The Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita is always FREE to visit. They provide opportunities for the public to investigate, understand, and develop an appreciation for wildlife. They have weekly FREE events, and no registration is needed! Great for homeschoolers, kiddos who aren’t quite in school yet, or anyone else available in the morning hours. The Nature Center is connected to Chisholm Creek Park, so you can enjoy both indoor and outdoor areas with one visit. This is one of the best places to Walk in Wichita.
This is one of my personal favorites, and it’s FREE to the public (inside and outside). Did you know that Great Plains Nature Center partners with the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit in Riverside, which is also always FREE.
Great Plains Nature Center Musuem
It’s completely FREE to go through the museum! They also have Nature Education for kids of all ages, including adults. These programs are also FREE. Visit their website for more information. In the museum, you can see the 2,200-gallon aquarium filled with fish life, or learn about the sounds native animals make. You can learn about the history of the prairies, wildlife, and plant life.
WOTC Pro Tip: You can download FREE Pocket Books. These informative and comprehensive booklets. Click HERE
Hours: 9 am-5 pm every day
Gift Shop Hours: 10 am-4 pm (closed Sundays)
Location: 6232 East 29 th St N, Wichita, KS 67220
Weekly FREE Events at Great Plains Nature Center
Free Naturally Crafty
Full Article: Naturally Crafty
Nothing beats doing crafts and learning about nature! Combine the two and see how creative those kiddos can be!
Every Tuesday, they prepare a new craft for your young artists. It is primarily for elementary and younger children, but all are welcome.
FREE. No registration required
Free Critter Tales Story Time
- Every Wednesday at 10 am – 10:30 am
- Gather round for a fun-filled story full of colorful adventures as our volunteers share one of their favorite Critter Tales. This weekly program is designed for our littlest learners, featuring age-appropriate storybooks that highlight the wonders of nature.
- Meet in Koch Habitat Hall, located in the Great Plains Nature Center.
- FREE. No registration required
Free Creature Feature
- The first Monday of every month (April- September) and every Monday during summer (June-July) starting at 11 am.
- Do you enjoy learning about the wonders and oddities that the Great Plains encompass? Our Naturalists sure do! Come join us in the Auditorium to geek out about a new topic! The Naturalist-led program lasts around 40 minutes with time for questions afterward and is normally followed by meeting an animal ambassador or investigating artifacts.
- Bring your love and curiosity for the creatures around us!
- FREE. No registration required
Free Outdoor Play
- Starting back up in the Spring- Thursdays from 10-11 am
- There is no better space for kids to learn than the outdoors, and there is no better play resource than nature. To provide enriching outdoor exploration for your kids, our naturalists are creating FREE, come-and-go activities.
- They have new weekly activities for preschoolers (ages 3-5).
Great Plains Nature Center General Info:
Hours: 9 am – 5 pm every day
Gift Shop: 10 am- 4 pm (closed Sundays)
Location: 6232 East 29 th St N, Wichita, KS 67220
Phone: 316-683-5499
Cost: FREE admission
GPNC Memberships
Did you know? If you are a Great Plains Nature Center member, you can go to over 150 Nature Centers in the US and Canada for FREE.
Individual Memberhips: $25
Family: $50
Educator, Student, Military: $20
Senior: $20
Senior Family: $25
Chisholm Creek Park at Great Plains Nature Center
The Walking Trail at Great Plains Nature Center is in Chisholm Creek Park, one of Wichita’s largest parks. It’s on 282 acres and has 2.5 miles of paved trails that cross native and restored prairies, wetlands, ponds, and more. Bikes and pets must stay on the path around the outside of the park but are not allowed on the interior trails. The bicycle path can be accessed from Oliver Street.
Chisholm Creek Park:
- 125 species of wildflowers
- 38 species of trees and shrubs
- 20 species of mammals
- 160 species of birds
- 21 species of reptiles and amphibians
- 13 species of fish
Fishing Ponds:
Two ponds in the park are available for fishing. A valid Kansas fishing license is required for all who are age 16 and up.
- Island Pond – Artificial lures only, all fish caught must be released. There is no fishing allowed on bridges or other wetland areas of Chisholm Creek Park.
- Chisholm Lake –Located on the north side of K-96. Please observe posted regulations. (Not on the Great Plains property but close)
