There are lots of things to do on a wellness weekend in Wichita, Kan.! Whether you need to relax and de-stress, or you’re looking for ways to get active and healthy, Wichita has something for you.

NOTE: Our visit to Wichita was hosted by Visit Wichita and this blog post was sponsored. The opinions expressed (and memories of a relaxing weekend in the heart of the country) are our own. 

Read on to discover how you can spend a wellness weekend pampering yourself in Wichita. 

So what is a wellness weekend?

A wellness weekend (it can actually be any time of the week) is a few days when you get away to focus on you and your health. 

Some people use a wellness weekend to kick-start a new, healthier lifestyle while others simply enjoy a retreat to hone healthy habits they’ve incorporated into their lives. 

Since beginning our healthy living journey and losing a combined 200 pounds, we’ve enjoyed a blend of movement and relaxation in our wellness travels. We look for activities that stimulate our muscles and joints as well as our brains. We seek out interesting and healthy cuisines. And we find ways to slow down and de-stress. It turns out that Wichita is a perfect place for a wellness weekend. 

Things to do in Wichita: start with movement

Wichita has a bunch of ways to get some steps in when you visit. Take a stroll through Botanica, Wichita’s beautiful outdoor gardens where you can enjoy gorgeous plantings while adding to your step-counter.

You can also check out the Old Cowtown Museum, or stroll through the beautiful galleries at the Wichita Art Museum. 

When you visit the Wichita Art Museum, be sure to stop by the gift shop. It is filled with unique items including the works of local artists, great gifts for children, and handmade jewelry.

Get out on the water in Wichita

Looking to work your upper body, too? Try kayaking on the Arkansas River. Boats and Bikes, located right on the Downtown River Corridor, provides rentals of kayaks, peddle boats, bicycles, and more. 

Operated by Wichita State University, their goal is to bring outdoor health and fitness activities to the area for locals and visitors alike. During our visit, we had a chance to get out on the river. We’ve only kayaked a couple of times, but the staff at Boats and Bikes made the process simple. They carried the kayak to the dock, and held it in place as they helped us climb in. 

They gave us some guidance on where to go, and we were off. We loved paddling along this part of the Arkansas river–it’s very calm and there isn’t much current, at all. 

It made for a beautiful morning out on the water and we got some fantastic views we’d never get from shore.

Connect with others

If you’re a real fitness enthusiast, check out the Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita’s website. On it you’ll find a list of community events including walks, runs, rides, and more. 

PIN FOR LATER

Things to do in Wichita to relax and unwind

Start with a little time in the spa…

Relaxation is key to a wellness weekend, and one of the best ways to get relaxed is with a massage. Schedule a couple hours in Bohemia Healing Spa and enjoy one of their soothing spa treatments.

We indulged in the hour-long couple’s massage, but they offer a variety of other treatments for individuals, as well. They even have a luxurious bath treatment that is guaranteed to wash stress away.

Bohemia Healing Spa is located in the historic Delano District, a super-cute neighborhood worth exploring by itself. Next door, you’ll find Bungalow 26 a shop offering local and area products including bath salts, lotions, jewelry and other self-care must-haves.

Grab a healthy bite 

Healthy food doesn’t have to be boring. Wichita’s restaurants prove you can get a good meal without sacrificing flavor or quality. 

Breakfast options

We always like starting our mornings with a good cup of coffee, and have found a bunch of great spots in town to do just that. Reverie Coffee Roasters offers a delicious start to your day with house-roasted coffee and fresh baked goods from their authentic European-style bakery.   

If you go to Coffee Daze, have your camera ready. Not only will you find a great cup of coffee, you’ll also have the chance to order some of the most beautiful breakfast toast we’ve found anywhere. Check these out!

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention one of our other favorite coffee shops, Leslie Coffee Co. Ann fell in love with their avocado toast (with pickled mustard seeds) from her very first bite way back in 2020, and we’ve been back many times since.  The shop is filled with green plants, so it’s an especially nice place to really relax and unwind. 

Lunch at Meddy’s…

Meddy’s serves up fresh and authentic Mediterranean dishes that will have you wanting to come back again and again. What’s even better is that they LISTEN to what you want and even offer suggestions on how to make your meal just the way you want it.

After talking with team member José, Ann ordered a Big Bowl with grilled veggies, salmon, extra tomato relish (instead of rice), and no sauce. The flavors melded together marvelously, and the calorie count was kept where Ann wanted it. 

Steve enjoyed a grilled beef shawarma with a side of hummus and some freshly cut raw veggies. We loved that we had the option to have something other than fries. Meddy’s is so good, we’ve stopped there multiple times on our travels since our first visit in August 2023. 

14OO by Elderslie

Another fantastic lunch option is 1400 by Elderslie. Located inside the Wichita Art Museum, 1400 by Elderslie is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 9 p.m. on Fridays. 

The floor-to-ceiling windows and light classical music in the background make 1400 by Elderslie the perfect place for a relaxing lunch. 

Begin your meal in this upscale, sunlit space with a well-crafted cocktail. Then, treat yourself to beautifully plated, art-inspired salads, sandwiches, and soups. Menu items change regularly and vary depending on what fresh fruits and vegetables are in season. 

Be sure to save room for dessert (or take it to go). Our server brought us a unique fermented garlic honey dark chocolate cookie. We know – fermented garlic? Yes! And it was absolutely divine. Trust the experienced bakers and pastry chefs here. They do not disappoint. 

Dinner at First Mile Kitchen in Wichita

Do you ever find a new restaurant when you’re traveling and instantly wished you lived closer? I’m telling you, if we lived in Wichita, we’d be dining at First Mile Kitchen every week. The menu changes seasonally, and the specials change even more often than that – depending on what they can source fresh and locally each week.

Having already eaten quite a bit the day we were there, we were looking for something on the lighter side for dinner and found the absolutely perfect meal for us. We ordered craft cocktails and three of the appetizers listed in the “specials” menu that night – grilled Shishito peppers, newly picked and grilled edamame tossed in ponzu sauce, and the caprese salad made with fresh burrata and heirloom tomatoes.

All of the produce was locally sourced from Firefly Farm and believe me, you could taste the difference. Not only was the food exquisite, but the service was exceptional.

And to add even more to our experience, the restaurant itself was classy, had comfortable seating, and soft music played from vinyl records. I mean really? What else could you ask for? Just wished we lived closer.

Dinner and drinks at Doma

Doma is another popular place to dine in Wichita. Doma’s cocktail lounge is open on Fridays and Saturdays and offers an upbeat and fun atmosphere and craft cocktails. It’s a great place to meet with friends or make new ones. 

The dinner menu (the restaurant is open Tues-Sat, 11 am-11 pm) offers a variety of sharable small plates, as well as salads, sandwiches, and main courses. There are several options, including a smoked beet salad and orange roughy. Ann enjoyed the fattoush salad with grilled chicken.

Things to do in the evening in Wichita

Head to Alzavino for a dessert wine or better yet, wine and dessert. Nestled in a warm and inviting atmosphere, Alzavino is a cozy wine bar where you can taste 16 different wines or purchase wine by the glass or bottle. 

We loaded a card with $30 and sampled a variety of whites and reds at our own pace. For a decadent dessert, we grazed on the Choc-uterie Board that included a selection of artisan NiceBites chocolates, Sittee’s Fine Confections brittles, along with melted dark chocolate and toasted marshmallows for dipping. 

Worth every calorie. 

More terrific places to eat

Also, our friend and fellow travel writer, Megan Bannister of Olio in Iowa wrote THIS POST about 20+ Terrific Place to Eat in Wichita. Be sure to check out, as well.

Walk along the River and see the flames

After dessert, we strolled hand-in-hand along the riverwalk and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the Ring of Fire at the Keeper of the Plains. The Ring of Fire is scheduled from 9-9:15 p.m. (Spring/Summer) and 7-7:15 pm. (Fall/Winter). 

The ceremony is sacred to the Native people of Wichita and represents the relationship of earth, water, air and fire.

Where to stay on your wellness weekend in Wichita

For our wellness weekend in Wichita, we stayed at the Home 2 Suites Downtown Delano and found it both convenient and comfortable. 

The service was outstanding and we loved that the rooms were clean and comfy and there was a complimentary healthy breakfast waiting for us each morning. 

As we’re sure you can see, we left Wichita feeling relaxed and rejuvenated and we’re confident you will, too. Check out the Visit Wichita website HERE to start planning your wellness vacation in the heart of the country. 

We’d like to thank everyone at Visit Wichita for making our time in your great city so relaxing and memorable. We can’t wait to come back! Wanting to extend your time a little more? Check out all the wonderful things there are to do in the nearby Kansas towns of Lindsborg and Abilene.