Wichita Wonders: A Day of Marathons, Markets, and More

Before this trip I had never stepped foot in the Wheat State and truly there's no place quite like it. I took a long 13 hour drive from Louisiana out to Wichita to cheer on my close friend, Sarrah, in her very first marathon and explore a little piece of Wichita.

Morning

We started off the morning with breakfast sandwiches from Il Primo Espresso Caffe. This coffee shop is actually the first Coffee House in Wichita! And the sandwiches alone were worth a stop, but I'm told the coffee is even better.

The rest of the morning was spent cheering on my friend at the Prairie Fire Marathon. This race is Wichita's premiere marathon and their Spring and Fall races are Boston qualifying courses so it attracts runners worldwide. Bopping from spot to spot through the city, Sarrah's family gave me an unofficial tour along the way. Some spots they recommended checking out are:

• Cowtown Museum - Wichita earned the nickname "Cowtown" in the late 1800s because it was a major hub for cattle drives along the Chisholm Trail. Cowboys herded cattle from Texas to Wichita's railheads, where they were shipped to markets in the East, making the city a booming center of the cattle trade. This museum is a living history museum that recreates life in Wichita during the 1860s - 1880s

• Wichita Botanica - This gorgeous garden is a nature lover's dream with over 30 themed areas. There are plenty of blooms, sculptures and paths to explore!

• Wichita Art Museum - This museum is a mix of classic and modern pieces including works by big names like Edward Hopper and Georgia O'Keeffe. The glass bridge is known to be an art piece in itself!

Afternoon

After the race, we headed over to HomeGrown Kitchen for some of the best brunch ever. Everything is made from scratch here and even their tables were made in Wichita!

Luckily I chose a perfect day to be in Wichita and the Open Streets ICT market was open. This event happens in the spring and fall where they close some stretches of streets for live music, dancing, entertainment, art, food, yoga, and so much more! There were tons of vendors and fun things to experience.

Evening

Wichita has a thriving brewery scene and we decided to head over to Nortons Brewing Company. This was such a cozy brewery with amazing outdoor seating and food! They're known for their unique craft beers and are continuously bringing new innovative recipes out!

After dinner, we made our way over to the iconic Keeper of the Plains to see their daily fire show. This sculpture is a symbol for the city of Wichita and a tribute to the Native American tribes who continue to gather at this sacred site. The fire show is a 15-minute event that takes place around the sculpture. The fire pots symbolize the sacred hoop of the four elements of earth, wind, fire, and water. It happens from 9 - 9:15 during Daylight Saving Time and from 7 - 7:15 during standard time.

That's a wrap on my time in Wichita! This city surprised me in the best way possible. Whether you're cheering on a friend at a marathon or just looking for a low-key getaway, Wichita is full of gems waiting to be explored. It's a place where history and modern culture come together, where local pride runs deep, and where you're bound to leave with a few new favorites. I only scratched the surface, but I can't wait to go back and see what else the Wheat State has to offer!