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.
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
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