Yoder, KS - 5 minutes NE of Sunflower

Yoder is the closest community to Sunflower. This unincorporated town of 200 people in Reno County has served as the home to the Sunflower Aerodrome Gliderport since approximately 1973. Yoder is home to a number of different businesses including restaurants, a hardware store, and a number of unique places to shop. As an Amish and Mennonite founded community, visitors will find that stores are closed on Sundays. Motorists will have to drive to the nearby towns of Haven or South Hutchinson to find a gas station.

Restaurants and Food

Bull’s Eye Grill - Specializes in burgers and malts for dine in and carryout. Located at 3408 E Red Rock Rd, Yoder, KS. For more information see: https://www.yoderkansas.com/bulls-eye-grill

Carriage Crossing Restaurant and Bakery - Homestyle cooking, make sure you save room for a slice of pie. Located at 10002 S Yoder Rd, Yoder, KS. For more information see: https://www.yoderkansas.com/carriagecrossing

Yoder Meats and Kansas Station - Gift shop which also sells locally butchered meat products. Located at 3509 E Switzer Rd, Yoder, KS. For more information see https://www.yodermeatsks.com

Lodging

The Hitchin' Post RV Park - Located at: 3415 Switzer Rd, Yoder, KS. More information at: https://www.hitchinpostrvpark.net

The Chicken House in Yoder - Studio size Airbnb that sleeps 3. See more information here: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15565704?sl_alternate_dates_exclusion=true&adults=1&guests=1&source_impression_id=p3_1557454355_TgNUPpjZBQrNDXgd

Sunflower Inn of Yoder - A modernized Amish home, this Bed and Breakfast features three spacious guest rooms. See more information here: http://www.sunflowerinnofyoder.com/

Other Highlights

Yoder Auto Center - Located at 3412 East Red Rock Road, Yoder, KS. Open Monday-Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm. Phone # (620) 465-3333, visit https://www.yoderkansas.com/yoderautocenter for more information.

Yoder Hardware and Lumber - 9816 S Main St, Yoder, KS. Phone # (620) 465-227, visit https://www.yoderkansas.com/copy-of-template-15 for more information.

Hutchinson, KS - 20 minutes NW of Sunflower

Located in the heart of the Kansas Prairie, Hutchinson with a population of 42,000 people is the closest city to Sunflower. Checkout the "VisitHutch" website and visitor guide links below to learn more about what this city has to offer.

Hutchinson's Tourism Website: https://www.visithutch.com/

2019 Hutchinson and Reno county travel guide: click here

Lodging

Fairfield Inn & Suites Hutchinson - The contest has set up a block of hotel rooms at the Fairfield Inn in Hutchinson. The block is held under "Kansas Soaring Association" and must be booked by May 20th to reserve the discounted block rate of $105.00 per night, phone # (620) 259-8787. The hotel is located at 1111 N Lorraine St, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/icthu-fairfield-inn-and-suites-hutchinson/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2

Other Highlights

Cosmosphere - 1100 N Plum, Hutchinson, KS 67501

If the weather isn't cooperating and a day of soaring isn't in the cards one of the best ways to spend a day is a visit to the Cosmosphere. The Cosmosphere is a Smithsonian Affiliate space museum and STEM education center which tells the story of space exploration not just from the American perspective but from the German and Soviet as well. The museum also features a planetarium, digital dome theater and Dr. Goddard's lab an interactive show complete with explosions. To do it justice, plan to give yourself 4-hours to see the whole museum.

https://cosmo.org/

Riverside Coin-Op Laundromat - 100 E 6th Ave, South Hutchinson, KS 67505

Closest Laundromat to Sunflower. Open 9am-10:30pm daily.

STRATACA: KS Underground Salt Museum - 3650 E Ave G, Hutchinson, KS 67501

Travel 650 ft below the surface of Hutchinson to experience this salt mine museum. The salt mine maintains a predictable enviroment of 68 degrees F even when Kansas weather above ground is unpredictable. Reserve your tour time online or by calling 620-662-1425. Closed Mondays.

https://www.underkansas.org/

Wichita, KS - 45 minutes SE of Sunflower

Wichita is the largest city in Kansas as Kansas City is mainly located on the Missouri side of the river. Wichita is called "The Air Capital of the World" and things to see, do and eat for aviation enthusiasts and those who support them. A 45-minute drive from Sunflower will put you in downtown at the Keeper of the Plains city landmark which stands at the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas rivers. The "Keeper" is a 44 foot tall steel sculpture which was donated to the city by Native American artist Blackbear Bosin.

To learn more about the opportunities awaiting you in Wichita, please visit: https://www.visitwichita.com/

Aviation Themed Restaurants

Hangar One Steak House - 5925 W Kellogg Dr, Wichita, KS 67209. For more information please visit: http://hangar1steakhouse.com/

Savute’s Italian Ristorante - 3303 N Broadway St, Wichita, KS. For more information please call: (316)838-0455

Stearman Field Bar and Grill - 14789 SW 30th St, Benton, KS 67017. For more information please visit: https://www.stearmanbarandgrill.com/

Aviation Experiences

B-29 Doc Hangar, Education and Visitors Center - Located at Eisenhower National Airport, Wichita, KS. For more information please visit: https://www.b29doc.com/hangar-education-visitors-center

Exploration Place - This science museum in downtown Wichita has a "Design Build Fly" featured exhibit. 300 N McLean, Wichita, KS 67203. For more information please visit: http://exploration.org/

Kansas Aviation Museum - Explore the history of flight and experience why Wichita is the air capital of the world. 3350 South George Washington Blvd., Wichita, KS 67210. For more information please visit: http://kansasaviationmuseum.org/