Going on a road trip means having the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want. It’s so different from the life you know: having a timetable of tasks at work; following a daily routine; and seeing the same people over and over. This makes packing your bags and filling up the gas tank of your car all the more appealing.
It doesn’t matter if the duration of your trip is the entire summer vacation or just the weekend off, the country offers a wide array of destinations to choose from. Whether you’re in it for nature sightings, culinary experience, or historical immersion, a road trip promises to leave you with a renewed spirit to face the mundanity of life.
Kansas may be known as a flyover state, but it has an up-and-coming road trip destination in the form of Wichita City. Take the road less traveled and see why the city must be included in your travel list– the only list allowed at this point.
1. Safe roads
Before the fun part, see first if the road to your destination is safe. Wichita has sources online which offer regular updates on the weather conditions and road closures. Road resurfacing have started earlier this year, including the construction of the bicycle and pedestrian lanes– a testament to Wichita’s increasing number of visitors, and laidback community. There are also monthly progress reports to know the state of the road improvements to access the city easily. And in case of an emergency, Wichita has emergency vehicles on standby, ready to respond.
2. Hospitality
Wichita is not particularly a popular travel destination, so when a traveler comes over, locals will gladly give out suggestions on where to go and what to do. They might even offer to tour you around, try out a friend’s restaurant, and call in some friends for company. Here, the locals are genuinely interested in connecting with you. They will make sure that you’ll enjoy your stay in the city.
3. Small-town charm
Because locals are connected with each other, when you meet one, don’t be surprised to be introduced to almost everyone else. This is a kind of city where everyone knows each other and have grown up together.
Along the brick-lined street, the hidden gems in this place are not so hidden, as no secret is safe in a small city.
4. Comfort food and drinks
How about a round, or three, of barbecue and beer? Since Wichita is near Kansas, it has a top-tier barbecue scene. Considering the city’s small population, having six breweries sounds too many, add the fact that there are numerous beer bars around.
You do have to stay over for the night and sober up before hitting the road again, which is perfect if you’re looking for an excuse to have a longer stopover or another set of slow-smoked barbecue, but this time, for breakfast — either that or a sandwich from Old Mill Tasty Shop that has been opened since 1932.
Whether you’re alone or with a bunch of friends, Wichita has a charm that is mostly rooted in the people who live there. Don’t be afraid to talk to the locals and have fun; for sure, you might even return the second time.
