At the confluence of the Big Arkansas River and the Little Arkansas River stands the Keeper of the Plains. This landmark gives Wichita a tangible connection to its river landscape; at the same location, the evening Ring of Fire is one of the distinctive experiences.
At the Confluence: The Keeper of the Plains
The Ring of Fire burns for 15 minutes every evening. Weather, river, or safety conditions may result in the lighting being suspended. Check before your visit to see whether it will take place. Opening hours are also important: the Keeper of the Plains Plaza and surrounding area are closed to the public between midnight and 5 a.m. When planning, keep in mind both the short lighting period and the nighttime closure.
Buildings, Collections, and Craftsmanship at Old Cowtown
Old Cowtown features 54 historic and faithfully reconstructed buildings. Its collection includes more than 25,000 authentic objects from 1865 to 1880. The buildings and objects offer different perspectives on the past: historic architecture on the one hand, and a substantial collection from a clearly defined period on the other.
During the regular season, from April to October, a blacksmith and a printer demonstrate their crafts in their respective workshops. Old Cowtown thus connects its exhibited buildings and objects with demonstrations of traditional crafts. These demonstrations are seasonal, so keep this in mind when choosing when to visit.
Discover and Experiment at Exploration Place
At the Design-Build-Fly exhibit, visitors can design an aircraft seat, test landing gear, and rivet a wing. The three activities explore different stages of design and testing. The Sensory Garden offers a different focus: it features more than 50 plant species, interactive musical instruments, outdoor seating, and a water vortex.
The Magic Carpet adds a representation of the Arkansas River. It depicts a 26.2-mile stretch and includes informational signs. Together, the three exhibits offer different ways to explore: hands-on activities related to flight, a garden with interactive elements, and a depiction of the river’s course.
Gardens, Animals, and Habitats
Botanica includes more than 20 acres of landscaped gardens and more than 4,000 plant species. These two figures describe different aspects of the attraction: the size of the garden landscape and the variety of plants. At Sedgwick County Zoo, animals take center stage. The zoo is home to 3,000 individual animals from nearly 400 species. They are grouped geographically and housed in exhibits that recreate their natural habitats. Most areas include zones where visitors can move freely among the plants and animals.
Botanica and the zoo offer different nature-focused experiences: landscaped gardens and plant diversity on one hand, and geographically organized animal areas and recreated habitats on the other. Chisholm Creek Park offers another perspective. It is managed as a Wichita Wild Habitat Area with the goal of optimizing habitat diversity and quality.
Wichita’s Aviation History
The Kansas Aviation Museum displays 12 additional aircraft on the ramp behind the museum. The Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame has a different focus: it preserves the memory of Kansas residents whose contributions to aviation had statewide or national significance. Along with the aviation activities at Exploration Place, these topics showcase different aspects of aviation—from hands-on design activities to honoring the people who shaped it.
Discover more destinations: Peck, Haysville, Park, Eastborough, Derby, Goddard
Return to the broader travel overview: Sedgwick.
