Disclosure: Visit Wichita sponsored this post. However, all opinions and photographs are mine.
Wichita, Kansas, is an ever-changing city where innovation and Midwestern charm meet in the Heart of the Country. It’s the destination you’ll wish you had visited sooner for its welcoming atmosphere and a host of world-class attractions to explore.
These experiences represent Wichita’s essence, from attractions and dining to shopping and historic sites. Add five unforgettable experiences to your travel itinerary, and consider this an invitation to a city certain to exceed your expectations.
Top 5 Things To Do In Wichita Before You Die
Feel the Power of Place at The Keeper of the Plains
Locals will agree that the most iconic landmark in Wichita that visitors should view firsthand is the Keeper of the Plains. Situated at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers, the 44-foot-tall Corten steel sculpture, designed by Blackbear Bosin, stands overlooking the downtown skyline. After dark, four cauldrons ignite at its base, creating a mesmerizing sight.
The celebration of Wichita’s rich Native American history continues with the Keepers on Parade, which are miniature replicas of the Keeper of the Plains placed throughout the city. Each one is hand-painted by a local artist.
Savor Farm-to-Table Flavor at Public
Known as a city with a robust dining scene, culinary adventurers are fortunate to have more than 1,200 restaurants to choose from, ranging from casual fare to fine dining. Public, located underground in historic Old Town, serves chef-prepared meals using locally sourced, in-season ingredients from area farms.
Dine under mason jar light fixtures surrounded by whimsical antiques, savoring appetizers like the Wichita Wings or Prairie Bison Slides. For the main course, Brisket Tacos or the Spicy Fried Chicken are solid choices, and pizza lovers will delight in the Bassano topped with wood-smoked chicken.
Stick around after dark for live music under the stars at The Brickyard, the eatery’s open-air patio voted the best one in the city.
Bring Home an Artisan Gift from The Workroom
If you’re seeking a unique shopping experience, The Workroom is a must-shop location. The two-story boutique houses more than 100 local makers’ creations, including the largest collection of Wichita swag in one place. It’s not another retail shop. It’s an award-winning destination.
Located inside a historic building that was the Carey Hotel, where hatchet-wielding prohibitionist Carry Nation destroyed the bar in 1911, patrons can sip and savor a cocktail or espresso drink at The Workroom’s Bubbles Champagne Bar. Outside, don’t leave without striking a pose with Nation’s statue.
Step Into The Past at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum
Of the city’s visit-worthy museums, Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum is a go-to if you want to know Wichita’s story, from discovery to present day. The building, constructed as Wichita’s first City Hall in 1892, houses 80,000-plus artifacts.
Immerse yourself in the Wichita experience by learning about the heritage of the Wichita Indians who gave the city its name. Tour a replica Victorian home, watch a movie about aviation history, and admire the electric guitar that made its debut in Wichita. Afterward, take in the tranquility of Heritage Square Park beyond the museum’s doors.
Sip Craft Cocktails in Secret at Dockum
A hidden lounge awaits discovery at Dockum, an underground speakeasy at The Ambassador Hotel Wichita. Dim lighting and jazz music create an intimate, tucked-away atmosphere for sipping libations.
In 1899, Harry Dockum opened downtown drugstores, including one in the same building. Bartenders, also referred to as pharmacists, meticulously prepare small-batch cocktails using house-made bitters and fresh-squeezed juices. The Smoking Gun, a rye whiskey signature drink, emits earthy aromatics during its presentation.
To enter, follow the pharmacy signs to the hotel’s basement and knock on the door at your reservation time.
Bonus Stop: Soar Through Time at the Kansas Aviation Museum
Wichita is regarded as the Air Capital of the World, a title bestowed in 1925 for its legacy as the birthplace of Travel Air Manufacturing, founded by Clyde Cessna, Walter Beech, and Lloyd Stearman.
Aviation companies Cessna, Beechcraft, Learjet, and Stearman put Wichita on the map, and its central location made it the ideal location for a cross-country airport, Wichita Municipal Airport, now the Kansas Aviation Museum. Take note of its restored 1930s Art Deco ceiling and original terrazzo tile while appreciating indoor exhibits showcasing vintage aircraft and the Women of Aviation.
Ascend the Control Tower for a bird’s eye view of the tarmac where 600 flights took off and landed during its heyday.
Take a deep dive into Wichita by reviewing my books, 100 Things To Do In Wichita Before You Die and Secret Wichita: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. A native, I’m considered a go-to expert on the city’s many things to do and see.
It’s a National Park (the smallest!) with 91 acres completed in 1965, which Thomas Jefferson envisioned as the Gateway to the West.
Q39 arrived on the Kansas City barbecue scene in 2014 and changed the game.
Consider registering for a low-cost 
The 40-foot slide in the Monogram Lounge is the only one like it in the world located in a distillery.
Don’t miss your chance to take a photo with the World’s Largest Spool of Thread in front on the museum. Bring thread to add to it.
Located on 
J.C. Penney was born and raised on a nearby farm. After touring the museum’s exhibits, be sure to view his childhood home located downtown.
Walk across the creaky wood floors and imagine a teenage Twain looking out the window and daydreaming about his future. It was there that he fell in love with writing.
President Woodrow Wilson selected Pershing to command the American Expeditionary Forces during WWI.
Look for signatures by the cave’s most famous explorers, and don’t miss the Jesse James Hideout.
Retrace their journey by taking a self-guided tour of dioramas and exhibits that showcase natural artifacts. The most fascinating artifacts on view were the geological samples (Missouri geodes) and replica journal entries.
We took the downtown shuttle from Union Station and discovered the ice cream shop by chance. The line moved quickly, and before I knew it, I was staring down a menu with flavors like Lavender Honey and Chocolate Brownie.
If you’re a foodie, enjoy a meal with a breathtaking view, an experience you’ll never forget.
Eat a tasty pimento cheese and bacon sandwich at
The show, displayed around the 65-foot ceiling, runs on the hour from 5:00 pm – 10:00pm daily.
The two-story arcade has over 50 games from the 80s and 90s, including all your favorites like Pac-Man, Iron, and Galaga, plus rows of pinball machines and carnival-like games. You’ll feel like a kid with a new Nintendo® again.
The sounds of falling water and birds are the only sounds you hear, and the setting’s tranquility envelopes you.
A number of the permanent collection pieces include sculptures, paintings, and photography ranging in styles from minimalism to avante-garde. Although smaller than the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the artwork is equally awe-inspiring.
As the sun sets, the musician took requests to play cover songs, and diners indulged in brownie desserts. For me, the best part of the river cruise was enjoying the natural scenery and taking photos of the sunset from the boat’s bow.
I recommend experiencing the interactive train raid that departs every 15 minutes. The virtual experience is like taking a Union Station train under the sea.
Purchase feed at the Ozark Fence Giraffe Outpost ($4 for 4 tokens) daily March through October from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
The restaurant doesn’t take reservations, but we didn’t wait at all for a table. The diner has entertained guests for nearly three decades.
I’ve never tasted a better homemade cookie. In fact, I saved one of my chocolate chip cookies for the drive home eventually eating it bite-by-bite over the next several days to savor it.
To walk inside the Springfield Bass Pro Shop is to be enveloped by nature. Taxidermy, aquariums, retail shelves, boats, hunting and fishing equipment, ATVs, and more surround you.
In early April, residents celebrate
St. Charles was a center for trade, so the town’s center wanted it to become a capital city. Governor McNair signed a bill confirming its status in 1820, and legislators met there the following year to debate states’ and enslaved people’s rights.
It wasn’t easy narrowing down a list to only 100 things to do. I thought to myself, “Who would need this book?” I wrote it as a resource for visitors to Wichita, long-time residents, and newcomers. Actually, the book features more than 100 things to do, as I’ve also bonus lists and insider tips.
People love the book! It earned 1st place in the Kansas Professional Communicators’ 2023 Communications Contest in the Adult, Nonfiction category. The judge wrote, “What a delightful book. the one-page descriptions really work, and your voice sings as your love of the venues shines through.”
Follow 
Stay curious. 
