Sedgwick: Wildlife, Nature and Wichita’s History

Sedgwick County Zoo is home to 3,000 individual animals representing nearly 400 species. Attractions include the Martha C. Buford Safari Express train ride across the entire zoo grounds, giraffe feedings at the Giraffe Feeding Station, and the Conservation Cruise boat ride. The train and boat offer different ways to explore the grounds, while the feeding station focuses on a close-up animal encounter.

Parks and Trails

Lake Afton Park in Sedgwick County covers 720 acres. Northeast Sedgwick County Park spans approximately 650 acres of grassland and wooded areas. In Wichita, Pawnee Prairie Park has more than 400 acres of natural parkland. It has hiking trails for pedestrians and the Plumlee Trail for horseback riding. Compacted concrete paths head toward Air Capital Park and Prairie Sunset Trail. An open butterfly garden is enclosed by a split-rail fence.

The acreage figures offer a comparison of park sizes, while the description of grassland and wooded areas identifies the distinctive landscape of Northeast Sedgwick County Park. Pawnee Prairie combines natural parkland with trails for different uses: the hiking trails are for pedestrians, and the Plumlee Trail is for horseback riding. The compacted concrete paths mentioned lead toward two other named destinations. This makes it possible to distinguish the park information by acreage, landscape and trail use, without presenting them as a single destination.

Wichita’s History and Architecture

Wichita was a major cowtown in the 1870s and was once also known as the “Air Capital of the World.” Its aviation history includes the Travel Air Manufacturing Company, founded in Wichita by Clyde Cessna, Lloyd Stearman, Walter Beech and Olive Ann Mellor Beech. These distinct historical connections—cattle trading and aviation—give the city more than one story to tell.

The former Administration Building became the Kansas Aviation Museum in 1991. As a building, it was nominated for its Art Deco architecture and its contribution to the transportation history of the United States. The Henry J. Allen House is the only residence in Kansas designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The 800 West Douglas Historic District is one of the few surviving reminders of Delano’s once-vibrant business district. The former Wichita High School is also worth a look for its architectural history: William B. Ittner designed the building, which was constructed in the Collegiate Gothic style in 1910–1911. It is no longer used as a school.

Museums and Notable Places

Wichita’s Keeper of the Plains stands at the confluence of the Big Arkansas River and the Little Arkansas River. Its fire burns for 15 minutes each evening; weather and safety conditions may interrupt the operation. If you’re planning your visit around the fire, check the city’s current notices beforehand. The Wichita Art Museum offers guided and self-guided tours. Since booking details can change, it’s a good idea to check the latest information in advance.

Exploration Place offers permanent interactive science exhibits. Activities include riveting an airplane wing, flinging buffalo dung, exploring a miniature version of 1950s Kansas, conquering a medieval castle and sitting in a giant meadowlark nest. The Great Plains Nature Center in Wichita is one of three organizations with the shared goal of providing the public with recreation, nature interpretation and environmental education.

Plan your stay around the places that matter to your specific itinerary.

More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Wichita, Derby, Eastborough, Haysville, Park, Goddard, Peck, Kiowa County.

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