The Ultimate Weekend in Wichita, Kansas for a Sports Fan

Before You Go

Two sporty days in Wichita, Kansas

Day 1

Morning

• Indulge in morning fare: For breakfast, there's no better place than Doo-Dah Diner. This local favorite prides itself on gourmet comfort food made from scratch daily. They have a rotation of weekly specials that include crab cake benedict and a delicious shocker scramble. For signature entrees, make sure to try banana bread french toast, Tanya's Benny, or the Triple D.
• Immerse yourself in the local art: You might be familiar with the idea of a troll living under a bridge but Wichita takes it to another level. Fondly named The Wichita Troll, this seven-foot subterranean work of art lies in wait beneath an unassuming storm gate. For extra credit, visit the world’s largest mural by a single artist, El Sueño Original. 
• Cheer on small-town soccer: Wichita doesn’t have any professional sports teams but there are a wealth of minor league options that are fun and won’t break the bank. FC Wichita, a minor league soccer franchise with both men’s and women’s teams, has a season that runs from May to July. It plays its home games at Stryker Sports Complex and tickets start at just $5. The stadium holds just 6,100 people, so feel free to scream at the ref and know that they'll actually hear you. 

Mid day

• Taste a cheeseburger to write home about:If you've never had a wagyu burger before, the place to try it is Dempsey’s Burger Pub. El pollo verde, the chicken sandwich, is equally great.

Afternoon

• Check out Old Town: If you have a game on the docket, swing by Mort’s Martini & Cigar Bar for a pregame drink. Located in the historic Old Town neighborhood, Mort's has live music 365 days of the year.
• Learn about the air capital of the world: Named the best museum in Kansas, step back in time with a visit to the Kansas Aviation Museum. Once the site of one of the country’s first airports (Wichita Municipal), the museum is housed in a beautiful art deco building with a 11,000-pound original mural that welcomes visitors at the entrance.

Evening

• Head to the game: Head over to INTRUST Bank Arena for the big game, concert, or latest rendition of Disney on Ice. If you need help finding a parking spot, check out this interactive map of options near the arena and throughout downtown. If you're not driving yourself, the best dropoff/pickup for ride shares is near the intersection of Emporia Avenue and English Street.
• Sit down to a nice meal: After the game, unwind with dinner at The Sweet Spot. Try the surf and turf with a glass of wine or a local beer. They also have great seafood-inspired cocktails.
• Follow it up with a ‘home-cooked’ meal: The Pumphouse is a classic post-game bar in Old Town. This family-owned watering hole and restaurant also has weekly trivia and DJs every Friday and Saturday.

Day 2

Morning

• Eat local: Start your second full day in Wichita by grabbing breakfast at the phenomenal HomeGrown Wichita, which serves local dishes featuring ingredients sourced across Wichita, Kansas City, Des Moines, and Arkansas. Don't miss the pistachio and cherry french toast.
• Go touch some grass: Sometimes we all need a mental reset, especially in the chaos of a sports-filled weekend. If you're not attending a game until later this evening, head over to Botanica Wichita. Nestled between the Arkansas River and Little Arkansas River, the space offers 20 acres of award-winning gardens with more than 4,000 plant species.
• See the historic statue: The Keeper of the Plains is one of Wichita's iconic landmarks. It’s a 44-foot steel sculpture standing at the point where the Big and Little Arkansas rivers join together.

Mid day

• Try the G.A.F. fries: Lunch at River City Brewing Company won't be complete until you try these fries, which are basically nachos with waffle fries instead of chips. If you’re a beer fiend and your stomach can handle it on top of the rich food, order the Orange Haze or the RCB Helles.

• Relax in a beer garden: Wichita has an underrated brewery scene, and the excellent Nortons Brewing Company is in the heart of downtown and within walking distance of the arena.
• Play some pickleball: Chicken N Pickle is an awesome entertainment complex with several pickleball and bocce ball courts, as well as a game room with ping pong and tons of TVs. There's also a bar if you play better after a drink or two..

Evening

• Unwind in fashion: Make dinner reservations for 6S Steakhouse. This place is as upscale as it gets in Wichita but has the hospitality ad charm of a home-cooked meal.
• Catch a baseball game: Equity Bank Park plays host to the Wichita Wind Surge. The Surge are the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. The arena holds 10,000 people and feels more like a massive high school baseball stadium. You can sit right behind home plate for relative pennies.
• Hang outside: If live music is your jam, Wave has a great indoor-outdoor venue downtown that doubles as a community space and is just a few blocks from the arena. It can hold up to 3,500 people and has hosted gigantic acts like Wu-Tang, Snoop Dogg, and Coheed and Cambria.

If You Have Three Days

All the above, but add...

• Interested in (safely) hurling weapons at a target? Blade & Timber axe throwing has just what you need to either blow off some steam or settle any lingering bets with your friends. Make sure you book a slot, this place gets pretty busy, especially on weekends.
• If the extensive brewery scene is something you want to indulge in even more, Wichita has free public transport. The Q-LINE shuttle serves Downtown, Historic Delano, Old Town, and the Douglas Design District.
• Use your extra time to snag a ticket to a Wichita Thunder hockey game. The minor league team has been playing at INTRUST since it opened in 2010. You may be in the Midwest but hockey culture is surprisingly solid in Wichita. The Thunder are affiliated with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks.
   

If You Have Four Days

All the above, but add...

• The Arkansas River offers lots of outdoor adventure options, weather depending. Rent a kayak for a peaceful paddle along the water.
• Looking for another family or group-friendly activity? Wichita has joined the Escape room/games craze. I had fun at Entrap Games, where kids and adults can both enjoy a little friendly competition.

Extra Credit