10 things teens can do this weekend in Wichita

Wichita-area teenagers often face a life-sucking, joy-draining ailment: boredom. Long past the days of middle school sleepovers, high-schoolers are yearning to break away from their lives as kids and become part of the hustle and bustle of the city. Unbeknownst to many, Wichita is an up-and-coming hotspot for young adult culture. Of course, most teenagers do not have wallets overflowing with money. However, that doesn’t mean teens have to spend their weekend twiddling their thumbs. Here are 10 things teens can do in Wichita that cost hardly anything:

1. Wichita Art Museum

The Wichita Art Museum, 1400 West Museum Blvd., is home to countless artistic treasures – some vintage, some modern – ranging from photography to pottery to paintings. Meander through the museum’s upper and lower levels and get lost in the countless galleries. Just at the top of the stairs, slip off your shoes and take a walk on Dale Chihuly’s famous “Persian Seaform Ceiling.” And the best part? WAM offers free admission every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 316-268-4921 or visit www.wichitaartmuseum.org for more details.

2. The Donut Whole

This eclectic doughnut shop has just about everything a teenager could want: live music, a fun atmosphere and delicious, unique donuts. The Donut Whole is open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight, with a 24-hour drive-through to satisfy even the latest of late-night cravings. The Donut Whole is at 1720 E. Douglas, but you won’t need to search for it. A large statue of a rooster sits atop the brick building, marking it as an oddball, out-of-the-box establishment for teenagers and young adults alike. Check out their website at www.thedonutwhole.com for a calendar of events.

3. Keeper of the Plains “Ring of Fire”

The Keeper of the Plains is one of Wichita’s greatest landmarks – and you don’t have to pay a dime to visit it. Take a sunset walk around the river downtown and circle back to the Keeper just in time for the “Ring of Fire” lighting. Large basins of fire illuminate the statue and cast a beautiful glow on the river. The fires are lit at 9 p.m. daily during daylight saving time. The fires stay lit for 15 minutes, leaving plenty of time to enjoy a cup of coffee downtown or catch a movie at the Warren before.

4. Spektrum Muzik

Wichita’s self-proclaimed “newest and weirdest record shop,” Spektrum Muzik, is the perfect place to spend some time this weekend. Browse through the great collection of vinyl records ranging all the way from Michael Jackson to Vampire Weekend’s newest LP. Spektrum is moderately priced for a record store – not cheap quality, not too expensive, so it works within a teenager’s budget. Spektrum is open from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at 905 W. Douglas. Spend an afternoon or evening enjoying the cool, “weird” atmosphere and finish off the trip down the street with a burger and fries at TJ’s Burger House. Visit www.spektrummuzik.com for more information.

5. Mead’s Corner

Mead’s Corner is a fair-trade coffee shop operated by First United Methodist Church. You won’t find solely Methodists there, though. A variety of people come from all over the Wichita area to grab some fresh coffee or a cup of creamy, delectable gelato. Because of its versatility, Mead’s is the perfect place for hanging out with friends, studying, catching up on homework, enjoying live performances, or even putting on performances yourself. Located at the corner of Douglas and Emporia (not Mead, interestingly), Mead’s Corner showcases local talent nearly every weekend. Not into live music? Grab some friends and help yourself to the shelves of board games. Order a hot cup of coffee or a grilled panini and settle in for a quiet, relaxing night downtown. Mead’s is open until 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Check out the events calendar at www.meadscorner.com.

6. American Red Cross

Looking to spend your weekend doing something with meaning? Donating blood is one of the most selfless things anyone can do. According to the Red Cross, one pint of blood (i.e., one donation) can help save up to three lives. Making donation a regular part of your life can mean the difference between life and death for trauma victims, surgical patients or those with blood diseases. There are basic requirements for donating, which can be found at www.redcrossblood.org. If you don’t meet these requirements, check out the volunteer opportunities available. There’s no better way to spend a weekend than giving. The Wichita Blood Donor Center is at 707 N. Main. Hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, and reservations are recommended. Contact the Donation Center at 800-733-2767 or visit www.redcrossblood.org/give to schedule an appointment.

7. Botanica

One of Wichita’s most beautiful treasures is Botanica, 701 Amidon. With a variety of gardens, including a butterfly garden, Botanica makes for a lovely way to spend a day. The gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Admission for adults ages 13-61 is $7, making it cheaper than most movie theaters or restaurant dates. Pack a picnic and share with a friend or significant other for an inexpensive, fun day out. Call 316-264-0448 or visit www.botanica.org for more information.

8. Spend a night in

As fun as it is to be out and about in the city, many teens can begin to find it tiring and repetitive to spend every weekend going to the same places and doing the same things. This weekend, gather up a few of your closest friends and spend a night in at home. Order a couple of pizzas and binge-watch an entire season of “Gossip Girl” on Netflix or rent all eight Harry Potter movies from Family Video. If movie marathons don’t sound appealing, make it a game night instead. A game of Risk or Monopoly could last all night, so make sure to have plenty of snacks on hand. Turn on your favorite Spotify playlist, put on your comfy clothes, and call your friends over for a night of casual fun.

9. IHOP

In the late hours of the night, nothing sounds better than a stack of pancakes or a cup of coffee. Luckily, Wichita has three 24-hour IHOP locations to suit your breakfast-food cravings well into the night. IHOP is one of the few Wichita restaurants open 24 hours, making it a common spot for teens to conclude, or even begin, their nights. Located at 515 S. Ridge Circle, 3505 N. Rock Road and 11855 E. Kellogg, there’s always an IHOP nearby. Hang out with friends at IHOP after a movie, prom or any late-night outing.

10. Bradley Fair

Bradley Fair, 2000 N. Rock Road, is home to some of Wichita’s best restaurants and retail. Food options range from soup and salad at Jason’s Deli to Mediterranean meals at Bella Luna. Take a walk down the storefront path and stop in at Sephora, Bath & Body Works or fun boutiques like Apricot Lane or Francesca’s. Many of the shops and restaurants can range on the pricier side, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying the ambiance that Bradley Fair offers. A huge fountain sits near the edge of the development and exposes walking paths around a pond fluttering with geese. An inexpensive night for teenagers could include browsing the books or (new!) vinyl records at Barnes and Noble and then enjoying a delicious bowl of ice cream from Marble Slab on the edge of the fountain or down the walking trails. Visit www.bradleyfair.com for more information.

This story was originally published March 18, 2015 at 8:33 PM with the headline "10 things teens can do this weekend in Wichita."