leslie

I'm flying into Wichita next week to visit a friend in Kansas. I'll be there 9 days. Now other than knowing that the shape of Kansas is square, that the capital is Topeka, they grow corn, raise cattle, Bob Dole was senator and a republican presidential candidate on Viagra, and that Dorothy Gale left Kansas to go to Oz, what's there to do for 9 days?

Need fun ideas, places to go, have car will travel. Looking for restaurant recommendations, and romantic get aways. All recommendations are welcome, and we can also drive to a neighboring state.

Many thanks.

mizscarlett

What do you like to do? I would recommend Exploration Place in Wichita...an excellent science/discovery museum. There is also the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, which is a space museum. Not sure if the Liberty Bell 7 exhibit is still there. There is also the Museum of Ancient Treasures, Indian Center Museum and Botanica (a wonderful botanical garden)--all in Wichita. I don't know anything about the club scene so I couldn't help you there. In theater there is the Crown Uptown Dinner Theater, Cabaret Oldtown, and Moseley Street Melodrama. You would have to check to see what is playing at each. This is definitely local theater!

Lindsborg is a neat little Swedish village a couple of hours north of Wichita. If you want to see Dorothy's house, you will have to go all the way out west to Liberal.

I hope your friend has a few special restaurants to recommend. There are many, many chain restaurants in Wichita.
Kobe Steak House (Japanese) is pretty good and I've heard good things about Yia Yia's Eurobistro.

That is all I can think of right now, but I will post again if I come up with anything else. Hope you have a good time on your visit to the Sunflower state!

travelisfun

Take about 3 days and go to Kansas City. Stay at the Country Club Plaza (pricey, but worth it)--it's a great shopping/restaurant/bar area with a lot of history and beauty. Spend some time at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art near the Plaza and visit Union Station near Crowne Center. A couple of good restaurants are Garozzo's north of downtown, and the Plaza III Steakhouse (pricey). Some fun bars on the Plaza are O'Dowd's Irish Pub and Granfaloon. Also, close to the Plaza area is Westport--lots of clubs and funky shops. Warning, though, the clubs are VERY "clubby"--loud and crowded.

I'll second mizscarlett's recommendation for the Kansas Cosmosphere in Hutchinson--it's VERY interesting and definitely worth a trip.

Also, you may want to pay a visit to a college town--either Manhattan (Kansas State--my personal favorite) or Lawrence (University of Kansas). These towns are full of fun shops, bars, and restaurants. If you go to Manhattan, go out to Tuttle Creek Reservoir and enjoy some nature, eat lunch at Rock A Belly Deli in Aggieville, and possibly hike on the Kanza prarie. Lawrence--eat at Quentin's or the Free State Brewery, and do some shopping.

Honestly, the best thing you can do in Kansas is just relax and enjoy the people and friendly atmosphere.

Have fun and let us know how it goes! Oh, and KS is a rectangle, we grow wheat, and Dorothy came back because there is "no place like home".

ChristieP

If you're into military history, Fort Riley is the home of the US Cavalry, and the museum there on post is supposed to be very good. The US Cavalry Association also has its museum nearby.

elr

If I were going to be in KS, I'd go back to the Garden of Eden, an amazing amalgam of concrete sculptures. It's somewhere off I-70, close to the middle of the state (I think).
I also second the KC recommendation.

jor

If you can find a giant bean stock I think you could have an unbelievable time.

travelisfun

The Garden of Eden is near Lake Wilson, which is off of I-70 near Ellsworth. I haven't been, but I've heard good things.

dwooddon

If, as I do, you enjoy history, the Eisenhower Library and Museum is located in Abilene, not too far up the road from Wichita. Abilene was also one of the railhead cowtowns that were the destinations of the Texas cattle drives and retains some of the frontier west flavor.

Beatchick

Don't know nuthin' 'bout no Kansas, Miss Leslie, but I hope you have a GREAT TIME!!

Hope you have a lovely time going shopping with your friend!!! ; D

leslie

Thanks for all of the responses thus far. I've been sharing them with my friend, and I'm sure we'll have 9 fun-filled days.

jor, I wish I had some beans so I could climb that beanstalk, but since I won't be with Jack, as a substitute, instead, I think I will bring my red ruby slippers with me.

Keep the ideas coming - we're interested in everything you can come up with.

leslie

Beatchick - thank you, thank you, thank you. And while I'm enjoying myself in Kansas with my beau, you have a blast in Paris. Think of me for a moment while you're up at the top of the Eiffel Tower. I just might be blissfully in the Garden of Eden (but with a big stick to chase off the snakes).

Beatchick

Or a big beanstalk. ; )

mona

Hi -- Go shopping! We've got all the usual good stuff, although no Neiman Marcus or Macy's. You'd need to go to Kansas City for that.

I agree w/ the recommendations about the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson and the Eisenhower Museum in Abilene. Very good stuff, if you are into history at all. While in Abilene, eat at the Brookville Hotel. It serves the best fried chicken dinners ever!

Oklahoma City is also a nice daytrip or weekend getaway. Closer than Kansas City as well.

I've heard of a very nice B&B near Independence, KS. Forgot the name just now, but it sounded wonderful! I know it has a website...

mizscarlett

Here is a link with all kinds of info on things to do in Wichita. It includes attractions and restaurants. Look at it and if you see something interesting, post back here with questions and I will try to answer to the best of my ability.
http://www.wichitalinks.com/attractions.html

MichelleY

My in-laws gave us a trip to Branson MO. How far is Branson to Wichita??? My cousin lives in Eureka KS and we would like to visit if it isn't too far out of the way.

Thanks for any help.

Michelle

leslie

I really appreciate all the information that everyone has contributed. MizScarlet, thank you for the URL. I was able to learn more about Wichita, and I enjoyed looking at the photographs also. I know that we will see many of the places all of you have suggested, and I promise to post a trip report once I return. I never realized that there was so much to do in Kansas, and I am looking forward to a fun, relaxing trip.

I can tell already that I am really going to like Kansas, and that I may just have to return permanently, cause as Dorothy and MizScarlet said, "there's no place like home."

Stephie

Gosh, last I looked at a map, the shape of Kansas was a rectangle. Did they shorten the long side of it? Good, that will make the drive to Colorado from Kansas City shorter!!!

Several other neat little historic towns you could visit are Cottonwood Falls and Council Grove. Several websites that might be of interest: http://www.councilgrove.com; http://www.nps.gov/tapr/home.htm
http://www.lasr.net/leisure/kansas/chase/cottonwoodfalls/

Hedrick's Exotic Animal farm just outside of Hutchinson might be fun too. It's also a B&B if you can imagine. http://www.hedricks.com

leslie

MizScarlet, since you were so kind to make an offer to answer further questions, I'm going to take you up on it.

Can you or anyone else come up with a unique and special place to take someone that already lives in Wichita? Some place a little bit out of the ordinary, or something to do that is a little bit out of the ordinary would fit the bill. I know this is vague, but I would like the location or experience there to be a memorable one and lots of fun. I don't have a budget in mind, but let's say something no more than $250-$300 for the day. Suits and ties should not be required.

And, if you can tell me where the most romantic place in Wichita, or for that matter in Kansas is, I'd also be appreciative.

mizscarlett

Ok, if I were going to do something really special and romantic in Wichita, I would go to the Castle Inn. It is a bed and breakfast, originally built as a residence in the style of a castle. It is absolutely beautiful! There are a number of rooms so you should be able to find something in your price range. Their web site is www.castleinnriverside.com
The food is awesome also! It may be too late for reservations, though, unless perhaps on a weekday.
You can email me at [email protected] and I will try to help you out with more questions. Tell me what your interests are and I might be able to make some more specific recommendations. I think you will enjoy Wichita. It's pretty laid back.

Keith

I strongly recommend visiting the Cosmopshere in Hutchinson, 2nd largest collection of US space memorabilia anywhere and the largest collection of Russian space memorabilia outside the former Soviet Union. Apollo 13 is there. The traveling Liberty Bell (Mercury capsule that was recovered from the bottom of the ocean) exhibit is there until late May.

On your way up to Hutchinson, stop in Yoder, a mixed Amish/Menonitee community, http://www.yoderkansas.com/

Keith