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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

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

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