Wichita Attractions

Wichita has more to offer than most people realize — and that goes double for locals who think they’ve seen it all. From world-class museums and wildlife parks to axe throwing and choreographed fountains, there’s genuinely something here for everyone. This is your starting point for exploring what makes Wichita worth a visit (even if you live here). 

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Museums & Cultural Attractions

Wichita punches well above its weight when it comes to museums. Most are affordable, several are free, and quite a few are one-of-a-kind.

Attractions with asterisk participate in the Wichita Explore Card. Save $2 on the price of admission with this free card.

*Wichita Art Museum — The permanent collection is free to visit, featuring over 6,000 works of art. Only major temporary exhibitions carry an admission fee. The art museum has events and activities for all ages. (Wichita Explore Card accepted)

Exploration Place — Wichita’s science and discovery museum on the banks of the Arkansas River, with hands-on exhibits for all ages. It also hosts many fun and entertaining events for families.

*Museum of World Treasures — This eclectic Wichita treasure trove consists of three floors of artifacts from ancient civilizations, natural history, and world cultures, tucked into Old Town. Coffee with the Curator is a free event held regularly. (See the MOWT event calendar for details.) Little Explorers, Senior Wednesdays, and Family Night are a few special programs the museum has had. Children under 4 and members are always free. (Wichita Explore Card accepted)

*Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum — Wichita’s history told through the building that used to be city hall. Look for the clock tower. Free on Sundays. I remember sitting outside at Riverfest looking at the clock tower building and wondering what it was. Now I know! It used to be Wichita’s city hall, and now it tells the fascinating story of our city and county. (Wichita Explore Card accepted)

*Old Cowtown Museum — Mosey on down to this living history museum of 1870s Wichita. Free on Sundays, April through October. (Wichita Explore Card accepted)

Great Plains Transportation Museum — All aboard for this collection of locomotives, railcars, and the history of how the railroad shaped Wichita and Kansas.

Kansas African American Museum — This former church is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and culture of African Americans in Kansas.

Ulrich Museum of Art — On the Wichita State University campus, featuring 20th and 21st century art and an impressive outdoor sculpture collection.

Mark Arts (formerly Wichita Center for the Arts) — Free to visit, with rotating exhibitions and a strong community arts focus on the east side.

McCormick School Museum — The oldest remaining school building in Wichita, built in 1890, now a museum of Wichita Public Schools history. Open by donation.

Wichita Toy Train Museum — Operating trains and collections that delight enthusiasts young and old. Open select weekends.

Original Pizza Hut Museum — Yes, it’s true! The first Pizza Hut ever opened in Wichita, and the original building is on the WSU campus. Free admission, but make sure it’s open before you go.

Kansas Aviation Museum — The storied history of Wichita as the Air Capital of the World includes the planes and other artifacts housed in the original Wichita Municipal Airport terminal.

See our full guide to Wichita Museums

Nature & Wildlife Attractions

Sedgwick County Zoo — One of the top zoos in the country, with hundreds of species across themed habitats. Watch for discount admission days throughout the year — Winter Wednesdays offer $3 admission from November through February, Twilight Tuesdays in July include free admission to the zoo in the evening, and moms and dads each get free admission on their respective holidays with a paid child admission.

Great Plains Nature Center — Always free. Trails, a 2,200-gallon aquarium, and environmental education right inside the city limits. The building itself is undergoing renovations but they announced that they still plan to host activities and events in the adjacent Chisholm Creek Park.

*Tanganyika Wildlife Park — A hands-on wildlife experience in Goddard, just outside Wichita, with up-close animal interactions you won’t find at a traditional zoo. Don’t miss the Tanganyika season pass sale at the beginning of March. It’s an excellent deal. (Wichita Explore Card accepted)

*Botanica the Wichita Gardens — Beautifully maintained themed gardens, with several signature events throughout the year that draw big crowds. (Wichita Explore Card accepted)

Entertainment & Fun Places in Wichita

TopGolf — High-tech golf entertainment with climate-controlled hitting bays, food, and drinks. No golf experience required.

Dave & Busters — Arcade games, sports viewing, and a full restaurant under one roof.

All Star Sports — Go-karts, laser tag, mini golf, batting cages, and more. A good rainy day or evening out option.

Blade & Timber — Axe throwing in Wichita. More fun than it sounds, and a great outing for groups.

Wichita Ice Center — Public skating year-round, with frequent discount skate sessions throughout the week. Check their current schedule for discount skate sessions; they’ve historically offered $2 admission days multiple times per week, military skating discounts, and family skate packages.

Field Station: Dinosaurs — Life-size animatronic dinosaurs in an outdoor walking trail experience. Check current season dates before you go.

Uniquely Wichita Originals

From the first Pizza Hut to a national treasure candy store to the building where Mentholatum was born, Wichita has a surprising number of firsts and one-of-a-kinds. These are the places that are specific to Wichita — things you can’t experience anywhere else.

Keeper of the Plains Plaza — The 44-foot sculpture at the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers, with a nightly Ring of Fire lighting. Don’t leave without finding the Troll.

Fountains at WaterWalk — Choreographed water, lights, and music Thursday through Sunday evenings, May through October. Free.

The Troll — Wichita’s best-kept secret, tucked near the Keeper of the Plains. Finding it is half the fun.

Original Pizza Hut Museum — Listed under Museums too, but worth mentioning twice. This is a genuine Wichita original.

For more local gems and only-in-Wichita spots, see our guide to Discover Wichita and our Wichita Fun Facts.

Sports Venues and Sports Attractions

Riverfront Stadium / Wichita Wind Surge — Wichita’s minor league baseball team plays in a beautiful stadium right on the Arkansas River. Affordable family outing.

INTRUST Bank Arena / Wichita Thunder — Home of the Wichita Thunder hockey team, and a major venue for concerts and events.

Wichita Sports Hall of Fame — Free admission during regular hours. Celebrating the athletes who put Wichita on the sporting map.

Kansas Sports Hall of Fame — Located in the Wichita Boathouse. Free with a suggested donation. Open weekdays; usually closed on weekends except for special public events.

Neighboring Attractions

A short drive out of town brings you to some world-class attractions near to Wichita.

Cosmosphere — Hutchinson, KS — One of the finest space museums in the world, about 45 minutes from west Wichita. The collection rivals the Smithsonian’s. One of the people who worked there once told me it was better than the Space and Rocket Center in Alabama, but since I grew up going to that one, I have to remain loyal.

Strataca — Hutchinson, KS — The Kansas Underground Salt Museum, 650 feet below the surface of the earth. Who else has one of these? A one-of-a-kind experience right down the road from us.

Coutts Memorial Museum of Art — El Dorado, KS
110 N. Main, El Dorado, KS 67042 | (316) 321-1212

WWII History Center — El Dorado, KS
The World War II History Center is a museum and research library in El Dorado dedicated exclusively to World War II. Operated entirely by volunteers, it exists to educate all generations on the history and impact of the war — and if you’re trying to find out what a family member did during the war, they have a research database worth asking about. Open Saturdays noon to 4 pm, and by appointment. Free admission with a $2 suggested donation.
119 W. Central, El Dorado, KS | (316) 322-8753

Kansas Sports Museum — Newton, KS
601 SE 36th, Suite 123, Newton, KS 67114 | (316) 804-4686
Open Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm. Closed Sundays.

Discount Programs & Free Admission

Before you visit any Wichita attraction, check these first.

Wichita Explore Card — A free card that saves you $2 on admission at participating attractions. Get yours at no cost.

Free Museum Days — Several Wichita museums have regularly scheduled free admission days. See our full guide.

Sunflower Summer — Kansas kids get free admission to dozens of attractions statewide during the summer months.

• Free Things to Do in Wichita
• Kid-Friendly Attractions in Wichita