Miss Kansas 2022 - Ayanna Hensley

The Miss Kansas Organization represents the state of Kansas on a national stage, often traveling throughout the state and meeting unique Kansans along the way. Earlier this year, Miss Kansas 2022 – Ayanna Hensley – spent some time exploring the state’s largest city, Wichita.

During her time in the Heart of the Country, she discovered a variety of local businesses, museums, eateries, and attractions. Get an inside look at some of the activities she enjoyed in Wichita.
 

First up, Miss Kansas started her day with a tasty breakfast at Leslie Coffee Co. In addition to espresso-based beverages, teas, and house-made pastries, this cozy coffee shop in Wichita’s historic Delano District has a delicious food menu with breakfast items like avocado toast and overnight oats.

After breakfast, she stopped by Mark Arts to explore their outdoor art and take in some fresh air. Founded in 1920, the regional art hub also has studios for art instruction and team-building activities, gallery space, a culinary teaching kitchen and more.
 

Then, she made her way to Bradley Fair to check out the electric bikes at Pedego Wichita, the only dealer of Pedego electric bikes in the state of Kansas. 

To refuel, a nutritious and delicious lunch at First Mile Kitchen was in order. Miss Kansas loves fresh, tasty ingredients and this local eatery delivers with dishes made with locally sourced products. Plus, their kitchen is fitted with a “live-fire hearth” for grilling and cooking, filling the dining space with pleasing aroma and ambience.

Another favorite lunch stop for Miss Kansas is Mokas Café. Located in Delano, it’s the perfect option when you’re exploring in downtown Wichita. The eatery serves coffee, smoothies, teas, sandwiches, wraps, salads, and breakfast items all day.

Miss Kansas also took time to visit some of Wichita’s unique local shops. She picked up some decadent chocolates at one of Kansas’ most beloved chocolatiers, Cocoa Dolce Chocolates. Additionally, she spent time sampling the baked goods at Bakesale Treat Parlor and took in the sights and scents at Bungalow 26.
 

To make sure her wardrobe is on point, she perused the hats at Hatman Jack’s, getting Jack’s expert opinion on the perfect topper. Hatman Jack's is the third largest hat shop in the country and one of the few hat stores with experts on hand to customize hats to each individual customer.
 

Another fashion must when shopping in Wichita is Aspen Boutique. It’s the perfect specialty boutique to visit when you are looking for high-quality clothing, shoes, jewelry, handbags and more from more than 100 designers. Just across the street, thrift shoppers will love the curated collection of estate home furnishings from around the world at The Vault Collection.
 

Shopping at so many local gems can sure work up an appetite! Miss Kansas re-energized at Fartleks in Delano. Not only will you find a plentiful selection of smoothies, this popular shop has running shoes, clothes, accessories, and nutrition options galore.

When you’re as busy as Miss Kansas, it’s important to make time to relax, and Bohemia Healing Spa is just the spot! Dedicated to health and healing, the spa uses natural and holistic methods of treatment, specializing in therapeutic massage, facials, waxing, indulgent health wraps, and other services.
 

Another activity Miss Kansas enjoys in Wichita is making her own terrarium at GROW. Plant lovers will find an oasis of greenery in this local plant shop that includes a botanical martini bar and other plant-centered experiences.
 

Credit: James Kellerman

On the way to dinner at Revolutsia, a dining and shopping center comprised of a community of shipping containers, Miss Kansas picked out a few sweet treats at Monica’s Bundt Cake to savor at a later time. There’s no such thing as too many made-from-scratch desserts!

To round out a fantastic day, she opted for German fare for dinner at Prost. When you’re traveling the state and craving the authentic flavors of Germany, Prost delivers with schnitzel, pretzels, bierock, jagerschnitzel, bratwurst, apfelstrudel, and so much more.

Because no adventure in the Heart of the Country is complete without a visit to the area’s most iconic landmark, Miss Kansas had to take a moment to experience the Keeper of the Plains. This majestic structure, designed by Native American artist Blackbear Bosin, stands high above the water where the Little Arkansas and the Big Arkansas rivers meet.

For more ideas on how to find unique things to do in Wichita, check out Visit Wichita’s guide to everything in the state’s largest city – from family fun and nightlife to shopping and unique dining.