Botanica, The Wichita Gardens

The Family Fun Series is sponsored by
TJ Lawson with Insurance Solutions of South Central Kansas
As a local Independent Insurance Agent, TJ seeks to find the best deal for clients by providing great coverage at highly competitive rates specializing in auto, home, business, and life insurance. For more, you can also check out his Facebook or Instagram page

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For the ongoing family fun series, I decided to take a stroll through the Wichita Gardens known as Botanica. Botanica was opened to the public in May 1987 to generate enthusiasm for horticulture and enlighten people through educational, artistic, and cultural experiences. If I’m speaking candidly, I’m not really into the horticulture scene or have much knowledge of it. But that also doesn’t mean I can’t take in a different experience and enjoy it.

My visit to Botanica was for two primary reasons.

The first was because of their Big Bugs exhibit which featured 12 animatronic insects installed throughout Botanica’s 20-acres. My daughter was fascinated with them. As soon as one was in view, she’d run as fast as she could towards them and yell, “BUGGIEEEEESSSS!”. It was the cutest thing and worth the price of admission.

As part of the Big Bugs exhibit, they also had a Bug Buffet on Saturdays. Eating insects is called entomophagy and this was my chance to partake. Botanica guests could get adventurous and try insects infused with healthy insect powder.

I ate some crickets and worms and didn’t mind any of them. The crickets were actually quite tasty with a nice crunchy texture.

The second part was the Carousel which was the exact one restored from Joyland. My daughter thought it looked so cool from a distance. The ride cost $3 for a token and that part was also exciting for her to hold one.

Sitting on the horse was another story and caused a near mental breakdown.

Her favorite parts of Botanica were the play area that had a ton of hula hoops and balls on a grassy area…

…and a big hill topped with astroturf that kids were sliding down. She probably slid down this thing at least twenty times.

All in all though, we had a lot of fun together on our daddy-daughter date to Botanica. So much fun that she threw the biggest fit when it was time to leave. #FunTimes.

Botanica Place is located at 701 Amidon St. To learn more about them, visit their webpage or Facebook page.

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Have something fun to do in Wichita that would be worth us coming out to write about? Let us know simply by e-mailing us with your information. We are always open to suggestions.