I came up with this list based on where I would want to take a family with small children who are new to the city, or in town visiting. They are also places that I like to frequent, if not every few months, at least once a year.
In random order, here are my picks, along with web links! Hope you discover somewhere or something, you've never discovered before!
Exploration Place: www.exploration.org
300 N. McLean Blvd. (It's that funky shaped building on the river!)
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| kstravel.org: source |
General admission is reasonable and acquires enough access that if that is all you can do, you won't miss much. The national Traveling Exhibits are also very exciting and interesting, but an additional admission fee is required on top of the general admission fee. All are fabulous, but not all appropriate for all ages of kids. So do your research before you get tickets on these events.
If you go, and the weather is nice, you must check out the park/playground behind the museum. It is perfect for playtime with age specific play equipment. If you bring a lunch or snack, there are picnic tables overlooking the Arkansas River right beside the play areas. When you're done, you are right within walking distance of the Keeper of The Plains that overlooks the river. Walk to the drawbridge and check out the art and history of the Keeper that has been added around the base of the Statue. My kids just enjoyed the walk alone! Admission to the museum is not required to visit the park, so make this a separate visit on it's own.
Exploration Place also offers Educational, fun classes for kids as young as 2. Check this link for more details. I haven't taken any of them, but have always wanted to as they look like something my kids would enjoy!
You may also want to take in a show in the Cyberdome. Tickets are reasonably priced and is always fascinating to see in front, above and around you.
The Sedgwick County Zoo : www.scz.org
Did you know that our zoo is Nationally recognized, is the 18th largest in the US, and is the state's most popular tourist attraction with nearly half a million visitors annually? Pretty impressive huh? With 2500 animals of 500 species, it is the No. 1 outdoor, family tourist attraction in Kansas.
I grew up going to this zoo and I remember when the extent of it was just to the end of the Elephant habitat. Now we have Chimpanzees, Gorillas, Lions, Penguins, a Tiger exhibit, and too much more to mention. Growth and updates are constantly being made. The Sedgwick County Zoo has been recognized both nationally and internationally for its support of conservation programs and successful breeding of rare and endangered species. Plus, who doesn't love a zoo?
It used to be that it only took an afternoon to get through the zoo. Now I would definitely devote your entire day to it. I love the vast choices of picnic places. Our favorite is the playground area in the Gorilla Habitat. There are also many snack stands and a newly remodeled restaurant that is clean, open and has a nice choice of menu items.
Kids Club, educational classes, and special overnight camp-outs are just some of the activities available. The birthday parties are fun and affordable, and you should check out Zoobilee or Kids' Zoobilee at least once!
The Great Plains Nature Center: www.gpnc.org
Kids climbing the walls? Bored, nothing to do? This is our favorite impromptu visit place. Located at 29th and Rock Road in N.E. Wichita, this is a fun place to stop in and catch up with your Kansas critters. Fairly interactive they have a nice display of over 25 different species of native mammals, reptiles and birds in eight cages. all native to the state of Kansas. Recently renovated, there are beautiful hand-painted murals that compliment the wildlife displays giving them a natural environment for them to live. My kids really enjoy the match bird to sound game, and touching and handling fossils, rocks and animal bones. Look closely, there are a few live animals taking up residence within the main entry area. There are also story times available read to you by a furry puppet friend. The gift shop has some nice items that would make this a good place to find a gift for the nature lovers in your life.
Walk the Nature trail a short distance from the Center, and bring your fishing pole at the catch and release pond. Kids fishing clinics, and educational classes are available in the summer.
The Wichita Art Museum : www.wichitaartmuseum.org
The largest art museum in the state of Kansas with nearly 7000 works of art. It boasts an expanding glass collection including that fabulous chandelier on the top floor by Dale Chihuly.
Every Saturday admission is free. There is a family area with interactive art, and an art table where you can create your own masterpiece using various textiles. Though Saturdays feel a little more "family friendly" for the toddler set, I still really feel this is a destination better appreciated by the 6 and up group. It's fun to take your kids through and explain to them how old each piece is and how each piece is an "original" work of art. My kids enjoyed laying on the shiny marble floor under the chandelier and we took artsy photos. (I'm sure that the art museum would not appreciate my encouragement of this form of creativity!) We made the best of it!! Still worth checking out if you've never been!The Warren Theaters: www.warrentheaters.com
Catch a movie in one of the state-of-the art theaters, or see an IMAX film at the west location. Comfortable seating with memory foam cushions, there is also an "adults only" lounge and balcony seating with straight to your seat food service at the North 13th location. Bar service at the Old Town location, and a full restaurant at most all locations.
The Museum of World Treasures: http://www.worldtreasures.org/
See ancient artifacts, historical treasures, rare collections, and Dinosaurs!! Three floors of history awaits, and is fun and educational.
The Cosmosphere and Space Museum: www.cosmo.org
Just an easy 90 minute drive outside of Wichita, visit the only Kansas affiliate of the Smithsonian museum. Voted one of Kansas' eight wonders in a nation wide poll, see up close and live fully-restored space craft, including the Apollo 13 Command module, Odyssey and the Liberty Bell 7.
There is the Hall of Space Museum and the Dome-shaped Justice Planetarium, a digital Domed theater and more.
Here's a few more to add to your list. Check them out and have fun!
Kansas Aviation Museum
Old Cowtown Museum
Tanganikya Wildlife Park
Great Plains Transportation Museum
Mid-America All-Indian Center
Ulrich Museum of Art on the Wichita State University Campus
Lake Afton Public Observatory in Goddard, Ks
Kauffman Museum in Newton
The Kansas Underground Salt Museum, in Hutchinson
Where are your family's favorite places to visit or go for entertainment, education or amusement? Share and discuss!
