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When you're on the lookout for somewhere in Wichita, Kansas to spend a nice day with the kids, we have some suggestions. Enjoy the best family day filled with adventures at one of these fun and educational places. Museum of World Treasures What do you call a fascinating venue filled with ancient treasures from around the world? The Museum of World Treasures, of course. Touting a diverse collection of unique objects from military history to dinosaur bones and Egyptian mummies, the museum offers a glimpse into ancient civilizations long turned to dust. more Join museum staff on the first Thursday of the month from 5 to 7 p.m. for family night. For just $5, everyone 5 and older gets to meet a variety of dinosaurs, including Ivan, a 38-foot skeletal model of a Tyrannosaurus rex. Fun activities and projects add even more delight to the experience. Located at the Wichita Public Schools, the mission of the Museum of World Treasures is to inspire, entertain, and educate visitors. It's truly a wonderful way to spend the day with family, and it's open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Botanica — Community Gardens of Wichita Open year-round, Botanica — Community Gardens of Wichita is a terrific way to get the whole family outdoors. A center for horticulture, it now encompasses 30 separate gardens over 17 lush acres. Each unique area offers sculptures, streams, fountains, and waterfalls, in addition to more than 4,000 plant species that change over the seasons. There's also a library, as well as the Beverly R. Blue Teaching Garden dedicated to raising awareness. The Downing Children's Garden opened in 2011 and offers more than an acre of child-themed activities. The jewel of the children's garden, a beautiful carousel donated by Joyland Amusement Park, is a must-ride. Enter monster woods if you dare, explore the tree house and pond, and then have a seat in the enchanted glen for story time. Sedgwick County Zoo What family doesn't love a wild adventure at the zoo? Sedgwick County Zoo is home to 400 species of animals and 3,000 individuals grouped geographically based on their natural habitats, from Asia to Africa, from elephants to tigers. Learn more about the apes that reside at the zoo with a keeper chat at 3:30 p.m. every day or get eye to eye with a giraffe and feed him some veggies. Embark on a behind-the-scenes encounter your little ones will never forget, such as at the Cessna Penguin Cove. Get inside the enclosure and venture out into the habitat to meet the animals. Recognized for its successful breeding program of rare and endangered species, Sedgwick County Zoo recently announced the birth of orangutan Lily, who was delivered via C-section on Sep. 7. Grab the kids and enjoy the best family day in Wichita. With a visit to the Museum of World Treasures, botanical gardens, and zoo, it's sure to be an exciting excursion for all your family members. Image via Flickr by CrankyPK

Winter is upon us, and that means it's time to enjoy some of the best indoor and outdoor recreation opportunities Kansas has to offer. We've put together this short list of some of our favorite winter getaways to help you get started this holiday season. 1. Visit Lawrence Check out this town in northeastern Kansas on Dec. 1 and 2 this year to participate in its annual Winter Wonder Weekend. There are several events scheduled for 2018, including a Festival of Trees at Liberty Hall, a Gala Auction Party, an old-fashioned Christmas buffet dinner, and a gingerbread festival. more Naturally, the star of the show is the 26th Annual Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade. You'll get to see authentic horse-drawn carriages decked out in full holiday regalia and pulled by some of the most beautiful horses in the state. There are also lots of shopping and dining opportunities in the area. Best of all, Lawrence is just a little over two hours from Wichita, making it an easy trip. 2. Journey to Manhattan Also about two hours from Wichita is the city of Manhattan, Kansas. This is a great place to be during the winter season. The nearby Konza Prairie and Flint Hills offer spectacular landscapes; rolling, pastoral farmland blanketed in fresh snow greets the eye everywhere you turn. You can also check out the Flint Hills Discovery Center to learn about this environment. We recommend seeking solace from the cold with a warm cup of coffee at the nearby Radina's Coffeehouse and Roastery. Alternatively, if you'd rather be out and about, try ice skating at Wefald Center in City Park. 3. Stay at the Great Wolf Lodge Stay at this posh lodge right in Kansas City, Kansas, which is about two hours and 45 minutes from Wichita. The tastefully decorated rooms make for a great retreat from harsh winter weather. You can check out any number of nearby attractions while you're here, but you might not want to leave the premises when you see the amazing Christmas decorations. There are fully lit Christmas trees right in the lobby, and snowflakes hang from the ceiling and sparkle in the warm glow of the fireplace. Best of all, the Great Wolf Lodge has an expansive indoor water park that will make you forget all about the cold weather. 4. Seek Respite at the Cedar Crest Lodge Book a room at the Cedar Crest Lodge and enjoy a view of rural Pleasanton, Kansas, which is just under three hours from Wichita. Spring for the Country Meadow room if you want the utmost in luxury. This suite features a king-size bed, refrigerator, DVD player, and two-person corner soaking tub. If you're staying during a particularly cold winter, you'll really appreciate the heated floors and towel warmer. No matter which room you choose, this charming bed and breakfast lodge is a great place to enjoy the views of more than 100 acres of walking trails, trees, and ponds. Whether you're looking for an open-ended destination that will allow you to shop, dine, and have fun at your leisure or an all-inclusive lodge experience, there are plenty of great choices in the state of Kansas. Any of these four winter getaways will make this a season to remember. Image via Flickr by thigpen.robert