Pack your bags and head to Cowtown. Wichita didn't win the nickname lottery, but the city's attractions and mouthwatering barbecue still make it a prime destination. After spending a day marveling at a T. rex skeleton, sailing down waterslides and chowing down on brisket, you'll fall into bed exhausted, dreaming of more adventures to come
Learn a Thing or Three
The Museum of World Treasures is truly a cabinet of curiosities, featuring two Egyptian mummies, Abraham Lincoln's walking cane, a T. Rex skeleton named Ivan, and artifacts from all over. Revisit Old Cowtown, a living museum designed to recreate Kansas life in the late 1800s. You'll tour mostly original buildings—think classic Old West spots like "Fritz Snitzler’s Saloon" and a general store—and watch actors perform faux shootouts. You can also explore the beauty of the Wichita Art Museum, with more than 6,000 works of art to admire.
Walk on the Wild Side
Animal lovers, Wichita is for you! Head 15 miles west to the Tanganyika Wildlife Park, which is open from spring through late fall. Home to more than 300 animals, this wildlife sanctuary is highly interactive. You and your kids can feed giraffes and rhinos and see endangered animals like white Bengal tigers. The Sedgwick County Zoo is also a can't-miss destination for curious little adventurers. Before exploring all the animal exhibits, check the daily calendar for a schedule of events. Your kids can try milking cows, chat with zookeepers, and even touch creatures during scheduled animal encounters.
Seek Out Hands-on Family Fun
Keeping everyone entertained is no problem in Wichita. Head over to Exploration Place, where 11 galleries are stocked with interactive exhibits, including a tornado chamber where you can experience 75-mph winds and feel like a real storm chaser. Exploration Place also has a three-story castle that the kids can scramble over and a miniature golf course. Cool off on a hot day at the Rock River Rapids water park in nearby Derby. It has a large play structure and lazy river ride that are safe for little ones, as well as a lap pool and multiple waterslides for the older set.
Try Local Flavors
Wichita offers you a real taste of Kansas City-style barbecue, with its sweet sauce and burnt edges. The city's barbecue joints also specialize in fantastic names. Try the ribs at Pig In Pig Out, sample the brisket at When Pigs Fly (7011 W. Central Ave., Suite 116, Wichita) and try the spicy sauce at Bite Me BBQ. Eat breakfast and lunch at the Doo Dah Diner. It's not open for dinner or on Mondays and Tuesdays, but once you taste their comfort food, you'll wish you could eat every meal there!
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