Things to do in Wichita, Kansas


Things to do in Wichita, Kansas

Our Wichita, Kansas attractions and museum guide has over 30 great things to see and do in Wichita. 20 are marked Free and do not charge, although some of those encourage donations.


Frank Lloyd Wright's Allen House is the last of the Frank Lloyd Wright famous Prairie Houses. It was built in 1915 for former Kansas Governor Henry Justin Allen and his wife, Elsie. The museum is operated by the Allen House Foundation for the Wichita Center for the Arts. 255 N Roosevelt Street, Wichita, Kansas 67208 (316) 687-1027
Botanica, the Wichita Gardens, includes 10 acres of theme gardens with a butterfly garden, Shakespeare garden, rose & wildflower Garden, greenhouse, aquatic garden, woodland walk, and the new Sensory Garden. During the warm months, there is a butterfly house where you will be surrounded by hundreds of butterflies and watch as new butterflies emerge from their chrysalides, dry their wings & take their first lights. 701 Amidon Street, Wichita, Kansas 67203 (316) 264-0448
Illuminations At Botanica has been growing each year since it started in 2020. In 2023 over 2,000,000 lights are displayed in a walk through attraction. 10 acres of theme gardens display the lights along a mile indoors and outdoors. With stops to talk to Santa, take a break at the fireplaces, and enjoy a hot cocoa, a typical visit will probably take 45 minutes to an hour. Admission is by timed tickets, purchased online in advance. 701 Amidon Street, Wichita, Kansas 67203 (316) 264-0448
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, popularly known as St. Mary's Cathedral, is among the oldest churches in Wichita, Kansas. The first Catholic Church in Wichita was built in 1872. Construction on the cathedral began in 1906 and it was dedicated September 19, 1912. St. Mary's is considered the mother church of the Diocese of Wichita. Free 307 East Central, Wichita, Kansas 67202 (316) 263-6574
Thirty One bronze sculptures by Puget Sound, Washington artist Georgia Gerber were placed along streetscape of Wichita, Kansas along East Douglas Avenue in the late 1990s. The whimsical Douglas Avenue sculptures are incorporated into Lewis Reflection Square Park and the nearby sidewalks, some times incorporating small fountains. Free Douglas Avenue between Main & Topeka, Wichita, Kansas 67202
Resthaven Gardens of Memory is the final resting place for Ralph Waldo Emerson Dunham, great grandfather of President Barack Obama. Ralph died on October 4, 1970 and is buried with his second wife, Martha Mae Stonehouse, His first wife, Ruth Lucille Armour Dunham, is the President's great grandmother. She died in 1926 and is buried in El Dorado, Kansas. Free 11800 West Highway 54, Wichita, Kansas 67209
Wichita Park Cemetery and Mausoleum in Wichita is the final resting place of President Obama's great-great grandparents, Dr. Jacob William Dunham and Mary Ann Kearney Dunham. Jacob died in 1930 and Mary died in 1936. They are buried in unmarked graves in Lot 188 Spaces 2 & 3 in the Acacia section of the cemetery. Free 3424 East 21st Street North, Wichita, Kansas 67220
Exploration Place is a hands on science museum. When we last visited this Arkansas River front museum, much was devoted to traveling exhibits, but I more enjoyed the permanent displays, which currently include "Design, Build, Fly" and "Kansas in Miniature," which is a small scale recreation of early 1950s Kansas which includes many famous Kansas attractions and an "O" gauge miniature train. The "Kids' Explore" area has a three story castle. 300 North Mclean Boulevard, Wichita, Kansas 67203 (316) 660-0600
Field Station: Dinosaurs on the south side of Wichita in Derby, Kansas is the newest Kansas theme park, having opened in May 2018. The 14 acre, suburban Wichita park has 44 life sized animatronic dinosaurs. They move their head, mouth or tail, rather than walking. The dinosaurs are motion activated, so they respond when your family moves close to them. The largest dinosaur, the Alamosaurus, is 90 feet long. 2999 North Rock Road, Derby, Kansas 67037 (855) 833-3466
Great Plains Nature Center provides opportunities for the public to learn about the natural resources of the Great Plains Region. The Koch Habitat Hall is the centerpiece of the Great Plains Nature Center, with 3,500 square feet of displays devoted to the original prairie, the climate, hands-on interactive learning, streams, wetlands, lakes, rivers, riparian habitat, and woodlands. The center is surrounded by 282 acre Chisholm Creek Park with 2 1/2 miles of paved trails which cross native and restored prairies, wetlands, ponds and woodlands. Free 6232 East 29th Street North, Wichita, Kansas 67220 (316) 683-5499
The Great Plains Transportation Museum has a great location in the Old Town section of Wichita, Kansas, with tracks and an large old steam engine extending over a main street. I'm not sure why "railroad" or "train" isn't in the name of the museum, because railroads are what the museum is all about and it seems like their are more people who would be interested in trains than "transportation." The museum is operated by the Wichita Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. 700 East Douglas, Wichita, Kansas 67202 (316) 263-0944
Hatman Jack's in Wichita, Kansas was founded in 1976, and says that it is the third largest hat store in the United States. Hatman Jack's has thousands of hats from various manufacturers, as well as making custom hats. The staff at Hatman Jacks does cleaning, repair, restoration and shaping. They can dramatically change the look of a hat, sometimes using equipment that is antique. Free 601 West Douglas Avenue, Wichita, Kansas 67213 (316) 264-4881
Neff Hall on the Wichita State University Campus houses one of the best kept travel secrets in Kansas. The Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology is a fascinating, free museum which you will probably have entirely to yourself. The Holmes museum is a teaching museum operated by students enrolled in the Museum Studies Program and gives potential museum professionals hands on experience in museum administration, operations, and exhibition. The museum's collections include a wide range of cultural, archaeological, and biological objects, with the largest collections being Asmat and Native American. Free 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, Kansas 67260 (316) 978-7068
House of Tank is a museum devoted to tanks and other heavy armor vehicles. The museum opened in 2020 and is pretty interesting, but may be closed without notice and there is no way to confirm if they are open. The heavy armor vehicle museum is in a former carpet warehouse in an industrial park and is a personal collection. There are about 23 vehicles inside and 4 others outside. Most are the actual vehicles and are from World War 2 or the Cold War era. There are a couple of replica vehicles, but I found them just as interesting as the originals. $5 donation. 502 E. 33rd Street North, Wichita, Kansas 67219
Jurassic Art is a grassroots art environment in Rose Hill, Kansas, just southeast of Wichita. Dozens of folk art creations by Phil Brinkley cover about an acre surrounding the auto and motorcycle shop of Heavy Metal Restorations and Margaret Brinkley's Spiritual Healing and Consultation Studio. Phil Brinkley largely creates this wonderful metal folk art for his own pleasure, but does commissions and creates some smaller pieces for sale. Free 256 West Rosewood Street, Rose Hill, Kansas 67133 (316) 776-2162
The Kansas African American Museum occupies a handsome building which was the home of Calvary Baptist Church from 1917 to 1972. When Calvary Baptist Church moved to a different building, the community formed the First National Black Historical Society to preserve this part of Wichita's Black heritage. Thanks to their work, the building was placed on the the National Register of Historic Places in 1993 and in 1997, became the Kansas African American Museum. 601 North Water Street, Wichita, Kansas 67203 (316) 262-7651
The Kansas Aviation Museum in occupies a beautiful WPA (Works Progress Administration) building which was the Wichita Municipal Airport terminal from 1935 to 1951. The Aviation Museum displays its larger aircraft outside the building, but there are many smaller aircraft and displays inside the building. 3350 George Washington Blvd South, Wichita, KS 67210 (316) 683-9242
Wichita Kansas Fire Department's Engine House No. 6 opened in 1909. It was the last horse drawn fire station in Wichita to switch to motor vehicles in 1918, and continued to operate until 1953. In 1993 the building was restored and became the Kansas Firefighters Museum. The memorial garden south of the Kansas Firefighters Museum was dedicated in June, 2002. The garden includes a wall with the names of Kansas fallen firefighters, a courtyard of engraved bricks donated by family and friends and "Last Call," a life sized statue of a firefighter holding a fallen firefighter. 1300 South Broadway, Wichita Kansas 67211 (316) 264-5990
The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 1961 as a part of the Kansas Centennial Celebration. The criteria for induction into the Hall of Fame is that the individuals have brought pride to the state of Kansas through their involvement in sports. The KSHOF maintains the official Kansas high school state records and state championship results for teams, individual athletes and coaches, along with a compilation of every state champion crowned by the Kansas State High School Activities Association. Free 515 South Wichita Street, Wichita, Kansas 67202 (316) 262-2038
The Kansas Wildlife Exhibit in Central Riverside Park opened in 1988, but there has been a zoo here in one form or another since 1901. There are 8 cages with over 25 species of birds and turtles, mostly birds of prey that are also used in education programs. The cages are fairly heavy, making it hard to see and photograph the wildlife. There is a lovely adjacent pond. Admission is free and it is open from dawn to dusk. 700 N Nims Street, Wichita, Kansas 67203 (316) 683-5499
Karg Art Glass is located in the heart of Kechi, Kansas, just north of Wichita. It has a large gallery with art glass produced by many artists and a large studio with many kilns where Rollin Karg's staff of artisans work several mornings a week. Metal work, which is made made into separate sculptures or combined with the art glass, is done in a separate building across the parking lot. Free 111 North Oliver Street, Kechi, Kansas 67067 (316) 744-2442
The Keeper of the Plains was created in 1974 and placed at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers. The 44', 5 ton stylized sculpture of an Indian Chief was designed by Native American artist Blackbear Bosin (1921-1980) and constructed by Tom Washburn of Architectural Metal Products. For 15 minutes in the evening, the Keeper is surrounded by a "ring of fire." Free Confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers, Wichita, Kansas
Lake Afton Public Observatory, south of Goddard, Kansas is open to the public every Friday and Saturday evening. Groups and classes can reserve a private Observatory program on other days of the week. During a typical program, the giant 16 inch telescope is set up for observing various astronomic features and visitors are invited to look through the telescope 25000 West 39th Street South, Goddard, Kansas 67052 (316) 247-0372
The 1970 combination Lincoln Street Dam and Bridge across the Big Arkansas River was reconstructed in 2011 & 2012. During the $13.7 million makeover, the layout was changed so that the dam was no longer underneath the bridge and the new attractive dam included an attractive fish ladder and kayak run. There have been problems with erosion of the fish ladder, kayak run and retaining wall when there is high water, but the combination has been an aesthetic success and the waterfall has become a bit of a destination. Free 487-499 West Lincoln Street, Wichita, Kansas 67213
The Mid-America All-Indian Center combines a museum, the Gallery of Nations for special events, and a gift shop. The museum houses art from American Indian artists from around the country and focuses on educating and preserving American Indian culture and heritage. 650 N Seneca Street, Wichita, Kansas 67203 (316) 350-3340
Occupying a building formerly used for the Farm & Art Market, the Museum of World Treasures is an impressive addition to Wichita's Old Town. Its has memorabilia from athletes, actors, presidents and public figures going back several hundred years. In some cases it is just an autograph or a document that the person had written, but there are often more interesting artifacts. It has dinosaurs, a huge military section and mummies! 835 East First Street, Wichita, Kansas 67202 (316) 263-1311
Old Cowtown Museum is a living history museum recreating a plains cattle town of the 1870s. When we visited Cowtown in November the friendly cashiers told us about interesting activities that would be taking place in the community. But we saw few reenactors and only one of the activities that we had been told would be taking place. There are about 40 old buildings that have been moved to this location. 1865 West Museum Boulevard, Wichita, Kansas 67203 (316) 660-1870
PBS Kansas Channel 8 in Wichita, Kansas is the home of two unique attractions, theBonavia Foundation PBS Kansas Museum and the adjacent Cochener-Garvey Children's Education & Discovery Center. Both are free and open to the public from 10 AM to 4 PM weekdays, except for special events. Free 8710 E 32nd St. N., Wichita, KS 67226 (316) 838-3090
The Pizza Hut Museum is located in the Wichita, Kansas building which was the first Pizza Hut. The company was started at the corner of Bluff and Kellogg in Wichita by Wichita State University students (brothers Dan and Frank Carney) on June 15, 1958. That building was moved onto campus in 1986 where it largely sat empty. In 2017 it was moved to this new location and opened at the Pizza Hut Museum on April 25, 2018. Free 2090 Innovation Boulevard, Wichita, Kansas 67208 (800) 948-8488
River Festival opens with the Sundown Parade and a fireworks display along the Arkansas River. Most activities at Wichita RiverFest are close to the River. There is even a floating stage where the breeze off the water helps cool visitors on the hot June days. RiverFest is June 2-10, 2023Free Various locations, Wichita, Kansas (316) 267-2817
The Sedgwick County Zoo in northwest Wichita is the largest zoo in Kansas and one of the largest zoos in the United States. One of Kansas' largest attractions, the Wichita zoo is home to more than 2,500 animals of nearly 500 different species. Things to do, in addition to viewing and sometimes interacting with the animals, include a children's play area, story times, snack bars, boat rides and trams. Plan to spend a half day at the Sedgwick County Zoo. 5555 Zoo Boulevard, Wichita, Kansas 67212 (316) 660-9453
Solar Calendar is an outdoor astronomical observatory at Central Riverside Park. The Stonehenge like art was created in 2003 by Wichita artist Steve Murillo. The standing stones are decorated with tiles showing constellations, astrological signs, the globe and other designs. As a place of reflection, study and celebration, these standing stones form a technologically accurate astronomical observatory which tracks the sun's location by aligning the stones at sunset, sunrise and local noon on the first day of each of the four seasons. Free 720 Nims North, Wichita, Kansas 67203 (316) 268-4361
The Steampunk Grassroots Art of Gary Pendergrass is so cool! It fills a side yard at Gary's home in Wichita, Kansas and is open during daylight hours. The sign says, "Welcome, Be careful & safe." The small yard is packed with steampunk, fantasy and science fiction art, with each piece fighting for your attention. There is so much entertaining art in this space that it is hard to take in! Free 3831 West 17th Street North, Wichita, Kansas 67203 (316) 619-8001
The Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University opened in 1974. The building is rather striking, but the museum is rather modest There are 2 small galleries and a couple of hallways. The best part of the Ulrich Museum of Art's collection is outside: the Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection, more than 70 statues spread across Wichita State University's campus. It includes art by Scott Burton, Luis Jiménez, Henry Moore, Louise Nevelson, Claes Oldenburg, George Rickey and Auguste Rodin. Free 1845 Fairmount Street, Wichita, Kansas 67260 (316) 978-3664
The Wichita Art Museum is the largest art museum in Kansas. The museum expanded into the current facility in 2003. The permanent collection includes more than 6,000 works of art, but large portions of the museum are devoted to traveling or temporary exhibits and there are usually several temporary exhibits at the same time. The collection of American art spans three centuries of painting, sculpture, works on paper, and decorative arts, as well as an expanding glass collection. The Wichita Art Museum is free except for special exhibits. 1400 West Museum Boulevard, Wichita, Kansas 67203 (316) 268-4921
Wichita's former 1892 City Hall is home to the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum. One of the most striking buildings in Kansas, The old Wichita City Hall is beautiful inside and out. The Wichita-Sedgwick Museum has exhibits on the 2nd, 3rd & 4th floors of the building, with a gift shop and offices on the 1st floor. 204 South Main, Wichita, Kansas 67202 (316) 265-9314
The Wichita Toy Train Museum moved into its present location on south Laura Street in 2012 and is open to the public on the second and fourth weekend each month. "Museum" isn't really the correct name for the club, but it is definitely an attraction. 130 South Laura Street, Wichita, Kansas 67211 (620) 837-3006
The Wichita WATER Center (Wichita Area Treatment, Education & Remediation) is a treatment facility for the Gilbert-Mosley Project and as a museum devoted to public education about the importance of water quality and conservation. The WATER Center treatment facility is a the focal point of a water remediation system which begins with five and a half miles of conveyance piping and thirteen extraction wells. The wells extract and convey polluted groundwater to the center, where it is cleaned by a hydraulic venturi air stripper treatment system. This remediation system removes groundwater contamination. Free 101 East Pawnee, Wichita, Kansas 67211 (316) 350-3386

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