Fun things to do in Wichita

Museum of World Treasures
(info from AAA TourBook) A variety of exhibits contains pieces from forty collectors. The Hall of the Ancients has 3,000 year-old mummies, rare bones and fossils from prehistoric animals, including a Triceratops skull. Among the museum's 10 dinosaurs is a Tyrannosaur Albertosaurus skeleton. Crown Royal jewels dating from 1200 can be seen in the Hall of Royalty, which depicts the grandeur of European monarchs. The Hall of America presents an extensive collection of weapons and uniforms from the Revolutionary War through the Vietnam War, while the Karpeles Historic Manuscript Library features historic letters and documents. Other exhibits contain frontier-era, music, sports and celebrity memorabilia.

Jamie & Shelby stand by an actual piece of the Berlin Wall


This museum had scavenger hunts for the kids to complete with questions about exhibits from the entire museum. They had different age levels so Jamie's was different from Shelby's. One of the things on Jamie's scavenger hunt was to rub the laughing budda's belly...something that everyone should do anyway.


Shelby working on an answer to a question about Egypt on her scavenger hunt.


They had a kid's play area with costumes and props. Shelby was the queen and Jamie was a knight.

When the kids completed their scavenger hunts, they received souvenir shark teeth.

After the Museum of World Treasures, we dropped mom off at an antique mall and Bill, Jamie, Shelby and I went to The Exploration Place.

The Exploration Place
(info from AAA TourBook) Has hands on exhibits exploring flight, Kansas and imagination. Exploring Flight and Design traces aviation history since the Wright brothers' historic 1903 accomplishment. Exploring Our Only Home looks at the state's geography, beginning with it's prehistoric days. A miniature display about mid-1900's Kansas architecture and exhibits about tornadoes and meteorology are other highlights. A three-story castle in the Kids Explore area sparks the imagination of children.

We all had a great time at the Exploration Place. There were lots of hands-on exhibits and geared to kids and adults. We watched "Chirpie's Amazing World Adventure" in the Cyberdome Theater.


Jamie soaring over the dunes & shorelines of Kitty Hawk, N.C. on the horizontal flight simulator.


Shelby using the full-motion flight simulator to try and land a plane.


Leaf rubbing


and more leaf rubbing


playing and exploring in the three story castle


The castle was fun, they even had costumes for the kids to dress up. The interior of the castle was a series of mazes. There was also an insect and reptile exhibit that I thought was neat, everyone else rushed through it so either they weren't impressed or they were tired and hungry. Actually we were all tired and hungry.


Shelby, Jamie & Bill stopped to play with these building sticks while I went to the gift shop to scope out items that would be in the kids' price range for souvenirs. We bought souvenirs and went back to pick up mom at the antique mall. We ate a late lunch/early dinner at Granite City Food and Brewery. We were so hungry and the food was yummy. We were disappointed, though, that they didn't have fresh brewed root beer.


After eating, we headed back to the hotel and the swimming pool. The water felt so good!

We went to Jan & Leon's house after swimming to help them light fireworks. They hadn't been able to light them until now because they, too, had received lots of rain. Shelby & Jamie had a great time with the fireworks!! Oh yeah...we ate ice cream and watermelon. We'll be back through Wichita towards the end of our trip and will actually stay at Jan & Leon's house. It's so fun to connect with old friends!