Whitewater KansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Whitewater, Kansas.
1. Grace Hill Winery
PREMIUM KANSAS WINE EXPERIENCE
Grace Hill Winery offers the finest winery experience in the Wichita area with wine tastings in their indoor facility. Visitors can enjoy live music, public events, and food to snack on while sampling delicious wines suited for any palate. The winery serves as both a premium wine producer and an event venue, making it a must-visit destination in Whitewater.
2. Prairie Rose Chuckwagon Supper
OLD WEST DINING EXPERIENCE
Prairie Rose Chuckwagon Supper provides an authentic Old West dining experience for visitors to Whitewater. Guests can enjoy traditional cowboy-style meals served in a rustic setting that transports them back to frontier days. The experience often includes western entertainment to complement the hearty food, making for a memorable evening out.
3. Whitewater River Trail
SCENIC WATER RECREATION
The Whitewater River offers a beautiful natural setting for outdoor recreation along its 35-mile course through southern Kansas. Visitors can enjoy kayaking, fishing, or simply taking in the scenery along this historic waterway that flows from Marion County to Butler County. The river has historical significance, once being home to James R. Mead's ranch and trading post in the 1860s near present-day Towanda.
4. Towanda Historical Museum
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
Towanda Historical Museum preserves the rich history of the area near Whitewater, including artifacts from the James R. Mead trading post era. The museum showcases local heritage through photographs, documents, and items that tell the story of settlement and development in the region. Visitors can learn about the Nineteenth Kansas Cavalry and other historical events that shaped the community.
5. El Dorado State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
El Dorado State Park offers extensive outdoor activities near Whitewater on the shores of El Dorado Reservoir. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, boating, and wildlife watching across the park's 4,000 acres of land and 8,000 acres of water. The park features multiple campgrounds, beaches, and trails that make it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts throughout the year.
6. Augusta Historic Theatre
CLASSIC CINEMA EXPERIENCE
Augusta Historic Theatre stands as a beautifully preserved 1935 Art Deco movie palace near Whitewater. The theatre continues to show films while maintaining its vintage charm and architectural details that transport visitors to Hollywood's golden age. Beyond movies, the venue hosts live performances and special events that serve the cultural needs of the surrounding communities.
7. Walnut River Brewing Company
CRAFT BEER DESTINATION
Walnut River Brewing Company creates handcrafted beers in a friendly taproom setting not far from Whitewater. Visitors can sample a rotating selection of craft brews made with local ingredients and innovative brewing techniques. The brewery often features food trucks, live music, and special events that make it a social hub for beer enthusiasts in the region.
8. Burns Community Museum
SMALL TOWN HERITAGE
Burns Community Museum showcases the history and culture of this small town near the headwaters of Whitewater Creek. The museum houses collections of agricultural implements, household items, and photographs documenting life in rural Kansas through the decades. Visitors appreciate the authentic glimpse into prairie life and the preservation of local stories that might otherwise be lost to time.
9. Cassoday Cafe
FAMOUS PRAIRIE COOKING
Cassoday Cafe serves hearty, homestyle meals that have made it a destination for travelers and locals in the Flint Hills region near Whitewater. The cafe is particularly known for its breakfast offerings and homemade pies that draw motorcycle enthusiasts and road trippers from miles around. Its reputation as the 'Prairie Chicken Capital' adds to the charm of this unassuming eatery that captures the essence of rural Kansas dining.
10. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
NATIVE GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve protects one of the last remaining expanses of tallgrass prairie in North America, accessible within driving distance from Whitewater. Visitors can explore nearly 11,000 acres of prairie ecosystem through hiking trails that showcase native grasses that can grow up to six feet tall. The preserve includes historical buildings like the 1881 Spring Hill Ranch House and offers ranger-led programs that interpret both the natural and cultural history of the Flint Hills.
11. Keeper of the Plains
ICONIC WICHITA LANDMARK
Keeper of the Plains stands as a 44-foot tall steel sculpture at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers, representing a regional cultural attraction near Whitewater. The surrounding plaza features interpretive displays about Plains Indian life and culture, creating an educational experience. Each evening at sunset, the Ring of Fire ceremony ignites firepots around the base of the sculpture, creating a dramatic display that draws visitors from throughout the region.
12. Botanica Wichita
LUSH GARDEN OASIS
Botanica Wichita encompasses 18 acres of stunning gardens featuring more than 4,000 species of plants arranged in themed collections. Visitors can wander through spaces like the Butterfly Garden, Children's Garden, and Woodland Walk while enjoying seasonal displays and educational exhibits. The gardens host special events throughout the year, including the popular Illuminations holiday light display that transforms the space into a winter wonderland.
13. Exploration Place
INTERACTIVE SCIENCE CENTER
Exploration Place offers hands-on science exhibits and interactive learning experiences in a striking architectural setting along the Arkansas River. The science center features permanent galleries focused on flight, Kansas geography, medieval life, and health, along with traveling exhibitions that bring world-class content to the region. Families particularly enjoy the extensive children's play areas and the dome theater that presents immersive educational films.
14. Wichita Art Museum
PREMIER ART COLLECTION
Wichita Art Museum houses the largest collection of American art in Kansas with over 8,000 works spanning from the 19th century to contemporary pieces. The museum's glass collection is particularly notable, featuring works by Dale Chihuly and other renowned artists in a dedicated gallery. Visitors can also enjoy the Art Garden, which extends the artistic experience outdoors with sculptures set among beautiful landscaping along the Arkansas River.
15. Old Cowtown Museum
LIVING HISTORY EXPERIENCE
Old Cowtown Museum recreates life in Wichita during the 1870s with more than 50 historic and reconstructed buildings spread across 23 acres. Costumed interpreters demonstrate period crafts, trades, and daily activities while engaging visitors with stories of frontier life. The immersive experience includes a working farm, business district, residential area, and special events like gunfight reenactments that bring the Wild West era vividly to life.