Wichita, KS

Travel Guide
Photo provided by Visit Wichita
Visit the largest city in Kansas to explore its many museums and walk or cycle along riverside trails.  

Learn about life in the plains of MIdwestern America by exploring Wichita’s museums, or enjoy a day shopping and dining in the city’s stylish Old Town area. Those who love the outdoors can spend their time in the many parks and on the walking or cycling paths that run along the Arkansas River.  

Wichita was founded in 1863 and is most famous for the role it has played in the development of the aviation industry. At one stage it was known as the “Air Capital of the World” and many aviation companies, such as Boeing, still have headquarters here today. 

Find out more about Wichita’s place in the aeronautical world at the Kansas Aviation Museum. This is one of the city’s many fine museums and galleries, which can mostly be found along the waterfront or in the Old Town district. Visit the Wichita Art Museum, which holds nearly 7,000 works of art including paintings, pottery and sculptures by mainly American artists. The Mid-America All Indian Center gives you a taste of pre-European life in the area while the Sedgwick County Historical Museum and the Great Plains Transportation Museum cover the city’s history in detail.  

Take a boat ride along the Arkansas River in the summer and enjoy some relief from the heat. Winters, which are usually cold but dry, are a great time to take a stroll or cycle along the paths that run adjacent to the river.  

Explore over 4,400 acres (1,620 hectares) of Wichita’s parkland. One of the most popular spots is Botanica, which features 25 themed gardens including a butterfly garden and a sensory garden.

If you’re looking for ways to keep the children happy, go to the Sedgwick County Zoo to see more than 3,000 animals or head to the Exploration Place science center.  

Driving is the best way to get around in Wichita, although there is a public bus service with stops near most of the major sights. Hit the highway and follow the Arkansas River out of town to explore the beautiful prairies and woodlands surrounding Wichita.

Where to stay in Wichita

Wichita featuring a sunset and a bridge

Downtown Wichita

4.5/5(275 area reviews)

Downtown Wichita is known for its lively bars, and you can plan a trip to Century II Convention Center and INTRUST Bank Arena while you're in town.

Downtown Wichita
Exploration Place, Wichita, Kansas.

Old Town Wichita

4.5/5(51 area reviews)

Bars, historic sites, and live music are just a few things travelers enjoy about Old Town Wichita. Check out Museum of World Treasures or Mosley Street Melodrama while you're exploring the area.

Old Town Wichita
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College Hill

4/5(25 area reviews)

Though College Hill might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like INTRUST Bank Arena and Century II Convention Center.

College Hill
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Stanley - Aley

When in Stanley - Aley, you can plan a visit to Exploration Place and Century II Convention Center, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Stanley - Aley
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Sunnyside

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Sunnyside and surrounding area, you can visit INTRUST Bank Arena and Museum of World Treasures.

Sunnyside
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Sleepy Hollow

Though Sleepy Hollow might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Cessna Stadium and Museum of World Treasures.

Sleepy Hollow
Best Western Plus Wichita West Airport Inn
Best Western Plus Wichita West Airport Inn
2.5 out of 5
3800 W Kellogg Dr, Wichita, KS
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥13,981 per night from Jun 2 to Jun 3
¥13,981
per night
Jun 2 - Jun 3
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Wichita. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
Best Value all around
"Fantastic for a older hotel quite impressed. Comfortable bed, useable gym, excellent full breakfast, clean room. Polite staff. 5 stars above and beyond!"

Reviewed on May 8, 2024

Best Western Plus Wichita West Airport Inn
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Wichita Northeast
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Wichita Northeast
2.5 out of 5
2660 N. Greenwich Ct, Wichita, KS
The price is ¥16,816 per night from May 19 to May 20
¥16,816
per night
May 19 - May 20
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Wichita. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Great room and good customer service@"

Reviewed on May 3, 2024

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Wichita Northeast
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wichita Airport
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wichita Airport
4 out of 5
2098 Airport Rd, Wichita, KS
The price is ¥16,639 per night from May 26 to May 27
¥16,639
per night
May 26 - May 27
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Wichita. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
DoubleTree in Wichita, Kansas !!
"It was Great and rooms were clean !"

Reviewed on May 3, 2024

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wichita Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Downtown Blue 03
Downtown Blue 03
Wichita
Stay at this vacation home in Wichita. Enjoy air conditioning. Popular attractions INTRUST Bank Arena and Sedgwick County Zoo are located nearby.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (5 reviews)
A clean apartment
"The apartment was clean and quiet. We felt safe in the neighborhood. 10 min from the airport and a quick walk to downtown."

Reviewed on Oct 30, 2023

Downtown Blue 03
Heated pool & spa, luxury Oasis, centrally located, 5-bed & 3.5 bath
Heated pool & spa, luxury Oasis, centrally located, 5-bed & 3.5 bath
Wichita
Stay at this vacation home in Wichita. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions INTRUST Bank Arena and Crown Uptown Theatre ...
7/10 Good! (2 reviews)
Great place!
"The house is nice and clean. Loved the location. The back yard is fabulous with lots of seating."

Reviewed on Apr 7, 2024

Heated pool & spa, luxury Oasis, centrally located, 5-bed & 3.5 bath
Quaint 4-bedroom home located in Wichita’s adorable College Hill
Quaint 4-bedroom home located in Wichita’s adorable College Hill
Wichita
Stay at this vacation home in Wichita. Enjoy patios, an in-room coffeemaker, and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions INTRUST Bank Arena and Crown Uptown ...
10/10 Exceptional! (22 reviews)
Vintage character
"We loved this historic home… so many fun details and character. In every room. Quiet neighborhood and easy access. If you appreciate original hardwood floors and stairs that creak when you walk across and don’t need huge walk in showers, this place is for you."

Reviewed on Apr 21, 2024

Quaint 4-bedroom home located in Wichita’s adorable College Hill
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Wichita

4.1
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
595
" "5 - Excellent 29.36821322803554%
4 - Good
1071
" "4 - Good 52.86278381046397%
3 - Okay
316
" "3 - Okay 15.597235932872655%
2 - Disappointing
25
" "2 - Disappointing 1.2339585389930898%
1 - Terrible
19
" "1 - Terrible 0.9378084896347483%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jun 2, 2020

Just passing through

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 2, 2020

Sports centers were great. People are rude!!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
May 29, 2020

Always has good places too eat and entertainment options.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 26, 2020

There is a lot to do in Wichita generally. However, this visit was just at the beginning of things opening up after the quarantine. We knew that would be the case. Not much to do, but we enjoyed getting away overnight.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
May 26, 2020

Very pretty and green

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
May 17, 2020

Overall Wichita isn’t that bad.