Exploration Place place’s new playground includes its own eatery. See the menu:
In recent times, people who got hungry while visiting Exploration Place in Wichita had to find something at the Snack Lab — a limited concession stand in the main lobby that offers self-serve, grab-and-go items like crackers, candy bars, nachos, pretzels and popcorn.
But when Adventure Playscape — the children museum’s new six-acre, $25 million playground — opens to the public on Friday, visitors will find an improved culinary environment.
The new playground includes a large building that contains an elevated concession area, complete with its own large kitchen. Called Graze, it will offer hot food prepared on site. The menu, which you can find below, lists made-to-order items that would constitute actual meals, including burgers, tater tots, a chicken sandwich, chicken nuggets and flatbread pizzas.
Those willing to grab-and-go also can choose from wraps, salads, fresh fruit and a yogurt parfait. For dessert, there will be ice cream made by Salted Creamery out of Newton. Visitors will be able to choose from Bison Tracks, made with crushed peanut butter cups and fudge ripple, vanilla, cookies and cream, and strawberry sorbet.
Diners will order their food from a counter on the edge of the Graze building then grab a seat somewhere in the park. Just outside of the building is a seating area with a collection of picnic tables arranged under a grove of trees.
Exploration Place President and CEO Adam Smith said that the playscape’s planners knew they’d need to add a new dining option because visitors will be more likely to stay and play all day.
“This is a big step up — a more substantial menu than we’ve been able to offer in the past,” Smith said. “Basically, if you want to have lunch here, you can have lunch here.”
The Snack Lab inside will remain but will have the same menu as before, Smith said.
The Graze building, which sits near the playscape’s water feature, also includes six family restrooms where visitors will be able to change into or out of swim wear.
Graze will keep the same hours as Exploration Place, which for now are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day but Thursday, when the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. But during spring break — Friday through March 21 —the play area will stay open until 8 p.m. each night. It’ll also keep later hours during the summer.
Graze is accessible to Exploration Place members and those who have paid museum admission: $20 for adults, $15 for children and seniors.
Graze at Adventure Playscape menu
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