One of my favorite places to start exploring is with the Top 5 FREE Things to Do in Wichita, all recommended by our readers! You can check out the list here: Top 5 Free Things to Do in Wichita.
In addition to those top picks, there are other free and interesting spots worth visiting, such as the City Arts Gallery located in Old Town and the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame at the Wichita Boathouse. The Hall of Fame is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while CityArts operates from Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is closed on Sundays.
Another enjoyable activity any day of the week is to explore the vibrant murals in the Douglas Design District. Many of these murals are created by local businesses that your visitors might find delightful, such as Donut Whole. For more details about the murals, check out my article here: Discover the Murals (scroll down near the bottom of the page).
I also love wandering through downtown Douglas to admire our bronze sculptures. If you’re looking for a place to grab lunch, be sure to visit the PopUp Park! You can find more information about it in this article. Food trucks are available every day from 11 a.m. until at least 1 p.m.
Reflection Square Park is just a short walk east of the PopUp Park, so don’t miss it! Inside, you’ll find a sculpture commemorating the Dockum Drugstore sit-in, one of the early yet lesser-known events of the Equal Rights Movement, located at the original site of the Dockum Drugstore.
Just across the street is Sente Games & Refreshments, an excellent spot for coffee.
While you’re exploring the area, consider hopping on the free Q-Line Trolley, which operates through downtown during lunch hours. You can read more about the Q-Line here (it’s free!). The Delano/Old Town route runs from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, from Old Town to Delano.
If you head to Delano, make sure to stop by Milkfloat for some delicious homemade desserts!
There are many other fantastic attractions to explore, including the Nifty Nut House, the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum (entry is $5), and so many more! For more details about Wichita’s attractions and money-saving tips, check out this older article.
If your friends enjoy vintage arcade games, pinball, or board games, Wichita boasts some great venues:
– The Arcade
– Places to Play Pinball
– Sente Games & Refreshments
For an affordable movie night next week, don’t miss $5 Tuesday at the new AMC Theater (you’ll need to join their free loyalty program to avail the discount), $5 Wednesday at Warren Old Town (also near CityArts), and a classic film screening at the Wichita Orpheum Theater on Thursday night for only $7. The Starlite Drive-in will also be open on Friday night, offering a fantastic deal at just $13 for the entire carload—how many cities can still boast a drive-in theater?
Additionally, on Friday night (May 18), Exploration Place will host a free outdoor movie night on the plaza. Expect a large turnout, but you’ll enjoy discounted admission for exhibits on that night. Here’s more information: Free Outdoor Movie Night.
I hope this gives you plenty of fun options to explore in Wichita while your guests are visiting! I may have missed some attractions, but don’t forget to visit the Troll when you’re near the Keeper!
