Wichita, the friendliest city in Kansas, sits on the
confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers. At 1st, or even 2nd,
glance, there doesn’t seem to be too much going on in Wichita.
But a closer examination reveals a city with a developing riverfront,
a number of modest but interesting museums and a handful of opportunities
for relaxing, low-key outdoor adventure.
The Wichita Museum of Art has a surprising number of small but 1st-class
collections of contemporary art. The Native American Flag collection
in the Indian Center Museum is rather fascinating, at least to a history
buff. The kid-friendly Exploration Place is fun and educational.
Wichita is a bicycle friendly kind of place. Along with the more than
100 miles of road-adjacent bicycle paths, there are 26 miles of scenic
off-street paths, like the 9.7-kilometer Canal Hike & Bike Trail
and the 22.5-kilometer Arkansas River Path, which winds past many city
parks and attractions like the Wichita Museum of Art and the Discovery
Palace. BMX action can be found at the track at Emery Park.
Kansas isn’t exactly famous for fishing, but there are a few places
Anglers with an itch can cast their lines in Wichita. Lake Afton just
west of Wichita is a good place to row out and try to reel in a few
Bluegills or Channel Catfish, and there’s a Public Observatory
in case you are overcome with an urge to see Saturn’s rings. O.
J. Watson Park has largish lake for fishing and paddleboats. Butler
State Fishing Lake is a can’t miss proposition for anglers looking
to bag a few Largemouth Bass or Rea-Ear Sunfish, and there are even
spots for camping or picnicking on the shore.
Golfers who want to play a few round in Wichita Kansas could do worse
than the 18-hole, Championship golf course at Auburn Hills, which was
designed by Perry Dyer.
Wichita Greyhound Park is Wichita’s
premier dog-racing venue.
Wichita hosts the Mid-American All Indian
Center Inter-Tribal Powwow every July.
