Best Landmarks in Wichita

At the meeting point of the Big and Little Arkansas rivers is a weathered steel statue by American Indian sculptor, Blackbear Bosin. The Keeper of the Plains was installed in 1974 to celebrate the nation's bicentennial. Standing tall at 44 feet (13.41 meters), it is set on a huge headland and is considered a sacred site by the Native American tribes. Encircling it is a plaza with many displays, describing the lives of local American Indians who dwelt here. There are walking bridges to access the area. Fire drums on bluffs at the foot of the sculpture light almost every night, giving a dramatic effect to its surroundings.

The Allen-Lambe House was built in 1917 by the celebrated architect Frank Lloyd Wright and was one of the last Prairie style houses he designed. Originally designed for statesman Henry J. Allen and his wife, it was later sold to the Allen-Lambe House Foundation. The building is now a museum that conducts tours for visitors. Some of the best examples of the Prairie style of architecture as well as Frank Lloyd's distinct style of interior design can be seen in this house. By his own admission, it was one of the best houses he designed.

The Sedgwick County Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the state. A major tourist attraction, this zoo is home to more than 3000 animals of about 400 different species. Along with areas to view the animals, the site includes a children's play area, boat rides, and trams. Between Penguin Cove, the Tiger Trek and the Downing Gorilla Forest, there's enough to see that you'll want to spend a whole day here.

Opened in 1987, these gardens were a collaboration between the Wichita Area Garden Council and the City of Wichita. They include an aquatic collection, a butterfly garden, a butterfly house, a greenhouse for tropical plants, a rock garden, a rose garden, a sensory garden, a Shakespearean garden, and more. They opened a children's garden in 2011 that features several themed areas for kids.

Learn about local plants and wildlife at the Great Plains Nature Center. Inside, exhibits like Kansas Wildlife and Prairies of the World are educational for both kids and adults. Outside, trails provide the perfect opportunity to view some of the flora and fauna you learned about inside. Remember your trip here with something from the gift shop - it offers a variety of books, toys, and other fun memorabilia.

The Wichita Art Museum is one of the largest art museums in all of Kansas. Opened in 1935, it has a sterling collection of American art. The art collection of approximately 7,000 works spanning over three centuries includes sculptures, paintings, and decorative arts. It boasts works by illustrious artists like Mary Cassat, Winslow Homer, and many more. The museum has a unique area known as The Living Room where visitors can try their hand at creating their art. The museum also features a cafe and a store where gift items made by local artists are available.

Feel like you've traveled back in time at this museum, where costumed actors recreate the lifestyle of a cattle town from the 1870s. This sprawling museum is designed as a working town complete with residential houses, an industrial area, a farm and various other elements that comprised a town back in the day. Well-thought-out re-enactments of scenes from daily life make this an interesting attraction for kids as well as adults. The Hunter Area, Drovers Camp, DeVore Farm and the Industrial Area are some of the prominent living exhibits of the museum. In addition to this, the Empire Hall showcases an extensive collection of historical artifacts. The gift shop on site has unique souvenirs and tours are available.

The mission at Exploration Place is to make learning about science fun and interesting for kids and adults alike. Exhibits are creative and interactive, like the Big Mouth, where you can walk up to a huge, anatomically correct replica of the human mouth and learn about teeth, gums and good oral hygiene. There's plenty of rental space available here for meetings or a special event. Kids love birthday parties here!

Established in 2001 by Lorna and Dr. John Kardatzke, the Museum of World Treasures is a non-profit organization, associated with the American Alliance of Museums. It is known as one of the best global historical museums in Kansas. Take a trip to the three-story gallery, displaying realistic dinosaur models, ancient civilizations, Egyptian mummies, wars, prominent figures, and more. The Museum of World Treasures also hosts private events and meetings. What better place to host your theme wedding or birthday party?

Old Town Wichita is one of the cultural centers of the city. This historic area is now lined with restaurants, shopping, nightlife destinations, museums, and more. There are plenty of great hotels around for visitors passing through town, and it has become a luxurious area to live in. If you're looking to get a feel for the city, Old Town Wichita is not to be missed.

The Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center is notable not only for its architecture - this round building is easy to pick out in the Wichita skyline - but also for the quality of performances that grace the stages here and the facilities it has available for conventions, trade shows, and meetings. Featuring 200,000 square feet (18,580 square meters) of convention space, this is a great option for large-scale events.

With a seating capacity of 15,000, Intrust Bank Arena is one of the largest entertainment venues in Wichita. Concerts tend to be big name acts like James Taylor, and Motley Crue. You can also catch a collegiate sports game from time to time. It's a great place to go for a day of family fun when the Ringling Bros. Circus is in town. There's also plenty of space for meetings and corporate events here.