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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

When you're on the lookout for somewhere in Wichita, Kansas to spend a nice day with the kids, we have some suggestions. Enjoy the best family day filled with adventures at one of these fun and educational places. Museum of World Treasures What do you call a fascinating venue filled with ancient treasures from around the world? The Museum of World Treasures, of course. Touting a diverse collection of unique objects from military history to dinosaur bones and Egyptian mummies, the museum offers a glimpse into ancient civilizations long turned to dust. more Join museum staff on the first Thursday of the month from 5 to 7 p.m. for family night. For just $5, everyone 5 and older gets to meet a variety of dinosaurs, including Ivan, a 38-foot skeletal model of a Tyrannosaurus rex. Fun activities and projects add even more delight to the experience. Located at the Wichita Public Schools, the mission of the Museum of World Treasures is to inspire, entertain, and educate visitors. It's truly a wonderful way to spend the day with family, and it's open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Botanica — Community Gardens of Wichita Open year-round, Botanica — Community Gardens of Wichita is a terrific way to get the whole family outdoors. A center for horticulture, it now encompasses 30 separate gardens over 17 lush acres. Each unique area offers sculptures, streams, fountains, and waterfalls, in addition to more than 4,000 plant species that change over the seasons. There's also a library, as well as the Beverly R. Blue Teaching Garden dedicated to raising awareness. The Downing Children's Garden opened in 2011 and offers more than an acre of child-themed activities. The jewel of the children's garden, a beautiful carousel donated by Joyland Amusement Park, is a must-ride. Enter monster woods if you dare, explore the tree house and pond, and then have a seat in the enchanted glen for story time. Sedgwick County Zoo What family doesn't love a wild adventure at the zoo? Sedgwick County Zoo is home to 400 species of animals and 3,000 individuals grouped geographically based on their natural habitats, from Asia to Africa, from elephants to tigers. Learn more about the apes that reside at the zoo with a keeper chat at 3:30 p.m. every day or get eye to eye with a giraffe and feed him some veggies. Embark on a behind-the-scenes encounter your little ones will never forget, such as at the Cessna Penguin Cove. Get inside the enclosure and venture out into the habitat to meet the animals. Recognized for its successful breeding program of rare and endangered species, Sedgwick County Zoo recently announced the birth of orangutan Lily, who was delivered via C-section on Sep. 7. Grab the kids and enjoy the best family day in Wichita. With a visit to the Museum of World Treasures, botanical gardens, and zoo, it's sure to be an exciting excursion for all your family members. Image via Flickr by CrankyPK