Important update from the Kansas Turnpike Authority for out-of-town students

What do Wichita State students do outside of class? Where can visitors and guests stay in Wichita? Here is a list of attractions, restaurants, and resources to help you plan your trip to Wichita. We encourage you to check these attractions out in advance of your visit for any adjusted hours or services.

Attractions

Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes: On-campus bowling alley and billiards. Grab some snacks and relax in the Rhatigan Student Center.

All Star Adventures: All Star Adventures offers an arcade with over 100 games, a two-lane miniature bowling alley, indoor bumper cars, two 18-hole miniature golf courses, three go-kart tracks, seven kiddie rides and nine adult carnival rides.

All Star Sports: Incredible arcades, bumper-boats, a driving range, two-lane miniature bowling alley, Laser Tag, two miniature golf courses, a climbing wall and two go-kart tracks!

Botanica Gardens: Nine acres of stunning landscape and gardens that features more than 4,000 species of plants and 26 themed display gardens.

Bradley Fair: An outdoor shopping center that is located just a hop and a skip away from campus. Do some shopping, grab a bite to eat and listen to live music.

Century II Theater: This theater offers Broadway musicals, dance, and more!

Crown Uptown Theater: Experience dinner and a show with Broadway-style performances and exquisite dining.

Intrust Bank Arena: Not only does the arena host the Shocker’s men’s basketball team once a year, but it is also home to the Wichita Thunder, Wichita’s hockey team. Intrust also hosts a variety of artists and other acts.

Keeper of the Plains: The Keeper of the Plains is a 74-foot tall steel sculpture standing at the point where the Big and Little Arkansas rivers join together in downtown Wichita. This land between the two rivers is sacred ground to the Native American people and is also home to the All-American Indian Center. You can see the “Ring of Fire” ignite every night at sundown.

Museum of World Treasures: Experience treasures from around the world and through the ages at one of Wichita’s top-rated attractions.

Mosley Street Melodrama: A downtown dinner theater that is sure to be entertaining.

The Alley Bowling and Billiards: A great place for bowling and food, located in east Wichita.

Old Cowtown Museum: Located on 25 acres off the Chisholm Trail, Old Cowtown Museum is a living history museum which re-creates Wichita and Sedgwick County, Kansas from 1865 to 1880.

Old Town: Downtown Wichita has everything from shopping, restaurants, theaters, nightlife, Final Friday art galleries, farmers markets and more.

Sedgwick County Historical Museum: A place to understand and explore the rich
historical and cultural heritage of Wichita and Sedgwick County Kansas.

Sedgwick County Zoo: Gorillas, penguins and tigers inspire more than 500,000 guests
annually. The zoo is open 364 days a year and is located in west Wichita.

Tanganyika Wildlife Park: Walk among the kangaroos, hand-feed the giraffes and rhinos
and play with baby lemurs. You don't just observe animals at Tanganyika, you interact
with them.

Movie Theaters: A common thing for WSU students to do is to see movies. There are several places to see the latest flicks. Don’t forget about $5 movie nights at the Regal Warren Old Town, and $5 movie nights at AMC theaters!

Wichita Art Museum: As the largest art museum in the state of Kansas, the Wichita Art
Museum is home to a nationally renowned collection of American art. Also, did we mention it's free on Saturdays?

Food

Applebee’s: Yes, everyone has an Applebee’s in their hometown, but who can say no to half-priced apps?

Bella Luna: Some of the tastiest Mediterranean food around, Bella Luna has two locations in Wichita, including one on the east side.

Carlos O’Kelleys: A great place for some tasty Mexican food.

Cocoa Dolce: The place with the best chocolate and hot coco that you will ever find.

Donut Whole: This is probably one of the first place that new students will hear about. The Donut Whole is open late and has everything from bacon to Tutti Frutti donuts. It is also a great place to study, listen to live music and just relax.

Emps (Emperors Japanese Grill): If you like fried rice, then this is the place to go!

Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers: Freddy’s is open late and has tasty steak burgers and frozen custard treats. Get a late-night dinner on the cheap!

Fuzzy's Taco Shop: Newly added to our campus (as of Fall 2019), promising to be an instant staple at WSU!

Headshots: A great bar and grill that offers all kinds of arcade and board games! 

Huhot Mongolian Grill: All-you-can-eat, customizable stir-fry dishes in a casual space.

Il Vicino: Thin crust pizza, tasty salads, bread, pasta, desserts and more! This restaurant is located in Bradley Fair at 21st and Rock.

Jason’s Deli: Sandwiches, soups, salads, plus all you can eat ice cream!

Knolla’s Pizza: Pizza! You will definitely hear WSU students raving about this family-owned pizza place. Knolla’s has three located in Wichita, and they deliver!

Lalo’s: Need some late night Mexican food? You aren’t alone. This is a very popular place for WSU students who are hungry and on a budget.

Newport Grill: Some of the freshest seafood you will get in Wichita. This is more of an upscale restaurant that is great for some of those fancy date nights.

Nifty Nut House: Your inner child will scream at this warehouse of gourmet candy and nuts.

Old Mill Tasty Shop: Sandwiches, ice-cream treats and more in an old-fashioned, family-run parlor that opened in 1932.

Pho Hien: Best pho in town! (according to our very own TM's)

Redrock Canyon Grill: Polished but laid-back grill with a Southwestern-focusedAmerican menu. Another popular place for date nights.

Riverside Café: Quaint and delicious, here you will find some of the best breakfast food and home-style meals in Wichita.

Sente's: A cute coffee shop downtown with gourmet coffee and fun board games.

Slushy Hut: It is only open in the summer, but man is it good. Try the Godzilla!

Stroud’s: A very popular place in the Wichita community and famous for their fried chicken (P.S. they claim to choke their own chickens).

Additional resources