Wichita, Kansas

Wichita, the Air Capital, is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas, as well as a major aircraft manufacturing hub and cultural center. It is located in South Central Kansas, and is the county seat of Sedgwick County{{GR|6}}. As of the 2003 Census, the city had a total population of 360,715. The Wichita Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) which encompasses Sedgwick, Butler, Harvey, and Sumner counties has a 2003 population of 582,781 persons residing in 245,159 households.

Culture

The City of Wichita is home to Botanica, The Wichita Gardens (http://www.botanica.org) which boasts 24 themed gardens including the popular Butterfly Garden and the award-winning Sally Stone Sensory Garden. Sedgwick County Extension Arboretum is also located in the city.

Related Topics:
Botanica, The Wichita Gardens - Sedgwick County Extension Arboretum

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Wichita is also home to the Wichita River Festival, held each May in the Downtown and Old Town areas of the city. It is one of the longest continuous running festivals in the state of Kansas and features over 70 events, including musical entertainment, sporting events, traveling exhibits, cultural and historical activities, plays, interactive children's events, a flea market, river events, a parade, block party, food court, fireworks and souvenirs for the roughly 160,000 patrons who attend each year.

Related Topics:
Flea market - Fireworks - Souvenirs

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Other major attractions of the city include the Sedgwick County Zoo, home to more than 2,500 animals of nearly 500 different species; the Old Cowtown Museum; McConnell Air Force Base; Exploration Place, a science and discovery center for all ages; the Old Town historical and entertainment district; the Mid-America All-Indian Center and Museum; and the Wichita Art Museum.

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Other museums and attractions around the city:

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• Kansas African-American Museum - Wichita
• Kansas Aviation Museum - Wichita
• Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center - Hutchinson
• Kansas Firefighters Museum, Wichita
• Kansas Oil Museum, El Dorado
• Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Wichita
• Kauffman Museum, Bethel College, North Newton
• McPherson Museum Historic Vaniman Mansion, McPherson
• Old Cowtown Museum, Wichita
• Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University
• Reno County Museum & Kansas Underground Salt Museum, Hutchinson
• Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, Wichita
• Great Plains Nature Center, Wichita
• Museum of World Treasures, Wichita
• Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Wichita
• Crown Uptown Professional Dinner Theatre, Wichita
• Gallery XII, Wichita
• Campbell Castle, Wichita
• Kansas Wildlife Exhibit @ Riverside Park, Wichita
• The Bank Of America Gallery, Wichita
• Great Plains Transportation Museum, Wichita
• Wichita Center for the Arts, Wichita
• Karg Art Glass, Wichita
• Flank Lloyd Wright Allen Lambe House, Wichita
• Mid-America All-Indian Center and Keeper Of The Plains statue, Wichita
• Wichita Jazz Festival, Wichita
• Prarie Rose Chuckwagon Supper, Benton
• Coleman Factory Outlet Store and Museum, Wichita