Wichita Population 2010: 382,368, #49 in U.S., #1 in Kansas 1950: 168,279, #58 in U.S. 2010
Metropolitan Area: 623,061, #84 in U.S. 1950 Metropolitan Area: 222,290, #87 in U.S. Setting Wichita was incorporated in 1870 along the Arkansas River. Today, the city has a bicycle trail along the Arkansas River and parks on the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers. Buildings Tallest building: Epic Center (1989), 320 feet List of tallest buildings Stores Wichita
has no downtown department stores. Oldtown is an area of brick warehouses that have been converted into shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Trains Amtrak has no service to Wichita. Union Station (1913) is currently unoccupied. Museums The Wichita Historical Museum and Museum of World Treasures are downtown. The Wichita Art Museum and Mid-America All-Indian Center are across the Arkansas River from downtown. |  Downtown Wichita and Arkansas River (Photo by Hugh Mason) Theaters The Oldtown Warren Theater Grille is a five-screen first-run theater. The Orpheum Theater (1922) is an old movie palace that now has concerts, plays, and a film series. The Century II Concert Hall (1969) hosts the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Wichita Grand Opera, and touring Broadway shows. Sports The
Wichita Wingnuts of the independent American Association play at
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium (1934, renovated 2001). The Wichita Thunder of the Central Hockey League play at Intrust Bank Arena (2010). |