Perfect Day in Emporia – Jeanine McKenna

I love it when I meet up with my family and friends, especially when it’s girls’ time. So, what will my perfect day with my mother, sister, nieces, and best friend and her daughters look like?

We would start our day off right by going to Commercial Street Diner for breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day, right?! It will fuel us for a fun-filled, packed day. Since we just finished a large breakfast, we would enjoy the rest of our beautiful morning by walking and checking out all the wonderful stores downtown like Tallgrass Trends Boutique and Brown’s Shoe Fit, because what woman doesn’t like shoes! We would continue our stroll down to Trox Gallery and Gifts and Jack’s Lawn and Pool Store. Jack’s has wonderful gifts and décor! We would check out the latest show at the Emporia Arts Center Gallery, and then go next door to Granada Coffee Company and The Sweet Granada to get a drink and a sweet treat. After all that walking, we would be ready to pamper ourselves and would have an appointment to get a manicure and pedicure from Dynamic Nails. Feeling relaxed and pretty from our spa time, we would be off to a late lunch at the Trolley House Distillery. Have you tried their pizza? It is fantastic! Since we are in that part of town, I think we would head to the David Traylor Zoo and check out all the wonderful changes they are making; then across the street to the Veteran’s Memorial, and look for Mark’s name on one of the bricks in their recognition walls. We would end the fun, but long day with dinner at a restaurant of their choice. I wonder what they will be in the mood for: Casa Ramos, Radius, Bobby D’s, Ichiban, or Coach’s?

Where would you take family and friends? Here are some ideas. Visit one of our many parks. Go play golf at the Emporia Municipal Golf Course. (I have great memories of playing golf with my dad!) How about a round or two at one of our disc golf courses? Get out and ride your bike. It is finally getting to feel like summer and not winter, so go to the Jones Aquatic Center. If it gets too hot, try something indoors like bowling at Flint Hills Lanes. Check out the movies that are playing at the Flint Hills 8 Theatres.

If you are still struggling with something to do, stop by our office and go into the Visitors Bureau. We have great information to help you decide what you would like to see and explore!

Just writing this article has gotten me excited for my family to come and visit, and I have only scratched the surface. Do you have ideas? Has or will your business do something special for a group? Share all your thoughts and ideas with us!

Remember, It’s a Great Day in Emporia! Get out and show someone!

-Jeanine McKenna

President, Emporia Chamber of Commerce