West Wichita - Wichita, KS

The Outer West neighborhood of Wichita began in the 1860s as a trading post stop along the Chisholm Trail. By 1870, the newly incorporated city began drawing in more traders from the south, due to the amount of livestock stored in the vast open plains of the area. As traders began coming for livestock, the city earned the nickname “Cowtown.” Just a few minutes from the Outer West area lies the Old Cowtown Museum, which recreates life in the 1880s and hosts a number of artifacts from this important time in Wichita's history.

By the 1920s and 1930s, more commercialization came to the area, and manufacturers started building factories in the open areas west of downtown. This earned Wichita the reputation as “The Air Capital of the World” with dozens of firms settling into the area and helping to grow the small town of Wichita into a much larger metropolis.

Outer West Wichita provides a number of dining options for its residents, with something for any type of diner. There are plenty of chain restaurants in the area from steakhouses like Outback Steakhouse and Longhorn Steakhouse to American cuisine serving restaurant bars like Applebee's and TGI Fridays. For BBQ you can write home about visit When Pigs Fly BBQ on West Central Avenue. This local favorite serves a simple traditional BBQ menu of ribs, meats and spuds. Try their slab of ribs, which some locals claim is the best in Wichita, or a loaded spud with one of their many meats, including brisket, pork, turkey, or hot links, and compliment it with a side of baked beans and cole slaw.

At Town and Country Restaurant, diners can enjoy a hearty meal at one of the area’s most established dining destinations. The restaurant has a menu of traditional American dishes, but most visit this old-fashioned restaurant for its filet mignon with a side of lobster tail.

The nightlife in this area typically consists of local sports bars and pubs. At Bigs Bar and Grill in Wichita, visitors can enjoy late-night drink specials, plenty of draft beers and countless flat-screen televisions to watch the game. Visit Blu Nightclub in the heart of Outer West Wichita when you want to dance the night away. This high-energy nightclub has a lounge area to enjoy drinks after work as well as a dance floor for late-night fun. Just make sure to bring some cash as there is a cover charge on the weekends.

Many community members in the Outer West area of Wichita travel around by car, as this spread-out neighborhood is not particularly walker or biker friendly. However, free public parking lots and ample street parking throughout the community make it convenient to travel by car. Interstate 235 and Route 400 ensure the surrounding communities remain easily accessible.

Taxi companies service the area, and you can get a ride with a call in advance. Uber also services the area for anyone with the company’s smartphone app. Wichita Transit operates 18 bus routes connecting the city and surrounding communities.

Several parks in the Outer West neighborhood help maintain the family-friendly feel of this community. At the 63-acre Sedgwick County Park, residents can access amenities such as picnic areas with barbecue grills, softball fields, tennis courts, bocce ball courts and volleyball courts. The park also has a space for rollerblade hockey and has leagues for kids and adults throughout the year. The park has seven lakes for fishing, but while admission to the park is free, you need to purchase a permit to fish for trout. This park also has its own fenced-in dog park for canines to play in off-leash and a playground for little ones. Jog, cycle or stroll along 4 miles of paved pathways that loop around the park.

At the smaller Buffalo Park, residents can enjoy plenty of playground equipment, 19 acres of open green space and a small fishing pond for the public. The baseball and softball diamonds are used by area little leagues, while the tennis courts often host area tournaments. Leashed pets are also welcome in this park.

Life in the Outer West area of Wichita comes with an average to below average cost of living, making it an affordable option for those who want to be close to downtown without the cost. A one-bedroom apartment in the Outer West rents for an average of $536 per month. Gas prices come in around 3 percent lower than the national average, while a ride to the heart of the city costs $1.75 on the Wichita bus system. For a pint of beer at a local bar, expect to pay about $3 per glass.

The Outer West neighborhood of Wichita has its fair share of shopping outlets. Residents can browse for the latest electronics at Best Buy, stock up on supplies at Sam's Club, or find deals on food and home essentials at the local Walmart Super Center.

The area is also home to the Towne West Square Mall, a sprawling shopping center anchored by Dillard's and J.C. Penney department stores. Shoppers browse the racks at stores such as Express and CJ Banks or stop by Dick's Sporting Goods for athletic apparel.

Visit Absolute Vintage Boutique on West Maple Street for an eclectic selection of consignment items, paint, and hand painted artwork. This local favorite also has painting classes so you can learn to decorate your old furniture or sign board.

Area residents do their grocery shopping at Dillion's. Pick up the essentials for a week of home cooking, or browse the grocery store's hot items for a pre-cooked meal on-the-go.

The area also has its own farmers market. The Kansas Grown Farmers Market has a location in West Wichita and stays open Saturday mornings from 7 a.m. to noon. Shoppers can find everything from meat and vegetables to handmade salsas, jams and jellies.