3 Awesome Winter Events in Wichita

Winter is upon us, and that means it's time to enjoy some of the best indoor and outdoor recreation opportunities Kansas has to offer. We've put together this short list of some of our favorite winter getaways to help you get started this holiday season. 1. Visit Lawrence Check out this town in northeastern Kansas on Dec. 1 and 2 this year to participate in its annual Winter Wonder Weekend. There are several events scheduled for 2018, including a Festival of Trees at Liberty Hall, a Gala Auction Party, an old-fashioned Christmas buffet dinner, and a gingerbread festival. more Naturally, the star of the show is the 26th Annual Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade. You'll get to see authentic horse-drawn carriages decked out in full holiday regalia and pulled by some of the most beautiful horses in the state. There are also lots of shopping and dining opportunities in the area. Best of all, Lawrence is just a little over two hours from Wichita, making it an easy trip. 2. Journey to Manhattan Also about two hours from Wichita is the city of Manhattan, Kansas. This is a great place to be during the winter season. The nearby Konza Prairie and Flint Hills offer spectacular landscapes; rolling, pastoral farmland blanketed in fresh snow greets the eye everywhere you turn. You can also check out the Flint Hills Discovery Center to learn about this environment. We recommend seeking solace from the cold with a warm cup of coffee at the nearby Radina's Coffeehouse and Roastery. Alternatively, if you'd rather be out and about, try ice skating at Wefald Center in City Park. 3. Stay at the Great Wolf Lodge Stay at this posh lodge right in Kansas City, Kansas, which is about two hours and 45 minutes from Wichita. The tastefully decorated rooms make for a great retreat from harsh winter weather. You can check out any number of nearby attractions while you're here, but you might not want to leave the premises when you see the amazing Christmas decorations. There are fully lit Christmas trees right in the lobby, and snowflakes hang from the ceiling and sparkle in the warm glow of the fireplace. Best of all, the Great Wolf Lodge has an expansive indoor water park that will make you forget all about the cold weather. 4. Seek Respite at the Cedar Crest Lodge Book a room at the Cedar Crest Lodge and enjoy a view of rural Pleasanton, Kansas, which is just under three hours from Wichita. Spring for the Country Meadow room if you want the utmost in luxury. This suite features a king-size bed, refrigerator, DVD player, and two-person corner soaking tub. If you're staying during a particularly cold winter, you'll really appreciate the heated floors and towel warmer. No matter which room you choose, this charming bed and breakfast lodge is a great place to enjoy the views of more than 100 acres of walking trails, trees, and ponds. Whether you're looking for an open-ended destination that will allow you to shop, dine, and have fun at your leisure or an all-inclusive lodge experience, there are plenty of great choices in the state of Kansas. Any of these four winter getaways will make this a season to remember. Image via Flickr by thigpen.robert

Nothing is more alluring to an art enthusiast than the draw of a world-renowned gallery. Favorite venues like the Wichita Art Museum and Ulrich Museum of Art host their fair share of visitors, but are they the only places in town to catch a stunning exhibit? Discover four smaller galleries in Wichita that you really must see, but probably haven't. Mead Street Gallery Mead Street Gallery is easy to miss, nestled near the shops in Old Town yet set apart. Find unique and locally made items such as vintage-inspired jewelry, blown glass pieces, and wooden home decor. Catch a glimpse of the creative process in full swing as artists work on their various projects right onsite. more Originality rules this gallery, and style is unlimited with 2-D canvas and 3-D metal pieces crafted primarily here in Kansas. Make sure to explore the booths out back, then sip a cup of tea and enjoy a bite of chocolate cake in its relaxing atmosphere. Museum of World Treasures Inspire your visual imagination at the Museum of World Treasures on First Street. Galleries filled with ancient wonders abound at the museum, from pre-Hispanic grave art to Apulian pottery which visually depicts the history of ancient Greece. Examine nature's artwork with fascinating minerals, crystals, and stones on display. History comes alive as you trek through time and experience dinosaurs, early Egyptians, and so much more. Deepen your appreciation for the arts and have coffee with the curator, hosted the third Thursday of the month at 9 a.m. Mid-America All-Indian Center The works on display at the Mid-America All-Indian Center are more potent than mere words. Found along the Arkansas River, the center is home to a gallery, museum, and a gift shop. The mission here is to educate and preserve the art and culture of America's native people. See traditional artifacts such as beadwork, pipe bags, jewelry, pottery, and woven baskets. Delight in the largest public collection of legendary Kiowa-Comanche artist Blackbear Bosin's artwork on permanent display. Find flags from over 70 tribes, proudly showcased in the center's Gallery of Nations. Then shop for authentic Native American clothing and handcrafted gifts before you head home. Tessera Fine Art Gallery Indulge your sense of wonder and delight at Tessera Fine Art Gallery on East Douglas Avenue. This gallery's 3,000 square feet is home to one of Wichita's largest original art collections, studios, and classrooms. More than 40 local artisans showcase their diverse media and styles in the heart of downtown's Old Town district. Final Friday is one of the best times to hit Tessera's gallery and the entire art scene in Old Town. Wichita's art walk is the perfect opportunity to explore a variety of galleries in a fun and festive atmosphere. Most museums and exhibition halls open their doors for free, so come on down. These are just four of the coolest galleries you really should see in Wichita. From the local monthly art crawl to the celebration of our country's native culture, embark on your creative adventure today. Photo by Ty Nigh | Licensed under cc BY 2.0

Looking for some new additions to your book collection? Whether you’re a collector or just searching for your next good book, find it at a local Wichita bookstore. Here are five places to find the perfect book. more Watermark Books & Cafe For a truly local bookstore experience, be sure to visit Watermark Books and Cafe on East Douglas Ave. Open six days a week and closed on Sunday, the store offers a variety of books across many genres. With an excellent children's section, the store hosts many storytimes and author signing events to help encourage young readers. In addition, the bookstore publishes newsletters for kids, teachers, new releases, and seasoned readers. With a big focus on local and regional authors, you can find some Wichita gems at Watermark. The bookstore's cafe offers soups and a variety of pastries to enjoy with your book. F.C. Ziegler Co. Also located on East Douglas Ave., F.C. Ziegler Company is a small Catholic bookstore chain. Open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, they carry prayer books, devotionals, bibles, and gift items. You can find history books and commemorative edition books to celebrate special occasions such as baptisms and weddings. Book-a-holic Book-a-holic is a wonderful independent used bookstore. With three locations in Wichita, all three are open seven days a week. Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The store allows you to buy, sell, or trade for your next great read in any genre from cooking to science-fiction and everything in between. Barnes & Noble Are you ready to explore a store with something for everyone? Stop by Barnes and Noble on North Rock Road. Free WiFi means you can escape the daily grind to study or work while enjoying a Starbucks coffee in the on-site cafe. You can also relax and disconnect in many of the welcoming seating areas located throughout the store. With weekly storytimes (featuring free cafe items and giveaways for the kids), author events, book release parties, Barnes & Noble is a great weekly stop for the kids. In addition to their events and extensive periodical inventory, you can pick up special orders in-store. Al's Old & New Book Store LLC If you are looking for a new copy of an old book, head over to Al's Old and New Book Store on East William Street. The store focuses on carrying older titles that are hard to find in other locations, including classics and a variety of history books. If you are looking for a treasured book from years ago, ask them to show you the special research tools they have to help cut down your search time. Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to explore their more than 40,000 book inventory. With so many options, it will be fun and easy to find your next read at one of these Wichita bookstores. Make it a weekly after-school field trip with the kids or make it a date night stop to sip a cup of coffee and browse the extensive book selections at your favorite store. Image via Pixabay by geralt