HappeningThe heat eases, the grass stands at its full height and begins to turn. Good weather for the trails and the byway, though storms are still possible. Check ahead.
From average weather, 2021 to 2025: days that are warm but not hot, with few rainy days, score highest. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
Arrival day
Before Day 1. Wichita is a car city, and the Flint Hills day needs a car and a full tank.Details
Flying in
Wichita has its own airport, with connections through larger hubs. Pick up a rental car there, since Day 2 is a country drive and the other days are a few miles apart. Some visitors fly into Kansas City instead. That is a long road, so check the road and the weather before you set off.
Getting around
The sights in the city sit near the Arkansas River, a short drive from one another and from downtown. In the hills, towns are small and far apart, with few places to buy fuel, food or water. Fill the tank in Wichita and carry water on Day 2.
Weather and storms
Spring brings severe storms and tornado watches, and summer is hot and humid. Check the forecast each morning, and know where the nearest shelter is in any building you visit. If a warning is issued, follow local advice and leave open ground.
First evening
Day 1 starts at the Keeper of the Plains, a sculpture where two rivers meet, so an easy first evening is a walk by the river near your hotel. Eat early and sleep well before the drive on Day 2.
How much walking? On foot, about 0.2 to 1.4 miles a day, and 142.4 miles by car in all across 5 days. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
Day 1. Downtown Wichita and The Arkansas River and Riverside
3 stops · 1.4 mi on foot
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
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 whenMorning, 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.
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 whenAfternoon, 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.
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 13 min walk0.6 mi
3
Evening
Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center
A performing arts and convention center by the Arkansas River downtown, opened in 1969. It is a low round building with a shallow dome, in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright, and it is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Go whenLate afternoon, near the river.
Local tip A low round building with a shallow dome in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright, by the river downtown. Look at the shape from the riverbank, and check ahead on what is on inside.
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.
If it rains. Everything today is indoors, so rain does not change the plan.
Day 2. The Arkansas River and Riverside
3 stops · 0.4 mi on foot
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
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 whenMorning, 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
2
Morning
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 whenMorning, 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.
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 whenMidday, 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.
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.
If it rains. Mid-America All-Indian Museum and Wichita Art Museum are covered, so keep them. Move Keeper of the Plains to a dry day if you can.
Day 3. The Arkansas River and Riverside and The edges of Wichita
3 stops · 0.2 mi on foot, 6.3 mi by car
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
Travel from Wichita Art MuseumAbout 15 min by car or transit3.3 mi
Where Day 2 ended.
1
Morning
Sedgwick County Zoo
A zoo on the west side of the city, founded in 1971, with many animals from around the world in mostly outdoor settings. A good day for families, with sun cover in summer.
Go whenMorning, before the heat.
Local tip A large zoo on the west side of the city, mostly outdoors. Summers are hot, so take water and sun cover, and check ahead on the season and the opening.
About 14 min by car or transit3.0 mi
2
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 whenMidday 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.
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 whenAfternoon, 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.
If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.
Day 4. Council Grove
3 stops · 1.1 mi on foot, 82.1 mi by car
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
Drive from Botanica WichitaAbout 1 h 58 min by car82.1 mi
Where Day 3 ended.
1
Morning
Council Grove Historic District
A National Historic Landmark district in Council Grove, six separate areas that tell of the Santa Fe Trail and the move west in the 1800s. The town is named for an agreement with the Osage Nation that let wagon trains cross their land. Walk Main Street, which was the trail.
Go whenMorning, on the old trail street.
Local tip The district has six separate areas along the old Santa Fe Trail, which was Main Street. Look for the sheltered oak stump where a treaty with the Osage Nation was signed, and be respectful of the history of the Osage and Kaw peoples.
A historic mission building in Council Grove that served as home, school and church to Kaw boys from 1851 to 1854, now a state historic site. It tells the story of the Kaw (Kansa) people, for whom Kansas is named, and of their removal.
Go whenMidday, as an indoor stop.
Local tip A state historic site that tells of the Kaw (Kansa) people, who gave Kansas its name, and of the mission school here. Read the story with care, and check ahead on the opening.
A limestone building of 1857 on the Santa Fe Trail in Council Grove, where the trail crossed the Neosho River. It was the last store before the river for travelers, and it is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Go whenMidday, on a stroll down Main Street.
Local tip A limestone building of 1857 on the old trail, said to have been the last store before the river for travelers. Look at the stonework from the street, and check ahead on whether it is open.
If it rains. Kaw Mission is covered, so keep it. Move Council Grove Historic District and Last Chance Store to a dry day if you can.
Day 5. The Flint Hills byway and Cottonwood Falls
3 stops · 54.0 mi by car
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
Drive from Last Chance StoreAbout 1 h 1 min by car35.0 mi
Where Day 4 ended.
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 whenMorning, 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.
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 whenMidday, 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.
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
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 whenAfternoon 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.
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.
If it rains. Chase County Courthouse is covered, so keep it. Move Flint Hills National Scenic Byway and Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve to a dry day if you can.
Departure day
After the last day. The airport is a short drive from the city, but allow time for fuel and the return of the car.Details
Leaving town
Fill the tank, return the rental car and leave extra time on the roads if rain or storms are about. Keep tickets and ID in an easy pocket for the airport.
Prairie keepsakes
A book on the tallgrass prairie, a print of the Keeper of the Plains or a piece of beadwork from a museum shop all pack flat. Buy from the museum or the artist, and wrap anything fragile well.
If you have a few hours
Walk the riverside by the Keeper of the Plains once more, or spend an hour in the gardens at Botanica, then start the drive to the airport with plenty of time.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Wichita?
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, March to April and October are the most comfortable months for walking around Wichita. This plan is built for september to October, which is a good month. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
How many days does this plan cover?
It covers 5 days in Wichita, planned for september to October. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
Who is this plan for?
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
Is anything on this plan booked?
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Can I plan my own days like this?
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Can I change this plan?
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
How much walking is there?
On foot, about 0.2 to 1.4 miles a day, and 142.4 miles by car in all across 5 days. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
4 days of museums, memorials and Route 66 in OklahomaAbout 140 miles awayAn easy add-on
3 days of a zoo, brick streets and a capitol towerAbout 230 miles away
4 days of jazz and a night out in two Missouri citiesAbout 260 miles away
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