6-Acre Playscape Elevates Wichita’s Quality of Life and Visitor Appeal

Wichita got a little more playful in March with the opening of the Adventure Playscape at Exploration Place (EP), a new addition to the city’s riverfront and a big win for families, residents and visitors.

Spanning more than six acres, the Adventure Playscape is a one-of-a-kind experience designed to spark imagination, encourage exploration and bring people together.

The playscape features 10 themed zones inspired by what makes Wichita special, from aviation elements honoring the city’s legacy as the Air Capital of the World to interactive water features, prairie landscapes, climbing structures, and inclusive spaces for younger children.

Located along the Arkansas River, the playscape builds on an already dynamic destination that includes EP’s nationally recognized science and discovery center and a 1,500-seat outdoor amphitheater.

Together, these amenities continue to strengthen Wichita’s appeal as a place worth visiting. EP leaders estimate the expanded campus could draw more than 1 million visitors each year.

The Adventure Playscape joins a growing list of unique experiences across the region, including:

• Botanica, The Wichita Gardens: A beautifully curated botanical garden with themed gardens, seasonal exhibits and peaceful spaces.

• Keeper of the Plains: An iconic public art installation honoring Indigenous heritage at the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers.

• Old Cowtown Museum: A living history museum that brings 19th-century frontier Wichita to life.

• Sedgwick County Zoo: One of the nation’s top-rated zoos featuring hundreds of species.

• Tanganyika Wildlife Park: An immersive wildlife experience offering up-close encounters with exotic animals and safari adventures.