Once a frontier cattle town, Wichita sits in the centre of America’s Heartland, a cluster of landlocked states with fascinating rural heritage. Wichita is the self-proclaimed “Air Capital of the World” and is home to aviation giants like Boeing and Cessna. Wichita also boasts industrial architecture, colourful museums and the trendy Douglas Design District neighbourhood.

Things to do

Wichita is anchored by the characterful Old Town district. Its historic brick warehouses date back to the mid-1800s and now house a mix of trendy cafes, upmarket restaurants and independent galleries. You’ll also find a handful of cultural attractions, including the Great Plains Transportation Museum, which boasts five full-size locomotives and a historic steam engine.

For a glimpse at Wichita’s “Wild West” days, don’t miss the Old Cowtown Museum. The open-air museum is a firm family favourite, with pioneer-era buildings, staged gunfights and friendly guides in cowboy costumes.

From artisan bakeries to designer boutiques, the Douglas Design District is Wichita’s most stylish neighbourhood. It spans along the city’s historic corridor and features almost five kilometres of shopping, dining and entertainment.

Travelling with the kids? Exploration Place is one of America’s top children’s museums. It’s packed with interactive exhibits, including a windswept tornado chamber where you can get face to face with 125-kilometre-per-hour winds.

Getting around

Wichita features a network of local buses and free trolleys in the downtown area. You can also take advantage of a local bike share system, with stations dotted across the city. Neighbourhoods like Old Town and the Douglas Design District are easily navigated on foot. Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is 12 kilometres away, with taxis making the trip in around 15 minutes.