Wichita, Kansas may not be on your destination radar, but we are here to change that! With it being the largest city in the state, Wichita has an excellent offering of cultural and culinary delights and activities to entertain the entire family. We had the pleasure of visiting Wichita back in July of 2021 and had a wonderful time! We only had one to explore but felt like we were able to get a good feel for the city, so if you’re a time-crunched traveler like us, don’t let that steer you away from Wichita. We put together this itinerary that is perfect for anyone trying to maximize every second that they have in this hidden gem in America’s Heartland!
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to get your FREE PRINTABLE itinerary!
*Also, check out our “Kansas: One Day in Wichita” travel vlog for a closer look at our time in Wichita*
Now... Let's get into the itinerary!
8:30am: Breakfast/Coffee
HomeGrown (645 E. Douglas Ave, Ste. 102) - Where we went
Committed to serving locally-sourced food and creative dishes, Homegrown is a must-eat when in Wichita! Pro-Tip: Try the Croissant French Toast and Homemade Pop Tarts!
Leslie Coffee Co. (930 W. Douglas Ave)
Doo-Dah Diner (206 E Kellogg St)
10:00am: Step back in time at the Old Cowtown Museum (1865 W. Museum Blvd)
Experience Wichita like it's 1865! Old Cowtown is a living history museum that lets you immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and activities common to a Midwestern cattle town in the late 19th century. Admission $6 to $9 depending on your age, but they do offer free admission on Sundays!
12:15pm: Lunch
Tanya's Soup Kitchen (1725 E. Douglas Ave) - Where we went
A local, soul-warming favorite for vegans, vegetarians, and carnivores alike, Tanya’s Soup kitchen (or TSK as locals call it) is a versatile food hot spot, known for sourcing ingredients locally and rotating the menu seasonally for optimum freshness.
B&C Barbeque (355 North Washington St)
Ziggy's Pizza (3700 E. Douglas Ave Ste. 100)
1:45pm: Go nuts at the Nifty Nut House (537 N. St. Francis St)
The Nifty Nut House has been a Wichita tradition since 1937. Countless shelves are filled with 4,500 items featuring classic and modern candies, nuts, and snacks. One visit and you’ll see why Food Network's Alton Brown called it "a national treasure."
2:45pm: Visit the Wichita Art Museum (1400 W. Museum Blvd)
Founded in 1935, The Wichita Art Museum offers a premiere collection of American art with over 10,000 permanent pieces in their collection as well as a diverse rotation of temporary exhibits. The museum is home to popular works by Dale Chihuly, Mary Cassatt, Edward Hopper, John Steuart Curry, Winslow Homer, Charles M. Russell and more. General admission is $10 per adult Tuesday – Friday and Sunday, but patrons can look at many of the exhibits for free each Saturday while children enjoy a free craft in “the Living Room”.
4:15pm: Check-In/Freshen up at Hotel
If you’re looking for a great place to stay for your time in Wichita, we highly recommend the Home2 Suites in the Delano District (200 N. Sycamore St). It’s a newly built hotel, so the rooms are clean and up to date, and the staff is extremely kind and helpful. It was perfect for our time in Wichita!
5:30pm: Dinner/Explore the Old Town District
Located in the heart of Wichita, Kansas. Old Town is a bustling shopping and entertainment district with more than 100 different businesses including some excellent restaurants!
River City Brewing Co. (150 N. Mosley St) - Where we went
Serving as Wichita's original brew pub, River City Brewing Co. was founded in 1993. They keep 16 handcrafted ales on tap and their menu reflects Kansas' heritage with the inclusion of Kansas beef plus delicious pastas, seafood, and more.
Monarch (579 W. Douglas Ave)
The Anchor (1109 E Douglas Ave)
7:00pm: Cheer on the Wichita Wind Surge! (275 S McLean Blvd)
If you’re visiting between May and September, we definitely recommend heading over to Riverfront Stadium to cheer on the Wind Surge! There's a long history of minor league baseball in Wichita. After more than a decade without affiliated baseball in the city, the Wichita Wind Surge, Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, launched their inaugural season on May 11, 2021 at the brand new Riverfront Stadium.
9:00pm: Experience The Keeper of the Plains
If you decide not to go to the Wind Surge game (or they don’t have one during your visit), The Keeper's "Ring of Fire'' is a must-see! The “Ring of Fire” is a nightly show where the fire pots surrounding the base of the Keeper of the Plains are lit and burn for 15 minutes. We recommend parking in the northwest corner of the Exploration Place parking lot (300 N McLean Blvd) and arriving a little before 9pm (summer show time) to get to a good spot for viewing!
And if you’re unfamiliar (like we were) with what The Keeper of the Plains is… It is a 44-foot, 5-ton weathered steel sculpture that overlooks the city from it’s 30-foot pedestal at the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas rivers. It was donated to Wichita by Native American artist Blackbear Bosin in 1974 and is one of the most iconic images in Wichita to this day.
And just like that, your one day in Wichita has come to an end! We hope that you found this itinerary helpful as you plan your visit to this beautiful city. And if you did, be sure to sign-up for our email list and/or subscribe to our YouTube channel for more helpful and entertaining travel content!
And don't forget to download your FREE PRINTABLE itinerary HERE!
