Only in Wichita: 4 Experiences You Can't Have Anywhere Else

Bowling is one of America's favorite pastimes. Bowling alleys are great venues for friendly competitions, while also providing countless hours of fun and bonding with family and friends. Luckily for those living in or around Wichita, Kansas, they have some amazing alleys to choose from. more Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes Located at the lower level of Wichita State University's Rhatigan Student Center, Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes is not only a great place for students to unwind, but also an ideal venue for locals to relax and have fun along with friends and family. The place features eight modern and great-looking bowling lanes, along with shoe rentals. They have special discounts for students, faculty, and staff members, but everyone is welcome. The food court is available if you get hungry, and there are games like pool or darts for moments when you feel like taking a break from bowling. Seneca Bowl Located at 1909 S Seneca Street, this is the place to be for all bowling enthusiasts in the Wichita area, regardless of their playing level. They offer 36 lanes with automatic scoring, so odds are you'll find an open lane every time you visit. Beginners are gently introduced to the game of bowling through comprehensive lessons that anyone can enjoy, from kids to senior citizens. Those who feel they are a little more advanced are given the chance to compete, with special tournaments and bowling leagues available for them to join. The Alley This bowling alley is probably the best place in town to go with kids and introduce them to bowling. Not only do they have special rates for those aged 12 and younger, but they also host a few other attractions that the kids will definitely love. Their latest addition is an engaging escape room, where kids and adults alike can become spies, secret agents, or superheroes for an hour or two, solving puzzles and escaping from challenging situations. They also feature bowling leagues where everyone can satisfy their competitive drive, no matter what their skill level is. West Acres Bowling Center This bowling center at 749 North Ridge Road is another place that can provide countless hours of fun for the entire family. They put much emphasis on getting kids passionate about the game of bowling, and they feature youth leagues where children and adults who never played bowling before can be introduced to the game. They have one of the best youth programs in the entire country, making it the perfect place to spark a passion that can last a lifetime. While kids are learning how to bowl, adults can relax at the sports bar or visit the pro shop. Bowling can be more than a sport. It is also a great way to relax and wind down after a long day's work as well as a good premise for a fun night out with friends or family. Any of these bowling alleys will provide visitors with everything they need for some great games of bowling, and much more. https://www.flickr.com/photos/aloha75/8120676717/sizes/l Image via Flickr by Sam Howzit

Are you planning a party but have no idea what to do for the food? Just bring in a food truck! You'll provide your guests with quality, tasty food they'll love, and you can get back to hosting the party. Since there are so many delicious food truck options, we've compiled a shortlist of four of Wichita's best-rated trucks. more 1. Funky Monkey Munchies While some food trucks consistently use just one menu for the food they serve, Funky Monkey Munchies has a rotating menu. This means you could use Funky Monkey Munchies for several parties and enjoy a variety of delicious, organic-based food. This food truck takes a classic item and puts a tasty spin on it, like cherry cheesecake waffles, for example. A menu item you'll have to try is the jalapeno popper rolls. Dip these rolls in Funky Monkey Munchies's sweet chili sauce, and your taste buds will experience sweet and spicy all at once. 2. The Flying Stove The Flying Stove also changes up their menu to keep you coming back for more of their delicious food. The level of flavor they pack into each dish will leave you satisfied and wanting more at the same time. The menu generally consists of tacos, sandwiches, burgers, and fries, but with their own flair to each item. You can't go wrong with their bleu cheeseburger, kale grilled cheese sandwich, or truffle fries. If you want something delicious that's sure to please the whole crowd, bring in The Flying Stove. 3. LumpiaPalooza If you've never tried lumpia before, you definitely should. Lumpia is essentially the Filipino version of a spring roll, but LumpiaPalooza makes lumpia with quite a variety of ingredients. The owners of LumpiaPalooza first opened a restaurant in Wichita called the Parsnipity Cafe, which is now no longer open. The owners decided to stick with just the food truck, so if you want the best lumpia in town, order from LumpiaPalooza. You can order a classic lumpia with sweet and sour sauce or try something completely different, like a macaroni and cheese lumpia or even a cookie dough lumpia. 4. Noble House Hawaiian Plate If you want a more Hawaiian-themed menu, check out Noble House Hawaiian. While Noble House Hawaiian is a restaurant based in Wichita, you won't want to pass up the opportunity to bring a taste of Hawaii to your guests by bringing in their food truck or team of caterers. The menu consists of several plate lunch variations, so you can go classic or try something very different. For instance, you can order the Hulihuli Chicken, which consists of marinated and charbroiled chicken, or Lau Lau, which consists of a piece of pork and butterfish wrapped steamed in a taro leaf and tea leaf. Noble House Hawaiian also caters sushi. Take a load off your event planning. Bring in any one of these four food trucks, and your guests won't be able to stop talking about how good the food was for the rest of the day. Image via Pixabay by kendallpools

Whether you need space, power, or to feel luxurious in a car, Mazda has an SUV for you. Here's the lowdown on three Mazdas so you can determine which one fits your lifestyle best. more Mazda CX-9 The Mazda CX-9 is available in four trim levels: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, and Signature. All trims are available in all-wheel drive, while the Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring are also available with front-wheel drive. This SUV is powered by a Skyactiv-G 2.5-turbo four-cylinder engine with Dynamic Pressure Turbo that gets 250 horsepower. Each Mazda CX-9's engine is paired with a Skyactiv six-speed automatic transmission. The 18.0-inch aluminum wheels, body-colored rear roof spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets give the CX-9 a sporty look. The Grand Touring stands out with aluminum roof rails with a satin chrome finish and 20.0-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. One of the perks of owning the CX-9 is that it is great for large families or those transporting team members because it seats up to seven passengers. Inside the cabin, you'll find luxurious amenities such as leather-trimmed seats, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof. A 7.0-inch full-color touch screen display and access to MazdaConnect keep you connected while on the go. Mazda CX-5 If you like a car with more options to select from, the Mazda CX-5 is your SUV because it can be customized in five trim levels — Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature. The Skyactive-G 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine (with Cylinder Deactivation) delivers 187 horsepower. Mazda has paired this engine with a Skyactive-Drive six-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode and manual-shift. The C X -5 has an aggressive appearance and available features, including a roof-mounted shark-fin antenna, body-colored rear roof spoiler, and bright finish dual exhaust outlets. LED headlights light the way ahead, and body-colored power side mirrors with LED turn signals ensure others know your intentions. With this car's Mazda Connect infotainment system and a 7.0-inch touch screen display with Bluetooth and Pandora integration, you now have both information and entertainment apps at the touch of a finger. Two USB inputs allow you to keep your devices charged and at the ready. Mazda CX-3 Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring are the three trim levels available for the Mazda CX-3. Each of these sport a Skyactive-G 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine with VVT. This engine will arrive paired with a Skyactive-Drive six-speed automatic transmission, and get 148 horsepower. A rear roofline spoiler and roof-mounted shark-fin antenna keep the lines sleek, and clear-lens halogen headlights light up your path.  The Touring and Grand Touring feature heated side mirrors and a piano black pillar garnish. There's plenty of room for five passengers to sit comfortably in the CX-3. If you love the feel of luxury, this is the SUV for you. The Sport has cloth-trimmed sport seats, while the seats in the Touring and Grand Touring are leather-trimmed. Also, the Grand Touring features a power sliding glass moonroof, leather steering wheel, and a Bose seven-speaker audio sound system. All trims include a Mazda Connect infotainment system, a 7.0-inch touch screen display, a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and push-button start. With so many great options, you're sure to find the perfect Mazda SUV to suit your lifestyle. Image via MazdaUSA.com