South Seneca - Wichita, KS

Wichita enjoys a rich cultural history that ties together an enduring work ethic and a strong sense of innovation. Whether you look toward the late 19th century, when Wichita residents played an integral role in the cattle trade with the Chrisholm Trail, or later in the 20th century to the founding of several aircraft companies that employed much of Wichita's work force, the city's history is strong and enduring.

South Seneca benefits from several active religious centers, bringing a communal atmosphere through local events. Right on South Seneca Street, the Glenville Church hosts regular entertainment, exercise and youth activities for residents to enjoy and bring their entire family.

Around West 47th and South Broadway in South Seneca's northeast corner, residents enjoy a goldmine of pizza joints, Mexican restaurants and Chinese buffets.

Anyone looking for a haven from typical fast-food Mexican restaurants should try out El Jalisco, right off the highway on East 47th. The decor is casual and friendly, and the walls display colorful Mexican-themed murals. The restaurant has a dining area, but most customers order their burritos and enchiladas on the go.

On South Broadway, Godfather's Pizza adds a classy edge to the typical pizza joint you might regularly encounter. It provides a buffet option, however most customers satisfy themselves completely just with Godfather's thick crust and cheese without asking for too many more ingredients. The menu lists such diverse pizza options as taco pizza, gluten-free crust or for dessert, streusel pizza.

The Bourbon Street Bar and Grill is the area's casual nightlife spot, located just north of the neighborhood on South Seneca Street. Customers enjoy seven pool tables, 10 dart boards, a dance floor and eight televisions for game nights. Bourbon Street hosts live DJs on both Friday and Saturday nights and karaoke on both Tuesdays and Thursdays. Regular food and drink specials are offered throughout the week.

South Seneca is accessible from north or south via Route 81 and Interstate 235. The neighborhood does not charge for parking and provides well-maintained walkways for pedestrians. While many other areas in Wichita maintain routes for cyclists, South Seneca has no designated bike lanes.

Wichita Transit provides bus service to and from the South Seneca area through the #17 South Seneca line, maintaining several bus stops throughout the neighborhood. Uber also serves as a viable means of transportation.

Located right on South Seneca Street, the Aley Park has proven to be a valuable attraction for the community - and especially for the kids. The park maintains a beginner skate park, complete with rails and jumps. Around the skate park, residents can benefit from a modest green expanse with picnic areas and space for outdoor games.

Chapin Park, built on land that was once used as the city landfill, operates the Arson Canine Ashley's Memorial Dog Park, the first park of its kind in Wichita. Located east on MacArthur Street, northeast of South Seneca, this 190-acre park charges no fee for use and provides a parking lot, bathrooms, a walking trail, and even a mountain bike trail. The park welcomes visitors and their dogs from 6 a. m. until midnight; however, leashes are required when entering or exiting the fenced-in off-leash area.

Just northeast of South Seneca, the Landmark Starlite Drive-In Theatre is a pastime of residents all across Wichita and a favorite nightly activity on weekends. This drive-in proves to be a rare experience, in an age where these kinds of theaters have been all but wiped out. The theater opens on Fridays and Saturdays and hosts double and sometimes even triple viewings, all just for a reasonable charge per carload. Their snack-bar serves a number of movie-going classics, from popcorn to cheeseburgers.

The average rent cost in the neighborhood is $477, while the overall Wichita area averages around $702. The overall cost of living in South Seneca is 19 percent lower than the national average, while the overall cost of living in the general Wichita area is about 16 percent lower.

A one-way bus ticket to the Wichita city center costs $1.75 and $2 for transfers. Youth and senior discounts do apply. Gas prices in South Seneca hover around 26 percent lower than the national average. At a local pub, expect to pay around $4 for a beer.

In the heart of South Seneca, Dutch's Greenhouse contains a huge variety of flowers and plants that can adorn various parts of the home or around the garden. Whether customers come in the summer or winter, this greenhouse has all gardening needs covered. Serving the Wichita area since 1957, this business remains in the DeRee family and still grows all of its own plants. The knowledgeable employees are always willing to help customers with their shopping needs.

A locally owned boutique, Designs by Darris serves the South Seneca area with quality outfitting. Since 1988, Darris has provided custom bra-fitting for women as well as offering many products for sale in a roomy and home-like atmosphere. The store sits just off South Seneca Street on West 52nd.

While several large grocery stores serve the South Seneca area, such as the Walmart Neighborhood Market on South Seneca Street, residents can benefit from the farmers markets located in nearby neighborhoods. The Hometown Market, located to the south in Haysville Historic Park, sells both food and art from local vendors every Saturday morning from mid-June through mid-September. This market provides a dynamic experience not just in terms of food, but also for those seeking art, crafts and entertainment.