Here is our ultimate Summer Checklist of things to do in Wichita this Summer. This list includes all ages summer activities in Wichita. Our city is filled with many things for residents and visitors to do this summer. There is much to explore, from fan-favorite events to some of our Summertime Free activities. Bust the boredom in your household and knock out these list items all summer long!
Are you looking for things to do in Wichita? This list offers a variety of activities that will keep you busy without spending a fortune. Whether you’re a local resident or just visiting, Wichita has plenty to offer. From exploring beautiful parks and museums to enjoying local festivals and unique attractions, there is something for everyone. Check out these affordable and free options to make the most of your time in Wichita!
Looking for kid-focused ideas? See: Wichita Kids Summer Guide
Summer Fun in Wichita, KS
Be sure to check out our extremely handy (and wildly popular) article, A Kid’s Guide to Summer in Wichita, for tons more family-friendly things to do when school is out!
Free Summer Concerts: Enjoy free and cheap summer concerts all around Wichita this year. It’s a good idea just to keep a few spare lawn chairs and picnic blankets in the car, because you’ll be using them so much during the summer and even into the lovely, cooler fall months for FREE live music.
Chicken N Pickle is a big attraction with so much fun for all ages in Wichita, Kansas. They offer so many fun activities and deals throughout the year. Personally, I love how much they give back to the Wichita community. Their slogan is Our Hearts are Local, and they mean it!
Visit Exploration Place. This Wichita science museum can be fun for all ages. It offers both free and paid activities throughout the summer.
- Exploration Place Deals and General Information
- Catch a FREE movie at RiverFlix
- Park Run is a FREE Event every Saturday at Exploration Place.
- Enjoy FREE all-ages yoga on Saturdays
- Shop & Grub a Monthly FREE Event
- Design, Build, and Fly Exhibit
Swimming is the ultimate summer activity
Sports – You can take your friendly competitions outside this summer. Enjoy physical activity, strengthen bonds, and have fun with a variety of sports and sporting events in Wichita.
- Wichita Wind Surge Tips and Deals
- Wichita Baseball Museum is FREE
- Mini Golf Courses
- Public Golf Courses in Wichita
Botanica the Wichita Garden is open year-round and repeat visits offer new surprises as The Gardens change with the seasons. The Gardens are decorated with a collection of 50 elegant sculptures, flowing streams, fountains, and waterfalls that complement the beauty of plants and that create a visually stunning atmosphere.
Lakes & Rivers
- Self-Service Kayak Rentals
- Cowley State Fishing Lake and Waterfall
- Chase State Fishing Lake and Waterfall
Go to a Movie – This summer there are lots of options like FREE outdoor movies and Regal Value Days. We have all the summer movie deals, events and more.
- Wichita Summer Movie Deals
- Regal Value Days (Tuesdays)
- Latest Movie Articles and Deals in Wichita.
- Starlite Drive-In Movie Theater in Wichita
Zoos – Zoos in Wichita are truly world class and definitely all ages attractions. We have great choices, and sometimes we can even get GREAT discounts! Here are the exciting Wichita zoo deals we’ve found for this.
- $5 Twilight Tuesdays in July at the Sedgwick County Zoo
- Click HERE to see what ZOO in Wichita is FREE
- Tanganyika Wildlife Park
More Ways to Save this Summer. We all love a deal so here are other ways to enjoy our city without breaking the bank.
Summer Food Deals
Sonic Summer Deal: Free Food on Fridays
Local Restaurant Deals: Day by Day Food Deals
Happy Hour: Local Happy Hour Deals
Family Dining: Kids Eat Free & Cheap in Wichita
Hamburger Deals: Weekly Hamburger Deals
NuWay: NuWay Food Deals
Sonic Happy Hour: 1/2 price Happy Hour
Eat Outside: 20 Best Patios in Wichita
Pizza Ranch: 1/2 Fun Zone on Mondays
Sports Bars: Best Sports Bars in Wichita
Take the Dog: Dog-Friendly Patios
Free Pie: Free Slice of Pie at Spears on Thursdays
Wendy’s Deal: Free Nuggets Every Wednesday
Free Fries: Free Fry Friday at McDonald’s
Buffalo Wild Wings: Deals for Wings & More
Summer Checklist for Adults:
Garage Sales – Here is a list of some neighborhood garage sales and city-wide sales this year. Click HERE to see the dates and details of Wichita Garage Sales.
Happy Hours and Specials – Happy hour deals throughout the week make us really happy! Alcoholic beverages at restaurants and bars can REALLY add up. take advantage of these awesome restaurant deals. Click HERE to see a list of Happy Hours and Specials in Wichita.
Summer Concerts – Wichita hosts several Summer Concert Series, like:
- Bradley Fair Free Concert Series: Thursdays
- Audacy Free Concerts: Fridays in June & July
- Chicken N Pickle Free Summer Music: Fridays from May to Mid-October
- Riverfest Concerts
- Treehouse Concert Series at Bartlett Arboretum
Road Trip – Over the past few years, we’ve been writing about fantastic places to see in our Kansas Road Trips series. Kansas Road Trips & Scenic Drives
Derby Third Thursdays – Summertime means longer daylight hours, warmer weather, and the return of Third Thursdays in Downtown Derby! Every Third Thursday from May to August, many of your downtown merchants and restaurants will be open until 7:30 or 8:00 PM! Find out more HERE
8 Wonders of Kansas is a great list of cool road trips. Most of the “Wonders” on this list are pretty close to Wichita, making these an easy day trip. The furthest location on this list is four hours. Here is a list and info about the 8 Wonders of Kansas.
40 Date Night Ideas for $10 and under. Not all special data have to expensive. We got creative and make a list for you and your sweetheart to help you have a special date on a budget. Wichita has a lot to offer for couples of all ages and hitting up these local locations makes it much more special. Here is the list of date night ideas.
Experience Top Golf on a Budget. As your budget-friendly experts, here is our guide for how to do Top Golf in a way that won’t empty those (plaid or houndstooth) pant pockets! Find out what day you can play for half price.
Dog-Friendly Eateries in Wichita. We have the list for you! Just about every restaurant that has outdoor seating allows dogs. To narrow it down for you, and make it easier, we compiled this list of restaurants in ICT that let you bring your fur baby, to the outdoor seating of course.
The Wichita Art Museum now has FREE admission. Visitors will no longer be charged general admission to view artwork in the galleries that showcase WAM’s permanent collection, which is owned by the City of Wichita. Find out more HERE
Live Music Venues in Wichita. The more we learn about Wichita, the more we realize we have so much to uncover! And that is especially true when it comes to free or inexpensive live music events happening all around town. The venues that offer live music are as varied as the artists playing them. These can range from casual jam sessions and open mic nights to full-on concerts and band performances. Here is a list of live music venues
Unique Shopping this Summer:
The Wichita Flea Market is back again! This year they will be doing a “Tour of Wichita” Each show will be at different locations. This is a monthly Flea Market in and around Wichita with typically over 200 local and regional vendors. Perfect for “one-stop” shopping. Find out where the Flea Market will be this summer
Farmer’s Markets in Wichita and surrounding communities with locally grown fresh food, plants, honey, handmade items, and more. Some markets offer live entertainment; all offer an excellent opportunity to meet your neighbors, learn more about local produce, and share in the fun of discovering things produced right here in our own state by talented Kansans! All of the Farmer’s Markets are FREE to attend!
Shop and Grub is a monthly outdoor market featuring local and out-of-town merchants. Shop & Grub is an all-ages event, and it’s FREE to attend. It used to be held at Naftzger Park, but it will now the majority of them will be held at the Exploration Place Plaza. Learn more about Shop and Grub HERE
Bin Store is a liquidation place with crazy good deals. They get their items from retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, Dollar Tree, and Target. Prices you can’t beat. Here is a list of Bin Stores in Wichita.
The Second Saturday Shopping Event is every month, local Wichita businesses in the Delano, Downtown, Old Town and Douglas Design districts offer special bargains and discounts as part of the 2nd Saturday shopping event in Wichita. Find out more HERE
Summer Outdoor Activites:
Self-Service Kayaks. Wichita Park & Recreation now offers self-service kayak equipment rental stations in three locations in Wichita. Users scan a QR code on the cage to reserve and pay for a kayak rental for a specific amount of time at the location. Find out how to rent a kayak HERE.
Outdoor Adventures – Get outside and explore the great outdoors with your family. Nothing is better than some fresh air and sunshine to create some lasting memories this summer. Wichita has several great parks, trails, and wildlife conservation centers for you, and your family to visit. Some of the most popular locations would be Great Plains Nature Center (With Chisolm Creek Park), Pawnee Prarie Park, and Sedgwick County Park.
- Public Golf Course in Wichita
- Wichita Walking Trails
- $25 for 8 Weekend of Junior Golf Lessons
- Park Run Free Weekly Walk/Run
- Disc Golf Courses
- Where to Bike in Wichita
Go to the Drive-In –Drive-In movie theaters are a dying pastime and we are fortunate to have the opportunity to experience this classic summertime activity still. Impressively enough, this is Wichita’s Starlite Drive-In’s 70th year! The drive-in is a memorable and yet affordable option this summer with even more frugal opportunities such as their “carload pricing” nights and season passes.
Click HERE to see our Starlite Drive-In guide.
Go Camping – Grab your hotdogs, firewood, tent, and s’more supplies – it’s time to go camping! This classic summer activity is a MUST DO this summer. While not exactly in Wichita, there are several great campsite options within a short driving distance to the city.A few of the most popular would be Fall River, Cheney State Park, Lake Afton, and the gorgeous Kanapolis State Park.
Fish FREE Fishing Days – Every year, the state of Kansas allows for a weekend of “free fishing” where anglers are not required to pay for a fishing license. If you aren’t an avid fisher, this is a great way to enjoy the classic summer sport without having to incur the expense of a license. It is typically always the first weekend in June so the 2026 dates are June 6th and 7th.
- Find out more about Free Fishing in Kansas HERE.
Go Berry Picking – Wichita and the surrounding areas have some great berry-picking options! From strawberries to blackberries, you will love to live picking nature’s candy by the basketful! This wholesome activity produces some adorable photoops too! Make sure to add this to the top of your list, as berry season ends in early June!
- See our list of local “You-Pick” farms here.
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 Plains Nature Center
The Keeper of the Plains sculpture has become known as the centerpiece of our city, standing at the confluence of the Little and Big Arkansas Rivers, flanked by the striking spires of the pedestrian bridge and surrounded by fire drums. Here is info about the Keeper and times to see the fire
Where to Walk in Wichita. When the weather is nice, not much is cheaper or more relaxing than walking outside. Thankfully, some really great walking trails in Wichita ensure we never get bored with the scenery. Here is a list of great trails and parks
Still need confirmation for this year:
Ride the Carousel at Botanica – Wichitans of every age can enjoy a ride on the gorgeously restored Joyland Theme Park Carousel. This checklist item makes for great lasting memories and some fun photo opps too! As a bonus, the ride is inside a fully air-conditioned building – a must when you need a respite from the Kansas heat.
