The Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita, Kansas is truly a way to experience the past in a unique and entertaining manner. The museum is designed to be more than just a monument to the past. Through hands-on experiences, historically accurate buildings, costumed interpreters, historic reenactments, and educational elements, visitors can get a real feel for what life was like during the Cowtown Era of the 1860s and 1870s.
The museum is more than just a collection of buildings, and visitors can spend several hours or an 
entire day within the museum grounds on the self-guided tour. The unstructured nature of the tour makes it possible for families and visitors to take their time and enjoy the museum at whatever pace they desire. It is the perfect way for families to relax on their vacation in the beautiful city of Wichita.
The Cowtown Museum also has a collection of animals to make the experience more realistic for visitors. The animals include sows and piglets, Percheron horses, Longhorn steers, cows, chickens and a retired cavalry horse. The horses are used to farm the fields and give stagecoach and wagon rides. Children and adults alike enjoy interacting with these animals when they visit the museum.
There are many different areas to the museum. Some of the sections include the Old West Cowtown, the hunters and traders area, an 1870s era residential street, a cowboy camp and a family farm. Visitors can wander around and learn about this fascinating piece of the past. When they want to take a small break, visitors can try a sarsaparilla, ice cream float or a piece of beef jerky in the saloon as you watch a gunfight and amble along a dusty street.
While spending time at the Old Cowtown Museum, visitors should take time to dine at the Chuckwagon Café, which is open every day and offers a wide range of western fare. The café has everything from sandwiches to potato salad, and the specialty of the house is the Longhorn Chili. This tasty chili is made from authentic Longhorn beef and rich spices that were used in chili made by Kansas cowboys. Visitors can also shop at the museum store which has many books, collectibles, jewelry, toys and many other things to purchase. All of the items reflect a western flair and are ideal for souvenirs and gifts.
The Old Cowtown Museum is open every day from April 1 to October 31. It is located at 1871 Sim Park Drive in Wichita. The hours are Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On Sundays the museum is open from noon to 5:00 p.m. Admission prices are $7.75 for adults, $6.50 for seniors, $6.00 for youth ages 12-17, children 4-11 $5.50, and admission for children under four is free. The museum has special rates for groups and school tours as well.
Relive A Bit of Cowtown History – Wichita Kansas