Things to do in Wichita
Late spring and early fall bring mild, comfortable weather ideal for the riverfront, gardens, and patios. Summers are hot and humid with the lively Riverfest in early June, while winters run cold and windy across the plains.
Best months: May, June, September, October
What is worth your time in Wichita
Botanica WichitaDo not miss
Themed gardens, a butterfly house, and the immersive Downing Children's Garden spread across lush riverside grounds.
Park · 2.3 hr4.8
Keeper of the PlainsDo not miss
A 44-foot steel statue rising at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers, ringed by fire pits lit nightly at dusk.
Landmark · 1.1 hr4.8
Exploration PlaceDo not miss
Wichita's riverside science center with hands-on exhibits, a domed theater, and a kid-favorite Kansas-shaped building by the water.
Museum · 2.8 hr4.7
Mid-America All-Indian CenterDo not miss
Standing at the foot of the Keeper of the Plains, it honors Native American art and heritage with galleries and the sculptor's own work.
Cultural Experience · 1.5 hr4.7
Old Cowtown MuseumDo not miss
A living-history village of 1870s Wichita with costumed interpreters, a working blacksmith, gunfight reenactments, and a saloon.
Historic Site · 2.8 hr4.7
Sedgwick County ZooDo not miss
One of the nation's top-ranked zoos, with immersive habitats spanning African plains, an Amur tiger forest, and a giant elephant preserve.
Activity · 4 hr4.7
Wichita Art MuseumDo not miss
The largest American art collection in Kansas, strong in Hopper, Homer, and Hurd, set beside the river with a sculpture lawn.
Museum · 2 hr4.7
Museum of World TreasuresDo not miss
A quirky world-history museum where dinosaur skeletons, Egyptian mummies, and presidential artifacts share three crowded floors.
Museum · 2 hr4.6
Arkansas River TrailsDo not miss
Paved riverside paths link downtown, Keeper of the Plains, and Delano with footbridges, public art, and skyline views.
Scenic Route · 1.8 hr4.4
Old Town WichitaDo not miss
Restored brick warehouses now full of restaurants, breweries, shops, and nightlife in the walkable heart of downtown.
Neighborhood · 2.3 hr
Kansas Firefighters Museum
A small museum of antique fire engines and gear in a historic firehouse, a quick offbeat stop families enjoy.
Museum · 1 hr4.9
Allen House
Frank Lloyd Wright's last Prairie-style house, a 1917 masterwork with original furnishings open by guided tour.
Architecture · 1.3 hr4.8
Central Standard Brewing
A beloved Delano-area craft brewery with a big shaded beer garden, rotating sours and IPAs, and a relaxed local crowd.
Nightlife · 1.5 hr4.8
Great Plains Transportation Museum
An outdoor collection of historic locomotives and rail cars beside Old Town, including a massive Santa Fe steam engine to climb aboard.
Museum · 1.1 hr4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Wichita is spread out and car-friendly, so rent a car; downtown, Old Town, and Delano are walkable pockets but you drive between districts.
- The Keeper of the Plains Ring of Fire lighting runs nightly for about 15 minutes around dusk in summer, weather permitting, so time an evening visit around it.
- Many museums close on Mondays and some on Tuesdays, so check hours before building a day around them.
- The best food and nightlife cluster in Old Town and Delano, from barbecue and burgers to craft breweries and coffee roasters.
- Several top draws like the Cosmosphere and Tallgrass Prairie are an hour or more out of town, so build in driving time for a day trip.