Wichita Animal Encounters to Visit this Spring

If you live and Wichita, Kansas, and have an adventurous spirit, getting out and exploring the city is one of the best ways to spend a weekend. Here are some of the best spots in Wichita to put on your itinerary for weekend explorations. more 1. Botanica Wichita For flower lovers, there's no better place to go for weekend exploring in Wichita than Botanica Wichita. This popular spot has been open since 1987 and offers four gardens filled with gorgeous flowers and plants. If you want to know more about any of the plant species that you see, you can stop by the horticultural library to learn something new. Botanica Wichita also features numerous themed gardens that display different species depending on the time of year. 2. Keeper of the Plains Plaza The history of Wichita is inextricably linked to that of the Native American people who have long called this area home. If you'd like to learn more about this cultural link, then the Keeper of the Plains Plaza is a great place to explore this weekend. At the center of the plaza is a massive steel structure depicting a Native American keeping watch over the land. The statue stands where the Arkansas River meets the Little Arkansas River and in the evenings the plaza is lit by the Ring of Fire that surrounds the statute. 3. Exploration Place If you have a passion for science, Exploration Place is a must-visit location in Wichita. This science center is tucked on the banks of the scenic Arkansas River and offers several ways that you and your kids can have fun. Exploration Place features multiple exhibits dedicated to math and science, as well as exhibits dedicated to the culture and history of Wichita. You can also see a show at the Dome Theater or go for a stroll through the outdoor Exploration Park. 4. Sedgwick County Zoo Do you love seeing exotic animals up close and in person? If so, then you need to spend a day exploring the Sedgwick County Zoo. The zoo is separated into different world regions to make it easy to find the exact animal you're looking for among the more than 3,000 creatures that call this zoo home. If you visit the Africa region, you can see large animals such as gorillas and hippopotami. You should also be sure to stop by the penguin cove to watch these playful and gregarious birds glide through the water. 5. Arkansas River Path If you're in the mood for a long, leisurely walk, you should head over to the Arkansas River Path. This paved trail is over 3 miles long and winds its way along the gorgeous river waters. Walk the entire path and you'll get a great look at some of the top attractions in Wichita, including the All-American Indian Center. The River Path is also near the downtown area, so after you're done walking, you can stop by a nearby eatery for a delicious meal. Wichita is one of the best cities to live in if you love exploring on the weekends. The next time your work week is over, make sure to stop by one of these excellent exploration spots. https://www.flickr.com/photos/tylercipriani/32913715534/sizes/l Image via Flickr by tyler.cipriani

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