We will be flying in for the weekend to see a couple of games - January 23 & 24. Anyone have a hotel suggestion either near where the Thunder play or in a nice area. It's our 1st time coming to that part of the country so any info on where to stay, car rental, places to eat... would be much appreciated. We will be flying in on Friday morning, going to games Friday nite and Saturday nite and flying out Monday morning. Thanks

I would just rent a car at the airport. There are a few nice hotels near the Coliseum where the Thunder play, just off of I-135, as well as several places to eat. Applebees, Craker Barrel and several fast food places.

If you are flying in to Mid-Continent pretty much everything you'll need as far as rental cars and such are right there (I believe there's an Avis, Hertz, and Enterprise there at the airport). Mid-Con is located on the West side of Wichita and the Thunder actually play a few miles north of town in Park City. I believe there are a few hotels in Park City but I'm not sure on the quality, but definately not a bad part of town (It's right off I-135 and is basically a truck stop town that has grown into a little bit more). Really easy to get to from the airport, take Highway 54 (aka Kellogg) to I-135 north until you see signs for Park City/Kansas Coliseum.

As far as places to eat, Wichita has about everything and everybody will give you a different opinion on the best place to eat. So basically it comes down to personal preferance.

Directions

Wait, are u going to be cheering for the Thunder? That makes a difference if we send you down to South broadway, or tell you to stay at the hilton!! Jk. There is just about any nice hotel. There are nice food places all over. let us know where you are going to stay and we can help you with directions to the games and places to eat close to where you are staying so you dont get lost.

We will be cheering for the Thunder and coming all that way just to see the games!!

Where are you coming from, and what got you into the Thunder???

This was my thought too!

[quote name='Cherrypicker' date='Oct 26 2008, 02:47 PM' post='97133']
This was my thought too!
[/quote

2 reasons -

1. We used to watch one of the players when he was in college and we thought we'd take a little road trip to see how he's playing now.

2. We've never been to Kansas, so this gives us a reason to come out there.

[/quote]2 reasons -

1. We used to watch one of the players when he was in college and we thought we'd take a little road trip to see how he's playing now.

2. We've never been to Kansas, so this gives us a reason to come out there.
[/quote]


awesome!! what player?

2 reasons -

1. We used to watch one of the players when he was in college and we thought we'd take a little road trip to see how he's playing now.

2. We've never been to Kansas, so this gives us a reason to come out there.
[/quote]

Good enough reasons for me!!!

I think this is the guy that gave us the heads up on the Nathe deal.

Cassista out of Babson college in Massachusetts

Cassista

Woops, my bad, lol. Cassista looked a little sluggish and out of place the first two games, but from what I hear he's starting to look more and more like he belongs on the ice. Since he hasn't played in a couple years I'm willing to give him a chance. I know how hard it is to get into playing condition. You can work out, run, skate, whatever, all you want and everything changes the minute you step onto the ice.

Are you relatives of Greg's? We have sort of adopted a couple of players and he's one of them. Did you see he got cut the other night - has 4 stitches in his chin? Not odd for a hockey player though.

i do believe that was brad thompson, who got the high stick to the face, if Cassita got cut no one saw it

I saw Greg yesterday and he has 4 stitches in his chin. Happened in Colorado

well i saw the game and i didnt see it happened, but i hope he is all right

If you're looking for something centrally located for lodging, the Hotel at Old Town is very nice and located about 15 minutes from the Kansas Colliseum. The Old Town area is the historic district with lots of good restaurants, fun nightlife and easily accessed from Highway 54 (Kellogg) which is the road you would take from the airport and Highway I-135 which is the road you take to the Colliseum. The hotels in Park City are pretty old and run down.

not true the have the new Sleep in off of I-35 about a mile from the colliseum

Oh yeah I just saw that one on our way home after the last game. But there isn't much to do out there. I was only suggesting the Old Town area for it's activity and central location.

He is my nephew, I have been watching the games on the webcast. Thanks for all the information, we are looking forward to coming out there.

I would stay in the Wichita downtown area I think you will be disappointed if you stay by the coliseum. Go to Hotwire.com and do a search for hotels in central Wichita. You should be able to find a nice 3 star for $100 or less. Once you see what they are going for on Hotwire check the price's on Priceline.com. Name your own price in the Downtown Wichita area but make sure you stay at a hotel 3 stars or better. A 2 1/2 star hotel will put you south of downtown.

The Museum of World Treasure's is worth seeing. I have been to the Smithsonian in DC, and museums on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and I was very impressed with what we have here in town. Exploration place might have a good exhibit but not really impressed what they have to offer on a regular basis. There is also a nice movie theater downtown in which you are able to order adult beverages by pushing a button on your chair. That alone might be worth the trip.

Big Dog motorcycle headquarters is in the downtown area. If mortorcyles is your thing they would be worth a visit. Several other areas to visit most of them in the downtown area, just depends on what you are into. Finding the coliseum from downtown is very easy and less than 20 minutes away. I have had to rent a car from the Wichita Airport a few times and have never paid more than $35 a day on Priceline.

Central Wichita would probably be better. I don't think it's that hard to find the coliseum, if that's what you are worried about. Our highways are pretty navigable.
And the Museum of World Treasure is definitely worth seeing. I like it a lot. You can check it out here.

The new arena is also downtown. You can see how far they have come with the construction. Or you can go to the webcam at Arena Web Cam