Wichita Introduction Walking Tour, Wichita

Wichita Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Wichita

In place since the days of Wild West, Wichita is the largest city in Kansas. Industrial hub as it is, the city also hosts a number of large museums, theaters, parks, and entertainment venues, including Exploration Place, featuring hands-on science exhibits, Botanica themed gardens, comprising a wildflower meadow and a Chinese garden, and The Museum of World Treasures, to mention but a few. To find your way to Wichita's main attractions, follow this orientation walk and enjoy yourself!
How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Wichita Introduction Walking Tour Map

Guide Name: Wichita Introduction Walking Tour
Guide Location: USA » Wichita (See other walking tours in Wichita)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
# of Attractions: 11
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.7 Km or 3.5 Miles
Author: Dee
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
  • Old Town
  • OldTown Theatre Grille
  • Museum of World Treasures
  • Scottish Rite Temple
  • Orpheum Theater and Office Building
  • Brown Building
  • Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum
  • Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center
  • Exploration Place
  • Keeper of the Plains Sculpture
  • Botanica, The Wichita Gardens
1
Old Town

1) Old Town

Old Town is nestled in the heart of Wichita Kansas. Among the brick-lined streets and historic lampposts are a collection of converted brick warehouses dating back to the mid 1800s. Built with brick and native limestone accents, these distinctive architectural features define the character of Old Town.

With more than 100 businesses, Old Town has become a destination sought out for its restaurants, shops, clubs, theaters, galleries, museums, and stores. It has also become a popular place to live and stay. With hundreds of newly renovated apartments, luxury condos, and two of Wichita's finest hotels, Old Town is a vibrant and thriving community.
2
OldTown Theatre Grille

2) OldTown Theatre Grille

The OldTown Theatre Grille offers luxury, comfort and quality in all of our 7 theatres. An extraordinary premium movie theatre and dining experience captured in one unique entertainment venue, is changing the way people watch movies, create romantic moments, eat and socialize. The OldTown Theatre Grille offers you the height of luxury, comfort and quality in both your movie and food experiences.
3
Museum of World Treasures

3) Museum of World Treasures (must see)

The Museum of World Treasures is a world history museum. Among the many items on display are Tyrannosaurus, Daspletosaurus, and Tylosaurus specimens, Egyptian mummies, signatures of all the American presidents, a section of the Berlin Wall, and the Scarecrow's pitchfork from The Wizard of Oz. The Museum of World Treasures is not limited to a particular aspect of history, but has opted to display an extremely diverse collection representing many different fields of interest and a wide range of subjects.

The 1st floor of the museum focuses on fossils and ancient human history, as well as a room dedicated to geology. The 2nd floor of the museum focuses on military history, presidents, and royalty from around the world.The exhibits on the 3rd floor feature an ensemble of material from American history. In addition, the top floor of the museum also has a large banquet room that can be rented out for private functions.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
4
Scottish Rite Temple

4) Scottish Rite Temple

The Scottish Rite Temple is one of the most beautiful, unique and oldest buildings in Wichita. It was established between 1887 and 1888. It is a wonderful model of Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style. It is enriched by unique characteristics like archways, curved porch entrances and its considerable size. Until 1898 the building was used by the Young Men's Christian Association because it was bought by the Scottish Rite Masonic Organization, from which it got its name.It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
5
Orpheum Theater and Office Building

5) Orpheum Theater and Office Building

The Orpheum Theatre opened on September 4, 1922, and was the first atmospheric theatre in the United States though whether or not it can be considered a true "atmospheric theatre" has been contested by some. The magnificent 42 ft (13 m) high by 40 ft (12 m) wide proscenium arch is the main feature of the auditorium.

The Orpheum Theatre has significant associations nationally and internationally with the development of a whole new concept and style of theatre architecture. During this period, more than 17,000 acts appeared with the playbill changing three times each week.

By the time it closed in 1974, it was an adult film venue and the structure had considerably deteriorated. As Orpheum Theater and Office Building, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
6
Brown Building

6) Brown Building

The Brown Building is located opposite the Kansas Health Foundation on South Broadway Street in downtown Wichita. Construction began in 1926 and lasted nine months. It was designed by Schmidt, Boucher & Overend. They created a wonderful example of Classical Revival architectural style with unique decorations that can be observed on the first and the top floor on the exterior of the building. Today, the Brown Building is used as an office building.
7
Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum

7) Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum (must see)

The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving and presenting the local history of Wichita and Sedgwick County, to the public.

The museum was established in 1939 as the Wichita Public Museum. Today the museum resides in the original City Hall building designed by William T. Proudfoot and George W. Bird in 1890. Exhibits are housed on four floors and are open to the public six days a week for a nominal admission fee. The museum is supported in part through city and county funding and through the support of its sizable membership base. The museum has been accredited by the American Association of Museums since 1972.

The old Wichita City Hall has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1971.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
8
Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center

8) Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center (must see)

The Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center is located in one of the most distinctive buildings in Wichita, on the shore of the Arkansas River. It is the largest center for entertainment, consumer shows and meetings in Wichita and is home to four arts organizations - Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Music Theatre of Wichita, Wichita Grand Opera, and Music Theatre for Young People.This multi-functional facility is focused strictly on the arts. Visitors can choose from numerous different shows according to their own preferences; there are several halls designed for art exhibitions. A must see is the Wurlitzer organ from the Paramount Theatre (New York City), which is now installed at the The Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
9
Exploration Place

9) Exploration Place (must see)

Exploration Place is a modern hands-on science museum.

Construction began May 1997 and took 2 ½ years. There are 100,000 square feet (9,300 m2) and 20 acres (81,000 m2) on the property. The tallest point of the building is the peak of the roof of the traveling exhibits space and is 70 feet (21 m) above the floor (nearly 7 stories high).

The "Island Building" is named because it is surrounded by water, with the Arkansas River on one side and the reflecting pond on the other. The reflecting pond is between the buildings to create the illusion that looks like the river runs between the buildings.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
10
Keeper of the Plains Sculpture

10) Keeper of the Plains Sculpture (must see)

The Keeper of the Plains is a 13.4 metres (44 ft) Cor-Ten steel sculpture by Kiowa-Comanche artist Blackbear Bosin.

Surrounding the base of the statue are multiple displays which describe the local tribes that used to inhabit this area, as well as several fire pits which sometimes light up to illuminate the statue at night. The fire pits, which are known as the Rings of Fire, are lit manually for public safety and run in 15 minute increments. They are generally lit 2-3 times a night.

The sculpture, commissioned by the city and private organizations to mark the United States Bicentennial, was erected in 1974.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
11
Botanica, The Wichita Gardens

11) Botanica, The Wichita Gardens (must see)

Botanica, The Wichita Gardenswas opened in 1987. The Gardens is located not far from the Old Cowtown Museum on North Amidon Ave. It is one of the most interesting attractions in Wichita and it occupies 9.5 acres. Visitors can admire different species of plants and butterflies that form large, unique collections. There are also tropical plants like juniper, poeny, pinetum, sedum and other kinds of plants.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.