Your guide to a perfect day in Wichita

Start your perfect day at Doo-Dah Diner, a Wichita staple, with fresh monkey bread and a plate of home-made eggs benedict or jalapeño bacon. Its banana bread French toast was recently recognized as Kansas’ breakfast of choice by People magazine.

Try HomeGrown, a breakfast and lunch hot spot with a mission of cultivating kindness and a commitment to locally-sourced ingredients. The caramel-drizzled coffee cake and seasonally-flavored pop-tarts are a must for first-time guests.

Expect the Exceptional

The Sedgwick County Zoo is one of the top ten largest zoos in the nation, home to nearly 400 species and 3,000 individual animals. The elephant area is the second-best zoo exhibit and third-largest elephant habitat in the country. With a newly renovated entrance, it's a must-stop for families and groups of all ages.

The Wichita Art Museum features an impressive 8,000-piece art collection with an emphasis in distinguished American artwork. Take off your shoes and walk above one of Chihuly’s colorful blown glass installations or walk through the Museum’s award-winning art garden with 13 outdoor sculptures.

Take in a breath of fresh air at Botanica, an 18-acre community garden with more than 30 themed exhibits. Explore the woodland area, children’s garden, butterfly house or hop on the newly-restored carousel. Can you find the sleeping giant?

If you're looking for a juicy burger, go to Dempsey's Burger Pub in Clifton Square. The Irish pub uses fresh, local Angus and Wagyu beef for their unique burgers with toppings like pineapple-jalapeno chutney and bourbon-candied apples.

A local, soul-warming favorite for vegans, vegetarians, and carnivores alike, Tanya’s Soup Kitchen is a versatile food hot spot, known for sourcing ingredients locally and rotating the menu seasonally for optimum freshness.

Experience authentic ramen dishes and boba tea at Yokohama, located in the Delano district and on Central Avenue. It’s so delicious that both Food Network and USA Today mention Yokohama as one of the country’s best ramen restaurants.

You can experience Wichita past and present within a few blocks of Douglas Avenue. Nearly ninety years of history is preserved at Old Mill Tasty Shop, where you can enjoy a handcrafted milkshake or soda that tastes just as good (if not better) than it did back then.

Drink your brew of choice and kick back with a modern vibe at Reverie Roasters. Along with its roasted-in-house coffee, Reverie also has a cocktail bar and bakery.

Milkfloat's menu of desserts seems endless: cobbler, cake, tiramisu, cinnamon rolls, scones, ice cream and more with unconventional flavors. Vegan-friendly and gluten-free options make common appearances in the display case

Frost also has original sweets - between made-from-scratch pies, cakes, oatmeal cream pies and bars, you'll end up with one of everything. The homemade ice cream is like nothing you've had before. Try unique flavors like sweet corn, ube, lavender honey or fresh takes on classic favorites.

Get a taste of Wichita’s public art by going on a self-guided art crawl. A great place to start is the Douglas Design District, which features more than 60 original murals on restaurants, shops, stairs, doors and more - all by local artists. Murals are just one aspect of Wichita's creative identity. The Old Town district is home to the Sculpture Walkabout, a rotating art display by local and regional makers.

In the north end, The Original Dream, featured on a grain elevator by Colombian artist Gleo, is the Guinness World Record holder for the largest mural by a single artist. Wrap up your art crawl at Lucinda's to snag local art, flag swag, one-of-a-kind gifts and more.

Near the urban center, take a load off with a honey latte at Naftzger Park and wander over to Gallery Alley, an area that was transformed into a vibrant space for art and shops. Science and discovery center Exploration Place offers rotating educational exhibits for the whole family. It's housed in a geometric riverside building, designed by international architect Moshe Safdie.