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Wichita, Kansas, is a bustling metropolis. When the weather is nice, there's much to see and do outdoors. With summer ending comes cooler weather, and that means it's time to find something fun to do inside. Here are three of the best indoor attractions in Wichita that are fun for the whole family. more 1. The Alley Indoor Entertainment Center A trip to The Alley on East 13th Street North might just be the most fun you can have under one roof. Bowling is, of course, the main event with 32 lanes, eight of which are dedicated to cosmic bowling. The kids love it, and you can opt for lane bumpers so they'll score well. After you're done bowling, you can check out the arcade, which includes a variety of fun games, including Hologate, an immersive virtual reality video game. If video games aren't your thing, you might take the indoor electric go-karts for a spin. After racing the family around the track, you can unwind at AJ's Sports Grill for great food and maybe an adult beverage. As if all that wasn't enough, The Alley now offers Escapology, its newest escape room attraction. Choose from one of five hourlong, themed adventures during which you and your team try to find clues that eventually lead you out of the room. 2. Laser Quest This indoor attraction located on North Woodlawn is fun for all ages. Gear up, and climb into its multilevel arena to play laser tag with your friends and family. Machines put out swirling fog around the neon-lighted arena, while adrenaline-pumping music pipes through the sound system. Laser Quest is a great place to bring the family, the youth club, the soccer team, or anyone who wants to have fun. The facility specializes in birthday parties and team-building events, so check it out next time you're looking for indoor fun for the whole group. 3. Museum of World Treasures If you are fascinated by world history, you must visit the Museum of World Treasures. Located on East 1st Street, the Museum of World Treasures offers you a trip through time. Explore ancient Egypt and how the Egyptians lived through the artifacts and information on display. Check out the age of dinosaurs, and marvel at the skeletons and other fossils in the exhibit. War buffs will appreciate the World War II collection, and American history comes alive as you learn about past presidents, the industrial age, and more. The museum also hosts regular events such as Culture with Cocktails: Haunted Museum. Join in on a flashlight tour and a mummy hunt through the spooky Halloween-decorated museum each October. Or check out food from around the world at the museum's Culture with Cocktails: A World of Food event. When the weather cools or the rain begins to fall, don't fret. Simply gather your family and friends, and head out to one of these three great indoor attractions in Wichita. You won't be disappointed. Image via Pixabay by laterjay

If you live in or plan to visit Wichita, Kansas, and are seeking an exciting adventure, you're in luck. The city is home to numerous spots that provide activities everyone in the family will enjoy. Embrace your sense of adventure with these exciting activities in Wichita. more 1. Sedgwick County Zoo Go on a wilderness adventure with the family while watching and learning about animals at Sedgwick County Zoo. The zoo is home to 3,000 animals and almost 400 species from around the world. The zoo was designed to completely immerse you in the world of animals, and it includes one of the country's largest walk-through aviaries. Not only can you see the animals, but you can also interact with them. Stop by the Asian farm to feed and pet watusi cattle, karakul sheep, and Nigerian dwarf goats or the American farm to see horses, chickens, and more. You can also visit and feed giraffes and birds. The zoo plays host to special events throughout the year, including sheep shearing in the spring, Zoobilee, Breakfast with the Birds, Croctoberfest, and more. Flocktail is a social event for adults that features tasty cocktails and networking. Sedgwick County Zoo is located at 5555 West Zoo Blvd. and is open daily during summer months from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and during winter months from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 2. Great Plains Nature Center Great Plains Nature Center provides opportunities and experiences that inspire stewardship of the natural environment. Nestled in the middle of Wichita, the nature center provides a natural oasis and a break from the city. Take a stroll through the 282-acre Chisholm Creek Park to surround yourself in nature. The park has 2.5 miles of paved trails that wind through native and restored woodlands, wetlands, ponds, and prairies. Visit the Koch Habitat Hall to see exhibits that teach you about the climate of the Great Plains and its effects on regional streams and wetlands, the Riparian habitat, and more. Interactive exhibits engage the minds of both young and old. Great Plains Nature Center is located at 6232 East 29th Street North and is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free to the public. 3. Keeper of the Plains For an historic adventure, cross the bow and arrow-inspired bridge over the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas rivers to visit the Keeper of the Plains statue. The land between the rivers is sacred ground to the local Native American people and this statue pays tribute to their tribes. It was erected in 1974, stands 44-feet tall, and is made of steel. Watch the cascading stream as it flows from the Keeper of the Plains, over boulders, and into the river below. When evening falls, watch the flames burn on the “Ring of Fire”.  People of all ages will appreciate this impressive monument. Keeper of the Plains is located at 650 North Seneca and is open daily from 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. With so many fun and exciting activities in Wichita, you'll never lose your sense of adventure. Image via Flickr by P_Linehan CC by 2.0

You don't have to travel far from home to have a great vacation. If you live in Wichita, Kansas, you have plenty of amazing things to explore right in your own backyard! This year plan an entertaining staycation in Wichita by checking out some of these excellent local attractions. more Sedgwick County Zoo The Sedgwick County Zoo is a fantastic destination when you're looking for a place that can entertain the entire family during your staycation. The zoo is home to more than 3,000 animals and ranks as the top outdoor tourist attraction in Kansas. Some of the popular exhibits at the zoo include the Slawson Family Tiger Trek, which is home to Malayan and Amur tigers. The Pride of the Plains showcases lions, two meerkat exhibits, red river hogs, and African painted dogs. Other exhibits you can explore include Cessna Penguin Cove, Downing Gorilla Forest, and Children's Farms. Great Plains Nature Center If you want to head outside and learn more about the unique plants and animals that live in Kansas, plan to spend some time at the Great Plains Nature Center. The nature center sits inside Chisholm Creek Park, which is one of the largest parks in the city. Here you can traverse the 2.5 miles of paved trails that take you through native and restored prairies, woodlands, and wetlands. When you stop inside the nature center, you can check out the hands-on exhibits, view the 2,200-gallon aquarium, and head to the observatory to look out over the wetlands. Botanica, The Wichita Gardens No matter when you visit Botanica, The Wichita Gardens during your staycation, you'll always find something beautiful to see. Take a stroll through the lovely Shakespearean Garden, which blends the cottage and formal gardens that are characteristic of the Elizabethan era. Children love exploring and playing in the Downing Children's Garden, and everyone will enjoy a walk through the colorful Butterfly Garden and Butterfly House. Museum of World Treasures The Museum of World Treasures is another amazing place to visit if you're interested in learning something new during your staycation. When you walk through the doors of this world history museum, you'll feel like you're taking a walk through time. In the Sea Creatures of the Plains, you can marvel at the size of prehistoric sea creatures that once lived in the oceans that covered the Great Plains. The museum also has exhibits that will help you learn more about dinosaurs, ancient Egypt, the founding of America, the Civil War, World War I and II, and more. Sedgwick County Park Sedgwick County Park is a beautiful public green space located just outside of downtown Wichita. Here you'll find a great variety of things to do. You can ride along the bike trail or have some fun at the volleyball courts, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and basketball courts. The park also has four lakes that are ideal for fishing. Whether you want to spend time outside or discover something new, you'll have an amazing time when you enjoy your staycation here in Wichita. Cropped image via Flickr by larabelle CC by 2.0