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From troll hunting to art museums, county parks and a ring of fire, Wichita offers a wide range of activities for locals and visitors alike to enjoy. The team at Davis-Moore Auto Group certainly has its favorites. We're excited to share just a short list of free or nearly free activities in the Wichita area you can enjoy. more Keeper of the Plains and Ring of Fire Located downtown at the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers, the Keeper of the Plains is a Wichita icon. The 44-foot tall steel sculpture stands in front of the Mid-American All Indian Center, where visitors can explore tributes to tribes local to the area while learning more about the statue's sculptor Blackbear Bosin. Visitors can experience the Keeper of the Plains from above the water via sidewalks that allow them to cross the river. Stay after dark and view the Keeper while the "Ring of Fire" illuminates it from manually lit fires surrounding its base. Admission ranges from $3 to $7. Go Troll Hunting Just a short walk from the Plaza that hosts the Keeper of the Plainslurks a hiding troll. This 200-pound bronze troll sculpture designed by sculptor Connie Ernatt is found chained up under a grate behind the Westar Energy building on a sidewalk running along the Arkansas River. Visitors can view the troll either from above while standing on the grill, or from behind via a lower walkway. Wichita Art Museum Kansas's largest art museum, the Wichita Art Museum features more than 7,000 pieces of art in its permanent collection including works from Edward Hopper and Mary Cassatt. They also welcome numerous traveling exhibits throughout the year. Admission is free each Saturday and ranges from $3 to $7 with children under five remaining free other days. Hours include Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Ulrich Museum of Art Found on the campus of Wichita State University, Ulrich Museum of Art features over 6,300 pieces of contemporary and modern art from the 20th and 21st centuries. In addition to the various pieces found inside, guests can also enjoy a 76-piece outdoor collection from Martin H. Bush. Admission is free and hours are Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is closed on Monday. Sedgwich County Park Featuring four lakes perfect for feeding ducks and going fishing, and more than four miles of paved routes for walking, jogging, and biking, Sedgwich County Park is an ideal location for a day with the family. Located west of the zoo between 13th and 21st streets in west Wichita, park activities including tennis, softball, and basketball are available free of charge. Rent equipment for activities such as bocce ball and horseshoes for only $2 an hour. Looking to grill out? Rent one of the grills for only $40 and enjoy one of the many enclosed shelters. Wichita is a friendly community with lots of activities perfect for spending time with family and friends without breaking the bank. Image via Flickr by Robanov83 CC by 2.0

Become a tourist in your hometown and enjoy a day at neighborhood museums. There are over 33 museums in Wichita, Kansas, and each one promises an unforgettable cultural experience. Visitors can look forward to exciting exhibits, docent-led tours, tasty lunches, and a wide range of activities. We've narrowed them all down to just a few of the must-see stops on a Wichita museum stroll. more The Museums on the River The scenic Arkansas River is the heart of Wichita, and if you follow the river's path, you'll encounter several entities including the Wichita Art Museum, Mid-America All-Indian Center, the Old Cowtown Museum, plus other terrific destinations. Home to a marvelous collection of American art, the Wichita Art Museum now features a new Art Garden that encircles the museum with plant-lined pathways. Current exhibits include an in-depth look at modern Kansas farms through the images of photographers Larry Schwarm and Bryon Darby. Museum admission is always free on Saturdays, and be sure to visit the Muse Cafe for lunch. The mission of the Mid-America All-Indian Center is to preserve the heritage of the American Indian and to educate the public about our country's native people. With a museum, a gallery of nations, and a gift shop, you'll explore exhibit halls filled with traditional artifacts and contemporary artwork, experience a powwow, then shop for authentic clothing, jewelry, and gifts. Wild West buffs will love the Old Cowtown living history museum. Experience the history of Wichita when it was a frontier cattle town in the late 1800s. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the blacksmith's shop, gather on Main Street and watch the daily gunfight, or sample a bottle of sarsaparilla in the saloon. Great Plains Transportation Museum Wichita's transportation museum dedicates its halls to preserving the unique history of railroading and its role in settling the Great Plains. The iron horse made it easier to move people and supplies west and helped shape Kansas into the state we love today. On display, you'll encounter a collection of railroading equipment, various artifacts, and memorabilia. See real Santa Fe steam locomotives outside or discover the collections featuring railroad prints, signs, lanterns, and tools. Browse the gift shop for railroad paraphernalia, clothes, books and videos, and toys. You can even stand near the front door and watch modern trains roll by. Kansas Aviation Museum Wichita offers more than just railroading. Aviation enthusiasts must make the Kansas Aviation Museum a top destination. A hidden gem located just east of downtown, walk the city's original municipal airport, where famous aviators such as Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh once strolled. Learn all about Wichita's rich history of aviation and why it's considered the Air Capital of the World. Hop aboard a flying simulator in our Boeing Learning Center, learn the four forces of flight, and discover antique aircraft both inside the museum and outside on the ramp. With so many choices, what's stopping you from taking a Wichita museum stroll today? The hard part is deciding which one to visit first. Image via Flickr by Ty Nigh CC by 2.0

Wichita has a rich and storied history behind the bustling city we know today. In fact, the area served as a meeting place and trading center for nomadic people for 11,000 years before the city was founded. Although it looks much different today, the culture and heritage of Native American residents of the Wichita area lives on. Explore this history, as well as other elements of Wichita culture, at these breathtaking museums. Indian Center Museum The Indian Center Museum in the Mid-America All-Indian Center houses works from Native Americans throughout the country. The highlight of this museum is the expansive collection of pieces from Oklahoma-born artist Blackbear Bosin. Designer of the iconic Keeper of the Plains statue, his largest collection of works is featured here. The museum also features interactive displays and exquisite pieces of art to highlight the history of Native Americans in this region. more Wichita Art Museum Home to a variety of artistic styles and influences, the Wichita Art Museum showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Great Plains as well as the broader development of art in America. Over 8,000 permanent pieces are featured here. Exhibits change frequently and focus on specific time periods in American history, highlight works by individual artists, and educate visitors about unique artistic mediums. Each time you visit this expansive museum, you're bound to find something new to learn and explore. Old Cowtown Museum The Old Cowtown Museum is a one-of-a-kind experience that allows visitors to step back in time and see first-hand the transformation of Wichita from a frontier settlement to a fully functioning cattle town. History truly comes alive in Cowtown through daily activities, special events, and education programs. It hosts over 10,000 artifacts in its permanent collection, made up of textiles, furnishings, furniture, tools, and art. Cowtown is truly an entire town filled with educational opportunities. The 1880 DeVore farm replicates a farm of the era, complete with animals and machinery. The Blood Family Homestead is an extraordinarily well-preserved "hall and parlor" style of residence common in the era. Other structures in this vivid recreation of old Wichita include a one-room schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, meat market, and so much more. Make sure you have plenty of time to dedicate to exploring Cowtown because this is one experience you won't want to rush through. Kansas Aviation Museum Aviation is an enormous part of Kansas history, and there is no better place to connect with this history than the Kansas Aviation Museum. Housed in the original Wichita Municipal Airport Terminal Building, this museum features a wide collection of aircraft and aviation-related artifacts. Visitors will learn about the growth and development of aviation in Kansas and view exhibits showcasing the growth of aviation in this area. Many restored aircraft are available to view up close, making this an awe-inspiring experience. Wichita is built upon a vibrant and fascinating history, and there is no limit to what you can learn. Each of these museums offers a unique lens through which to view the foundations of our great city. Connect more deeply with your home community by visiting one of these great museums today. Photo via Flickr by fireboat895 | under cc BY 2.0 Licensed