Small Town Spotlight :: Newton, Kansas

[box style=”rounded”]This post is part of our Small Town Spotlight Series. Read more posts from this series…[/box]

Newton Water TowerNewton is an easy drive about 25 minutes north of Wichita on I-135, and it will make a wonderful day trip for families or just mommas. We have a little something for everyone.

Local Eats:

  • Newton is at least a little bit famous regionally for its German-inspired buffet restaurant called The Breadbasket. German buffets are Friday and Saturday nights and are always packed. Most days they are open 6:30 am to 5:30 pm with soup, salad and sandwiches for lunch.
  • Two great quality coffee shops call Newton home both are kid friendly and super cozy.
    • Norms a, locally-owned shop, that has delicious coffee (my hubs craves the caramel macchiato), great service and is an awesome place to catch up with friends and take your kids. They also have smoothies, Italian sodas, a great Chai, and some yummy pastries on the side. They are located downtown and open everyday but Sunday.
    • Mojo’s is a locally-owned coffee shop that is great for studying, reading, and chatting with friends.  They have delicious coffee and is a great place to grab a tasty treat (homemade – try the Chocolate Chipper warmed up) and lunch (unique sandwiches and salads and in the winter – soups). They are located on the Bethel College campus in North Newton and the hours change depending on whether school is in session or not so check out the site before venturing out.
  • Druber’s Donuts is a favorite all around. They are open most evenings beginning at 11:30 pm and have a pretty large crowd at then and in the mornings.  They serve delicious donuts and have a sandwich and soup lunch as well. Insider tip: they only take cash.

    Newton Downtown
    Downtown Newton – Shops & Restaurants
  • If brick oven pizza is more your groove, check out Back Alley Pizza. They are new but are quickly becoming a local must do!  All the ingredients are fresh and handmade and made to order with specialty sodas and coffee too if you need a mid-day boost.  They share space with Norms so you can please the kids (and you – promise) with pizza and leave fully caffeinated with this stop.
  • If you are just the gals or on a quest for a unique dinner date with the hubs, Reba’s Restaurant is a great stop. They serve a unique and frequently changing menu with local twists on classic favorites for lunch and dinner. Insider tip: Wednesday is burger night, and the cheesy, spicy mashed potatoes are worth the drive alone. Nightly drink specials and an intimate and quiet setting make it special.

With the Family:

  • Newton is home to at least 14 parks with playgrounds and a few without just for exploring. Our favorite summertime stop is Athletic Park because many of the slides are in the shade and because it is next to the river and the walking/bike path.
  • There is nearly 7 miles of bike path ready for you to cruise with scenic views, benches, and parks along the way.

    Springlake Splash Park
    Springlake Splash Park
  • There is a MUCH LOVED splash park (perfect for littles) with walking trail around a pond.
  • Sand Creek Trail offers three miles of wooded, maintained trails perfect for walking or biking (bring your off-road stroller) that follows sand creek and borders Bethel College and connects to the larger bike path already mentioned. Insider tip: bring bug spray and a water bottle!
  • Kauffman Museum (also right along the trail and next to the coffee shop) has a historical farmstead, permanent exhibits, tallgrass prairie reconstruction and lots of educational programs and guided tours. Admission for kids is $2 and adults are $4.
  • Pick some peaches at Beck’s Farm. Open May 25 through September 3.
  • Peaches are ripe July and August and apples are ripe at Entz Orchard August thru October.
  • If sports are your game (pun intended), Kansas Sports Museum offers sports artifacts representing Kansans in sports and from all over the world and is right here in Newton.
  • Rent a canoe or kayak and paddle to your heart’s content on our Sand Creek from CaNewton Canoe and Kayak.

    Newton - Sand Creek
    Sand Creek – Canoeing, walking, biking and hiking.
  • Chisholm Trail 8 movie theatre offers affordable first run movies and snacks for everyone to enjoy.
  • Sand Creek Station Golf Course has been ranked as the 2nd best public course in Kansas behind Colbert Hills in Manhattan and is ranked 24th best municipal course in the United States by Golf Week Magazine.  Sand Creek Station has hosted several nationally recognized tournaments including  PGA Nationwide Pro/Am.

Evening/Special Events: 

  • Bethel College hosts tons of visiting artists throughout the year.  In the past we have seen some of the shows and they are high quality and enjoyable.  Check the calendar for the Hesston Bethel Performing Arts acts for the upcoming school year.

    Taste of Newton
    She loves roasted corn at Taste of Newton!
  • If art is your love, Carriage Factory Art Gallery offers rotating exhibits as well as a permanent collection.  They also offer interviews with the artist when possible.  Word on the street is they also offer adult “Party Arty” classes as well as workshops for kids and adults (click on the upcoming events link).
  • Taste of Newton happens the 2nd Thursday of every October from 6 to 9 pm.  More than 70 food vendors and community organizations produce the best fair-style and home-cooked foods, crowds in excess of 6,000 show up for the feast!
  • Harvey County United Way Chili Cook-Off happens in September each year to raise money for the local non-profit community, but it also is a great day to come out and eat your fill of award winning and home-cooked chili.

Local Shopping:

  • Prairie Harvest is a locally owned natural foods market is like a year-round farmer’s market offering local produce and meats along with a full range of natural products and foods. They offer delicious and healthy lunch and dinner options and are open Monday thru Saturday. Check the website for specials, menus, and live music dates. Insider tip – Mac and Cheese on Friday is to-die-for.
  • Unique gifts, kitchen gadgets, house wares, homemade fudge, Vera Bradley, and unique clothing abound at Kitchen Corner and Main Street Company. Insider tip: They always have just the right gift and seasonal samples including free fudge samples.
  • Books, gifts, home decor, and jewelry to meet everyone’s needs can be found at Faith & Life Bookstore.
  • Newton Bike Shop is a local, professional bike shop and repair center with great customer service and friendly staff.  Newton also sits on the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail and offers a hostel for travelers.
  • Main Street also offers a variety of antique shops that have many unique and vintage finds. There is always something great to be discovered.
  • Charlotte’s Sew Natural has been a Newton staple for 29 years and offers a huge fabric selection, quilting supplies and knowledgable and helpful staff.
  • Homemade crafts, baby gifts, wall art, and other unique gifts abound at Eau Lily Boutique, a new but lovely locally owned shop.
  • Chisholm Trail Shopping Center has a wide variety of shops including Golf USA, Carters, Dress Barn, Rue 21, Famous Footwear, Baker Furniture and many more.
Lindsay
Lindsay was raised in Augusta, graduated from K-State, majored in PR, and met and married hubby, Ryan. They moved to Newton right after graduation where she worked for 5 years in non-profit, then decided to ignore her college degree and become a teacher. She now loves (90% of the time) teaching freshman and senior English. She is the proud momma to Maelle (pronounced May-Elle) who is 3 going on 16, and Tucker, who is 3 months and sweet as sugar and full of smiles. Outside of work, she enjoys working with the middle school youth group, cattle ranching, reading, drinking coffee and Cherry Coke, music and living room dance parties –current favorites songs are “All About that Bass” and anything Disney.

6 COMMENTS

  1. I grew up in Newton and most of my family still resides there! After reading your blog I’m a teensy bit homesick. And I was just there July 7-10! Thank you for bringing a few new places to my attention. So often when my family and I visit Newton we simply hit the old time favorite spots to satisfy cravings (Chong’s, Lupe’s, etc.) but apparently there are a few more places to check out. Thanks for sharing. And inspiring a bit of homesickness.

  2. For more fun visit one of our three disc golf courses! Bethel College hosts a nine whole course that runs through campus, and they have discs available you can “check out” to play with. Newton’s Centennial Park also hosts a nine whole disc golf course (as well as nice playground equipment, nice facilities, and ball diamonds) and you can bring your own discs, or check them out from the city’s Rec Center (located down town). The third course is at Harvey County Camp Hawk, and is a 24 hole course. This one is for the more experienced player, and you’ll need to bring your own discs, but locals and out-of-towners alike travel to Newton to play it everyday!

    Chong’s is a great restaurant stop. You can get your normal Asian restaurant offerings, but the owner is Korean so there are tasty Korean dishes too. To satisfy the kids she make great diner style burgers with french fries or fried cauliflower!

  3. I wish she had mentioned Warkentin House, A Victorian house museum, built by the late Bernard Warkentin who helped bring winter wheat to Kansas. The house is located at 211 East First.

  4. Newton also has:

    an outlet mall with stores like Carter’s, Rue 21, Dress Barn, Famous Footwear, Baker Furniture and Carpet, Book Warehouse, Bon Worth, Golf USA and the most wonderful BBQ place called Le J’s Bar-B-Que. Insider’s Tip: Carter’s gives a discount (I think 10% off) on Wednesdays to Grandmas!

    a wonderful library with a wonderful children’s section in the basement!

    lots of churches to choose from!

    lots of good restaurants! Some of my favorites that were not included in the article are China Inn, Acapulco Mexican Restaurant, Karen’s Kitchen (breakfast and lunch only), Beck’s Burgers, Applebee’s, Montana Mikes, etc. And, Twisted Cow has wonderful frozen yogurt!

    Athletic Park also has a swimming pool.

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