Discover Wichita

Wichita offers a wide range of ways to explore, including distinctive riverside landmarks, historic buildings and crafts, aviation, gardens, and wildlife. If you’re looking for a hotel in Wichita, these highlights can help you tailor your stay to the themes that interest you most.

Rivers and a distinctive landmark

The Keeper of the Plains stands at the confluence of the Big Arkansas River and the Little Arkansas River. In the evening, the “Ring of Fire” burns there for 15 minutes every night. The lighting may be suspended due to weather, river, or safety conditions. If this evening display is important to your plans, check whether it is taking place before your visit. The Keeper of the Plains Plaza and the surrounding area are closed to the public between midnight and 5 a.m.

Historic crafts and aviation

Old Cowtown features 54 historic and faithfully reconstructed buildings. The collection includes more than 25,000 authentic objects from the period between 1865 and 1880. Craft demonstrations are also part of the experience: the blacksmith and printer demonstrate their crafts in their respective workshops. These demonstrations take place during the regular season, from April to October. The buildings, collection pieces, and workshop activities offer different ways to explore history and crafts.

At Exploration Place, the permanent Design-Build-Fly exhibit offers hands-on activities related to aircraft: visitors can design an airplane seat, test landing gear, and rivet a wing. Another permanent exhibit, the Sensory Garden, features more than 50 plant species, interactive musical instruments, outdoor seating, and a water vortex. The Magic Carpet depicts a 26.2-mile stretch of the Arkansas River with informational signs. Together, these exhibits offer different points of entry—from hands-on activities to learning about a stretch of river.

The Kansas Aviation Museum also presents several perspectives on aviation. Twelve additional aircraft are displayed on the ramp behind the museum. The Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame honors Kansans whose contributions to aviation had state or national significance. Visitors interested in aircraft can explore the displayed planes and the recognition of significant contributions as distinct topics.

Gardens, animals, and habitats

Botanica encompasses more than 20 acres of landscaped gardens and more than 4,000 plant species. The scale of the gardens and the variety of plants provide two clear points of interest for a visit focused on landscaped gardens and plants. The Sedgwick County Zoo is home to 3,000 individual animals from nearly 400 species. The animals are grouped geographically and live in enclosures designed to replicate their natural habitats. Most areas also include zones where visitors can move freely among plants and animals.

Chisholm Creek Park offers another perspective on nature: it is managed as a Wichita Wild Habitat Area to optimize habitat diversity and quality. Wichita therefore offers landscaped gardens, animal habitats, and a park focused on habitat quality. Depending on whether you want to focus on plants, animals, or habitat design, you’ll find different themes to guide your choices.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Derby, Eastborough, Haysville, Goddard, Park, Peck.

Return to the regional travel overview: Sedgwick.