Located on the west side of the Arkansas River in Wichita, Kansas's Delano neighborhood, Exploration Place is a dynamic science museum set in a striking 100,000-square-foot facility designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie. Resting on a 20-acre property featuring an Island Building framed by the river and a reflecting pond, this venue offers an incredible variety of hands-on discovery. When you visit, admission grants full access to interactive exhibits, live science shows in the Kemper Creative Learning Studio, laser shows, and digital films in the largest dome theater in Kansas, which features a 60-foot high screen.
You can explore Wichita's aviation history in Design, Build, Fly by riveting a wing or testing landing gear, step back in time at Kansas in Miniature, or let young kids explore the three-story castle in Where Kids Rule. You can also catch live shows, wander Kansas-focused displays, and view temporary traveling exhibits. Outdoors, you can take in views of The Keeper of the Plains from the Wichita Foundation Amphitheater.
Whether you are shopping for fair-trade items at the Explore Store or diving into interactive STEM play, it is a captivating destination for visitors of all ages.
What to see at Exploration Place
- Discover local aircraft manufacturing in the award-winning Design, Build, Fly exhibit
- Watch digital movies in the largest dome theater in Kansas featuring a 60-foot screen
- Explore a three-story medieval castle packed with STEM exhibits in Where Kids Rule
- See early-1950s state landmarks brought to life in Kansas in Miniature
- Take in views toward The Keeper of the Plains from the outdoor amphitheater
Visiting tips
You can access the Explore Store and catch a show at the Dome Theater without purchasing general museum admission.
How long: 2-4 hours · Best time: Thursday evenings
How to get there & what’s nearby
Exploration Place is easy to reach on Wichita’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Sedgwick County Zoo and Wichita Art Museum. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Wichita travel guide.
See the full Wichita travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.