Overview
Wichita is the largest city in Kansas — since Kansas City is divided between the states of Kansas and Missouri. It is not the biggest or flashiest city in the US, but it is a medium-sized city with a small-town feel. It offers much to tourists with its variety of attractions.
9 sights · 10 things to do · 15 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Wichita
Museum of World Treasures
Experience treasures from around the world and through the ages at one of Wichita's top-rated attractions. Find your inner explorer—there's something for all to learn from the past.
The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum
This museum shows you the rich historical and cultural heritage of Wichita and Sedgwick County Kansas.
Great Plains Transportation Museum
Dedicated to recording and exhibiting the importance of railroad transportation in the human, agricultural, commercial and industrial heritage of Wichita, Kansas and the Great Plains.
Exploration Place
This modern museum sits on the Arkansas river, where it displays travelling exhibits. While several of the rooms in the museum are solely for kids, there is always something for the adults to do too.
The Keeper of the Plains
A beautiful 40 ft-tall sculpture by Blackbear Bosin. This statue can be reached by a bridge connected to the Exploration Place parking lot.
Wichita Art Museum
The Wichita Art Museum is a popular art gallery that showcases 3 centuries of art and several glass pieces by Dale Chihuly. It has more than 7,000 pieces in its permanent collection, and showcases travelling exhibitions.…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 93°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: May and Jun.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ICT Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, Wichita — 6 mi away. Directions
- SLN Salina Municipal Airport, Salina — 78 mi away. Directions
- TUL Tulsa International Airport, Tulsa — 131 mi away (major hub). Directions
Wichita is at the junction of Interstates 135 and 35 (Kansas Turnpike) and approximately 3 hours' drive from Kansas City or Oklahoma City. It's 1½ hours from I-70.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Old Town, Great Plains Transportation Museum, Riverfest
- Lunch Yokohama Ramen Joint
- Afternoon INTRUST Bank Arena, Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center
- Dinner Dempsey's Burger Pub
- Evening Club Rain
Day 2
- Morning All Star Adventures, Wichita State Shockers
- Lunch College Hill
- Afternoon Starlite Drive-In, Regal Warren West Theater
- Dinner Rock Road
- Evening Emerson Biggins Old Town
Day 3
- Morning Sedgwick County Zoo
- Lunch West
- Afternoon Woofstock
- Dinner Ridge
- Evening Barleycorn's
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Wichita is a city in the heart of the great plains in Central Kansas. The city is home to large aircraft manufacturers which make up a large portion of the local economy. In 2021, it had almost 400,000 residents.
Get in
By car
Wichita is at the junction of Interstates 135 and 35 (Kansas Turnpike) and approximately 3 hours' drive from Kansas City or Oklahoma City. It's 1½ hours from I-70.
By plane
- Alaska Airlines. Service from Seattle.
- Allegiant Air. Service from Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.
- American Airlines. Service from Chicago-O'Hare and Dallas/Fort Worth.
- Delta Air Lines. Service from Atlanta and Minneapolis/St. Paul
- Southwest Airlines Service from Chicago-Midway, Dallas-Love, and Las Vegas.
- United Airlines. Service from Chicago-O'Hare, Denver, and Houston.
By bus
By train
While Amtrak doesn't serve the city directly with any passenger trains, there is a shuttle service to the Wichita Transit Center at 214 S Topeka St from Newton for the Southwest Chief and also from Oklahoma City for the Heartland Flyer.
Get around
- City Bus. As the only form of public transit serving the city, bus service may cover the areas near some sights you'd want to see, but not nearly all. Routes are long and the wait for the next bus can stretch to an hour. In general, this is not a good way to get around.
- Taxi Hailable only at the airport, they don't even queue at downtown hotels. Points of interest are far enough apart that a rental car quickly becomes cost-effective. Unlike other cities of its size, you can't even find any at the bus station.
- Rental car If you didn't drive to Wichita, you'll likely want to rent a car when you arrive.
- Navigating Wichita Wichita is almost exclusively a driving town. Even so, traffic is generally lighter than most larger cities, and parking is almost always free and plentiful, even downtown. Wichita's streets are laid out in a fairly easy-to-navigate grid system.
- Ridesharing Uber and Lyft both operate ridesharing services in the city.
- No trip to Wichita is complete without an excursion through the nearby Flint Hills, and that's only possible in a car (preferably a convertible).
See
Do
Do Starlite Drive-In
The only drive-in theater in the Wichita area. The new digital projection is crystal clear, and audio is provided through your car's FM radio. This is one of the best deals around, most of the time the price is $12 per car regardless of however many people are in the car. There are two large screens and each plays 3 current box-office movies back-to-back. Even when the price is higher than $12 per car (varies depending on season) it is much more economical than a traditional theater, especially considering that outside food and drinks are permitted. (though there is a snack bar selling popcorn, drinks, funnel cakes and more.) There is an intermission between each movie that allows time for you to visit the snack bar and restroom, though be warned that the snack bar will close sometime after the third and final movie starts. (Restrooms will remain open) The Starlight Drive-In is generally closed in the winter, and opens again when weather permits. Call in advance for pricing, showtimes, and to verify that it is operating that night.
Do Woofstock
Held in early October by the Kansas Humane Society as their largest fundraiser of the year.
Do Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center
Century II is a full service performing arts and convention center, providing a diverse selection of entertainment and meeting opportunities. The complex features three sections. The main section has a circular design. The two secondary sections are the Bob Brown Expo Hall and the Hyatt Regency Wichita convention rooms.
Do Wichita State Shockers
The sports teams of Wichita State University, fielding NCAA Division I teams in seven men's sports and eight women's sports as a member of the American Athletic Conference. With no football program (WSU dropped the sport in 1986), the hot-button sport on campus is men's basketball, which became a national powerhouse, with a Final Four berth in 2013 and an unbeaten 2013–14 regular season. Men's basketball games routinely sell out at the team's main home of Charles Koch Arena on campus and the Intrust Bank Arena. Most other facilities are on campus, with the most notable being Eck Stadium (baseball) and the former football home of Cessna Stadium, now home to WSU track and field and also hosting many local and state high school football games.
Buy
Eat
Eat Nu-Way
Serving up tasty burgers and fresh curly fries since 4 Jul 1930. A Wichita staple.
Eat Spangles
A local fast food hamburger chain, similar to Steak and Shake, which serves black Angus steak burgers and dairy-free soft-serve ice cream.
Eat Freddy's Frozen Custard (Freddy's)
Locally famous steakburgers, good shoestring fries, and delicious frozen custard makes Freddy's a good place to go.
Eat Redrock Canyon Grill
Delicious food and a fun atmosphere.
Eat Yokohama Ramen Joint
Small restaurant serving authentic ramen, yakisoba, and other East Asian staples.
Eat Dempsey's Burger Pub
Local gourmet burger joint serving up wagyu burgers and others.
Drink
Old Town
Drink Emerson Biggins Old Town
Sleep
Nearby
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City / town · 5 listings · 25 mi away
El Dorado
City / town · 4 listings · 28 mi away
Peabody
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Winfield
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Hutchinson
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McPherson
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Blackwell
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Lindsborg
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My experience
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