Wichita, KS Driving Tips
If you can avoid it, don't use the Highway 54 (also known as "Kellogg) entrance or exit junction with the I-235 Highway (called the "Bypass.") The entrance and exit ramps are death traps! There is not sufficient room to merge on and off, and this is the scene of many accidents because of it.
Wichita, KS Buying Tips
The dealerships in Wichita are at the far ends of town; as East as you can go, and as West as you can go. There is a good assortment of lots at both ends of town, but if you want any kind of luxury lot, you have to go East.
Favorite Driving Memory
I knew of a really cool historical site (The "Wichita" sign at the old train depot) that is a neat photo-op, especially for out-of-towners. Several months back, I decided to find it to use as a photo-op for a group of people who were coming to town from several different states. Since this site is n
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ot currently in use, or part of any museum or "official" site, there were no directions to it. I went by other pictures I had seen online (looking for buildings/clues in their backgrounds) and what Google Satellite images I could find that showed where the railroad used to run. The place turned out to be accessible, but quite hidden away. I drove around for at least 30 minutes to find it. It was worth every minute! To my surprise, this hidden treasure was located right next to a new, multi-million dollar arena, but sadly is hidden from view.
Favorite Road
900 Block of W. 9Th Street during mid-to-late autumn
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This is an old neighborhood, built in the 40's. The street is narrow, and there are HUGE trees on both sides of the street in nearly every yard. The trees on either side of the street actually touch, forming a complete canopy over the street. I always drive down this street in the fall, when the lea
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ves are at their peak of color. I go when the Bradford Pear trees are vivid red; that seems to be the height of the season. The block is the 900 block, but this canopy of trees extends a block or two in each direction.
Wichita, KS Driving Tips
I recommend using your GPS, if one-way streets aren't your thing. It can get confusing in the downtown area, especially if you are unsure which side of the street your destination is on. Also, wintertime can be very scary. Allow plenty of room to stop. Traffic seems to suddenly stop and a good dista
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nce cushion will keep you from having a very bad day here.
Wichita, KS Buying Tips
For used cars, I would suggest using a service like Carmax. There are numerous new and used car dealers and they seem to be along all the major streets like Kellogg. However, don't expect them all to be in one location like some cities do. It might take a lot of driving to check out numerous brands.
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Best advice is do your homework online first, plan where to go, then use the GPS. I would avoid Craigslist here unless you are good at stopping hail damaged cars even though they may shine like new.
Favorite Driving Memory
After living in Seattle and San Diego, Wichita, KS is a refreshing city to drive in. There is very little traffic compared to larger cities and it's quite simple to find your way around. There are a lot of one-way streets in the downtown area but I find that to be handy in this city. My favorite mem
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ory is driving into the river area near downtown for the first time. The parks are beautiful. The city has really taken advantage of having two rivers meet near downtown and it's very scenic.
Favorite Road
West Zoo Blvd toward the rivers.
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I live on the West side and getting to downtown is a breeze. I take W. 21St St. North to West Zoo Blvd to N. McLean Blvd. That follows the Arkansas River and it takes me right to downtown. The Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers come together in this area. Several very clean parks line these waterwa
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ys, so a relaxing stroll with shade and scenery is a nice benefit of this part of town.
Wichita, KS Driving Tips
I-35 splits into I-35 (takes you thru center of town) & I-235 (takes you around west side of town) which complete a loop. K-96 is the NE expressway which goes to the far east parts of town and can be picked up west heading out of town towards Hutchinson. The east side has more cut-throat drivers t
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han the west. Most drivers don't know how to merge properly. Rubberneckers can shut hwy 400 down to a slow crawl. City PD is tough on speeding.
Wichita, KS Buying Tips
New car buying is prevalent on the far East & West of highway 400. There are a lot of used car lots on far N & S Broadway. My favorite local new car dealer is Mel Hambleton Ford on West Hwy 400. My favorite and trusted used car dealer is Affordable Autos on S. Broadway, they tote the note and also
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have a repair shop that is discounted as long as your car is under loan.
Favorite Driving Memory
Finding that 29th St. N. was opened up all the way to Maize Rd. It is a nice way to get to the NW shopping areas without all the traffic. Less street lights and suburban neighborhoods make it a great drive during the holidays. Sometimes you can even catch a glimpse of deer or other wildlife.
Favorite Road
K-96
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It is a well kept smooth stretch of highway. It meets up with other highways, making almost any stop in town w/in 15 minutes. Traffic flows freely on this road and there are no choke points.
