Enjoy ‘Sunflower Summer’ With Affordable Fun in the City

Looking to fill a full day of activities in Wichita? A variety of attractions participate in Sunflower Summer – a program sponsored by Kansas Tourism which allows Kansas families with children and young adults up to grade 12 free admission to select attractions from Thursday, July 9 - Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. These popular spots are a great way to see some of the best of what the ICT has to offer. The participating locations in the Wichita Metro are:

• Botanica Wichita - A captivating oasis of more than 30 gardens and exhibits with gardenscaping, sculptures and fountains to explore.
• Exploration Place - Kansas' premier science center that inspires deeper interest in science and technology through fun experiences.
• Sedgwick County Zoo - The No. 1 outdoor attraction in Kansas, the award-winning SCZ is home to more than 3,000 animals and nearly 400 species.
• Tanganyika Wildlife Park - Offers animal experiences including feeding and meet & greets with the ultimate mission of supporting exotic and endangered species.
• Wichita Wind Surge baseball - The premier baseball experience in the ICT. The Wind Surge are the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins and play in the incredible Equity Bank Stadium right on the river.
• Wichita Art Museum - The home of more than 10,000 permanent pieces in its collection, from historical to contemporary art.
• Ulrich Museum of Art - The region's source of modern and contemporary art right on the campus of Wichita State University.
• CityArts -  Designed specifically to meet the needs of a community arts center in Wichita, CityArts features four exhibit galleries and The Art Shoppe boutique dedicated to showcasing work by local artists.
• Mark Arts - Wichita's premier art gallery and location for art classes, culinary classes and art events.
• Field Station: Dinosaurs - A one-of-a-kind prehistoric expedition featuring more than 40 life-sized, moving and realistic dinosaurs that is thrilling, educational and fun!
• Great Plains Nature Center - A walkable nature preserve in the city with the mission of helping the public develop an appreciation of wildlife and the environment.
• Kansas Wildlife Exhibit - KWE features non-releasable, and often permanently injured, local wildlife such as a bobcat, hawks, turtles and more. Located in Wichita's Central Riverside Park.
• The Kansas African American Museum - The premier home of Kansas African American history and artifacts.
• Great Plains Transportation Museum - Explore the power of railroads that shaped Wichita and the Great Plains region through a wide array of locomotives of all sizes and shapes.
• Museum of World Treasures - From ancient fossils to artifacts from world wars, this museum offers a profound journey through history.
• Kansas Aviation Museum - Aims to inspire, preserve, educate and commemorate Kansas aviation for the future.
• Old Cowtown Museum - Party like it is 1865 and experience life as it was in a Midwestern cattle town.
• Mid-American All-Indian Museum - Dedicated to education and preservation of the American Indian culture. Located within walking distance from The Keeper of the Plains.
• Rock River Rapids - One of the area's popular water parks featuring a pool, lazy river, slides and concessions.
• Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum - Explores the rich history and cultural heritage of Wichita and Sedgwick County.
• PBS Kansas Cochener-Garvey Children's Education Discovery Center - An amazing place for ages 2-10 to have fun with STEAM - science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.
• Derby Historical Society & Museum - Preserves the history of Derby, Wichita's largest suburb, with 16 rooms filled with artifacts.
• Music Theatre Wichita - Currently the largest subscribed not-for-profit arts organization in Kansas, Music Theatre Wichita self-produces Broadway-scale musical productions every summer.

Along with Wichita, there are more than 200 total attractions throughout the entirety of the Sunflower State participating in the program including state parks, museums, sports and more!

Make sure to download the Sunflower Summer App and be sure to confirm with the attraction(s) that they are participating before arriving at a venue.

Wichita State Strategic Communications

Affordable Fun & Food

If you’re traveling across state lines or looking at visiting after summer ends, many of the above attractions offer an affordable price of admission. On top of that, Wichita has sites to see at no charge. The most noteworthy is The Keeper of the Plains – Wichita’s iconic public art piece that sits at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers and is right along the city’s riverwalk near downtown.

Also of note are the local bloggers and organizations that keep Wichitans and visitors alike up to date on what’s happening around the city. Some of the most well-known are:

• Visit Wichita – The city’s driver of tourism and entertainment. Their easy-to-use website is organized for visitors to find the best things to do in Wichita.
• Wichita on the Cheap – Aimed at helping the community “Live the Good Life for Less.” The perfect site to find deals and discover activities in the city at an affordable price.
• Wichita by EB – THE Wichita food blog. Ran by Eddy, a Wichitan, this blog boasts more than 1,000 restaurant reviews and is the perfect way to find a local bite that fits your palate.
• Wichita Mom – As the title indicates, a local guide to Wichita for those with kids. A helpful tool to find kid-friendly things to do in the city.
• Wichita Life – Apart from their blog and event calendar, Wichita Life also produces a podcast featuring interviews with key community members that make Wichita unique.

There are so many different ways to supplement your college visit by exploring the city. Be sure to ask an admissions staff member what their favorite spot is!