The 4 Counties Bucket List is more than just a webpage on Cowley Post. It’s a call to action and a friendly push to get out the door, to experience our communities, build relationships, and enjoy the life we have in our geographical area. It’s a way to create and share memories that families and friends will cherish – leaving a lasting positive impression of our great counties. It will feature all the MUST-DO, MUST-TRY, MUST-SEE special things that make your county – well, yours. From a hidden gem of a dish at a local restaurant, to a landmark or yearly event – the Bucket List will emulate what it means to be truly local.
COWLEY
Grab a Jeffy Pup and wave at all our lovely Queens in the Big Parade at Arkalalah!
Experience the magic of bluegrass at the Walnut Valley Festival.
Enjoy the sights of beautiful costumes, sounds of talented bands and singers, and DELICIOUS tastes of Hispanic culture at Tacolalah!
Take your kids to Island Park every season of the year for the AWESOME playground, the Winfield Isle of Lights during the Christmas season, AND FREE concerts with Duck Jam in the Park!
Visit the store, play in the corn pile, find all the animals, and do the corn maze at Pumpkin Pants Ranch.
Go hunting for treasures at places like The Emporium and Landrush Antique Mall.
Get the birria ramen at Los Antojos de Tita. Plus, Coca-Cola in a bottle just tastes better.
Grab a mouthwatering meal at Route 77 Cafe in Rock! Three words: Chicken. Fried. Steak.
Try the drink and soup of the week at Steamy Joe Cafe. Feel like a local, be treated like a friend.
Sip on a honey lavender latte at Oasis Coffee Shop – and check out their monthly worship nights!
And speaking of coffee shops, enjoy live music and drinks when the weather is nice at College Hill Coffee.
Grab a unique drink and sit outside with friends at Ladybird Brewing.
Cool off at the FREE splash pad at Cherry Street Park in Winfield. Who doesn’t love a splash pad?!
Taste the goodness of Speedway Pizza at River’s Eagle Bar & Grill.
Fried chicken and ice cream at Pizza Ranch. Maybe use two plates. That might get messy.
Feel very posh while attending one of the many events at the beautiful and historic Burford Theater.
Visit the charming, nostalgic, walk-up Burger Station in Winfield for a chili-cheeseburger.
Grab a friend and attend a themed skating night at Main Street Skate. Falling and laughing at each other encouraged.
And while you’re at it, pick up a board game for family game night at Main Street Games.
Buy a little something local and unique from the Ark City Farm and Art Market.
KAY
Make your own stained glass at Wonderfully Made Studio.
Spice up your life at the Herb Festival in June.
Go see Marvin the monkey at Marvin’s Diamond Dig! A unique experience for the whole family!
See 1 of only 200 replicas of the Statue of Liberty!
Go on a fox-hunt unlike any other in downtown Ponca City.
Unleash your inner artist by taking the family to The Doodle Academy for creative fun!
Unwind after a long day at Arthur’s!
Learn the story of Ponca Chief Standing Bear at the Standing Bear Museum and Education Center.
Splash and play with the family at the 7 Clans Indoor Waterpark! 19,300 square feet of FUN, complete with lazy river and waterslides!
Follow an adventure on the ever changing Barn Quilt Trail.
Experience the colors of the Tulip and Cinco de Mayo Festivals in Blackwell!
See the Pioneer Woman statue and visit the Pioneer Woman Museum.
Take the family to get ice cream at the nostalgic old-fashioned Dairy Queen.
Try to go without the bumpers at Lucas Lanes! (Okay, maybe add bumpers).
Get the family out for a BBQ competition and lots of activities for the Charlie Adams Day – “Newkirk’s Favorite Festival”.
Take a moment to honor our nation’s heroes at the Kay County War Memorial.
Feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie this winter with Ice on the Plaza.
Visit 56 Feed Co for a gift, something fashionable, and practical!
“Ring the doorbell” to get in, and grab a drink at the Rusty Barrell Supper Club.
See a show at the historic Poncan Theatre – listed on the National Register of Historic Places!
Get in the Christmas spirit with a cup of hot chocolate and a drive through the Festival of Angels light show.
Dinner AND a show?! Watch the planes fly in at Enrique’s Mexican Restaurant.
Try something other than the pool – take the family to the swimming beach at Lake Ponca.
Buy the specialty gifts you can’t get anywhere else at Rikki’s Market! Candies, nuts, spices, coffees, teas, infused olive oils and vinegars, meats, fudge, snacks and MORE!!! Your taste buds will thank you.
Try a famous fresh scone at the Savvy Cactus Mercantile.
Learn about the fascinating history of the Marland Family. Hear the true story of the rise and fall of one of Oklahoma’s most colorful and controversial oil barons and tour the architectural masterpiece: The Marland Mansion.
Bowling, movies, arcade, sports bar?! YES PLEASE! Have a family fun day or a night out with friends at The HUB Entertainment Center.
Browse the display at City Arts.
Pull up a chair at a local favorite in Tonkawa: Mary’s Grill. We dare you to look at their menu without drooling.
Schedule tee time at the Lew Wentz Golf Course!
Join in the tradition of Hometown Christmas in Blackwell!
BUTLER
Get a s’mores bubble waffle and play old school arcade games at Sweet Thangz.
Experience bowling in it’s Golden Age at Holiday Bowl! Built in 1958 and restored to it’s glory!
Load up your mac ‘n cheese and enjoy the beachy vibes at the famous Sugar Shane’s Cafe!
Ice cream, home-cooking, cobbler – it can’t get better than Betty’s in Douglass – schedule lunch with a friend and make the trip!
Take the kids to the EXTREME PLAYGROUND: Dalton Palmer Park – you can’t miss it, it’s BRIGHT ORANGE!
Shop all the interesting gifts and find a festive keepsake at Marketplace 67010.
Try best-selling sandwich, The Bomb at Metro Bistro in Andover. We’d write the description but you’d drool all over yourself.
And while you’re disc golfin’ – play the Knockwood Course! Listed as one of the Top 100 Disc Golf Courses!
Grab your favorite drink and take a stroll down the Redbud Trail, journeying through the former BNSF railway corridor.
Step back in time and remember those happy days at Miller’s Five Drive In downtown.
Plan a trip to Santa Fe Lake for swimming, stand up paddleboarding, boating, fishing, hiking and mountain bike trails, and recreational camping.
Into motorcycles? Twisted Oz features over 70 vintage bikes. Hey…it’s a motorcycle thing.
Refuel with some caffeine at M & J’s Coffeehouse. While you’re there, browse their unique selection of teas!
Catch a game and grab a drink at Willie’s in El Dorado.
Split the Ice Cream Nachos at BonBon’s with your bestie.
SUMNER
Celebrate a tradition since 1900 with the Kansas Wheat Festival, held each year, the second week of July.
Grab the latest bakery creation and a specialty coffee at No. 7 Coffee House in Wellington. OR come in for their lunch specials!
Gather some friends for the Boozy Brunches at Sugar Sisters.
Experience the thrilling sights and sounds of a race at Mid America Dragway with your family. And get nachos, of course.
With a name like Flying Toad Farms you can’t help but be curious. Find produce, salsas, seasonings, spices, freeze dried candy and you guessed it – MORE in this Oxford gem!
Walk through a colorful dream – see the tulips in bloom at the gorgeous and historic Bartlett Arboretum.
Try the jumbo jalapeño poppers at The Last Chance Bar & Grill in Caldwell.
Grab summer sausage, pepper cheese, and sourdough bread at Hagar Acres Farm to Home.
See over 20,000 items brought by early settlers, pioneers, and cowboys traveling the Chisholm Trail at the Chisholm Trail Museum.
Food Network Foodies – try the menu crafted by Food Network’s Mike Castaneda at The Dore.
Take the family to learn about history at the Chisholm Trail Festival the first weekend in May.
Breakfast burrito’s at Suzy’s Bakery & Coffee shop!
For something a littler cheesier, stop by The Big Cheese Pizza – locally owned since 1980!
Pick up a game or puzzle the whole family can enjoy from Bee Creative Toys and do a game night!
Step back into the ’50’s at the iconic Penny’s Diner for fries. Bonus points if you go in the middle of the night since they’re open 24 hours a day!
Schedule a Talking Tombstones Tour or see the Border Queen Museum in Caldwell. Or do a self-guided tour!
Go retro at Wellington Retro Bowl! The great thing about bowling is it’s fun no matter how bad at it you are.
Visit the free-admission National Depression Glass Museum, because why not!?
See a private collection of railroad memorabilia curated by Sherry and Perry Wiley (what great names) at the Panhandle Railroad Museum.
Get you some home cookin’ at The Red Barn in Caldwell. Subs, pizzas, chili, rotating specials – yes please.
