Located in the south-central part of Kansas, Wichita is fairly far from some of the state’s other bigger cities, but it has plenty of amenities you would expect of a midsized metropolitan area. Within town, you’ll find world-class museums, tranquil gardens, and unique architecture. With help from this Wichita itinerary, you’ll be able to plan an RV trip and take in the major attractions.
With the cost of almost everything going up, it makes good financial sense to rent an RV for your adventure. Save on hotels and pricey restaurants aimed at tourists, because with your vehicle, you have both accommodations and, should you decide to cook in, dining covered. Along with this comes the freedom of traveling based on your own whims and schedule.
Search RV rentals in the Wichita area.
Preparing for Your Wichita RV Trip
Motorized RVs include Class A, B, and C, with the A being the largest and the B the smallest; the C is the in-between size. RVs that you tow with your own personal vehicle are the trailers; options include fifth-wheels and teardrop trailers. No matter your preference, it’s smart to do your homework and research what’s available so you can find the perfect RV for your requirements and that has all the amenities you need.
If you need assistance with renting an RV, these guides can help:
• Learn Step by Step How to Rent an RV
• Tips on How and Where to Park an RV
• What Happens After the RV Booking?
Once you have your RV reservation secured, look into finding the right campground. In Wichita, the RV parks come with all sorts of amenities, like 30/50-amp hookups, playgrounds, showers, Wi-Fi, community areas, clubhouses, and back-in and pull-through spots. Some of the campgrounds in Wichita to consider include K&R RV Park, USI RV Park, and Wellington KOA Holiday.
Find other campground options in our comprehensive list of top-rated campgrounds in Wichita.
Day 1: Great Outdoor Activities
Morning: See the Keeper of the Plains
Snap some photos and walk the park grounds that hold the Keeper of the Plains, one of the city’s most well-known landmarks. The sculpture sits in the city’s downtown, at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers. At night, take in the Ring of Fire ritual where the fire drums around the statue light up and stay lit for 15 minutes. Access to both the sculpture and plaza is free.
Lunch: One of the City’s Best Burger Joints
After spending time with the Keeper, drive or walk over to Ty’s Diner, serving good American-style diner food. Their burgers are their claim to fame; try the mushroom Swiss or the jalapeno cheeseburger, with a side of hand-peeled fries and a Dr. Pepper.
Afternoon: Wichita’s Botanical Gardens
Spend a leisurely afternoon at Botanica, The Wichita Gardens. Within its 17 acres, see the Shakespeare Garden, the Woodland Walk, the Cissy Wise Wildflower Meadow, and the Garden on the Rocks. Step inside the Butterfly House to see the nearly 400 butterflies, and relax by the Koi Pond Pavilion.
Setting Up Camp
It’s time to check in at your preferred campground, so drive over and stop and see the host. You’ll then need to find your spot and park and attach any hookups. If you’re worried about doing all this, see if the RV’s owner can help. Check with them as you make your reservation and see if they can deliver their RV to you.
Dinner: Live Music at A & J’s
While you can cook dinner in your RV, if you feel like going out and splurging a bit, head to A & J’s Music Room. The menu includes pizza, seafood, and steaks along with wine, beer, cocktails, and happy hour drinks. A & J’s also features live music and karaoke, so hop up on stage and belt out a few tunes if you get up the nerve (or after a drink or two).
Day 2: All About Art
Morning: Wichita Art Museum
After a quick breakfast in your RV, explore the collection at the Wichita Art Museum. Pieces represent mostly American art, but exhibits throughout the year showcase photography and pop art, among other genres. Take a walk through the outdoor Art Garden to view the perennials, shrubs, trees, and sculptures. The museum stays open until 9:00 p.m. on Friday nights and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Lunch: Mexican Food Midtown
Lunch today is at Molino’s Cuisine Midtown. Share a plate of bacon-wrapped jalapenos, and then order some gorditas with your choice of filling or the pork carnitas in flour tortillas. Save room for cheesecake bites for dessert.
Afternoon: More Art at the Ulrich
Admission is free at the Ulrich Museum of Art on the Wichita State University campus. Make a reservation for a tour of the gallery or the Outdoor Sculpture Collection. Displaying modern and contemporary art, the Ulrich has 7,000 pieces in its collection.
Evening: Catch a Show at the Orpheum
The Orpheum Theatre is where you can see classic films, comedians, talks, and holiday shows. Staff members also offer tours of the theatre where you can learn more about its history and architecture.
Day 3 and Beyond in Wichita
If you think you need more than two days in Wichita, then by all means add a third day to your trip.
• Take the kids to the Wichita Toy Train Museum to see the expansive layouts that include Old West and European themes as well as multi-level O-gauge and S-gauge layouts.
• At the Sedgwick County Zoo, see elephants, lions, giraffes, monkeys, rhinos, and more in the Asia, Africa, and Australia sections. Get up close to various animals at Wild Encounters, and hop aboard the Safari Express for a trip around the property.
• Head up to the control tower for 360-degree views and head outdoors to see a Learjet, a B-47, a Boeing 747, and a Cessna U206 at the Kansas Aviation Museum.
Autumn Activities
Stop by Wichita in the fall for ICT Bloktoberfest for beer, food trucks, carnival games, and the Wiener Dog Olympics. At the Tallgrass Film Festival held in October, see short and feature-length independent films from various national, regional, and international filmmakers.
Indoor Activities
The Museum of World Treasures has interesting exhibits on everything from natural history, military history, world civilizations, and American history. Take a tour inside Frank Lloyd Wright’s Allen House to see a great example of the famed architect’s prairie style of design.
From its interesting museums and nightlife to its many outdoor attractions and parks, Wichita is well worth exploring whether it’s two days, three days, or more. Reserve your RV rental today in preparation for your Wichita itinerary.
