So if you have a family or a special someone to show around. Or you just want to see what your hometown has been up to. . . Here's some cool things to see and do in Doo dah.
These are great to do as groups to spend more time with friends you haven't seen in a while. Or spend time with the family.
Walking Tour of Downtown Sculpture. Wichita's downtown is rich in sculpture. From near life sized bronze colored statues of humans and various critters, to the old chrome horse made out of car bumpers, there's lots to see. A walk up and down both sides of Douglas and in the area around the Hotel at Old Town, will satisfy the art lover at heart. The photo on the left was taken by Joe Boulter and found on roadsideamerica.com. It memorializes the Woolworth's lunch counter sit in of the 1960's. You'll see lots of the same artists sculptures downtown. They're so lifelike, people sometimes put sweaters, coats, and scarves on some during the winter. Check out these links for more info.
http://www.downtownwichita.org/have_fun-public_art.php and http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/3000
By the way, many of you will remember our Joan of Arc statue from our childhood. Turns out she's become a bit of a nomad. Joan of Arc was presented to Wichita by our sister city Orleans, France in 1970. Back then it was near where the Veteran's Memorial is now. It was moved to Century II Eastern outdoor concourse. Then moved again to the front of the Downtown Public Library facing Main Street. http://www.wichitasistercities.org/France/Orl233ans.aspx
Go on a Troll hunt. Somewhere along the river near downtown you will find the grate - shown above in the middle with a Troll underneath. He's well lit up at night, and fun for the adventurers in your family. Sorry he's hard to see, I had a hard time getting a photo through the grate. http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-wichita-troll
Go see the Keeper of the Plains. The old guy was getting kind of rusty. So a couple years back they took him down, cleaned him up and put him on a large base of rock with a really cool and educational park around him. There are fire pots that are lit on the hour at 9 pm on the weekends for 15 minutes during warmer months. 7pm on weekends during colder months. http://www.wichita.gov/Government/Departments/Arts/Pages/Keeper-of-the-Plains.aspx
Go to Exploration Place. I know it's supposed to be for kids, but I've been twice with only other adults and I love it. The architecture alone is worth a look. See a teaser in the bottom left in the Keeper photo above. I tried to get it all. http://www.exploration.org
Like History or are you curious as any ten cats (my Mom's favorite term for me over the years)? Go visit the Museum of World Treasures. They have all sorts of REALLY COOL STUFF! Just across the square from the Hotel at Old Town. http://www.worldtreasures.org
For taking a trip back in time to our western roots, Old Cowtown Museum is the place to be. http://www.oldcowtown.org
Like flowers? In Wichita you might want to check out Botanica with the new Downing Children's Garden to name but one of several. http://www.botanica.org
Love animals check out Tanganyika Wildlife Park, a highly awarded attraction.
http://www.twpark.com Or our own Sedgwick County Zoo https://www.scz.org
Veteran's and their families might want to visit the Veteran's Memorial Park. Right near the Keeper of the Plains and other items you might be searching for (hint, hint). http://www.vmpwi.com
Firearms enthusiasts can head along to the range. We have two, Bullseye on Terrace just North of 13th, or Bullet Stop, just West of Meridian on Pawnee. I prefer Bullseye especially if you're renting a gun. They let you try different ones for the same price. You just have to buy their bullets and pay a nominal rental fee. Plus I find they're less expensive than Bullet Stop. http://www.bullseyewichita.com Or http://www.thebulletstop.com
Space geeks might like the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson, about an hour West on Highway 96. http://www.cosmo.org
Any of you still here on Sunday morning, I'm sure you would be welcome at the church of your choice if you are so inclined. Mine's not fancy but the people are amazing! Here's a link so you can find a church of your choice, if that is something you might like to do. http://www.churchfinder.com/churches/ks/wichita
http://www.downtownwichita.org/have_fun-public_art.php and http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/3000
By the way, many of you will remember our Joan of Arc statue from our childhood. Turns out she's become a bit of a nomad. Joan of Arc was presented to Wichita by our sister city Orleans, France in 1970. Back then it was near where the Veteran's Memorial is now. It was moved to Century II Eastern outdoor concourse. Then moved again to the front of the Downtown Public Library facing Main Street. http://www.wichitasistercities.org/France/Orl233ans.aspx
Go on a Troll hunt. Somewhere along the river near downtown you will find the grate - shown above in the middle with a Troll underneath. He's well lit up at night, and fun for the adventurers in your family. Sorry he's hard to see, I had a hard time getting a photo through the grate. http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-wichita-troll
Go see the Keeper of the Plains. The old guy was getting kind of rusty. So a couple years back they took him down, cleaned him up and put him on a large base of rock with a really cool and educational park around him. There are fire pots that are lit on the hour at 9 pm on the weekends for 15 minutes during warmer months. 7pm on weekends during colder months. http://www.wichita.gov/Government/Departments/Arts/Pages/Keeper-of-the-Plains.aspx
Go to Exploration Place. I know it's supposed to be for kids, but I've been twice with only other adults and I love it. The architecture alone is worth a look. See a teaser in the bottom left in the Keeper photo above. I tried to get it all. http://www.exploration.org
Like History or are you curious as any ten cats (my Mom's favorite term for me over the years)? Go visit the Museum of World Treasures. They have all sorts of REALLY COOL STUFF! Just across the square from the Hotel at Old Town. http://www.worldtreasures.org
For taking a trip back in time to our western roots, Old Cowtown Museum is the place to be. http://www.oldcowtown.org
Like flowers? In Wichita you might want to check out Botanica with the new Downing Children's Garden to name but one of several. http://www.botanica.org
Love animals check out Tanganyika Wildlife Park, a highly awarded attraction.
http://www.twpark.com Or our own Sedgwick County Zoo https://www.scz.org
Veteran's and their families might want to visit the Veteran's Memorial Park. Right near the Keeper of the Plains and other items you might be searching for (hint, hint). http://www.vmpwi.com
Firearms enthusiasts can head along to the range. We have two, Bullseye on Terrace just North of 13th, or Bullet Stop, just West of Meridian on Pawnee. I prefer Bullseye especially if you're renting a gun. They let you try different ones for the same price. You just have to buy their bullets and pay a nominal rental fee. Plus I find they're less expensive than Bullet Stop. http://www.bullseyewichita.com Or http://www.thebulletstop.com
Space geeks might like the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson, about an hour West on Highway 96. http://www.cosmo.org
Any of you still here on Sunday morning, I'm sure you would be welcome at the church of your choice if you are so inclined. Mine's not fancy but the people are amazing! Here's a link so you can find a church of your choice, if that is something you might like to do. http://www.churchfinder.com/churches/ks/wichita