Wichita on the Cheap

Live the Good Life for Less & Never Miss a Deal

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Wichita Attractions

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)

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.

Botanica the Wichita Gardens

*Botanica

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.

Sedgwick County Zoo

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.

*Tanganyika Wildlife Park

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.

*Wichita Art Museum

Visitors will no longer pay general admission (previously $10 for adults, $5 for seniors 55+ and $3 for students) to view the museum’s permanent collection galleries. Only the museum’s major, temporary exhibitions will have a special ticket price for adults (children under 18 will always be free).

Wichita Art Museum
Museum of World Treasures in Wichita, KS

*Museum of World Treasures

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.

Great Plains Nature Center

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.

great plains nature center
Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum - old Wichita City Hall in downtown Wichita

*Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum

$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.

*Old Cowtown Museum

Group rates and special rates for school groups. See website for details.

pink and gold sunset over Old Cowtown Museum street in Wichita KS
Great Plains Transportation Museum

Great Plains Transportation Museum

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.)

Wichita Ice Center

“$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.

Wichita Ice Center $2 Tuesdays
Aerial view of the new Riverfront Stadium in Wichita KS

Wichita Sports Hall of Fame

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.

Kansas Sports Hall of Fame

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.

Wichita Boathouse
Winter Art Mania Wichita Art Museum free admission

Wichita Center for the Arts

Open Tuesdays through Sundays, 1-5 p.m. Admission is free.

xploration Place Park Wichita

Exploration Place

Open Tuesdays through Sundays, 1-5 p.m. Admission is free.

The Kansas African-American Museum

McCormick School Museum Wichita, science classroom

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.

Wichita Toy Train Museum

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.

WWII History Center

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.

Kansas Sports Museum at Newton Chisholm Trail Center

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.