Blog

Located in the south-central part of Kansas, Wichita is the largest city in the state. Since it was founded as a trading post on the Chisholm Trail in the 1860s, the city has been attracting new residents all the time. If you're making a move to Wichita and you're wondering what to expect, here are five things to keep in mind. more 1. Minimal Traffic If you're coming from another major city in the United States, you might be surprised by the minimal traffic in Wichita. Even though it's the biggest city in the state, you'll rarely have to deal with major traffic delays. You might occasionally run into a slow down during rush hour or when the roads are being worked on, but almost everything in Wichita is a 15- to 20-minute drive away, which makes commuting and running errands a breeze. 2. Easy to Get Around Perhaps one reason why Wichita doesn't have to deal with major traffic issues like other cities is that the city is laid out in a grid system that's fairly easy to navigate. The interstate system also makes it simple to get around the city. If you want to avoid the heart of Wichita, Interstate 35 runs east of the city and Interstate 235 runs west of it. On the other hand, if you need to head to downtown Wichita, Interstate 135 takes you directly through the heart of the city. 3. Plenty of Things to Do When you arrive in Wichita, you'll discover you have plenty of activities to enjoy. You can check out the animals at the Sedgwick County Zoo, learn more about nature at the Great Plains Nature Center, tour the Wichita Art Museum, stroll through the lovely Botanica Wichita Gardens, and more. 4. East Versus West After you move to Wichita, you might notice people will ask if you live on the east side or west side. This is because Wichitans have a friendly East Wichita versus West Wichita rivalry. At one time, it wasn't so easy to get from one side of the city to the other. People who lived on the east side or west side typically didn't leave their side of town. While new major highways have now made it much easier to get around, this good-natured teasing about which side is best still persists. 5. Numerous Golf Courses Although places like Florida and Arizona get all the glory when it comes to golf courses, Wichita also has plenty of excellent options. If you enjoy golfing, Wichita has five premium public courses conveniently located around the city. Each course offers its own unique layout and provides a different challenge for golfers of all skill levels. Of course, these aren't the only golf courses in the area. You'll also find numerous private clubs that have some spectacular courses and other amenities. Wichita is a lovely city with a unique vibe. If you're planning a move to the city, these are just a few things you can expect when you arrive. Image via Flickr by Ty Nigh

It's never too late to pick up a new hobby or find a new way to entertain yourself, and around the Wichita, Kansas, area there are a lot of things to do. Here is a list of some fun, exciting activities you can try that will broaden your horizons. more 1. Yoga From the outside looking in, yoga might just seem like a bunch of breathing and stretching, but the transformative effects it can have on the body are simply amazing. According to studies, yoga not only builds up inner core strength and increases flexibility but also will reduce stress levels and strengthen the immune system. It's an all-natural way to increase your quality of life and there are a lot of different classes going on throughout the Wichita area that will fit into any schedule. 2. Rogers Ballet Rogers Ballet offers classes for students throughout the year regardless of their experience level. Their focus is on classical ballet and classes focus on everything from mechanics and presentation to maintaining a positive and joyful attitude. The school is owned and operated by Sharon Rogers, who is an Associate Professor of Ballet at the Friends University Ballet Program. Her spacious studio is equipped with Harlequin covered floors and the small class sizes ensure that students get the attention they need to excel at ballet. For information on class schedules and tuition, information is available on their website or via phone at (316) 263-8014. 3. Youth Lawn Mowing Clinic Designed for fifth- through ninth-graders who are interested in earning some money over the summer mowing lawns, the Youth Mowing Clinic is a one-day event on March 13, 2019. Over the course of a few hours, students will learn about different types of lawn grass, mowing safety, mower maintenance, and the business basics of mowing lawns. There are a morning and afternoon classes available and registration is $10. For more information and registration details, check out the Youth Lawn Mowing Clinic sign-up page. 4. Technology Classes at the Wichita Public Library The public library in Wichita has a plethora of different technology classes and seminars patrons can attend to become more digitally proficient. These classes cover subjects such as basic computing skills, audio/visual technology, building a digital business, learning Apple products, and many others. Many of these classes are free, but prospective students will still need to sign up through the specific branch where the class is being held. 5. Wichita Old Cowtown Lecture Series Local history buffs will love this set of lectures about everyday life during the latter half of the 19th century in the Wichita area. The lectures cover topics such as the hotels of the era, love and marriage, the development of Kansas and Wichita, banking, and more. The cost of each lecture is $3 or free if you're a member. For more information, check out the Old Cowtown Museum website or give them a call at (316) 350-3323. As you can see, there are many different classes and lectures to take in Wichita that appeal to a wide range of interests. Check out the ones that appeal to you and have fun learning something new. Image via Flickr by PaulAdamsPhotography

As the biggest city in the state, there's no shortage of fun things to do in Wichita, Kansas. There are also plenty of opportunities to stay active no matter the season. Here are just a few of our favorites in the area. The Prairie Sunset Trail There are plenty of places to run in Wichita, whether you prefer paved pathways or trail running. One of the best in the area is the Prairie Sunset Trail in the western part of the city. There you'll find 15 miles of crushed limestone pathway, which strikes a fine balance between harder pavement and softer earth. more The trail is maintained by different nonprofit groups and city cooperatives, and it's also meant for walkers and cyclists to enjoy. You might even encounter a group of horseback riders on a particularly fine day. For the most part, though, this is not one of Wichita's busier trails, meaning you should enjoy solitude if you decide on a winter run. The Wichita Riverside Tennis Center Grab your racket and hit the tennis court; the Wichita Riverside Tennis Center is a great place to practice a sport that exercises your whole body. If you're an experienced player, you might consider entering one of the center's league competitions. There are brackets for men, women, and co-ed competitors. If you're just starting out, book an inexpensive group lesson with a qualified instructor. Tennis classes are available for both children and adults. You can even opt for a private lesson if your game would benefit from a bit of individual attention. Classes are scheduled through the end of 2018 and can be booked online. CrossFit Wichita Join a local gym if you don't already belong to one. There are plenty of options to choose from in Wichita, and they all offer a great way to stay active even when the weather becomes unpleasant. One of our favorites is CrossFit Wichita. CrossFit is a type of fitness routine that emphasizes high-intensity interval training in a variety of different exercises. An entry-level membership with the program means you'll commit to six weeks of beginner CrossFit, after which you can renew your membership on a monthly basis. You'll work closely with qualified trainers to determine and meet your own personal fitness goals. Opti-Life Another great option if you're seeking a gym environment is Opti-Life, a 34,000-square-foot facility tailored to your health and fitness needs. The highlight of your membership here is access to all Group X classes, which includes things like Les Mills programming, group cycling, weight training, interval training, and much more. However, Opti-Life is about much more than just building up a sweat. It's also a place for you to take care of your mind at the attached Rejuvenation Spa. This 2,000-square-foot space offers massages, facials, and other body treatments to ease your aches and pains after a tough workout. No matter the weather, there's no excuse to remain sedentary in a city as vibrant and active as Wichita, Kansas. Check out any of these suggestions for a guaranteed great time. Image via Flickr by Travis Issacs