Top Things to Do in Wichita

Rent kayaks, paddleboards and bikes from a riverside dock at this spot operated by the Wichita State University rowing program. 

More than two dozen themed gardens and a butterfly house encourage quiet walks and hands-on learning. At the Downing Children's Garden, even adults can't resist climbing a giant tree house or wandering a music maze.

This science museum engages all ages. Kids design planes and work with NASA tools while adults marvel at Kansas in Miniature, a display with more than 125 buildings.

Forty-plus life-size animatronic dinosaurs roar in a dreamland for budding paleontologists in Derby (11 miles south of Wichita). Live shows and an 18-hole Jurassic-theme mini golf course add to the fun. 

A revamped airport terminal showcases historical aircraft while illustrating the state's role in the evolution of flight. 

For 15 minutes each night, fire drums erupt with flames around this riverfront statue honoring Native Americans. 

See a collection of works by renowned Native American sculptor Blackbear Bosin. A museum of native art tells the Plains Indian story.

The theme is ambiguous at this Old Town collection, but the 10,600 artifacts all enlighten. See displays of a Berlin Wall segment, Egyptian mummies and the Scarecrow's pitchfork from The Wizard of Oz.

Related: Discover a Burgeoning Dining Scene and Riverfront Museum District in Wichita

The 19th-century living-history town and farm includes a blacksmith's shop, daily gunfight shows and a saloon serving sarsaparilla.

The party in and around the Arkansas River (in June) traditionally begins with a parade and continues with boat tours, races and big-name concerts.

More than 3,000 animals thrive in spacious habitats at one of the nation's top-ranked zoos. scz.org

Giraffes and lemurs (and many of the other 400-plus residents) eat from guests' hands at this zoo in nearby Goddard. 

Glasswork—by Steuben and contemporary artists—makes up a big part of the more than three centuries of American art on display at the Wichita Art Museum. The garden features 80 species of plants and 13 sculptures.

Known for its giant ribs, the Old Town joint also gets props for its oversize Bloody Marys.

Head to an open-air shed appointed with cozy seating for tastes of funky brews, like the Bling Blau sour gose, made with blueberries, vanilla bean, cinnamon and brown sugar.

Mahogany and leather warm this date-night destination serving steaks, plus some Italian dishes.

It's part coffee bar, part performance center, but mostly the place for doughnuts. Toppings include Fruity Pebbles, bacon and Hydrox cookies.

This highway-side breakfast and lunch spot plates from-scratch items with twists (banana bread French toast topped with candied apples, apple butter and pecans).

The atmosphere at Hangar One immerses guests in flight: A cargo plane stretches from the dining room out into the parking lot, and the building looks out on a runway. The menu follows suit with King Air filet and Piper Cub chicken strips.

On Saturday evenings, stop in for jazz music and enjoy vino served with artisan cheeses and petite naan bread at the city's first urban winery.

This tiki bar mixes creations like Shark Bite, a combo of Jamaican and Guyanese rums with fruit syrups and egg white. Try it with a Tiki Snack Tray or a slice of Lilly's Luau pizza.

This hip shipping-container complex includes dining and shopping built around an outdoor gathering space. Try eateries like German-focused Prost (bierocks and sauerbraten), then check out the artsy gift shop, Vortex Souvenir.

Inventive starters, like crispy plantain chips with chimichurri, complement mains, such as paella, tacos and pupusas at Sabor Latin Bar and Grille.

Wine Dive's wine list enhances meals like wild boar Bolognese.

Related: Two-Day Getaway to Wichita

A neoclassic 1926 exterior hints at luxury inside at the Ambassador. Sip cocktails at speakeasy-style Dockum in the basement.

This 1906 warehouse-turned-hotel preserves its vintage feel with classic furniture in the atrium and an original water tower on the rooftop.

For more information:  visitwichita.com