7 cities with museum exhibitions worth the drive from Wichita this summer

With a good portion of summer remaining, you might be looking for a road trip. Consider one of these temporary exhibitions at regional destinations listed alphabetically below. There’s an epic retrospective of Edith Head’s Oscar-winning catalog of costumes at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, a chance to see Disneyland Park Employee Badge #1, issued to Walt Disney in 1955, at Kansas City’s Union Station, along with a variety of other art, history, science and culture exhibits.

Abilene, Kansas

“Cold War: Soviets, Spies, and Secrets,” through March 2025, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum: Originally curated by the Nixon Presidential Foundation and Library, this interactive exhibition takes visitors into the intriguing world of espionage, nuclear tensions and political complexities. Experience bomb shelters and air raid drills, and see artifacts compiled together for the first time. Admission ranges from $10 to $20 and the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday. Learn more at eisenhowerlibrary.gov.

Alma, Kansas

“Hong Chun Zhang: Hair of the Dragon,” July 13-Sept. 22, The Volland Store: The Chinese born and Lawrence, Kansas-based visual artist showcases fine style Chinese ink paintings on Italian fabric, charcoal work and installation in this exhibition that melds her affinities for environment and Chinese identity. A 90-foot-long artwork using local materials, including hay bales and painted textiles, titled “Prairie Dragon” will be on display outside the gallery on Volland’s grounds. An opening reception with the artist is scheduled for July 13 as well as a celebration of Chinese music, history and dance on Sept. 21. The gallery is open Friday-Sunday; no admission is charged though donations are accepted.

Ahead of this exhibition, you can catch the final days of “The Nature Conservancy Kansas Photography Contest Winners” on display through June 30 as well as June 28-29 performances of “Writing Wabaunsee County,” a series of plays written and performed by Wabaunsee County residents in The Ruin, Volland’s outdoor venue. Play tickets range from $15 to $25; get details at thevollandstore.com.

Atchison, Kansas

“Wings of Innovation: Women Breaking Barriers in Aerospace,” through Aug. 4, Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum: Opened in 2023 to honor Amelia Earhart’s aviation legacy and house the last remaining Lockheed Electra 10-E, this museum is hosting a temporary exhibit sponsored by Boeing. See artifacts from the North American Aviation plant in Kansas City and learn more about women working as riveters building B-25 bombers during WWII. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday. This exhibition is included in admission, ranging from $8 to $15. Kansas Tourism’s Sunflower Summer program offering Kansans with school-aged children free admission at nearly 220 attractions across the state through Aug. 11 includes the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum. Find details at sunflowersummer.org.

Bentonville, Arkansas

“The Portal: An Art Experience by Jewel” through July 28 and “Exquisite Creatures” through July 29, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art: The inaugural museum venture by four-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Jewel explores the intersection of music, mental health, technology and art. The experience includes a drone show choreographed and set to an original score by the artist, a never-before-seen painting and sculpture by the musician and a meditative art walk. The Portal runs Thursday through Sunday most weeks, with tickets costing $20 for adults, $12 for ages 11-18 and free for ages 10 and younger.

Artist and naturalist Christopher Marley’s “Exquisite Creatures” features three-dimensional works made with more than 400 animal, mineral and plant specimens he reclaimed after the creatures died of natural or incidental purposes. The real-life specimens are arranged in specific geometric compositions. Crystal Bridges is open Wednesday through Monday, and general admission is free. Access to this exhibition requires a $12 ticket. Find information at crystalbridges.org.

Kansas City, Missouri

“Disney100: The Exhibition,” through Nov. 30, Union Station: The Walt Disney Archives collaborated on this special exhibition celebrating 100 years since Walt Disney moved from Kansas City to Los Angeles to the start what would become The Walt Disney Company. The centennial collection comprises 250 artifacts across 10 galleries with storytelling themes, such as Your Disney World and The Magic of Sound and Music. See seldom viewed relics, works of art, iconic props and costumes. It is open daily inside Union Station’s 20,000-square-foot Bank of America Gallery. Admission ranges from $18.50 to $25 and can be purchased at unionstation.org,

Other Kansas City area exhibitions to consider: “Niki de Saint Phalle: Rebellion and Joy,” through July 21, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art; “UPSET! Harry Truman and the 1948 Election” through Feb. 1, 2025, Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum in Independence, Mo.

Manhattan, Kansas

“Amazing Butterflies,” through Sept. 8, Flint Hills Discovery Center: This interactive maze exhibit lets all ages explore the challenges butterflies face every day while learning about the mysterious lifecycle from caterpillar to butterfly and how to establish a habitat at home to attract butterflies. The center is open Tuesday through Sunday; admission ranges from $5-$10. Get details at flinthillsdiscovery.org.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

“Edith Head: Hollywood’s Costume Designer,” June 22 through Sept. 29, Oklahoma City Museum of Art: See iconic designs from the height of Edith Head’s career as the most awarded female Oscar winner, during this 100th anniversary of her career. The exhibition, organized by the OKCMOA, covers art, history and pop culture while displaying some 70 costumes worn by Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Ginger Rogers, among many other stars from Hollywood’s Golden Age. It is considered the largest and most comprehensive Head exhibit in the U.S., with designs ranging from formal gowns, musical performance costumes, daywear and historical costumes. There are also sketches and two screening areas showing Head’s life and work. Date-specific tickets are required and available at okcmoa.com. Adults are $19.95, seniors $17.95 and ages 17 and younger are free. OKCMOA is open Wednesday through Sunday.

Other OKC exhibitions to consider: “Time Slip,” through Sept. 30, Factory Obscura; “Find Your West” immersive, projection-mapped exhibit, ongoing, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum