The year 2025 ushered in new hotels and experiences to Wichita and the new year promises even more exciting developments. Here are just a few new and upcoming amenities to look forward to when planning your next meeting in Wichita, the Heart of the Country.

The AC Marriott Downtown hotel is photographed from the street on a sunny dayThe Broadway Plaza AC Marriott 

New hotels open for business

The Broadway Plaza AC Marriott opened at the corner of Douglas and Broadway in downtown Wichita. The 11-story hotel, built in conjunction with the Kansas Health Science Center – Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, has nearly 120 rooms, a bar and covered entryway for valet parking. The hotel is conveniently located just blocks from the Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center, Wichita’s INTRUST Bank Arena and many restaurants and museums.

A dually branded Homewood Suites and Hilton Garden Inn near Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport also opened its doors. The 140-plus room hotel features an indoor pool, restaurant and bar, convention center and more.

Be sure to check out more of Wichita's esteemed hotels, including the Ambassador Hotel Wichita, named the best in Wichita and #2 in Kansas by U.S. News & World Report in 2025. 

People gather on the turf at the Wichita Foundation Amphitheater at Exploration Place in downtown WichitaThe Wichita Foundation Amphitheater at Exploration Place

New attractions and experiences for 2026

Exploration Place is expanding beyond a family attraction into a high-impact riverfront venue that meeting planners should have on their radar. Opening March 13, 2026, the new Adventure Playscape adds more than six acres of immersive outdoor space — ideal for attendee downtime, hosted receptions or family-friendly conference extensions.

Why it matters for meetings:

  • Ten themed zones designed for multiple ages and abilities, making it an inclusive add-on for conferences with families or extended stays

  • Eye-catching features like a climb-through giant bison, water-play areas and treetop climbers that create natural networking and social spaces

  • Part of the broader EP2 riverfront transformation, which includes an on-site amphitheater activated with movies and a free, multi-year outdoor music series beginning in 2026

Two signature elements make the experience distinctly Wichita: the Textron Aviation Flight Adventure, an aviation-themed, accessible playground celebrating the Air Capital, and the Junior League of Wichita Water Play Cascades, a hands-on water feature ideal for warm-weather events.

If you’re planning a Wichita meeting in 2026 or beyond, this expansion adds a built-in offsite experience perfect for downtime or team building that enhances attendee satisfaction without leaving the downtown core.

Tanganyika Otters

Just outside Wichita, Tanganyika Wildlife Park, which came in as the #3 Best Animal Encounter on Newsweek's 2025 list, offers memorable, small-group animal encounters that work perfectly as an offside activity for meetings and incentive programs. Their newest addition is already a standout: a guided swim-with-otters experience.

This 45-minute, keeper-led encounter places guests in shallow water with playful Asian small-clawed otters while animal care staff share insights into training, conservation and animal care. With limited group sizes and built-in supervision, it feels exclusive, personal and safe—ideal for VIP attendees or team-building moments.

Tanganyika also offers a full menu of add-ons, including feeding giraffes and lemurs, swimming with penguins and walk-through habitats—making it easy to build a customized wildlife-focused outing.

Planner tip: These encounters have limited availability and book quickly, so advance planning is key, especially for peak travel periods or incentive groups.

With all these exciting additions to the Wichita area, our team is eager to help you as you plan your next meeting in the state’s most exciting city. In the meantime, gather more meeting planning inspiration and assistance.