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TIME
Central Standard Time


STATE
Kansas

REGION
Great Plains States

Wichita Flies High

With the wide-open skies as inspiration, Kansas has taken off with many top-rated aviation and aerospace attractions. Major aircraft companies such as Boeing, Cessna, Raytheon, and Bombardier Learjet, as well as new aircraft entrepreneurs have made Kansas a leader in aviation manufacturing.

Innovative aviation pioneers, designers, and pilots from Kansas are known throughout the world. This rich heritage has inspired numerous aviation-related attractions to open around the state.

In Wichita alone, there were 30 different aircraft companies. Names like Raytheon, Cessna, Boeing, and Bombardier Learjet are still manufactured in the community. The Kansas Aviation Museum in Wichita has an entire collection dedicated to Kansas’ contributions to flight.

Cities around the state host annual festivals and fly-ins honoring aviation. The Wichita Aviation Festival, the Stearman Fly-
In in St. Francis, fly-ins in Fort Scott and Independence, and hot air balloon rallies in Topeka, Emporia, Columbus, and Wichita are just a few of the ways the state celebrates its aviation heritage.

Since its founding 135 years ago on the banks of the Arkansas River, Wichita has seen cowboys, cattle and carriage rides leave their mark on the community and on its spirit...... and its western heritage lives on today in areas such as the historic Delano District and in its museums, attractions, and restaurants.

But there is much more to this hospitable city bustling with life and with some of the best arts and entertainment in the Midwest.

Wichita is home to over 44 attractions where visitors can explore art, hand-on exhibits, botanical gardens, the Old West and Indian artifacts.

The Old Cowtown Museum will transport you back to Wichita's exciting beginnings at the raw borders of the western frontier. The historic 17-acre open-air living history museum is one of Wichita’s six Museums on the River, all connected by trolley.

Highlights include live action entertainment such as roping demonstrations, blacksmithing, cattle driving, country dancing in the saloon, stagecoach rides, and gun fighting reenactments all along Wichita’s original 1870s streets and buildings.

Jesse Chisholm established his trading post just outside Wichita’s original settlement to begin the famous “Chisholm Trail”, a cattle drive from Wichita straight to Mexico that enabled the rise of the beef industry. Today Wichita allows visitors to retrace the steps of famous Westerners on the Chisholm Trail between the Museums on the River.

The influx of wild cowboys led to the rise of the Delano District, then Wichita’s gaslight district. Considered by the “decent people” of Wichita to be the “wrong side of the river”, Delano offered saloons and other diversions catering to the weary trail-riders and cowhands.

Today, Delano is freshly restored with western architecture and antique style, featuring independently owned shops and dining. In the tradition of its famous past, Delano retail includes Hatman Jacks with over 100 brands of hats and custom tailoring seen in productions such as Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and The Quick and the Dead, as well as other Kansas storefronts and dining such as Delano Barbeque Company.

Museums and attractions – all near the major hotels – include the Indian Center Museum, the Prairie Garden at Botanica Wichita Gardens, and Sheplers Western Wear, the world’s largest western store. Shopping choices abound with eclectic shops, antique stores, and open-air shopping centers.

Nighttime entertainment fills the air with theater performances, live music, dancing, and a dine-while-you-watch movie theater. More than 1,000 restaurants pepper Wichita, representing all types of cuisine.

Wichita has exciting developments on the drawing board: Wild West World, a $26-million dollar family entertainment theme park is the first major theme park in Kansas and the first “all Western” theme amusement park of its kind in the world; Wichita WaterWalk, a $130-million retail and entertainment district; and the Sedgwick County Arena will be a first class multi-purpose entertainment venue.

Wichita River Festival is a 9-day festival with 70 events with a variety of activities from sports, concerts, children's activities, national traveling exhibits, and fireworks along the Arkansas River. Or you can celebrate Kansas's rich aviation heritage with top air show performers at the Wichita Flight Festival.

There are many hotel options in the downtown area of Wichita, from affordable to luxurious hotels. The Four Points by Sheraton is one of the 14 hotels located within a few minutes of the airport.

WICHITA HOTELS

Photo courtesy Greater Wichita CVB

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