Because I call Wichita home and feel like I know all the hidden gems that it has to offer, I feel like the pressure is on to impress when out of town friends and family come to visit. Playing hostess to friend and family in Wichita doesn’t have to be a cause for panic. Contemplating a visit to Wichita, but don’t have friends or family that live in town to play tour guide? Consider this your fool proof guide to the pride of the plains.
Visitors with kids are in luck because Wichita can keep children of any age busy and when the weather is nice the outdoor attractions are sure to impress. Here is my tentative itinerary for enjoying the great outdoors in Wichita for a day.
Starting the day off at one of Wichita’s farmers markets ensures that you are out the door and ready to explore bright and early. I love taking my children to the farmers market, from live music to balloon animals there is so much to see. Grab a pastry and freshly pressed juice to enjoy as you look at all that the local farming community has to offer. Now that you are fed it is time to head to the animals Sedgwick County Zoo and Tanganyika Wildlife Park are can’t miss destinations for animal lovers. Honestly you could spend the rest of the day at either of those destinations and return home with wiped out visitors, but if you plan it right why not swing by Botanica to wined down before heading out to Stearman Field Bar and Grill to watch the planes come in or Chicken N Pickle to compete in yard games while you enjoy your dinner.
Already checked out some of these sites or looking for a different pace for your out of town guests? Check out some of these other recommendations.
I will say that in Wichita, as with all of Kansas, you never know what you are going to get in the way of weather so having some indoor plans to entertain your visitors with kiddos is vital. Here is what my go to day avoiding the elements might look like.
Donuts! Starting a day with donuts almost guarantees that you are in for a day of fun. Dapper Doughnuts and the Donut Whole are some of the best Wichita has to offer. Once you have had your fill of the sweet stuff make your way to Exploration Place this is the perfect destination for families with children of all ages. Older children can spend time building and designing in the Aviation exhibit while the littles enjoy the Kansas Kids Connect and castle areas. The whole family will enjoy one of the live science shows or a movie in the dome theater. One of my very favorite lunch destinations that is both adult and children friendly is the Anchor. They have what I believe to be one of the best children’s meals in Wichita and great drinks and food for the adults! Aviate at the Wichita Sports Forum is the perfect place to get any bottled-up energy out. There are areas perfect for the younger jumpers, but obstacle courses and a dodgeball court for the older. If you haven’t had your fill of activities and great food for the day head to The Alley for bowling, go cart racing, arcade games and pizza from Aj’s Sports Grill home of the Superdome pizza.
Stop by any of these locations for hours of indoor fun.
Great Plains Transportation Museum
Sedgwick County Historical Museum
The best compliment that I can receive from visiting family or friends is that they had no idea Wichita had so much to see and do and how much fun they had during their visit. What are your go to destinations for showing off Wichita to out of town visitors?
