Visit Wichita, Kansas, for Relaxed Family Fun
At just 2.5 hours from Tulsa, a weekend getaway in Wichita, Kansas, means relatively short travel time and plenty to do at your destination.
Nature
Wichita’s Sedgwick County Zoo was recently named one of America’s top zoos by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. While it may be hard to cover all 250 acres in a day, do not skip the KOCH Orangutan & Chimpanzee Habitat, where you can say hello to baby orangutan Riang, born in early 2026. Make your visit even more memorable by scheduling an Animal Encounter—chat with a rhino keeper while feeding one of these powerful animals or step into the Aldabra Tortoise enclosure to hand them a healthy snack (subject to availability).
Sedgwick County Zoo. Photo courtesy Visit Wichita
Balance out your “fauna” fun with “flora” at Botanica, Wichita’s botanic garden. A colorful Rainbow Trail leads to the Downing Children’s Garden, where visitors can splash in the Sunflower Plaza Fountain, play dress up in the Enchanted Glen, go on a salamander scavenger hunt and more. Next, swing by the Koch Carousel Gardens to ride the carousel, roll down Sleeping Troll Hill and play lawn games.
Botanica. Photo courtesy Visit Wichita
For a free activity, take to the trails at Chisholm Creek Park. One of the largest parks in Wichita, you won’t find a traditional playground here. Rather, the park features 2.5 miles of paved trails that take visitors across a variety of ecosystems, as well as some unpaved trails to explore. Bring your binoculars for bird and animal watching. The park is home to 160 species of birds and 20 mammal species, not to mention plenty of fish, reptiles and amphibians. Before you leave, visit the Great Plains Nature Center for hands-on learning opportunities. (Note: Great Plains Nature Center will be closing mid-summer for construction.)
Chisholm Creek Park. Photo by Ryan Phibrick, courtesy Great Plains Nature Center
Science
Chances are, your kids are big fans of the Gathering Place. In that case, you’ll definitely want to add Exploration Place to your travel itinerary. This science museum recently opened a 6.5-acre outdoor playground inspired by Gathering Place, but featuring uniquely Kansas-themed elements like a 20-foot-tall bison, wooden sunflower meadow and more. While you do have to purchase museum admission to access the playground, that just means you can spend more time at this kid-friendly attraction. The museum itself is home to a dome theater, immersive medieval castle room and other features perfect for young science enthusiasts.
Kids can climb, crawl and explore at the outdoor playground at Exploration Place in Wichita. Photo courtesy Visit Wichita
Exploration Place is located along the Arkansas River (don’t forget to pronounce it Ar-Kansas when you’re in the area). Stroll along the nearby river trails to visit Keeper of the Plains, a 44-foot-tall sculpture created by Native American artist Blackbear Bosin. It’s been a Wichita landmark since the 1970s. The nearby Mid-America All-Indian Museum is also worth a visit.
History
Located in the heart of Old Town Wichita, the Museum of World Treasures showcases historical artifacts dating back centuries. Collections include the Fossil Gallery, home to several dinosaur skeletons, as well as American history and world civilizations. When you’ve had your fill of history, unwind by wandering Old Town, where you’ll discover iconic Wichita restaurants such as Old Mill Tasty Shop and River City Brewing Company, along with unique shops.
While the Museum of World Treasures is certainly kid-friendly, Old Cowtown Museum may be an even more appealing stop if your kids have energy to burn. “Cowtown” is a fully immersive experience inviting visitors to explore a recreated Kansas town from the late 1800s. Walk through historic structures like a one-room schoolhouse, several homes and a five-acre farm. Admission is free on Sundays from April through October.
