4 Interesting Facts About the City of Wichita

Although Wichita lacks a Big Four professional sports team, that doesn't mean the city is devoid of sporting events throughout the year. With a mix of pro, semi-pro, minor league, university, and local sports teams to satiate the desires of even the most hardcore sports fans, Wichita is an energetic, athletic city. The next time you're in the mood, check out a few of these places for the best sporting events in Wichita. 1. INTRUST Bank Arena If you can't get enough of the high-flying, fast-paced action of ice hockey, make the trip over to INTRUST Bank Arena. This 15,004-seat stadium in the heart of Wichita is home to the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL. This minor-league affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers has played in the city since 1992, and with tickets starting at just $11, there aren't many more affordable ways to have fun. more INTRUST Bank Arena is also home to the Wichita Force of the Champions Indoor Football League (CIF). In the four seasons of the CIF, the Force have made the playoffs three times, including a victory in Champions Bowl II in 2016. Single-game tickets start at just $12, but you can also sit front row for only $32. There's no other place where you can get that close to the action for such a small sum. 2. Charles Koch Arena Under the guidance of head coach Gregg Marshall, the Wichita State University men's basketball team has become one of the top teams in college basketball and the American Athletic Conference (AAC). With seven NCAA Tournament appearances since 2013, a Sweet Sixteen, and a Final Four, few other teams in the country can boast such a resume. At the 10,506-seat Charles Koch Arena, you can see the Shockers in action as they make their bid for another NCAA Tournament appearance. Although not as successful as the men's team, the women's basketball team is always up for a challenge, taking on championship-caliber conference foes such as UConn, UCF, and Cincinnati. Tickets for both the men's and women's teams vary by date, seat, and opponent. 3. Stryker Soccer Complex Founded in 2013, FC Wichita is a member of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) in the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. Since being added to the NPSL, FC Wichita has won the league title three times, making it one of the most successful clubs in the league. Although technically a semi-pro team, FC Wichita has players from across the globe who've played in some of North America's most prestigious leagues and divisions. In 2017, FC Wichita also added a women's team, making it the first professional women's soccer team in the city. Both teams play their home games at the 6,100-seat Stryker Soccer Complex, which recently underwent a $22 million renovation to make it one of the top fields in the game outside of Major League Soccer. No matter what your favorite sport, Wichita has a venue and a team that are destined to become one of your favorites. https://www.flickr.com/photos/mark6mauno/16016268977/sizes/l Image via Flickr by mark6mauno

Appreciate the historical significance of the Midwest right here in Kansas. From 19th-century memorabilia to a vast collection of American art, Kansas is home to several venues filled to the brim with unique artifacts. Keep reading to catch a glimpse of all the interesting things you're going to see in Wichita's best museums. Wichita Art Museum Wichita's art museum showcases the history of the Sunflower State. Founded in 1915 by Louise Murdock, a significant contributor to the city's early cultural scene, the museum opened to the public in 1935 with a display of borrowed exhibits. more The first purchased collections arrived in 1939 and were quickly followed a wide variety of paintings, sculptures, and textiles from talented artists, such as Mary Cassatt and others. The museum underwent a vast expansion in 1963, with a new lobby and two new wings. Today, collections sprawl over 115,000 square feet and the museum offers guests a research library, store, and cafe. What distinguishes this art museum from others is its collection of over 8,000 creative works by local and international talent. These pieces offer a particular focus on American art and the rich cultural heritage of the Great Plains. Wander outside and explore the Art Garden. Meandering alongside the Little Arkansas River, the garden features a diverse variety of local flora, including 20,000 perennials. Home to 13 sculptures, this outdoor exhibit blends delightfully with the lush landscape. The Wichita Art Museum sits at 1400 W. Museum Blvd. While the Art Garden never closes, the museum is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Monday and at noon on Sundays. The Old Cowtown Museum Head back in time to the glorious days of cowboys at The Old Cowtown Museum. It's a living memorial to what life was like along the historic Chisholm Trail, one of the storied cattle drives of the wild west. With more than 10,000 permanent artifacts, exhibits include tools, textiles, and furnishings. An assortment of 54 buildings depicts life along the trail, while the 5-acre period farm is still home to cows, sheep, goats, and chickens. The highlight of the museum is the 1884 Smith House, and costumed volunteers demonstrate the area's history from traditional log cabins. The museum's archive of photographs, letters, and documents authenticate many of the artifacts on display and help educate guests about the history of this proud cattle town. Find the Old Cowtown Museum at 1865 W. Museum Blvd. Exhibits are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Mid-America All-Indian Center Home to museum-quality works, the Mid-America All-Indian Center features more than 3,000 pieces created by Native American artists from around the country. The crowning jewel of the center is the permanent exhibit celebrating the life of Blackbear Bosin. The Mid-America All-Indian Center is at 650 N. Seneca and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Visit Wichita's cultural centers today. With such a large variety of thought-provoking exhibits, there's sure to be something of interest for everyone. Image via Flickr by Ty Nigh

If you're planning a romantic dinner or just in the mood for a delicious meal in a classy place, be sure to check out these fine dining restaurants in Wichita, Kansas. more Wine Dive With an eclectic menu and a relaxed ambiance, Wine Dive not only serves delicious cuisine but also has an extensive wine list that perfectly pairs with your meal. Lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch are served. Start off your meal with the beef bruschetta topped with cream cheese and chopped beef tenderloin, or opt for the drunken bread, which is a homemade casserole of local baguette crumbles, prosciutto, and Gruyere mixed in a white wine sauce. For the lighter appetite, try the apple harvest salad, which includes Gala apples, candied pecans, bleu cheese crumbles, and dried cranberries, or the Fattoush salad, which includes mixed greens, mint, parsley, cilantro, baked naan bread, tomatoes, and more. For the main course, go wild with the lobster, shrimp, and crab mac and cheese, wild boar bolognese, or the twister linguine. Save room for dessert and order the chocolate torte, s'mores, or crème brûlée. Wine Dive is located at 4714 E Douglas and is open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Chester's Chophouse & Wine Bar Chester's Chophouse & Wine Bar exemplifies fine dining. With rich mahogany woods, stone fireplaces, and glove-soft leather booths, this classic American chophouse has an inviting, yet classy atmosphere. From large windows, you'll enjoy beautiful views of the water while you dine. While known for their corn-fed, perfectly marbled and aged Midwestern beef that is cooked over a wood fire, the restaurant has a menu full of mouthwatering entrees that are sure to please your palate. Begin your meal with the Bangkok calamari with sweet chili glaze or Beef Carpaccio with warm potato and arugula salad. For your entrée, try the maple mustard salmon or cut into a 22-ounce USDA prime bone-in cowboy rib-eye steak. Chester's Chophouse & Wine Bar is located at 1550 North Webb Road and is open Sunday from 4:30-9 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 4:30-10 p.m. Café Bel Ami For a French Mediterranean dining experience, head to Café Bel Ami. This long-established restaurant in downtown Wichita serves lunch and dinner. For starters, try a cup of soup du jour or scalloped bouchée, which is sautéed scallops in a pastry shell with a cream garlic sauce. For your entrée, try one of the specialties, such as the Seafood Curry, braised lamb shank, or filet au poivre, which is a center-cut tenderloin with a five-pepper sauce. For dessert, dig into the crème custard or apple and pear bread pudding. Café Bel Ami is located at 229 E William St, Suite 1010 and is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. and Saturdays from 5-9 p.m. From steaks to seafood to wine and more, these are some of the best fine dining restaurants in Wichita. Image via Pixabay by guillermomuro00