
Best Times to Visit in Wichita, Kansas, United States
1. Wichita Riverfestival
A city-wide celebration held in late June featuring concerts, carnivals, and river activities.
- Family-Friendly Activities: Offers a variety of events suitable for all ages, making it a great choice for families.
- Live Music and Performances: Features renowned musicians and performers from across the country.
- Community Spirit: Encourages community engagement and fosters a sense of unity among Wichita residents and visitors alike.
2. Kansas State Fair
Annual event held in mid-September offering food, entertainment, agriculture exhibits, and livestock shows.
- Livestock Shows: Provides an opportunity to learn about various livestock breeds and farming practices.
- Delicious Fair Food: Featuring local favorites like fried chicken on a stick and cream puffs.
- Entertainment Galore: Offers concerts, rodeos, and other performances throughout the fairgrounds.
3. Wichita Art Museum
Houses a large collection of American and European art, including works by Renoir, O'Keeffe, and Warhol.
- Temporary Exhibitions: Regularly hosts rotating exhibits showcasing various artists and themes.
- Permanent Collection: Features an impressive collection of over 5,000 works spanning centuries of artistic development.
- Educational Programs: Offers workshops and tours for visitors of all ages to learn more about the exhibits.
4. Old Cowtown Museum
An open-air museum showcasing Wichita's pioneer history and frontier life.
- Historical Buildings: Features a collection of original and replica structures from the late 19th century.
- Costumed Interpreters: Staff dressed in period attire demonstrate daily life on the frontier.
- Interactive Experiences: Offers hands-on activities for visitors to try their hand at pioneer trades and crafts.
5. Wichita's Botanica Garden
A 10-acre garden featuring over 3,000 species of plants and a beautiful rose garden.
- Seasonal Displays: Offers seasonal displays throughout the year, including an impressive array of roses during the summer.
- Educational Programs: Provides educational resources about plants and their environmental impact.
- Relaxing Environment: A peaceful oasis in the heart of Wichita, perfect for a leisurely stroll or quiet reflection.
6. Wichita's Sedgwick County Zoo
A large zoo featuring over 1,000 animals from around the world.
- Diverse Animal Species: Features a wide variety of exotic and native animal species, including elephants, tigers, and giraffes.
- Conservation Efforts: Dedicated to wildlife conservation through breeding programs and habitat preservation efforts.
- Educational Programs: Offers educational opportunities for visitors, including animal encounters and behind-the-scenes tours.
7. Prairie Rose Chuckwagon Supper
A traditional cowboy dinner with live entertainment held at the Old Cowtown Museum.
- Cowboy Cuisine: Serves hearty, delicious dishes like beef stew and apple cobbler.
- Live Entertainment: Features cowboy music, poetry, and stories around the campfire.
- Horse-Drawn Wagon Ride: Offers a scenic ride through the Old Cowtown Museum grounds after dinner.
8. Wichita's Symphony Orchestra Performances
A professional orchestra performing a wide range of classical music at various venues.
- Variety of Music: Offers concerts featuring works by Mozart, Beethoven, and other classical composers.
- Educational Programs: Provides pre-concert lectures and educational opportunities for visitors.
- Collaborative Performances: Regularly collaborates with other local arts organizations for unique performances.
9. Wichita's Keeper of the Plains
A Native American sculpture overlooking the Arkansas River, symbolizing unity and peace.
- Cultural Significance: Represents the interconnectedness of nature, humans, and spirit worlds.
- Scenic Location: Located in a beautiful park along the Arkansas River, offering breathtaking views.
- Community Gathering Place: Serves as a gathering place for ceremonies, events, and celebrations throughout the year.
10. Wichita's Orpheum Theatre
A historic theater hosting a variety of performances, including plays, musicals, and concerts.
- Historical Architecture: Features ornate, Art Deco-style interior and exterior design.
- Diverse Performances: Offers a wide range of performances catering to various interests and ages.
- Classic Movie Screenings: Regularly screens classic films on its historic stage.
11. Wichita's Exploration Place
An interactive science center focusing on education and fun for all ages.
- Hands-On Exhibits: Features over 200 exhibits for visitors to touch, see, and interact with.
- Educational Programs: Offers workshops and camps focused on STEM education.
- Special Events: Hosts events like Science Sleepovers, Star Parties, and more.
12. Wichita's Museum of World Treasures
A museum showcasing artifacts from ancient civilizations to modern history.
- World Cultures: Features over 28,000 artifacts from around the world.
- Educational Programs: Provides educational resources about various cultures and historical periods.
- Interactive Experiences: Offers hands-on activities for visitors to explore different cultures and time periods.
13. Wichita's Wichita Center for the Arts
A center for visual and performing arts featuring local and national artists.
- Visual Art Exhibits: Features rotating exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, and other visual art.
- Performing Arts: Offers performances in dance, theatre, and music from local and national artists.
- Educational Programs: Provides workshops, classes, and other educational opportunities for visitors.
14. Wichita's Sedgwick County Park
A large park featuring a lake, walking trails, picnic areas, and a carousel.
- Scenic Lake: Offers beautiful views of the lake and surrounding nature.
- Recreational Activities: Features a variety of activities like boating, fishing, and biking.
- Family-Friendly Atmosphere: A great place for families to spend a day enjoying the outdoors and each other's company.
15. Wichita's Airbus Americas Training Center
A flight training center offering tours, simulator rides, and aviation history exhibits.
- Flight Simulator Rides: Allows visitors to experience flying a plane in a simulated environment.
- Aviation History: Offers exhibits on the history of aviation and Wichita's role in the industry.
- Tours: Provides guided tours of the facility, including the flight simulators and training rooms.