24 Hours of Fun in Wichita Kansas

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I need my wig done. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find a good, reliable hair braider here in Manhattan. But I did find one in Wichita, so we just paired my hair appointment with a visit to the big city. We get something we need to do as well as a few things we love to do at the same time. Every trip is a little different, but we always stay in the same hotel. Here’s how to spend 24 hours in Wichita.

Table of Contents

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• Why Wichita, Kansas?
• What to Do
• Where to Eat and Drink in Wichita

Why Wichita, Kansas?

Wichita is about 2 hours SE of Manhattan. Unfortunately, we’ve eaten at all the good restaurants here in Manhattan. So we both like to escape to Wichita once a month to avoid crashing on the sofa every night out of boredom.

We also love getting spoiled at a nice hotel. And in Wichita, the place to stay in the Ambassador Hotel. The city offers a variety of accommodations, but I love the boutique-style, proximity to nightlife, and the amenities of the Ambassador. And it doesn’t hurt that the hotel is a part of the Marriott chain’s Autograph collection or that they offer a substantial military discount.

The Siena Tuscan Steakhouse serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And there is a 24-hr fitness center, free Wi-fi (with Alexa) and, free on-site parking.

What to Do

Jump on the Wichita Q-Line, a free and convenient way to maneuver around the downtown area. Explore the ICT Pop-Up Urban Park and visit the food trucks among the rotation, or visit one of more than 200 downtown shops, restaurants, or music or sporting venues. You can download the free MyStop Mobile app on Apple or Android to help plan your stay.

Since it was a lovely day, we took a walk along the river to see the Keeper of the Plains statue. The Keeper of the Plains was created in 1974, situated where Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers converge. While you’re there, stroll over to the Mid-America All-Indian Center for more information on the history of the Native American population in the area.

Where to Eat and Drink in Wichita

This time we decided to eat at Tanya’s Soup Kitchen. The cafe serves soups, salads, and sandwiches made with farm-fresh ingredients. I had a delicious Reuben, homemade macaroni made with gruyere cheese, and a bowl of spicy lentil soup. It was absolutely delicious. The restaurant also offers live music.

After dinner, we headed over to one of our favorite breweries. Third Place Brewery offers great craft beer and a few wines for me. The atmosphere is pleasant and a military discount. Tonight, we played Uno with a group of friends on a bar crawl. Both are within walking distance of the hotel when the weather is nice.

We crashed after a midnight snack at Dockum Speakeasy, located in the basement of the Ambassador Hotel is a speakeasy bar that serves craft-style cocktails. Although prohibition is long gone in 2019, the allure of speakeasies still remains. The Dockum is hidden in the basement of the hotel, and you have to knock on the door to get in. Lit by candlelight and filled with 1920s-era vintage decor and feels special.

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