5 Easy Day Trips You Can Take From Wichita, My Favorite Included

With nearly 400,000 residents, Wichita is the most populous city in the state of Kansas. While there are so many wonderful things to do in and around the city, sometimes an escape is necessary. The best thing is, you don't have to travel far to enjoy a day trip from Wichita.

I have chosen five wonderfully easy day trip destinations from Wichita, and included my favorite. Here they are:

1. Sedgwick County Zoo

A zoo is always an easy place to take kids if you have kids. However, it's also an enjoyable experience for the whole family! The AZA-accredited Sedgwick County Zoo is located within Wichita, an easy day-trip destination no matter where you live in the city. This top-rated attraction in Kansas is home to more than 3,000 animals and 400 distinct species, and offers attractions like boat rides, a miniature train, and animal encounters.

2. Lindsborg

As someone who loves Europe and will take a trans-Atlantic flight any chance I get, a town like Lindsborg is perfect for those times I can't get away. Located just an hour from Wichita, Lindsborg is a small town founded by Swedish immigrants in the 1860s. Throughout the town are Swedish flags, Dala horses, Swedish restaurants, and other attractions that will make you feel as though you're actually in Sweden, a country I fell in love with when I visited. That being said, Lindsborg is certainly my favorite day trip destination on this list!

3. Mushroom Rock State Park

Only 90 minutes from Wichita, the smallest state park in Kansas is also the most unique. With its diminutive size of only 5 acres, Mushroom Rock State Park is a natural wonderland of curious mushroom-shaped rock formations. Whether you want to walk through its otherworldly landscape or take photos, this state park is a perfect day trip destination for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.

4. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

A 75-minute drive from Wichita will take you to the rolling prairie landscapes of Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. The preserve is free to visit and has 11,000 wide-open acres to explore. In addition to the prairies, there are historic buildings and bison throughout the landscape. If you have a dog, the preserve has several pet-friendly hiking trails to enjoy.

5. Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area

If you really want to experience slow travel for a day, I suggest spending time hiking and fishing at Geary State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area, located 90 minutes north of Wichita. You can cast a line in the park's deep lake and wait for crappie, catfish, bluegill, saugeye, or black bass to bite. Or, perhaps, you'd enjoy hiking on the Geary Falls Trail with the kids. Camping within the park is also an option if you want to turn your visit to this wildlife area into a weekend getaway instead. Spending time in nature is a wonderful way to escape city life.

Have you enjoyed one of the above day trips from Wichita yet? Plan your own trip using Only In Your State's itinerary planner!