Wichita is a city in south central Kansas that offers a wide variety of attractions. Some of the city’s most popular attractions include Exploration Place, which features interactive science exhibits. Other attractions include Kansas in Miniature, which features animated models of 1950s Kansas. The Old Cowtown Museum is a historical museum that recreates the life of people in the 19th century. Botanica Wichita offers themed gardens, including a wildflower meadow and a Chinese garden. Other attractions include the Museum of World Treasures, which houses mummies and even a T. rex skeleton.
The Allen House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is a historic landmark in Wichita. This prairie-style home is filled with Wright-designed furnishings. There are no self-guided tours, but you can make reservations in advance. Be sure to plan your visit accordingly, as there are timed slots for visitors. You can also tour the inside of the Allen House, which is one of the best examples of Prairie Style architecture.
The Wichita Art Museum has more than 1500 pieces of art. It is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon with the family. The museum is located in an historic building, which was constructed in the 1920s. Inside, you can enjoy a variety of exhibits and antique furniture.
Botanica Wichita
Botanica, The Wichita Gardens opened in 1987 as a collaborative effort between the City of Wichita and the Wichita Area Garden Council. Originally comprised of four gardens, Botanica, The Wichita today encompasses seventeen acres of botanical gardens. The gardens are located at 701 North Amidon in Wichita, Kansas.
The 17-acre gardens are home to vibrant flowers and fresh plants. You can experience the beauty of the plants and flowers as well as a variety of themed gardens. Botanica Wichita offers tours, lectures, and events to entertain visitors. If you enjoy gardens, this is an ideal place to spend an afternoon.
Families can enjoy the gardens throughout the year. There are several seasonal events, including the Tulips, Fairies & Forts event in early spring. The Butterfly House is opened for the butterfly festival each year, and the first 100 children are given a chance to release a butterfly in the butterfly house. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the garden is open until 8 p.m. Visitors can also enjoy the carousel on a free night.
Botanica is located near downtown Wichita, KS. The gardens are maintained meticulously, and are well-labeled. You can also enjoy a relaxing afternoon by the beach or exploring an aquatic bungalow. The Botanica is open seven days a week, and there are often discounted admission rates for the community. Botanica is also a part of the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admissions Program, which allows members of Botanica to visit hundreds of member gardens for free.
Arkansas River Bike Path
One of the best hiking and biking trails in Wichita is the Arkansas River Trail, which runs 22 kilometers through the city. The trail is lined with scenic scenery and offers views of major city attractions. The Wichita Boathouse offers a barbecue dinner and boat tours. These tours cost $35 per person and include food and equipment.
The Arkansas River begins near Leadville, Colorado, and flows for 1,469 miles through four states before coming to its confluence with the Mississippi River in eastern Arkansas. A 192-mile section of the river has been designated a National Water Trail by the U.S. National Park Service, and it passes through rural communities and cities like Wichita.
The Arkansas River is navigable by motorized and non-motorized watercraft. The Arkansas River is also home to several parks and recreational facilities that allow the public to enjoy the river. A variety of activities are available along the river, including boating, tubing, and hiking. The National Park Service has designated 22 paddling sites along the river. While you’re in Wichita, you can also rent a boat at Boats & Bikes, located on the Arkansas River near Douglas Bridge.
Whether you prefer to run, walk, or bike, the Arkansas River Path is an excellent choice in Wichita. The path is wide and paved and passes through many of the city’s parks. Runners can choose either side of the river and cross the John Mack Bridge at 8.5 miles. The path then ends in Garvey Park.
Keeper of the Plains
One of the 8 Wonders of Kansas, the Keeper of the Plains is an iconic statue spanning the confluence of the Little Arkansas and Big Arkansas Rivers. Originally installed in 1974, the sculpture honors the original residents of the region. It was the focus of an eight-year, $20 million restoration project.
The sculpture depicts the Great Spirit, with hands held high in supplication. It stands on a 30-foot rock promontory and is surrounded by a plaza that explains the life and culture of Plains Indians. The artist, Paul Bosin, is responsible for the design and construction of the sculpture. He also designed ten designs for the Franklin Mint depicting Native American history. These depictions reflected the traditional perspective and the Indian interpretation of events. Bosin was awarded a Distinguished Service Award for his efforts.
In 2007, the city invested $20 million in river beautification. The sculpture was relocated to a 30 foot rock where it is positioned high above the river and matches the spires of nearby pedestrian bridges. Its massive sculpture is illuminated by a 15 minute ceremony known as the Ring of Fire.
Visit the Sedgwick County Zoo
When planning a vacation to Wichita, you can include the Sedgwick County Zoo in your itinerary. The zoo is located in Sedgwick County, and you can use a custom trip planner to plan your trip and make sure to visit this popular destination.
The zoo’s newest attraction is a C.P. Huntington Electric Train, built locally by Chance Rides. The 1.3-mile ride will give visitors an up-close and personal look behind the scenes of the zoo’s exhibits. Guests can ride the train for $4 for members and $5 for nonmembers.
The Sedgwick County Zoo is a great place for visitors of all ages to spend the day. It features a diverse selection of animal exhibits from around the world. The layout is well-organized, with animal exhibits located every couple of feet. You can visit the zoo on your own or bring the entire family. The staff will make your visit a fun experience for everyone.
Guests can learn about various animal species, including lions, tigers, leopards, and red river hogs. The zoo is also a breeding ground for critically endangered animals. The zoo also hosts educational programs for children and provides tours and other activities. You can make reservations in advance for several of the events at the zoo.
Museum of World Treasures
The Museum of World Treasures is a world history museum located in Wichita, Kansas. Its exhibits include Egyptian mummies and dinosaur specimens. There are also signatures from all of America’s presidents, a section of the Berlin Wall, and a genuine shrunken head.
The Museum of World Treasures is spread over three floors. The main floor showcases the collection of artifacts from ancient Egypt, dinosaurs, and past presidents. There are also galleries dedicated to composers and scientists. The museum also contains exhibits from the American Revolution, Civil War, and WWII.
The Museum of World Treasures is located in the Farm & Art Market building east of downtown Wichita. It is a great place to have a group outing or meeting. The museum is also equipped with a banquet room, which is ideal for special events and meetings. In addition to the exhibits, there is also an interactive kids’ center. Children’s activities at the Museum of World Treasures include a moonwalk, castle, toys, and a puppet theater.
Located in Wichita’s historic Old Town district, the Museum of World Treasures is a fantastic venue for your next meeting or event. Its two event spaces offer spectacular views of the surrounding neighborhood. Moreover, both rooms feature huge windows and exposed brick walls.
Tanganyika Wildlife Park
Tanganyika Wildlife Park is a family-friendly destination where visitors can see and interact with animals up close. Its mission is to conserve the endangered species of Tanganyika in a safe and natural environment. Visitors can view animals from many perspectives, including crocodiles, tigers, and more.
The park features over 15 different experiences. Ten of them are interactive and feature unique animals. The park also features a giant water-spouting giraffe, an 850 degree Typhoon slide, and multiple climbing structures. The park is one of the few locations in the United States with this many interactive experiences.
This Wichita attraction has been rated as one of the best for families in the area. There is a wide range of animal interactions for all ages, including baby animal nursing. The park also features a newly renovated playground and a children’s zoo area.
In addition to the giraffes, this park also has a variety of other animals. You can get close to some of them by feeding them. It is a good place for children to experience up-close animal interaction, as there are also several shows and special events to enjoy.
The park is open on weekends in fall and summer. It is closed on Sundays during the winter. In the summer, it is open daily.
Old Cowtown Museum
If you are planning a trip to Sedgwick County, take time to check out the Old Cowtown Museum, located outside downtown Wichita. The museum consists of more than 50 historic buildings that depict the city’s life between 1860 and 1880. It is one of the oldest open-air history museums in the Midwest. Several of the buildings have been repurposed to portray the late nineteenth century. Visitors can participate in hands-on activities and educational programs to learn more about the city’s history.
This replica town lets you see the lives and times of early Wichita settlement. Cowtown has many attractions including a buffalo hunter trading zone and costumed interpreters. Cowtown is home to blacksmiths and cowboy gunfights every day.
Exploration Place
Exploration Place is a hands-on science museum for children. It also has an IMAX theater and auditorium. It is part of the Riverside Park Museum District, and was designed by Canadian architect Moshe Safdie. Visitors can experience the building of airplanes and even sit in the pilot’s seat. It even has a three-story medieval castle, and a traveling exhibition area.
The center is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. However, the attraction is open on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Members receive exclusive benefits. Visits to the museum are recommended for ages three and up. Children can enjoy the indoor and outdoor playgrounds. The park is also a great place to enjoy a picnic.
The center also offers live science shows and a dome theater with a 360-degree view. The theater offers a wide variety of shows that are ticketed separately from the rest of the museum. This is a great option for those who are unable to see all of the exhibits.
Wichita Art Museum
The Wichita Art Museum is a fantastic place to learn about American art and culture. In addition to its permanent collections, it also has a beautiful 8-acre Art Garden where you can stroll through the artworks. The Museum Store and Muse Cafe are also located inside the museum. Admission to the museum is free on Saturdays.
If you’re a fan of American history and culture, you should definitely check out the Keeper of the Plains statue, designed by Native American artist Blackbear Bosin. This sculpture is 44 feet high and sits on sacred ground at the point where the Big and Little Arkansas rivers meet. The statue also has a garden of sage and medicinal herbs. It’s one of the most popular attractions for families in Wichita.
Kansas Aviation Museum
The Kansas Aviation Museum is near 31st South and George Washington Boulevard. The building that houses the museum was once the Wichita Municipal Airport terminal. The museum has an interesting history and is a great place to learn about aviation and Kansas history. The building was once the Wichita Municipal Airport terminal from 1935 to 1954.
The museum has plans to update four areas of the museum in the coming year. These include the Hall of Fame, the Air Capital Theatre, the Welcome to Wichita exhibit, and the Ulysses Lee “Rip” Gooch Black Aviators Hall of Fame. The renovations will start this fall and are expected to be complete within three to four months.
The Kansas Aviation Museum offers a fun-filled day for the entire family. Its three floors feature an extensive collection of Kansas’s legacy in the air. Visitors can look inside several planes and even walk in some. Admission is $3 per person or $8 per carload. There is a children’s craft area, vendors, and a lunch concession stand.
The Kansas Aviation Museum features a unique collection of aviation history. There are planes that were used by famous airmen and women, including Amelia Earhart and Olive Ann Beech. The museum also features Boeing 737s, the Air Force KC-135, and the Learjet. In addition, the museum has a children’s play area with simulators. Admission is free for children three and under.
Old Town Wichita
The old-world warehouses that make up Old Town Wichita are home to live music, cocktail bars, and restaurants. Museums and historical sites abound in the area, too. Explore ancient Roman coins, Civil War weapons, and a section of the Berlin Wall at the Museum of World Treasures. Or, see vintage locomotives at the Great Plains Transportation Museum.
Old Town Wichita is home to hundreds of businesses. This area is becoming an increasingly popular place to visit, stay, and eat. The city’s City Council adopted a master plan in 2010 that drives development of the historic district. Whether you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion or want to enjoy a night out with friends, you’ll find a variety of options in the area.
For nightlife, Old Town is home to Public at the Brickyard, where you can enjoy live music from local acts and eat delicious food. Mort’s Martini & Cigar Bar offers great cocktails and a wide selection of cigars. Old Town also hosts the latest social oasis, WAVE, while XY Bar is the city’s largest LGBT dance club.
A three-bedroom property with a separate living room and dining area is a great option for families. The property features high-speed internet services, a kitchen, and a fitness center, making it a great place to hold a family vacation. There is also a family-friendly activity center nearby, including Sedgwick County Zoo and Koch Aquatic Center.
Frank Lloyd Wright Allen House
Located in Wichita, Kansas, the Allen House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1915. The house was designed for Henry Justin Allen, former Governor of Kansas, and his wife, Elsie. It is now an historic landmark that can be enjoyed by visitors to the area.
In 1915, Henry Allen, the editor of the Wichita Beacon, contacted Frank Lloyd Wright to design a house for the Allen family. The two met in early 1915 and Wright agreed to design the house. The Allens approved the preliminary plans that Wright presented to them. The Allens then approved the final plans in 1916, and Wright left Wichita to live in Japan.
The Wright Allen House is a historic house that’s now a museum dedicated to the architect. The house is located on a small hill near the Purdue University stadium. The building’s name is derived from winged seeds found on the property during Wright’s first visit to the site. The house also has a stylized rug in the living room that represents the winged seeds of a pine tree.
The Allen House was designed by Wright, and is a National Historic Landmark. It is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday. It is also home to the Corbin Education Center, which is designed by Wright.
Great Plains Nature Center
The center’s main mission is to educate the public about nature and the stewardship of natural resources. It also emphasizes the importance of urban habitats. A family can enjoy a day at the center’s aquarium, which features all types of native Kansas fish species. The aquarium and the museum are supported by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and the City of Wichita.
Visitors to the Great Plains Nature Center Wichita can take a scenic walk through Chisholm Creek Park. There are 2 1/2 miles of paved trails throughout the park. The trails take visitors through restored and native prairies, woodlands, wetlands, and ponds. The center is a collaborative project of the United States Department of Interior’s Fish & Wildlife Service, the State of Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks, and the City of Wichita Department of Parks and Recreation.
Great Plains Nature Center is located at East 29th Street North, 5.2 miles from downtown Wichita. It is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Sundays and holidays. Admission to the Nature Center is free.
