3 days of tallgrass prairie and a river city in Kansas

A day on the Arkansas River in Wichita. Start at the steel sculpture where two rivers meet, visit the museum of Native American culture beside it, step into an open-air museum of the cattle town years, then end in a garden.

1. Breakfast

   Cinnamon rolls and coffee

   A large, soft cinnamon roll, warm from the oven and covered with icing, with a mug of coffee. A sweet start to a day by the river.

   Local tip Share one, since they are large.
2. 1
   Morning

   Keeper of the Plains

   A steel sculpture about 44 feet tall by the Kiowa-Comanche artist Blackbear Bosin, standing where the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers meet. Panels around the base tell of the tribes who lived in this area. Fire pits around it are lit on some evenings, so check ahead. Treat it with respect, as a place that matters to many people.

   Go when Morning, or evening (about 7:37 PM), when the light is low on the steel.

   Local tip Walk the path around the base and read the panels. The fire pits are lit on some evenings, so check ahead. It stands on the river, so wind and heat can both be strong.

   About 3 min walk0.1 mi
3. 2
   MorningIndoor

   Mid-America All-Indian Museum

   A museum of the history and culture of Native Americans, on the river beside the Keeper of the Plains. It is considered the only museum in Kansas given wholly to American Indian culture, with beadwork, pipe bags, pottery, baskets and work by Blackbear Bosin. Check ahead on the opening.

   Go when Morning, as an indoor stop beside the sculpture.

   Local tip Look for the beadwork and the work of Blackbear Bosin. The museum serves the Native American community of the city, and hosts powwows and cultural events, so check ahead on what is on.

   

   About 12 min walk0.6 mi
4. 3
   Midday

   Old Cowtown Museum

   An open-air history museum on the river with dozens of historic and re-created buildings, showing how Wichita grew from a frontier settlement to a cattle town in the late 1800s. Costumed interpreters, farm animals and Texas Longhorns are part of it. Much of it is outdoors, so take sun cover and water, and check ahead on the season and the opening.

   Go when Midday into afternoon, with sun cover.

   Local tip Most of it is outdoors on the river, with little shade on a hot day. Take water, wear walking shoes and ask the costumed staff about the buildings. Check ahead on the season and the opening.

   

5. Lunch

   Bierocks

   A bierock is a baked bread pocket filled with seasoned ground beef, cabbage and onion, a German-Russian dish common across the plains. It is easy to eat by hand.

   Local tip Eat it hot, and try it with a little mustard.

   About 4 min walk0.2 mi
6. 4
   Afternoon

   Botanica Wichita

   A garden of about 18 acres close to the museum, with a rose garden, a butterfly house, a sensory garden, a Shakespeare garden and woodland paths. A cool, green way to end the day. Check ahead on the season and the opening.

   Go when Afternoon, under the trees.

   Local tip Wander the gardens at your own pace and look for the butterfly house. In summer it is hot and humid, so take water, and check ahead on the season and the opening.

   

7. Dinner

   Kansas barbecue and burnt ends

   Slow-smoked pork, brisket and ribs, with burnt ends, the dark, crusty, smoky pieces cut from the end of a brisket. Served with beans, slaw and white bread.

   Local tip Order a mixed plate to share, and ask for the sauce on the side.

A day by car into the Flint Hills, rolling hills of tallgrass prairie northeast of Wichita. Join the scenic byway on K-177, stop at a stone courthouse in the small county seat, then end at a preserve of prairie and bison.

1. Drive from Botanica WichitaAbout 1 h 24 min by car54.2 mi

   Where Day 1 ended.
2. Breakfast

   Eggs, sausage and hash browns

   A plain farm breakfast of eggs, sausage and crisp hash browns, with toast and coffee. Eat well, since the hills have few places to buy food.

   Local tip Pack a snack and a bottle of water for the road.
3. 1
   Morning

   Flint Hills National Scenic Byway

   A National Scenic Byway on K-177, the stretch from Interstate 35 at Cassoday north to US-56 at Council Grove. It runs through rolling hills and some of the last tallgrass prairie in North America. This stop is Matfield Green, a very small town on the road. Fill the tank before you leave Wichita, and pull off only where it is safe.

   Go when Morning, with a full tank and water.

   Local tip It is a two-lane country road with long gaps between towns. Pull off only where it is safe, watch for farm and ranch traffic, and do not climb fences into private grazing land. Check the road and the forecast before you go.

   

   About 37 min by car or transit14.7 mi
4. 2
   MiddayIndoor

   Chase County Courthouse

   A courthouse in Cottonwood Falls, built in 1873 of local limestone and said to be the oldest operating courthouse in Kansas. The three-story winding staircase is made of local walnut. Look at the front from the street, and check ahead on whether a tour is possible, since tours have been offered by appointment.

   Go when Midday, when the stone front is lit.

   Local tip Look at the limestone front and the roofline from the street. Tours have been offered by appointment, so check ahead on whether the inside is open to visitors.

   

5. Lunch

   A fried chicken dinner

   Crisp fried chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy and a roll, the Sunday dinner of small-town Kansas. Often served with green beans or corn.

   Local tip Eat it early in the day, before a long walk, and drink water.

   About 18 min by car or transit4.3 mi
6. 3
   Afternoon

   Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

   A preserve in the Flint Hills north of Strong City, protecting an example of the tallgrass prairie that once covered much of the continent. It has a ranch headquarters, trails, and a bison herd since 2009. Walk a short trail, take water and sun cover, and keep well away from the bison. Check ahead on the visitor area and any bus tour.

   Go when Afternoon into evening (about 7:37 PM), as the grass catches the light.

   Local tip Take a short trail to feel the prairie and the wind. Keep well away from the bison, wear closed shoes, check for ticks, and carry water. There is little shade, so check ahead on the visitor area and any bus tour.

   

7. Dinner

   Chicken and noodles

   Thick homemade noodles and chicken in a rich broth, served over mashed potatoes. A Midwestern comfort dish for a day outdoors.

   Local tip Ask for the noodles to be on the side if you want a lighter meal.

An easy day back in the city. Start in the old City Hall that holds the local history museum, cross the river to a museum of American art, then finish at a science museum on the river bank.

1. Drive from Tallgrass Prairie National PreserveAbout 1 h 40 min by car66.8 mi

   Where Day 2 ended.
2. Breakfast

   Pancakes and sausage

   A stack of pancakes with butter and syrup and a side of sausage, a plain Midwest breakfast before a day of museums.

   Local tip Order a short stack, since the portions are large.
3. 1
   Morning

   Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum

   A museum of the local history of Wichita and Sedgwick County, in the original City Hall of 1890. Its four floors cover early peoples, including Native Americans, the aviation story of Wichita and a Jones Six car made in the city. Check ahead on the opening.

   Go when Morning, as an indoor stop.

   Local tip The museum is in the original City Hall, so look at the stone building before you go in. There are four floors, so mind the stairs, and check ahead on the opening.

   

   About 25 min walk1.2 mi
4. 2
   Midday

   Wichita Art Museum

   A museum given wholly to American art, with a collection of more than 12,000 items, begun with a bequest in 1915 and first opened in 1935. Choose the galleries that catch your eye rather than trying to see everything. Check ahead on the opening.

   Go when Midday, as an indoor stop.

   Local tip It shows only American art, so choose the galleries that catch your eye. Check ahead on the opening and on what is on show.

   

5. Lunch

   Sweet corn and a sandwich

   Sweet corn on the cob in summer, with butter and salt, beside a plain sandwich. Corn is a local summer crop, so it is freshest in season.

   Local tip Out of season, ask for corn in a cup or a side of coleslaw instead.

   About 10 min walk0.5 mi
6. 3
   Afternoon

   Exploration Place

   A science museum on the west bank of the Arkansas River, in a building by the architect Moshe Safdie, with a reflecting pond between its two halves. A good fit for children, and for anyone who wants an indoor hour. Check ahead on the opening.

   Go when Afternoon, as an indoor stop.

   Local tip Walk out to the reflecting pond between the two halves of the building and look back at the roof. Check ahead on the opening and on any special exhibit.

7. Dinner

   Brisket and a slice of prairie-style pie

   Smoked brisket on a bun with pickles, then a slice of pie of seasonal fruit or cream, the simple pie of a plains kitchen.

   Local tip Ask what pie is fresh that day, and share a slice if you are full.