There’s a rich aviation story woven into the Heart of the Country, which is why Wichita proudly celebrates National Aviation Day every August 19 – and claims its well-earned title as the Air Capital of the World all year long.
Whether you’re a lifelong plane buff or just curious about flight, Wichita is the perfect place to discover how aviation put the city on the map. Spend some time exploring fascinating museums, memorials, restaurants and one-of-a-kind local landmarks that celebrate Wichita’s soaring spirit. Whether you’re here for a quick visit or an extended stay, you’ll find endless ways to experience how aviation shaped Wichita’s past and continues to inspire its future.
Why is Wichita the Air Capital of the World?
With a boom of commercial aviation manufacturing in the city during World War II, the city’s population increased dramatically thanks to an influx of jobs at Boeing. Wichita continues to be an economic driver of aviation manufacturing. When you visit the city, you’re likely to meet someone who works in the aircraft industry or who loves aviation.
Iconic aviation brands Beechcraft, Cessna and Stearman were born in Wichita; and modern-day Airbus Americas, Bombardier, Spirit Aerosystems and Textron Aviation now design and manufacture aircraft and aircraft parts in this city.
Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT)
Traveling to or from Wichita? Not only does Wichita’s Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport serve six airlines – Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta, Southwest and United – but travelers can also find a lounge and gallery devoted to aviation history on Level 2 of the airport. It’s a great place to view elements highlighting the city’s impact on the industry. Additionally, the airport has been voted as a Top 10 Best Small Airport in USA Today’s national Reader’s Choice poll in 2020, 2023 and 2024.
If arriving via general aviation at Colonel James Jabara Airport, give yourself a few minutes to tour their visitor’s lounge. The walls are covered with historic photos that pay homage to the war hero and Wichita High School North graduate for which the airport is named.
Journey Through History
The Kansas Aviation Museum takes aviation history to new heights. Housed in the city’s first municipal airport, the museum honors the legacy of air travel by showcasing Kansas aviation history with a special focus on Wichita’s influence. You can expect to see a fascinating collection of restored aircraft and aviation artifacts, including a 1920 Laird Swallow (the first production aircraft built in Wichita!), a 1945 Beech Bonanza B-35, a Cessna T-37B, and a Model 73 Stearman. The museum’s outdoor “ramp” area is home to retired aircraft that visitors can admire up close.
Kids will love the museum’s hands-on activities, including a dedicated children’s play area and interactive exhibits where they can climb into cockpits and pretend to be pilots. For history buffs, the museum offers guided tours full of fascinating stories. Be sure to take in the stunning 360-degree views of the city from the historic airport tower and listen in on live air traffic control for a truly immersive aviation experience.
Continue your journey through history by making a visit to B-29 Doc Hanger, Education and Visitors Center to get an up close look at one of only two airworthy Boeing B-29 Superfortess aircraft left in the world, Doc. The restored warbird attracts visitors to the permanent hangar who are eagle to learn about the history of aviation engineering and design. Volunteers, referred to as Doc’s Friends, spent over 40,000 hours restoring her to pristine condition. They are often on-site to answer questions. When not at home in the hangar, Doc and its crew take to the skies to make fly-in appearances at air shows. For a truly unforgettable experience, visitors can even purchase a ticket to ride along in this historic aircraft. Make sure to check Doc’s schedule to see if it is in the hangar prior to your arrival.
To fully appreciate the advancement of Wichita’s aviation industry, you should visit the Mid-America All-Indian Museum. From 1930-1940, Chilocco Indian School provided Native American students a trade, which often included aircraft mechanics and parts manufacturing. Many of these students went on to work for local aircraft companies.
Hands-on aviation adventure
If you’re in search of a hands-on learning experience, then Exploration Place is where you should land. The award-winning Design Build Fly exhibit takes visitors behind the scenes of Wichita’s aircraft plants. Run a rivet gun. Prove your paper airplane skills. Step inside a jet’s cockpit. Designed with input from local aerospace leaders and sponsored by entities like NASA, Spirit AeroSystems, Textron and Boeing, this immersive experience celebrates Wichita’s aviation legacy.
Opening in fall 2025, the Textron Aviation Flight Adventure will be an immersive outdoor experience spanning 6.5 acres and featuring 10 themed playscape areas, with Aviation Play Grove as the centerpiece. Kids can climb a dramatic Beechcraft Staggerwing biplane sculpture perched atop a towering control tower or explore inside a life-size Cessna Citation business jet – complete with climbing structures, slides and even a functioning cockpit replica.
Memorials to visit
Piatt Memorial Park is a poignant and quietly powerful tribute to the tragic KC‑135 crash that devastated the Piatt Street neighborhood on January 16, 1965. Nestled within a park, the memorial features a striking black granite sculpture shaped like an aircraft, engraved with the names of the 30 lives lost – seven Air Force personnel and 23 civilians.
One Wichita aviator who deserves credit is Erwin Bleckley, the city’s forgotten Medal of Honor hero. In 1918, his mission was to deliver supplies to the Lost Battalion while his DH-4 took on enemy fire. The brave pilot will be honored by the BAM Foundation with a memorial at Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport to recognize his inspirational WWI efforts.
Honor the Wichita State University football players, administrators and supporters who lost their lives in a plane crash in 1970 at the History of Memorial 70. It is a place of remembrance on the WSU campus and is open to visitors year-round.
Murals and public art
Keep your eyes peeled for airplanes! Much of Wichita’s street art references the city’s love of flying. The mural located west of the Garvey Center displays a massive aircraft, Rosie the Riveter is the star of the Moler’s Camera mural, the Wright Brothers are honored on the exterior of Hutton at 111 N. Sycamore and “Fly In For Fun” at 1824 E. Douglas celebrates flight. Plan a self-guided mural tour here. While downtown, stop by Naftzger Park to take your picture in front of an actual airplane wing on display.
Aviation-themed dining
For aviation enthusiasts, there is no place better to enjoy a meal than Stearman Field Bar & Grill. The open-air patio draws a crowd excited to watch the traffic of the private airport while dining on menu times such as Pilot’s Fried Pickles or the Flyover Philly Cheesesteak. Sit back, relax and enjoy the Happy Hour drink specials as bi-planes and Cessnas take off and land.
It’s not every day that you get to taste a delicious meal and have a cocktail with aviation artwork as the backdrop, unless you’re dining at 6S Steakhouse. The memorable dining room gives honors the city’s heritage with aviation-inspired decor. For those looking to experience fine dining on the city’s east side, the Scotch & Sirloin impresses with its world-class interior featuring aviation references.
Want to unwind from a long day? Settle in at Flight 1868 and sip creative aviation‑themed cocktails while lounging in real American Airlines seats. It’s the perfect pre‑dinner or late-night destination, offering both indoor aviation decor and a cozy outdoor patio.
Shopping and stays
The gift shop at the Kansas Aviation Museum stocks an ever-growing collection of aviation-themed gifts. While not strictly aviation-specific, outlets at Wichita’s airport sell souvenir items – including aviation-themed keychains, pins and Wichita-themed gifts – convenient for last-minute gifts. Aviator’s Attic at Yingling Aviation is a terrific spot to shop for pilot perfect gifts. Not only does the store carry clothing and home décor for airplane lovers, but they also sell sunglasses, clothing and more.
When you’re ready to call it a day and retreat to your hotel, even lodging options in Wichita reflect the city’s love for aviation. Impressive artwork donning aircraft can be found at the Homewood Suites by Hilton @ The Waterfront in east Wichita and the Wingate by Wyndham Wichita Airport. The third floor of Hotel at Old Town is dedicated to Wichita’s aviation legacy, featuring museum-quality displays, historic photographs and curated art sourced from local aviation companies and museums. DoubleTree by Hilton Airport features a Control Tower Suite and the Ambassador Hotel Wichita subtly integrates aviation artwork and design touches throughout the property.
As Wichitans, we’re proud of our aviation history and the many places around the city that preserve it. Enjoy exploring in the Air Capital of the World!
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
