As you gear up to celebrate aviation excellence at the National Aviation Hall of Fame’s 2025 Enshrinement, taking place Sept. 18-19 at the B-29 Doc Hanger, Education and Visitors Center, why not make plans to explore some of Wichita's best attractions? The city honors aircraft heritage, space exploration, scientific discovery, Old West history and so much more.
Because of Wichita’s rich aviation history, Visit Wichita encourages event attendees to plan additional days in the Air Capital of the World to discover the city’s many landmarks, attractions and restaurants that celebrate flight.
Within 15-minute drive from host hotel, Hyatt Regency Wichita
Kansas Aviation Museum
Step into one of Wichita’s true aviation jewels, the Kansas Aviation Museum. Housed in a beautifully restored Art‑Deco former airport terminal near McConnell Air Force Base, this museum brings aviation history to life. Discover aircraft like the 1927 Swallow and 1931 Stearman Model 4D. Don’t miss the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame, docent‑led ramp tours and intriguing exhibits such as Women of Aviation and Rip Gooch Black Aviators.
Exploration Place
Nestled beside the Arkansas River in downtown Wichita, Exploration Place connects science, engineering and flight through hands-on exhibits like Design, Build, Fly, where you can experiment with aerodynamics and aircraft design. Its interactive displays and dome theater bring the principles behind aviation to life. Plus, its striking riverside architecture, designed by Moshe Safdie, and city views make it a great spot to appreciate the wide Kansas skies that inspired Wichita’s aviation legacy. If you’re traveling to Wichita with your family, look for the Textron Aviation Flight Adventure, an immersive outdoor experience expected to debut in late 2025.
B-29 Doc Hangar, Education and Visitors Center
Continue your journey through history by making a visit to B-29 Doc Hanger, Education and Visitors Center to get an up close look at one of only two airworthy Boeing B-29 Superfortess aircraft left in the world, Doc. The resorted warbird attracts visitors to the permanent hangar who are eagle to learn about the history of aviation engineering and design.
For a truly unforgettable experience, schedule ahead and purchase a ticket to ride along in this historic aircraft. When not at home in the hangar, Doc and its crew take to the skies to make fly-in appearances at air shows. Make sure to check to see if Doc is in the hangar prior to your arrival here.
Museum of World Treasures
The Museum of World Treasures offers fascinating context for the eras that shaped flight, from ancient civilizations that dreamed of the skies to military history exhibits featuring wartime artifacts and aviation-related relics. It’s a chance to see how flight fits into the bigger human story of exploration, innovation and conflict. Plus, it’s right in the heart of Wichita’s Old Town District, so it pairs easily with a variety of local restaurants.
Keeper of the Plains
Wichita is known as the Air Capital of the World, but its aviation legacy grew from the same pioneering spirit that shaped the entire region – and the Keeper of the Plains is a powerful symbol of that. The 44-foot steel sculpture, created by Native American artist Blackbear Bosin in 1974, stands where the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers meet. Nearby is the Mid-America All-Indian Museum, and the Keeper Plaza and its surrounding bridges give sweeping views of downtown Wichita, the Arkansas River and incredible sunsets. Each evening, the “Ring of Fire” torches are lit around the base of the Keeper. It’s dramatic, symbolic and makes for stunning photos.
Old Cowtown Museum
Experience 1800s frontier life with guided tours and costumed interpreters at Old Cowtown Museum. It shows what Wichita was like before it became the Air Capital of the World – a frontier cattle town where pioneering, risk-taking and big dreams took root. Cowtown is one of six Museums on the River, all nestled within a five-mile stretch along the Arkansas River downtown. To round out your Old West experience, swing by Hatman Jack’s, which is located in the heart of the historic Delano District.
Within 1 hour drive from host hotel
Cosmosphere (Hutchinson, Kansas)
If you have a free morning or afternoon to explore, make the drive to visit the Cosmosphere International Science Education Center & Space Museum. It is a Smithsonian-affiliated wonder boasting the largest collection of Russian space artifacts outside Moscow and the second-largest U.S. collection after the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Be awe-struck by actual flown capsules like Liberty Bell 7 and Apollo 13, plus a replica of the Space Shuttle "Endeavour" and an SR‑71 overhead.
Aviation-themed dining
For aviation enthusiasts, there is no place better to enjoy a meal than Stearman Field Bar & Grill. The open-air patio draws a crowd excited to watch the traffic of the private airport while dining on menu times such as Pilot’s Fried Pickles or the Flyover Philly Cheesesteak.
It’s not every day that you get to taste a delicious meal and have a cocktail with aviation artwork as the backdrop, unless you’re dining at 6S Steakhouse. The memorable dining room gives honors the city’s heritage with aviation-inspired decor. For those looking to experience fine dining on the city’s east side, the Scotch & Sirloin impresses with its world-class interior featuring aviation references.
Want to unwind from a long day? Settle in at Flight 1868 and sip creative aviation‑themed cocktails while lounging in real American Airlines seats. It's the perfect pre‑dinner or late-night destination, offering both indoor aviation decor and a cozy outdoor patio.
In Closing
As Wichitans, we’re proud of our aviation history and the many places around the city that preserve it. We are proud to host this year’s National Aviation Hall of Fame's 2025 Enshrinement, and we hope you enjoy exploring the Air Capital of the World.
Mark your calendar for the 2026 Frontiers in Flight Open House & Air Show, set for Oct. 17-18, 2026 at McConnell Air Force Base. And find even more inspiration with Visit Wichita’s guide for celebrating National Aviation Day in the Air Capital of the World.
