Memorial Day Weekend Adventure: Wichita Wonders and Off-Road Thrills
Over Memorial Day weekend, we decided to pack up the Jeep and head south to Wichita, Kansas for a little mix of history, culture, and adventure. With the Kansas Air Museum, Wichita Art Museum, and a stretch of the Flint Hills Jeep route on our agenda, it turned out to be the perfect balance of exploration and fun.
✈️ Kansas Aviation Museum: A Step Back in Time
Our first stop was the Kansas Aviation Museum, located in the historic Wichita Municipal Airport terminal. This place is a gem for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike. The museum showcases a wide range of aircraft, from massive bombers to sleek jets, and even lets you step inside some of them.
One of the most memorable exhibits was a small prop plane once used to transport caskets. What made it truly special was the story behind it—the pilot requested that upon his death, the plane be displayed with a casket in the back as a tribute to those he’d flown. It was a sobering, touching moment that reminded us how personal history can be.
🎨 Wichita Art Museum: A Quick Dose of Culture
Next, we made a quick detour to the Wichita Art Museum. Although our time there was short, we made the most of it, soaking in a variety of artworks ranging from classic to contemporary. The museum’s atmosphere is calm and inspiring—perfect for a reflective stroll after the aviation excitement.
☕ Dutch Bros & Dirty Roads: Let the Off-Roading Begin
With our brains full of culture and history, it was time to fill our bellies. We grabbed lunch and some drinks (coffee for the girls, of course!) at Dutch Bros before setting out on the southern portion of the Flint Hills Jeep route, which runs between Emporia and Wichita.
The trail begins paved but quickly turns into rugged, low-maintenance gravel roads—and eventually mud. Perfect Jeep terrain. Along the way, we passed wild cows, wide open skies, and rolling hills that made us question if we were still in Kansas or had somehow wandered into the American West.
The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, and the trail gave us just the right amount of challenge without going overboard. If you’ve got a 4x4 and a love for off-roading, the Flint Hills routes are a must-do. We’re already planning a return trip to explore the rest.
Final Thoughts
Memorial Day weekend gave us the perfect excuse to explore a new corner of Kansas, and Wichita didn’t disappoint. From vintage planes and fine art to muddy backroads and wide-open skies, this trip had a little bit of everything. If you're looking for a weekend adventure that’s off the beaten path but full of character, load up your Jeep and hit the road—Wichita and the Flint Hills are waiting.