Is Wichita Safe to Visit?
Yes. Millions of people visit Wichita each year and spend time in Downtown, Old Town, Historic Delano, the Riverwalk corridor and Wichita's nationally-recognized attractions such as the Sedgwick County Zoo and Botanica Wichita. Like any city, visitors should use expected travel awareness, but the areas most travelers experience are well-maintained destinations designed for tourism, entertainment and recreation.
Understanding crime statistics
Citywide crime statistics often combine residential neighborhoods, commercial districts and industrial areas into a single dataset.
Those numbers do not reflect the experience most visitors have while exploring Wichita's tourism districts.
Visitors typically spend their time in:
- Downtown Wichita
- Old Town
- Historic Delano
- Riverwalk and the Keeper of the Plains
- Douglas Design District and Clifton Square
- Sedgwick County Zoo
- Botanica Wichita
- Exploration Place
- Museums and entertainment districts
These areas, along with entertainment spaces near sports venues, are among Wichita's most frequently visited destinations and regularly host festivals, conventions, sporting events and community celebrations throughout the year.
Wichita welcomes millions of visitors
Approximately 7 million visitors travel to Wichita annually to experience the city's attractions, sporting events, conventions, festivals and restaurants.
Major annual events include:
- Wichita Riverfest
- NBC World Series
- The Basketball Tournament
- National youth sporting championships
- Tallgrass Film Festival
- Somewhere Fest
These events bring visitors from across the United States to Wichita every year.
Tips for a safe visit
As with any destination:
- Stay aware of your surroundings.
- Lock your vehicle.
- Avoid leaving valuables visible.
- Use rideshare or designated transportation after an evening out.
- Follow local guidance during major events.
These are the same recommendations travelers should follow in any city.
Safe, walkable visitor districts
Many of Wichita's most popular visitor areas are easily explored on foot.
Old Town
Restaurants, live music, breweries and nightlife.
Historic Delano
Local shops, restaurants, entertainment and the Arkansas River.
Downtown & Riverwalk
Museums, hotels, convention facilities, the Keeper of the Plains and Exploration Place.
Why visitors choose Wichita
Travelers consistently choose Wichita because it combines nationally recognized attractions with easy navigation, convenient parking and short drive times.
Visitors can reach downtown from Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in approximately 10 minutes and access most major attractions within 20 minutes.
