Visit Wichita Kansas : A Midwestern Green Travel Destination

Welcome, to the Heart of the Country! Wichita, Kansas is where the Chisolm Trail ends (a cattle drive trail that ran North from Texas, after the Civil War). But if you’re looking for a modern, Midwest destination with some eco-tourism vibes, then you are in luck! Whether you’re looking for a weekend away, or fun for the whole family, visit Wichita Kansas, your next green travel destination.

Disclaimer: This post was produced as part of a sponsored press trip by Visit Wichita Kansas.  Though some amenities were compensated during my visit, all opinions in this post are my own. Additionally, the post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission through the links we've included throughout the post. Should you make any purchases via these links, we'd like to thank you in advance for your support. 

Getting Around on Two Wheels

Wichita, like many mid-size cities these days, is jumping on the e-scooter wave! Veo(ride) and SPIN are two of the ‘pay by use’ electric scooter options in Wichita. This newest form of sustainable, inner-city travel is fun and reasonably priced. Nervous about jumping on a scooter? There is also a city-wide bike rental program, Bike Share ICT.

Or Take a Stroll Around Town

You know if there’s a strong downtown art scene, I’m there. Starting from the Drury Plaza Hotel and heading east you’ll immediately notice a collection of sculptures and unique architecture. As you make your way along Douglas Avenue you’ll encounter a collection of 31 bronze sculptures by artist Georgia Gerber. Continue East and stumble onto Gallery Alley across from Naftzger Park. This interactive alley way is an art gallery for all the senses. Not only can the art installations be viewed, but they can also be touched, and some heard. Each also has a brail placard and audio description associated with it, catering to the blind art enthusiasts.

Over the next couple miles East along Douglas Avenue, you’ll encounter several murals, including the ones pictured in this post. As you make your way along, you’ll likely have an appetite as well, and Clifton Square is the perfect spot for a break. Here you can choose from a variety of snack options including pizza at family-owned Ziggy’s Pizza, a burger at Dempsey’s Burger Pub, or a boozy, adult milkshake at Papa’s General Store. If you’ve made it this far East, head North a couple blocks to see the Frank Lloyd Wright’s Allen House.

Looking for a unique spin on exploring the city during your visit? There are also scavenger hunts locally available if that’s more your speed for exploring a new city.

Explore the Arkansas River

You won’t want to miss out on a stroll (or a scoot) along the Arkansas River Trail. This multi-use trail is an easy to use, 11-mile, paved path that runs along the Arkansas River. Make your way north around sunset so that you can experience the Keeper of the Plains in all its glory. No visit to Wichita Kansas is complete without it! Every night (9-9:15 in Spring and Summer; 7-7:15 in Fall and Winter) visitors from far and wide gather around this 44-foot-tall steel sculpture to experience the Ring of Fire. Powered by natural gas, this nightly fifteen-minute display is a beautiful ode to the Native American sacred ground on which it stands. Note the event is weather permitting.

As you make your way along the riverfront trail, don’t miss the Wichita Troll by local artist Connie Ernatt. Hidden below your feet near the Evergy Systems Control Center, the troll isn’t marked and is easily missed. But if you’re standing at the storm drain, you’re right over top of it.

If you arrive here during the daytime, take a look around at the plants – they are’nt here by mistake! Each plant surrounding the storm drain was specifically selected for this particular habitat. The designers included water loving plants, moderate water plants and drought tolerant plants to both beautify and keep the area healthy.

If you’re visiting in the summer, you can rent kayaks and paddleboards along the riverfront the take the city in from a different perspective.

Go on a Keeper Hunt when you Visit Wichita Kansas

All around the City of Wichita there are “miniature”, fiberglass versions of the great Keeper of the Plains. Why not set out on a scavenger hunt and see how many you can find throughout the city in this “Keepers on Parade” exhibit. These figures are part of a public art project, each representing a unique artistic rendition of the original Keeper.

“Get Into Nature” at the Sedgwick County Zoo

The Sedgwick County Zoo is in the Top 10 largest zoos in the US and is accredited by the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums.

Their sustainability and conservation efforts are numerous and include:

• Bird-friendly Bird1st glass on the entrance building
• Solar Energy produced by 252 panels onsite
• Cell phone recycling station
• Various conservation learning moments posted throughout the park (Penguin Perils, Big Cats & Climate Change, Room for Rhinos)

Lay Your Head at a LEED Certified Hotel

The spacious rooms and waterfront views overlooking the Arkansas River in the Drury Plaza Hotel are spectacular. In 2022, the hotel is celebrating its 100-year anniversary.

Today, after it’s 2011 renovations, the Drury Plaza Hotel is a LEED certified hotel, the third of its kind! This certification, designated by the U.S. Green Building Council, certifies the building as an energy-efficient hotel. Additional features lending to the certification include:

• The current hotel is a rehabilitation of a pre-existing structure.
• The hotel is connected to public transit lines, promoting the use of public transportation for patrons and employees alike.
• Bicycle racks are present on site.
• Their parking lot offers preferred parking spots for electric and fuel-efficient vehicles.
• The hotel is landscaped in such a way that promotes water conservation.
• Sustainability updates include high efficiency toilets and low-flow showerheads on the first floor.
• In room amenities are dispensed via re-fillable, wall mounted containers.
• Shampoo, conditioner and bodywash are produced by Hunter Amenities who boast sustainability and ethical practices.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.

U.S. Green Building Council

When the hotel opened its doors back in 1922, the basement served as a prohibition era speakeasy, and the only speakeasy in Wichita for that matter. Famous guests of the hotel over the century have included Charles Lindberg, Al Capone, Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the cast of Gilligan’s Island. Book your stay at the beautiful and comfortable Drury Plaza Hotel Wichita here.

Eat, Drink & Shop Local

With all this venturing around Wichita, you’ll surely build up an appetite and thirst! Eat at restaurants like HomeGrown Wichita at Nafgzer Park where local meat and honey are found across the menu. Or drink at pubs like The Monarch where you can find Kansas brewed beers on tap including:

• Walnut River Brewing
• Central Standard Brewing
• River City Brewing
• Free State Brewing Company
• Wichita Brewing Company
• Salt City Brewing Company
• Hopping Gnome

Looking for a night on the town? Mort’s Martini and Cigar Bar has some serious patio vibes. Located in Old Town, Mort’s hosts live music and has over 160 martinis on the menu. Martinis are half-priced on Mondays, and if you have a stomach for spice, order the Dirty McNasty.

And while you’re out and about, be sure to stop in some of the local shops to support local, small business owners like Hatman Jack’s and Bungalow 26. You’ll notice that the locals aren’t shy about their love for the Wichita flag, and The Work Room is your connection for your very own Wichita swag.

Explore Local Culture at Museums On the River

Botanica – Wichita’s own botanical park features over 30 themed gardens, including Downing Children’s Garden, Chinese Garden of Friendship, Shakespear Garden and a Xeriscape Demonstration Garden.

Should you make your trip in 2022, keep an eye out for the “Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea” exhibit which consists of 14 installations throughout Botanica. Not only is it fun to explore the gardens for the individual sculptures, it’s also incredible to see how many day-to-day objects you can find in each and every one of the sculptures. This exhibit is for a limited time (May 14 – October 23, 2022).

Wichita Art Museum – The museum has a permanent glass collection, including two pieces by Chihuly: a large chandelier and an interactive Persian seaform installation that you can walk over. Once you’ve explored the indoor collection, be sure to check out the Art Garden for some larger-than-life sculptures.

Mid-America All-Indian Museum – focused on telling the story of the mid-America Indian tribes, this museum is home to the largest collection of Blackbear Bosin’s artwork. The museum also features various American Indian artifacts, and a unique giftshop.

Other museums along the Arkansas River you’ll want to include when you visit Wichita Kansas:

• Exploration Place
• Old Cowtown Museum

Venture Out to the Great Plains

Did you know that the state of Kansas is home to the world’s Largest Tallgrass Prairies? Located about an hour Northeast of Wichita, the National Park encompasses the remaining 4% of the nation’s tallgrass prairies. These tallgrass prairies once covered a Texas sized area of North America.

If you drove to Wichita, jump in and make a day trip of this National Park Service site visit. Carless? Look into an electric, hybrid or fuel-efficient rental car to visit Wichita Kansas.

And while you’re in Kansas, why not check out Lawrence, Kansas as well?!

This blog post is also featured on an episode of Destinations Beyond Expectations. Take a listen to hear me talking about this wonderful destination.