clifton Square 119

91 Purchase ICT Flag Swag at The Workroom 120

92 Get Fitted at Hatman Jack's Wichita Hat Works 122

93 Gear Up for Growing Season at Hillside Feed & Seed 123

94 Support Small Business at Revolutsia 124

95 Go Gourmet at Kernel's Popcorn Express 125

96 Find a Last-Minute Gift at Luanda's 126

97 Give In to Your Cravings at Nifty Nut House 127

98 Connect with the Community at Old Town Farm & Art Market 128

99 Wake Up and Smell the Coffee at The Spice Merchant 129

100 Shop for Sustainable Products at Grate Fill 130

Activities by Season 132

Suggested Itineraries 134

Index 139