In honor of the opening of the restored Joyland Carousel at Botanica, we decided to do a round-up of places around Kansas where you can still ride old Joyland rides and see Joyland memorabilia.
If you are feeling nostalgic for the days gone by of Joyland Amusement Park like I am and wishing you could share your childhood memories with your own kids and grandkids–Well you’re in luck! There are several places around the state of Kansas that you can go to view and even ride some of the old Joyland rides!
Botanica, The Wichita Gardens: Joyland Carousel
Khicha Family Carousel Pavilion at Botanica. Photo Credit: Emily Schuster
The Joyland Carousel was donated to Botanica. They have spent several years lovingly restoring the carousel and building a pavilion to permanently house it and keep it safe from the elements so that the carousel can be enjoyed for generations to come. The Botanica carousel opened to the public on the opening night of Illuminations, November 29, 2019! In addition to general admission fees/membership fees, there will be a cost of $3 per person for each ride on the carousel.
- Location: Botanica, 701 Amidon St., Wichita, KS
- Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
- Admission: General Admission applies plus $3 per ride on the carousel
- Phone Number: (316) 264-0448
Up close details of the Khicha Family Carousel Pavilion at Botanica. Photo Credit: Emily Schuster
Up close details of the Khicha Family Carousel Pavilion at Botanica. Photo Credit: Emily SchusterChurn & Burn: Joyland Memorabilia
Churn & Burn is a local Wichita coffee and ice cream shop that’s been around since 2014. They serve up tasty local coffee and homemade ice cream treats.
Churn & Burn has two Wichita locations. However, only the one on South Oliver (next to the Kwik Shop off Kellogg) has Joyland signage. You can view Joyland memorabilia such as, the Joyland Arcade sign that is lit with pink neon, a large Fascination sign, and the Crystal Palace sign which hangs above the ice cream counter.
They also have a Joyland themed treat called Joyland Dirt. It is made with homemade vanilla ice cream, gummy worms and crushed Oreos.
- Location: 548 S. Oliver St
- Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri. 7:30 a.m.-11 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m.-10 p.m.
Ottawa County Fair in Minneapolis, KS: Joyland Ferris Wheel, Scrambler, and Kiddie Helicopters
Joyland Ferris Wheel. Photo Credit: Dalton Sanders
Joyland Ferris Wheel. Photo Credit: The Ottawa County Fair occurs the 3rd week in July every year and runs Tuesday through Friday night. You can enjoy riding the original Joyland Ferris Wheel, Scrambler, and Kiddie Helicopters. They still have their original paint and if you look closely, you can still see the original JP insignia on the seats of the Ferris Wheel!
Joyland Scrambler ride. Photo Credit: Dalton Sanders
Joyland Scrambler ride. Photo Credit: One of my favorite memories of Joyland is riding the Ferris Wheel with my dad. From the top of it, you could see the Boeing buildings above the tree line. Since my dad worked at Boeing, I always thought that was pretty special. So now, I can still ride the Ferris Wheel and if I close my eyes I can still picture the Boeing buildings above the trees. 🙂
Joyland Kiddie Copters. Photo Credit: Dalton Sanders
Joyland Kiddie Copters. Photo Credit: - Date: 3rd week in July; Tuesday through Friday night
- Hours: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Admission: All rides are 2 tickets. Tickets are 50 cents each. (1 ride=$1)
- Phone Number: (785) 392-2147
- Alt. Phone Number: (913) 730-7350
- Location: Ottawa County Fair Grounds. South Mill Street, Minneapolis, KS 67467
Wichita County Fair in Leoti, KS: Joyland Roundup, Big Truck Kiddie Ride, and Paratroopers
Photo Credit: Carol Laws
Photo Credit: Carol LawsOnce a year in late July, Leoti, KS hosts the Wichita County Fair! One of the highlights of the fair is the plethora of amusement rides including three that were bought from Joyland in 2008: the Round Up, Big Truck Kiddie ride and Paratroopers.
Photo Credit: Carol Laws
Photo Credit: Carol LawsWhen the rides were purchased in 2008 from Joyland, they had been severely damaged due to vandalism. Therefore, volunteers from the community refurbished the trucks to make them more eye-catching, including making one of them look like an exact replica of the actual Wichita County Fire Department
truck. They also put a new powder coat on the Paratrooper ride.
Photo Credit: Carol Laws
Photo Credit: Carol LawsThe Wichita County Fair is always held the last Wednesday of July through Saturday. All rides and games are only 25 cents each! The fair is held at the Wichita County Fairgrounds at the intersection of 7th Street and M Street in Leoti, KS.
- Date: Last Wednesday through Saturday of July
- Admission: Free; All rides and games 25 cents each
- Location:
Wichita County Fairgrounds
7th Street and M Streets
Leoti, KS 67861 - Hours:
Wed.-Fri. 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-12 a.m. - Phone Number: (620) 375-272
22 Responses
Hi, I was born in Wichita while my dad was stationed at McConnell Air Force Base. We moved back to Indiana when I was 2, but before we moved back my parents took me to Joyland. I have 3 pictures of myself posing with my dad under the “Old Woman’s shoe”, in the lap of a gnome under an oversized toadstool and propped up on a brick wall next to Humpty Dumpty. There are also a couple pictures showing the shoe from a distance and the train. I have wondered for years where these photos had been taken, but discovered it was Joyland today when I found the picture of the shoe. It’s identical to the one in the photos I have. I wondered if there would be any interest in seeing these pictures. I know I would love to see some more pictures of Joyland, especially of the attractions I have mentioned, just to verify that I have the right place. Thanks!
Do we have any info where the train went?
Thank You So Much for this info ! I have soooo many Wonderful Memories of “Joyland” I want to cry everytime I think about it being gone ?
Me too Karen. Me too. So many great memories. ~Emily
Anybody know what happened the Rock-O-Plane ride?
I haven’t heard Joe, but I’ll let you know if I do! ~Emily
I’d love to learn where the tilt a whirl is…me & that ride have some fond memories.
I would too Zack. I loved the Tilt a whirl! I’ll be sure to let you know if I find out what happened to it. ~Emily
My daughter moved to KS in 2000, to teach school, married, now has a family of 4 children. My husband and I have been coming from Pennsylvania for the Fair since she married and moved to Witchita County. Last year my husband retired and we moved here. My husband saids “He is living a dream”.
Wichita County sounds like a wonderful place to live Phyllis. I hope to visit one day soon! ~Emily
This is so great! Thanks for putting it together!
You’re welcome Alyssa! I’m glad you like it. 🙂 ~Emily
Thank You – Was wondering what happened to everything!
You’re welcome! This is something that I’ve been interested in figuring out and researching for quite some time. Glad you liked the article! ~Emily
Emily, I love your site and I read it and save it. I have lived in Wichita 75 years and of course enjoy Kiddieland as well as Joyland. I do not recognize that truck ride, was that something that was added later in the Years? Also, can you tell me if there was anything left of the little train?
Susan, I haven’t found out anything about the train yet. However, I too hope they were able to save it. It was nice and relaxing to cruise around the Joyland grounds on it when your feet got tired! I’ll let you know if I find out any info. about it. As far as the truck ride goes, it was in the kiddie section of Joyland. The trucks looks much different. They have all been repainted. They were heavily damaged due to vandalism when Wichita County bought them. They did a great job restoring them, but yes, they look completely different. Unfortunately, I don’t have an original picture of them to compare it to. ~Emily
Thank you for this – it is awesome! It didn’t occur to me that the rides went somewhere else – I just assumed they were dismantled. It is great to know they live on!!
Thanks Kim, glad you like it. ~Emily
Great article!!!!!! Wichita county fair is always favorite of ours!!!
I still hope to bring my family there one day. Thanks for your help and Carol Laws’ help in gathering the info and pictures about the Joyland rides at the Wichita County Fair! ~Emily
I would like to get reminders of the fairs. Any way to do that? Thanks for your research.
We will add them to our event calendar and if you sign up for our free email newsletter, you will get updates that way. Thanks for reading! We’re glad you liked the article. ~Emily