Visit Wichita, Kansas, for Relaxed Household Enjoyable

At simply 2.5 hours from Tulsa, a weekend getaway in Wichita, Kansas, means comparatively quick journey time and many to do at your vacation spot.

Nature

Wichita’s Sedgwick County Zoo was lately named one in all America’s prime zoos by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. While it could be onerous to cowl all 250 acres in a day, don’t skip the KOCH Orangutan & Chimpanzee Habitat, the place you may say hi there to child orangutan Riang, born in early 2026. Make your go to much more memorable by scheduling an Animal Encounter—chat with a rhino keeper whereas feeding one in all these highly effective animals or step into the Aldabra Tortoise enclosure at hand them a wholesome snack (topic to availability).

Sedgwick County Zoo. Photo courtesy Visit Wichita

Balance out your “fauna” enjoyable with “flora” at Botanica, Wichita’s botanic backyard. A colourful Rainbow Trail results in the Downing Children’s Garden, the place guests can splash within the Sunflower Plaza Fountain, play gown up within the Enchanted Glen, go on a salamander scavenger hunt and extra. Next, swing by the Koch Carousel Gardens to trip the carousel, roll down Sleeping Troll Hill and play garden video games.

Botanica. Photo courtesy Visit Wichita

For a free exercise, take to the paths at Chisholm Creek Park. One of the most important parks in Wichita, you gained’t discover a conventional playground right here. Rather, the park options 2.5 miles of paved trails that take guests throughout a wide range of ecosystems, in addition to some unpaved trails to discover. Bring your binoculars for fowl and animal watching. The park is house to 160 species of birds and 20 mammal species, to not point out loads of fish, reptiles and amphibians. Before you allow, go to the Great Plains Nature Center for hands-on studying alternatives. (Note: Great Plains Nature Center can be closing mid-summer for development.)

Chisholm Creek Park. Photo by Ryan Phibrick, courtesy Great Plains Nature Center

Science

Chances are, your children are large followers of the Gathering Place. In that case, you’ll positively wish to add Exploration Place to your journey itinerary. This science museum lately opened a 6.5-acre out of doors playground impressed by Gathering Place, however that includes uniquely Kansas-themed parts like a 20-foot-tall bison, wood sunflower meadow and extra. While you do need to buy museum admission to entry the playground, that simply means you may spend extra time at this kid-friendly attraction. The museum itself is house to a dome theater, immersive medieval fort room and different options excellent for younger science lovers.

Kids can climb, crawl and discover on the out of doors playground at Exploration Place in Wichita. Photo courtesy Visit Wichita

Exploration Place is situated alongside the Arkansas River (don’t overlook to pronounce it Ar-Kansas whenever you’re within the space). Stroll alongside the close by river trails to go to Keeper of the Plains, a 44-foot-tall sculpture created by Native American artist Blackbear Bosin. It’s been a Wichita landmark for the reason that Nineteen Seventies. The close by Mid-America All-Indian Museum can also be value a go to.

History

Located within the coronary heart of Old Town Wichita, the Museum of World Treasures showcases historic artifacts courting again centuries. Collections embrace the Fossil Gallery, house to a number of dinosaur skeletons, in addition to American historical past and world civilizations. When you’ve had your fill of historical past, unwind by wandering Old Town, the place you’ll uncover iconic Wichita eating places similar to Old Mill Tasty Shop and River City Brewing Company, together with distinctive retailers.

While the Museum of World Treasures is definitely kid-friendly, Old Cowtown Museum could also be an much more interesting cease in case your children have power to burn. “Cowtown” is a totally immersive expertise inviting guests to discover a recreated Kansas city from the late 1800s. Walk by means of historic constructions like a one-room schoolhouse, a number of properties and a five-acre farm. Admission is free on Sundays from April by means of October.