Location: Wichita
Top Things to do in Wichita
What to do and see in Wichita, Kansas (KS): The Best Nature & Parks
Dorothy clicked her heels to return to Kansas, and you'll want to do the same after you've visited this one-time cattle town turned modern, booming city, where the spirit of the Old West lives on. To get a feel of the early pioneer days, visit the recreated village at the Old Cowtown Museum. For a slightly more eccentric experience, visit the Museum of Ancient Treasures, which has everything from a baseball signed by Joe DiMaggio to a shrunken head. The Indian Center Museum features works by Plains Indian artists. Wichita is an aircraft manufacturing center, and the Kansas Aviation Museum honors pioneers in the field, as well as housing model planes. Exploration Place gives kids more insights into aviation and other scientific wonders. For nature and wildlife, check out Botanica's lovely gardens or head over to the Sedgwick County Zoo, home to over 350 species of animals. Wichita stays up when the sun goes down: there's nightlife, culture, karaoke and cuisine for all tastes.
Restaurants in Wichita
1. Prairie Sunset Trail
2. Botanica: The Wichita Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 722 reviews
Located in Sim Park, this gorgeous patch of cultivated flora offers themed gardens such as the Butterfly Garden, Shakespeare Garden, Rose and Wildflower Garden and the award-winning Sally Stone Sensory Garden, plus special programs for children.
Reviewed By AIbin0 - Tarrant, United States
I was traveling from out of state on a whim and out of all the places I was hoping to see while in Wichita, The Botanical Gardens was at the top of my list. To be frank, I've never actually been to a Botanical Gardens before, but the one here is absolutely gorgeous. I'm no botanist, but there's a wide variety of flora all throughout the gardens in different sections. Beautiful fountains, a butterfly garden, gorgeous floral arrangements, memorial statues, quiet alcoves, lilly ponds, a koi pond, and much more await you here. After a long year of stress and anxiety, being away from everything for a few hours was therapeutic. I'd definitely recommend seeing it for yourself if you're in the area.
3. Arkansas River Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 102 reviews
Reviewed By jbjclass - Wichita, United States
This is a very peaceful and beautiful place to walk along the river. You can walk for a few miles, so you pass different parts of Wichita, like the Keeper of the Plains, Exploration Place, some fancy apartments and hotels, and on and on. It's very well maintained, and there's quite a bit of parking. It connects to other walking/biking trails, so we started keeping a map of everywhere we've walked, and it's fun to see how they go together. The Veterans' Memorial Park (right off the trail) is also very nice and worth visiting.
4. Sedgwick Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By Biff_Simp - Wilbraham, United States
The park is HUGE and surrounds a large lake a short distance. Reservations are first come, first served, but not to worry... we arrived on Labor Day Sunday at 7pm and got a choice spot under a tree with electric for $12 per night (less senior discount). Tent sites can be found on the water They have 3 beaches, a bait shop the size of a small supermarket, with fishing and RV supplies, a boat launch, shower houses and even a shooting range... and some of the best sunrises you’ll see.
5. Sedgwick County Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,326 reviews
To inspire discovery, appreciation, and respect for animals and nature.
Reviewed By travelhigher24 - Wichita, United States
This place is very organized and can easily spend about 3-4 hours there. I went with my family, had a small boat ride, loved spending time with the elephants and that's my fav! The restaurant located there had both healthy and regular options so enjoyed our lunch there.
6. Great Plains Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 112 reviews
A Kansas wildlife habitat in the city. Bird watching. Paved hiking trails. Discovery programs. Indoor wildlife observatory. Connecting people with nature. The Great Plains Nature Center is a cooperative partnership between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, and the City of Wichita Parks and Recreation Department. Together with the Friends of the Great Plains Nature Center (a 501(c)(3) organization), GPNC provides nature experiences to the community. Visit us to check out the Koch Habitat Hall exhibits with your grandchildren. Stop in for quiet reflection in the Bob Gress Wildlife Observatory. Or, pick up a Kansas critter memento in the Owl's Nest Gift Shop.
Reviewed By 511paty - Wichita, United States
We had a great day hiking the trails (over 2 miles or shorter if desired) and visiting the gift shop. The fall foliage was beautiful and there were several deer and lots of birds. We enjoyed the paved paths and the labeling of many species of foliage. Just beautiful and serene.
7. Pawnee Prairie Park
8. Harrison Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 6 reviews
9. Osage Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 5 reviews
10. Kansas Wildlife Exhibit
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