Day 1:
Enjoy the seasonal HG Tarts at HomeGrown Wichita. Then, start your family holiday adventure by finding Santa at Fulton Valley Farms’ A Country Christmas and the Old-Fashioned Christmas at Prairie Pines Christmas Tree Farm. Add a stop at Chicken N Pickle to fuel up on food the whole family will love and enjoy their Ice Rink to play, skate and relax by the fire pits. End the day at Illuminations at Botanica Wichita, where more than 2 million lights transform the gardens into a glowing winter wonderland.
Illuminations at Botanica Wichita
Day 2:
The next day, head downtown for lunch at Old Mill Tasty Shop, a Wichita tradition since 1932, and walk to the Somewhere in Winter Festival, a brand-new celebration where families can skate together under the Kansas sky, snack on seasonal treats and shop the local artisan market. Take a ride on Watson’s Christmas Express at O.J. Watson Park – complete with Santa sightings, cocoa and train rides that naturally create “just one more picture” moments. End your trip with a self-guided driving tour of Wichita’s best neighborhood light displays, a free way to have fun that’s sure to become a family tradition.
Pro tip: Parking and getting around Wichita is easy. Most attractions offer online, timed entry. Kid-friendly pricing keeps the smiles coming.
Ice Rink at Chicken N Pickle
Book experiences in advance:
- A Country Christmas at Fulton Valley Farms advance tickets – adults, $15; kids 3 and under are free
- Old-Fashioned Christmas at Prairie Pines – see Santa’s schedule
- Chicken N Pickle Ice Rink waiver
- Botanica’s Illuminations timed entry and advance tickets – adults, $19; kids 3-12, $12; kids 2 and under are free
- Somewhere in Winter Festival skating tickets – $10
- Watson’s Christmas Express VIP packages secure date/time of your choice; general admission available from 5-6:30 p.m.
- Wichita neighborhood light displays interactive map
Plan your stay:
- Homewood Suites by Hilton at The Waterfront – Spacious suites, complimentary breakfast and family-friendly amenities; located closer to Chicken N Pickle and Fulton Valley Farms.
- Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview Wichita – Indoor pool, free hot breakfast and easy access to many holiday attractions and restaurants: a short hop to Botanica’s Illuminations, Somewhere in Winter Festival, family-friendly dining and still a quick drive to Chicken N Pickle and neighborhood light tours.
- Hilton Garden Inn Downtown – Indoor pool that jets out over Douglas Avenue downtown (they’ll be talking about that for a while!), value-smart and also located near many of the itinerary recommendations.
From spacious suites to convenient amenities and locations, Wichita provide more hotel options to choose from.
