Top Things to Do in Wichita

Cowboys pushing cattle across the Kansas prairie longed for a view of Wichita on the horizon. Today, the city of almost 400,000 still makes a great stop. Check out our list of what to do, where to eat and where to stay.

By

Midwest Living editors

Updated on May 1, 2023

Keeper of the Plains, Wichita — Photo: C2 Photography

Do

Boats and Bikes

Rent kayaks, paddleboards and bikes from a riverside dock at this spot operated by the Wichita State University rowing program.

Botanica

More than two dozen themed gardens and a butterfly house encourage quiet walks and hands-on learning. At the Downing Children's Garden, even adults can't resist climbing a giant tree house or wandering a music maze.

Exploration Place

This science museum engages all ages. Kids design planes and work with NASA tools while adults marvel at Kansas in Miniature, a display with more than 125 buildings.

Field Station: Dinosaurs

Forty-plus life-size animatronic dinosaurs roar in a dreamland for budding paleontologists in Derby (11 miles south of Wichita). Live shows and an 18-hole Jurassic-theme mini golf course add to the fun.

Kansas Aviation Museum

A revamped airport terminal showcases historical aircraft while illustrating the state's role in the evolution of flight.

Keeper of the Plains

For 15 minutes each night, fire drums erupt with flames around this riverfront statue honoring Native Americans.

Mid-America All Indian Museum

See a collection of works by renowned Native American sculptor Blackbear Bosin. A museum of native art tells the Plains Indian story.

Museum of World Treasures

The theme is ambiguous at this Old Town collection, but the 10,600 artifacts all enlighten. See displays of a Berlin Wall segment, Egyptian mummies and the Scarecrow's pitchfork from The Wizard of Oz.

Old Cowtown Museum

The 19th-century living-history town and farm includes a blacksmith's shop, daily gunfight shows and a saloon serving sarsaparilla.

Riverfest

The party in and around the Arkansas River (in June) traditionally begins with a parade and continues with boat tours, races and big-name concerts.

Sedgwick County Zoo

More than 3,000 animals thrive in spacious habitats at one of the nation's top-ranked zoos. scz.org

Tanganyika Wildlife Park

Giraffes and lemurs (and many of the other 400-plus residents) eat from guests' hands at this zoo in nearby Goddard.

Kansas — Wichita Art Museum. Ryan Donnell

Wichita Art Museum

Glasswork—by Steuben and contemporary artists—makes up a big part of the more than three centuries of American art on display at the Wichita Art Museum. The garden features 80 species of plants and 13 sculptures.

Eat and Drink

Bite Me BBQ

Known for its giant ribs, the Old Town joint also gets props for its oversize Bloody Marys.

Central Standard Brewing

Head to an open-air shed appointed with cozy seating for tastes of funky brews, like the Bling Blau sour gose, made with blueberries, vanilla bean, cinnamon and brown sugar.

Chester's Chophouse and Wine Bar

Mahogany and leather warm this date-night destination serving steaks, plus some Italian dishes.

The Donut Whole

It's part coffee bar, part performance center, but mostly the place for doughnuts. Toppings include Fruity Pebbles, bacon and Hydrox cookies.

Doo-Dah Diner

This highway-side breakfast and lunch spot plates from-scratch items with twists (banana bread French toast topped with candied apples, apple butter and pecans).

Hangar One Steakhouse

The atmosphere at Hangar One immerses guests in flight: A cargo plane stretches from the dining room out into the parking lot, and the building looks out on a runway. The menu follows suit with King Air filet and Piper Cub chicken strips.

River City Brewing Co.

For nearly 30 years, River City Brewing Co. has been synonymous with craft beer in Wichita. Enjoy 16 handcrafted beers on tap, including Emerald City Stout and Tornado Alley IPA, and an open-air balcony that overlooks Wichita's Old Town District.

Lava and Tonic

This tiki bar mixes creations like Shark Bite, a combo of Jamaican and Guyanese rums with fruit syrups and egg white. Try it with a Tiki Snack Tray or a slice of Lilly's Luau pizza.

Revolutsia

This hip shipping-container complex includes dining and shopping built around an outdoor gathering space. Try eateries like German-focused Prost (bierocks and sauerbraten), then check out the artsy gift shop, Vortex Souvenir.