Where to stay

Stay in a hotel in Old Town or Downtown Wichita to be close to the museum district on the riverside. The Museum of World Treasures provides three floors of artifacts from all over the world, including Egyptian mummies and the family-favorite dinosaur exhibit featuring a full-size Tyrannosaurus Rex. Accommodations in Eastborough place visitors a short drive from some of the city's other great museums, including the Kansas Aviation Museum to the south. The Frank Lloyd Wright Allen House is dedicated to the work of the famous architect and the last of his renowned prairie houses. Consider staying in Augusta, a 30-minute drive east of the city center, to see vintage motorbikes at the Twisted Oz Motorcycle Museum.

The many galleries that form the Wichita Art Museum make it one of the largest in Kansas. Stay in the Riverside district of Downtown Wichita to see sculptures in the museum's Art Garden. Visit Exploration Place, with animated models depicting Kansas in the 1950s. The attraction explores the history of Wichita and gives insights into the American West and cowboy culture. No stay in this district is complete without seeing the very tall Keeper of the Plains sculpture, especially when it's lit up for the evening. Alternatively, find a room in Old Town to visit the Great Plains Transportation Museum, where historic trains tell the story of the railroads. To watch a rodeo show, part of American culture, consider accommodations in Mulvane. Those more interested in classical music can attend a concert at The Barn by staying in Maize, a 20-minute drive northwest of the city center.

Book a room in Downtown Wichita for a short drive to Sedgwick County Zoo, home to more than 3,000 animals, including hippos, gorillas, penguins, and grizzly bears. Take time to visit Botanica, The Wichita Gardens near the area's more centrally located Amidon Street. The gardens' wildflower meadows and groomed spaces feature 4,000 species of plants. In spring, thousands of tulips and daffodils come into bloom. Alternatively, head west and stay in hotels in Goddard to explore the Tanganyika Wildlife Park, a more immersive and interactive experience than traditionally encountered at a zoo, with activities including swimming with penguins and sunset tours. Consider accommodations in Derby, a 20-minute drive south of the city, to hike and bike in High Park.