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Rental OptionsA Venue With A View

Imagine our museum in a different light — the versatile event venue of choice in Wichita, Kansas, for your next company gathering, holiday party, meeting, wedding, reception or charity gala.

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Bethany Wedding (91 Of 109)

Weddings at the Museum

Your wedding rental includes a generous 12-hour event window, giving you the time and flexibility to move through the day at your own pace—from vendor setup and getting ready to your ceremony, reception and a smooth, unrushed exit. The venue comfortably accommodates up to 250 guests and includes private get-ready spaces, tables and chairs set in advance, and access for photos and rehearsal time prior to your big day. On-site support, security and shared parking are provided to ensure everything runs seamlessly, allowing you to focus on celebrating. As a special thank-you, couples also receive a complimentary one-year museum membership.

Sunday through Thursday: $3,500 • Friday or Saturday: $4,000

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Venues & Pricing

Capacity: 250 - 400 WaterWay Hall & Terrace

WaterWay Hall & Terrace

Experience a stunning view of the tranquil Arkansas River as you walk into this breathtaking 3,000-square-foot space. Slate floors, massive windows that provide picturesque views, a simple catering kitchen and an audio system complement this area.

4 Hour Rental

  • Sunday – Thursday: $2,500
  • Friday – Saturday: $3,000

8 Hour Rental

  • Sunday – Thursday: $3,000
  • Friday – Saturday: $3,500

Additional: $400/hour

 

Capacity: 150 - 300 Explorer Room

Explorer Room

The expansive Explorer Room works best for groups that are looking for a classroom setting or a versatile open space.

4 Hour Rental

  • Sunday – Thursday: $1,500
  • Friday – Saturday: $3,000

8 Hour Rental

  • Sunday – Thursday: $2,000
  • Friday – Saturday: $3,000

Additional: $300/hour

Capacity: 1,000 Exhibit Building

Exhibit Building

With the singular backdrop of our dynamic exhibit galleries and scenic river views, your next business gathering will be unforgettable. Network in the more than 35,000 square feet of space

Available for exclusive access only outside of museum hours.

4 Hour Rental

  • Sunday – Thursday: $2,500
  • Friday – Saturday: $3,000

Additional: $400/hour

Capacity: 1,500 Adventure Playscape

Adventure Playscape

Celebrate your event in the brand new, world-class Adventure Playscape. Guests will enjoy 6.5 acres of beautifully landscaped outdoor space, a covered picnic seating area, exclusive access to the play equipment, and the best view of the river in the city.

Available for exclusive access only outside of museum hours.

4 Hour Rental

  • Sunday – Thursday: $3,500
  • Friday – Saturday: $4,500

Additional: $1,000/hour

Additional Guests: $15/person beyond 1,500 included

Capacity: 1,500 Wichita Foundation Amphitheater & Plaza

Wichita Foundation Amphitheater & Plaza

Host your next unforgettable event at our scenic riverside amphitheater and plaza. Perfect for concerts, ceremonies, festivals and community gatherings, this outdoor venue offers a stunning backdrop of the Keeper of the Plains and the Arkansas River.

4 Hour Rental

  • Sunday – Thursday: $2,500
  • Friday – Saturday: $3,000

8 Hour Rental

  • Sunday – Thursday: $3,000
  • Friday – Saturday: $3,500

Additional: $400/hour

Capacity: 35 - 70 Discovery Room

Discovery Room

Ideal for meetings, small luncheons, seminars and workshops. Located in the exhibit building, our classrooms provide a dynamic backdrop for your event or meeting.

Discovery Room A or B

  • Sunday – Thursday: $75/hour
  • Friday – Saturday: $100/hour

Full Discovery Room

  • Sunday – Thursday: $125/hour
  • Friday – Saturday: $175/hour
Capacity: 30 Board Room

Board Room

Ideal for meetings, small luncheons, seminars and workshops, the Board Room offers a more formal setting. The Board Room is equipped with privacy shades, a projector screen and a private kitchenette with a connecting restroom. It’s perfect for serving as a bride’s room.

Board Room

  • Sunday – Thursday: $75/hour
  • Friday – Saturday: $100/hour
Capacity: 15 Conference Room

Conference Room

The conference room works for small meetings, luncheons, seminars and workshops. Our clients have also used our Conference Room as a groom’s prep room or entertainment staging area.

Conference Room

  • Sunday – Thursday: $50/hour
  • Friday – Saturday: $75/hour
Capacity: 187 Dome Theater

Dome Theater

The Dome is the largest theater of its kind in Kansas – boasting a 360-degree view and 60-foot screen. The theater’s 4K projector system and powerful surround sound envelop guests as they take in a film, attend a seminar or even enjoy a wedding!

Dome Theater

  • Sunday – Thursday: $200/hour
  • Friday – Saturday: $250/hour
Capacity: 145 Kemper Theater

Kemper Theater

Plan your next lecture, workshop or presentation in this auditorium that includes audio/visual equipment, a sound system and stage lighting.

Kemper Theater

  • Sunday – Thursday: $200/hour
  • Friday – Saturday: $250/hour
Capacity: 2,500 Full Museum

Full Museum

Reserve the full museum for your event! This includes exclusive access to all exhibits, Adventure Playscape, Dome Theater, Kemper Theater, event halls and more. Perfect for a large event.

Available for exclusive access only outside of museum hours.

4 Hour Rental

  • Sunday – Thursday: $8,500
  • Friday – Saturday: $10,500

Additional: $1,500/hour

Additional Guests: $15/person beyond the included 1,500

Visitor Reviews

“Exploration Place was the perfect location for my daughter’s dream wedding! She was thrilled to say her vows while standing in front of floor-to-ceiling windows in WaterWay Hall. The architecture is lovely all-around, and every photo was made even better by the outdoor view. (And the kids had plenty to look at if their attention span was short.) NBC Nightly News and Inside Edition were there filming the wedding and reception, and the EP team was professional, accommodating and genuinely happy for us. I would give 10 stars if I could!”

Stacey S.

"The entire process was easily organized and my group enjoyed the room that we rented as well as the staff's accommodations to all of our questions and requests. You are all very professional and we very much enjoyed having our event at your building. Thank you for all of your hard work in making it an excellent time for us"

"The Exploration Place is an excellent venue. I am surprised that it is not utilized more. I would recommend it to any group for an unique experience. The logistics and staff are the best to deal with; they take great care of the customer."

Glen Fondaw, Education Chair, American Society for Quality

“Everything turned out just perfect for our event and the event staff went out of their way to accommodate all of our requests. We have already recommended Exploration Place to other brides as a beautiful backdrop for their wedding events and as a venue they will enjoy doing business with."

"It seemed to me that every single staff member went out of their way to be extra helpful throughout the day. I couldn’t possibly be more pleased. Thanks so much to everyone."

Facility Rental FAQs

General Questions
  • How much time is included with my rental?

    Rental times vary depending on space and availability. Pricing, listed above, gives a general idea on 4-hour, 8-hour and hourly options for the various venue spaces.

    All rental times are subject to availability.

  • When can I start to set up?

    Setup times vary based on your event details and the space you’re renting. Contact us to discuss your event timeline, and we’ll help coordinate the best setup options for your needs.

  • What is your food and beverage policy?

    Exploration Place has a list of preferred vendors for catering and bar service. These approved vendors are familiar with our facility, policies and procedures. If your vendor of choice isn’t listed we are accepting applications and encourage them to apply.

  • What is included in a rental?
    • Indoor rentals include tables and chairs, including setup/teardown
    • Security (when alcohol is being served)
    • Ample, free parking
    • Custodial duties
  • Who is responsible for cleanup?

    You are responsible for anything you or your guests bring into the event. Exploration Place will be responsible for the breakdown of chairs, tables, removing trash etc. 

  • If I have an outdoor event, is there a rain contingency plan?

    We encourage you to plan ahead for rain and make a contingency plan that includes using tents. We are happy to rearrange the layout of your event if rain is in the 48-hour forecast, but there are no guarantees for inclement weather. We ask that you notify the Events Manager of any major changes 48 hours in advance. If you need to cancel due to dangerous outdoor conditions beyond rain, we would be happy to find another date that is agreed upon by both you and Exploration Place. 

  • What happens if I need to cancel?

    Exploration Place requires 30 days’ notice for all canceled rentals. Cancellations made more than 90 days prior to the event date: the non-refundable deposit will be retained by the venue; any additional payments made will be refunded. Cancellations made between 30 and 90 days prior to the event date: 50% of the total facility rental fee will be forfeited. Cancellations made less than 30 days prior to the event date: no refunds will be issued.

Preferred Vendors

Exploration Place has a list of preferred vendors to choose from who are familiar with our facility, policies and procedures. If your vendor of choice is not listed, we are accepting applications and encourage vendors to complete a 2026 Preferred Vendor Application.

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Contact Our Events Team

If you have rental questions, or are ready to start planning, you may contact our Events Team at (316) 660-0642 or contact us online. We look forward to speaking with you!

Contact Us Online