Wichita, KS
Wichita, Kansas, located near the Arkansas River, is the largest city in Kansas. Although it began as a trading post in the 1860s, it earned its nickname “cowtown” from becoming a cattle destination for those traveling from Texas. Not only is it known for its rich history, but Wichita is often considered a regional center for culture.
Home to large museums, parks and theater, Wichita, Kansas has lots to offer. While many cities offer museum tours for cultural art events, Wichita has a “Final Friday Gallery Crawl.” This event allows visitors to tour many small art galleries for free on the last Friday of each month. To boost creativity, conversation and relationships, this event has been a great benefit to socializing in the city.
Thunderstorms are frequent during the spring and summer. Although hail can occur, many people enjoy sitting outside on a screened in porch or deck to watch the storms roll in. Uniquely positioned between Canada and the Gulf of Mexico makes for a wide variety of weather. For those who prefer to experience a full spectrum of seasons, this is a particularly attractive place to live.
For $40,000 a year, the majority of families can live quite comfortably in Wichita. Renting a one-bedroom apartment to enjoy living in a big city costs substantially less than most metropolitan areas. Since there a variety of options for public transportation including trolleys, public bicycles and buses, the cost of owning a car can also be eliminated.
Wichita is unlike many other cities in its ability to retain small-town charm. Even though it is home to a large downtown area of art museums, concert venues, it still has the coveted Midwestern feel to it. The Old Cowtown Museum recreates a variety of vintage buildings from the late 1860s with hands-on exhibits for children. Although the metropolitan area has much to offer in the way of shopping and cuisine, it’s not hard to find relief from city life. The botanical gardens and zoo are an easy way to transported into exotic nature.
Since 1972, the Wichita River Festival has been held in the Old Town area of the city. Not only are there music events, but sporting and historical activities are also held on a regular basis. Because Wichita, Kansas has a hometown feel to a big city, there are still many activities for children to enjoy. Interactive events for children include parades, plays and historical activities that can all be found downtown.
As with any established city, the public library is a staple. The Wichita Public Library offers an Academy Awards Shorts program that hosts a public screening completely free to the public. Short films include those that are nominated by the Oscars. In Wichita, there are many ways to enjoy culture without spending money. Whether attending free gallery meetups or perusing library gatherings, a rich culture is not hard to find.
Wichita, Kansas has much to offer at any age. Children, college students and older adults can all enjoy both downtown and nature-filled locations in the city. For a range of weather and interesting activities, Wichita is one of the biggest cities with a home-town feel.