The year 2022 ushered in multiple attractions, restaurants and venues 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.
Hotels
New in 2022
Wichita’s Hotel at Old Town saw major renovations in 2022 to include the addition of its new private event space, The Alcove, which offers seating for up to 20 and dining for up to 32. Its bar has been rebranded as the 1906 Bar + Atrium and is the ideal space for cocktail receptions for groups up to 200. The new Hampton Inn in Goddard, built to support the new Blast Off Bay Waterpark just west of Wichita, offers family-friendly appeal.
In the Works
The Broadway Plaza AC Marriott, located in the historic Broadway Plaza in downtown Wichita, is slated to open in 2023. The 11-story hotel is expected to have 118 rooms, a ground-floor bar and a covered entryway for valet parking.
Event Venues
New in 2022
Wichita saw the opening of three new event venues in 2022 to fit any budget and gathering size. Seasons Venue, at O.J. Watson Park, is an all-inclusive, affordable facility featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning, rustic park views. On the city’s eastside in The Waterfront is The Winslet, a luxurious and versatile event space offering multiple indoor areas and a beautiful outdoor patio. The new SkyLounge, established in the historic Delano District, provides 2,300 square feet of space to accommodate up to 150 guests.
In the works
Coming in 2023 is the National Institute of Culinary and Hospitality Education (NICHE), Wichita State University’s new downtown culinary school. NICHE will offer multiple features including a culinary theater, restaurant, and rooftop event space with an indoor and outdoor component.
Museums and Attractions
New in 2022
Meeting delegates will find plenty to do in their time outside of their conference while they discover Wichita’s latest attractions and museums. Sedgwick County Zoo debuted its new Stingray Cove, open annually from April to October, and the new electric train which transports visitors 1.3 miles around the zoo’s perimeter. Northeast Wichita welcomed Topgolf when it opened its doors in December 2022 at Wichita’s shopping and dining district Greenwich Place. Adults and kids alike will find fun taking in its nine-hole miniature golf course, full-service restaurant and bar, private event rooms and more. Opening its doors in summer 2022, the Wichita Baseball Museum at Riverfront Stadium features trivia and historical artifacts showcasing Wichita’s rich baseball history.
In the Works
The Wichita area will welcome its first indoor waterpark, Blast Off Bay, in the suburb of Goddard in 2023. The waterpark will include water slides, an arcade, swim up bar, surf machine and more. Also slated to open at the beginning of the new year is The Sandbox, a 65,000 square-foot complex with indoor volleyball, cornhole and pickleball in Derby, just 10 minutes south of town. Also in development are a new theater and three new exhibits at Kansas Aviation Museum and a new outdoor riverfront park outside of Exploration Place. The Kansas African American Museum is scheduled to move into a new home in downtown Wichita, providing twice as much space for programming, exhibition and research compared to the museum’s current locale.
Restaurants, Breweries and Shops
New in 2022
Wichita’s distinguished restaurant scene got a boost with the upscale small plate concept restaurant Doma, locally sourced eatery First Mile Kitchen and Station 8 BBQ, which serves slow-crafted barbecue in a 1920s firehouse. Graze Craze Charcuterie Boards and Boxes expanded the catering scene, offering specialized charcuterie style grazing boxes and boards for those looking to entertain. After hours fun can be found at White Crow Cider Company, which expanded into a new space near the Douglas Design District, or at the all-new Tor Brewing, located just steps away from INTRUST Bank Arena.
Visitors can enjoy new team-building and entertaining options made available in 2022. Attendees can take out some office aggression at Let’s Smash, exercise their green thumbs building a terrarium at Grow Giesen Plant Shop/Botanic or snap the perfect selfies in themed booths at The Selfie Spot.
In The Works
Towne East Square will not only see multi-million-dollar interior and exterior renovations in 2023, but it will also be home to sporting goods giant Scheels, a 222,000-square-foot store and entertainment attraction with a spring 2023 opening date.
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 largest city. In the meantime, gather more meeting planning inspiration and assistance.
