Visit Wichita | A Perfect Family Getaway from Kansas City

Are you looking for a fantastic family trip? Look no further than Wichita, Kansas! This summer, my family and I had an amazing long weekend getaway to visit Wichita, where we experienced a range of attractions that delighted both kids and adults alike. From dinosaur adventures to interactive zoos, botanical gardens, and aviation history, Wichita has it all. I'm here to share all the details to help you plan an incredible trip from Kansas City to Wichita. Stick around for a complete (and free!) itinerary that you can easily follow for a fun, family-friendly journey for your visit to Wichita, KS.

Exploring Wichita, Kansas: A Weekend Getaway from Kansas City

1. Stearman Airfield Bar and Grill: A Unique, Family-Friendly Stop

If you're traveling from Kansas City southwest to Wichita, make sure to take a lunch break at Stearman Airfield Bar and Grill. This hidden gem offers a unique experience for families. Sit on the patio, watch airplanes take off and land, and let your kids burn off some energy at the playground while you wait for your food. My kids were so excited to get out of the car, stretch their legs, and play! We saw multiple small personal airplanes take off and land at Stearman Airfield Bar and Grill. It's the perfect start or end to your Wichita adventure.

2. The Arcade - Old School Gaming

We visited The Arcade, which is a new retro gaming, eating, and drinking destination in downtown Wichita. They have dozens of pinball machines to play for only $0.50! The Arcade features a massive collection of old-school 80s and 90s classic arcade games to play. Think Pac-Man, Mrs. Pac-Man, Jr. Pac-Man, and even Baby Pac-Man! Purchase a wristband, and play all evening! We ordered some simple appetizers and pizzas here for an easy dinner. My daughter especially enjoyed the outdoor games like giant chess and connect-four.

3. Field Station: Dinosaurs - A Prehistoric Adventure

Prepare to be awed at Field Station: Dinosaurs, where you can get up close to giant, animatronic, prehistoric creatures. The park features live shows, including the thrilling Mighty T-Rex Feeding Frenzy show that my kids can't stop talking about. The shaded pavilion area with misters was a relief on a hot day. Don't forget to pick up a credentials passport for your kids to collect stamps throughout the park. Besides the 40+ dinosaurs to explore, there's also a maze, a playground with inflatables, and a sand pit for fossil discoveries. Field Station Dinosaurs is located in Derby, KS about 20 minutes south of downtown Wichita.

With a day pass, you also get access to the prehistoric miniature golf course with 18-holes. I was pretty impressed by this course! It was nice and updated with smooth putting greens, and it wasn’t overly challenging for kids. They also had toddler-sized putters! You can also purchase a pass just to the golf course if you have already experienced the dinosaurs before. There is limited shade here, so plan for an evening or early morning visit to beat the heat.

Tip: Bring sunscreen and water bottles as it can get hot out in the open. There were tents available for shade, misters, water fountains, and ice cream treats available for purchase.

4. Tanganyika Wildlife Park: Most Interactive Zoo

Tanganyika Wildlife Park is a must-visit if you're near Wichita. This is the most interactive zoo in the Midwest and offers an unforgettable experience. With your day pass, you gain access to five animal feedings. Upgrade to unlimited feedings for even more fun! My kids loved going back to feed the giraffes and turtles lettuce leaves multiple times. The animals here are remarkably close, and the park also boasts a splash park and playground to keep the excitement going all day long.

Here are a few of my top tips for visiting Tanganyika Wildlife Park:

• The souvenir cup was worth it for endless refills throughout the day! You can get soft drinks, lemonade, iced tea, water, and slushies.

• Don’t forget your sunblock, swimsuits, and towels for the splash park. There are changing rooms available.

• You can bring in your own food and drink! Feel free to pack a picnic and enjoy it here. Treats, snacks, and lunch items are available for purchase.

• We liked having our double stroller since it was such a hot day. My kids could take breaks and ride around while still seeing the animals up close. We found the whole park to be accessible by stroller.

• You can enter the kangaroo enclosure to pet these adorable creatures!

• Bring quarters so that you can easily buy food for Koi, llamas, goats, chickens, and fish.

• You can add on animal encounters and experiences if you REALLY want to get in on the action!

• We enjoyed seeing all of the animals and feedings before going to the splash park. Once my kids got to the splash park, they didn’t want to leave, so I’m glad we saved this for last!

Tip: If you plan to use your Sunflower Summer pass for Tanganyika Wildlife Park, it is only redeemable on Monday and Tuesday.

5. Doo-Dah Diner and HomeGrown Wichita: Delectable Breakfast Options

Start your day with a delightful breakfast at Wichita’s most popular diner, Doo-Dah Diner. Their mouthwatering dishes, especially the out-of-this-world biscuits, will leave you and your family fully satisfied. We ordered a few dishes to share and still left with very full bellies. Another breakfast option to consider is HomeGrown Wichita, where you can savor dishes like the seasonal Lemoncello French Toast. YUM! My kids loved the confetti sprinkle pancakes and coloring sheets at this local brunch spot.

6. Keeper of the Plains: A Breathtaking Sunset Spectacle

If you're able to stay up until sunset, head to Keeper of the Plains near downtown Wichita. Here, you can sit along the river and witness the magical sight of the fire pots being lit at 9:00 PM. It's a beautiful experience, and you can also learn more about the Native American heritage at the nearby statue.

7. Botanica: Exploring Nature's Wonders

Don't miss the chance to visit Botanica in Wichita, a beautiful botanical garden that kids (and adults) will love. The interactive children's garden featured sensory tables, a play house, a water feature, and the Alexander Bee House. Definitely check out the treehouse play area, as there's plenty to keep kids engaged and to burn off energy. My daughter loved seeing the butterflies and looking for insects inside the Butterfly House. The park even features a dinosaur exhibit throughout the gardens right now! We loved riding the carousel, seeing the Sleeping Troll, and smelling all of the beautiful flowers. I was so surprised by how much there was to do and see at Botanica. We ended up staying longer than we expected and it was so worth it! This is a must-see when you visit Wichita!

8. NuWAY Burgers and Braum’s Ice Cream: Tasty Treats

Enjoy a blast from the past with a visit to NuWAY Burgers, a Wichita icon since the 1930s. Their special crumbly burgers and homemade root beer will surely delight your taste buds. And while you're in this part of Kansas, be sure to stop by Braum’s for some delicious and affordable ice cream.

9. Kansas Aviation Museum: A Fascinating History Lesson

Wrap up your trip with a visit to the Kansas Aviation Museum, a hidden gem showcasing vintage cars, planes, engines, and an abundance of aircraft history. Your children will love the interactive kids' room (all-ages welcome), where they can pretend to fly a real plane. If you have a kid who loves pushing buttons and pretending to drive, they will be thrilled to sit in a real cockpit. There were toys available, coloring sheets, multiple flight simulators, ride-on toys, and a playset. This was another attraction that surprised us all as being interactive and great for kids. My two kids loved the playroom and could have stayed in there for hours.

Don’t forget to go up inside the tower so that you can look out and see the city of Wichita! 

Tip: The Little Aviators program takes place from 10 AM until noon every Friday at the Kansas Aviation Museum for children ages 1 to 12. Children and one accompanying adult can get in for free at this time!

Itinerary Tips for a Budget-Friendly Wichita Adventure

• Download the free Sunflower Summer app (Kansas Residents) for free access to Wichita attractions until August 13, 2023.

• Stay at the Drury Broadview Hotel when visiting Wichita for an affordable and family-friendly stay. Free breakfast, free “kick-back” happy hour with snacks and drinks, free parking, and an indoor pool and hot tub. My kids enjoyed having dinner here one night before the pool! You can also walk to Keeper of the Plains from this hotel.

• Mix in free places to visit in Wichita, such as Keeper of the Plains, Wichita Art Museum, Original Pizza Hut Museum, Great Plains Nature Center, or PBS Kids Cochener-Garvey Children's Education & Discovery Center.

• Check out the visitwichita.com website where you can build your own custom itinerary for a family-friendly trip.

With so many incredible attractions, visiting Wichita offers an unforgettable family getaway that will leave you eager to return. Whether you're exploring the prehistoric world at Field Station: Dinosaurs, interacting with animals at Tanganyika Wildlife Park, or learning about aviation history, Wichita has something for everyone. So start planning your adventure from Kansas City to visit Wichita today!

Download this free itinerary to give you a head start on planning your weekend getaway to Wichita, KS from Kansas City!

Thank you to Visit Wichita for sponsoring our trip! We can’t wait to come back and explore more.

7/21/2023 - Gabrielle Isom