Experience Wichita attractions on the cheap by finding coupons or discounted days.
Attractions with asterisk participate in the Wichita Explore Card. Save $2 on the price of admission with this free card. (Details)
Botanica, The Wichita Gardens
Botanica is among the best attractions in Wichita year-round, but several times per year it hosts events you absolutely don’t want to miss, like Illuminations and free admission for moms on Mothers Day. Admission to Botanica is inexpensive, from $5 to $7 per person depending on age. Children 2 and younger get in free. You can save $2 on admission with the Wichita Explore Card.
Memberships to Botanica makes it even more affordable and starts at just $55 per year. Members get free admission to the gardens, discounts on select special events, and free or discounted admission to reciprocating botanical gardens throughout the United States.
*Botanica, 701 Amidon, Wichita, KS 67203 (316) 264-0448
I called and they told me they’re not doing $3 admission on Thursdays this summer (2018). Bummer! You can get a discount on admission to Botanica during Riverfest with your button, and if I think any other possible discounts, I’ll update here. Family Game Nights are still happening on Thursdays – just at regular price. Hours of operation on Thursdays are 9am-8pm. Children under 3 and members get in free, or get discounted admission for some special events. On Mother’s Day Botanica usually has free admission for moms. It’s a beautiful time of year to see the gardens!
Garden membership is available and entitles you to free or discounted participation/admission to popular Botanica activities like Tuesdays on the Terrace and Illuminations.
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*Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 West Zoo Boulevard, Wichita, KS 67212, (316) 660-9453
Winter Wednesdays, $3.00 admission. Winter Wednesdays usually begin in November and go until February. 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Twilight Tuesdays in July free admission to the zoo in the evening!
On Fathers Day and Mothers Day, dads or moms respectively get free admission with a paid child admission.
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*Tanganyika Wildlife Park, 1000 S. Hawkins Ln., Goddard, KS 67052
This is a wildly different experience, with up-close-and-personal interactions with many animals in the park. Don’t miss the excellent Tanganyika season pass sale at the beginning of March.
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*Wichita Art Museum, 1400 West Museum Boulevard, Wichita, KS 67203, (316) 268-4921
Admission is always free on Saturdays. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (The Wichita Art Museum also has numerous free or cheap kids’ activities/programs. See the website for details.)
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*Museum of World Treasures, 835 E 1st St. (in Old Town), Wichita, KS 67202
Family Night at the Museum of World Treasures is the first Thursday of every month. Admission is only $5 per person. Children under 4 and members are always free. Some children’s programs are free with admission. Birthday party packages are available. See the website for details.
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Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 E 29th Street North, Wichita, KS 67220-2200, (316) 683-5499
Always free admission during regular hours of operation, Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free group tours (donations are accepted) with reservations–double-check this though, since I haven’t talked to them in a while. Free publications about Kansas nature and wildlife. A great resource.
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*Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, 204 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202, (316) 265-9314
$4 adult admission, $2 children 6-12, children under 6 years old are free. Frequent free special events and activities. Senior Wednesday once per month with $2 admission. Teacher’s Pass gets teachers and their students in free.
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*Old Cowtown Museum, 1865 W. Museum Blvd., Wichita, KS 67203, (316) 219-1871
Group rates and special rates for school groups. See website for details.
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Great Plains Transportation Museum, 700 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67202, (316)263-0944
Adult admission $5, children 3-12 $3, children under 3 are free. (There is a coupon in the Entertainment book: Get up to two complimentary admissions when two admissions are purchased.)
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Wichita Ice Center, 505 West Maple, Wichita, KS 67213, (316) 337-9199
“$2 Tuesdays” now includes most Mondays and Thursdays as well. Public skate admission price is only $2 with $3 skate rental per person. Kids 4 and younger get in free and get $3 skate rental for all public ice skating sessions. Military skate for $5 total with valid military ID. Family Skate only $30 for admission and skate rental for a family of four: mom, dad, and two children under 18. (Each additional member pays only a $3 skate rental fee.) Immediate family only.
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Wichita Sports Hall of Fame, 4700 E. Central, Wichita, Kansas 67208, (316) 264-5222
Admission is always free during regular hours of operation. The Wichita Sports Hall of Fame is open Wednesday — Friday, 1 pm – 5 pm, and Saturday, Noon – 5 pm.
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Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, in the Wichita Boathouse at 515 S Wichita, Wichita, KS 67202, (316) 262-2038
Admission is free, but there is a suggested $3 donation for adults. The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame is open Monday through Friday, 10am to 4pm. Not open on weekends unless there are special events.
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Kansas Sports Museum, at Newton Chisholm Trail Center, 601 SE 36th, Suite 123, Newton, KS 67114, (316) 804-4686
Regular admission is $7 for adults, $6 for students, but special family and/or group rates are available. The Kansas Sports Museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sundays.
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Ulrich Museum of Art 1845 Fairmount Street, Wichita, KS 67260, (316) 978-3664 (Located on the Wichita State University campus)
Admission is free.
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Coutts Memorial Museum of Art, 110 N. Main, El Dorado, KS 67042, (316) 321-1212
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WWII History Center, 119 W. Central, El Dorado, KS, (316) 322-8753
The World War II History Center is a museum and research library in El Dorado dedicated exclusively to World War II. The Center is open every Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm except for holidays. It can also be open on other days by appointment. Admission is free, but there is a $2.00 per person suggested donation. This is a non-profit organization operated entirely by volunteers, and exists to educate all generations on the history and impact of the war. If you’re interested in finding out what a family member did during the war but don’t know where to start, be sure to ask them about their research database.
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Wichita Center for the Arts, 9112 E. Central, Wichita, KS 67206, (316) 634-2787. Open Tuesdays through Sundays, 1-5 p.m. Admission is free.
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The Kansas African-American Museum, 601 North Water Street, (316) 262-7651
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Exploration Place, 300 North McLean Boulevard, (316) 660-0600
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CityArts, 334 North Mead Street, (316) 462-2787
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This museum is now closed. It is now a Cocoa Dolce store. Coleman Factory Outlet and Museum 235 St Francis N, Wichita, KS 67202 It’s an outlet store, with discount prices on Coleman merchandise, but it also has a small display of vintage Coleman products that bring back memories and are an important part of our Wichita history! The store/museum is open 9-6 Monday through Friday, and 9-1 Saturday.
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Wichita Toy Train Museum 130 S. Laura, Wichita, KS, 67204 Train enthusiasts both young and old will enjoy the museum’s operating trains and collections on display. Open the second and fourth weekend of every month. Admission is just $5 for adults and FREE for children 12 and younger with paid adult admission.
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McCormick School Museum Built in 1890, The McCormick School was the 17th elementary school in Kansas, and is the oldest remaining school building. It now serves as a museum for Wichita Public Schools history. Admission is by donation, and the school is open to the public Sunday afternoons and Wednesday mornings.
…more to come
This page is updated less frequently than I’d like, so please call the attractions in advance to verify prices, hours of operation, and other pertinent information.
