Exploration Place is typically thought of as Wichita’s children’s museum, but the latest exhibit will appeal to kids of all ages, especially those who love music. The exhibit, “Rock U,” is a national traveling exhibit that explores the history of Rock music, but don’t let the Rock turn you away. This exhibit actually explores music and how it’s evolved from the 1950s to the present.
In the style true to Exploration Place, this exhibit is totally hands on and exploratory with a number of great stations, like the “How We Listen Station” that looks at how we’ve listened to music, from LPs to 8-track tapes, boom boxes, to Walkmans. You’ll be surprised how speakers have changed as well.
That’s one of more than two-dozen stations in the exhibit. Among the more popular stations will likely be the Yamaha Electronic drums and the guitar station. Grab either of them and live your Rock/Funk star dreams.
There are so many more interactives stations, plus for those who just like to watch, the exhibit will also run with a series of laser light shows set to music from the decades. op back in time to the early years of rock ‘n’ roll in a time capsule of dancing, music and more tied to the decade.
• Rock U Retro Rhythms: 1960s Music Tie-Dye For, Nov. 9 – 15, 10 a.m. 5 p.m.
• Rock U Retro Rhythms: 1960s Music Tie-Dye For, Nov. 9 – 15, 10 a.m. 5 p.m.
• Rock U Retro Rhythms: That ‘70s Sound, Nov. 16 – 22, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Rock U Retro Rhythms: 1980s Big Hair, Don’t Care, Nov. 23 – 29, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Rock U Retro Rhythms: 1990s Plunge into the Grunge, Nov. 30 – Dec. 6, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Rock U Retro Rhythms: 2000s Now That’s What I Call the New Millennium!. Dec. 7 -13, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
If you’re concerned about COVID-19, Exploration staff have stepped up their safety precautions. Your temperature will be checked before you enter the museum. Wipes are available so that you can wipe off items that others might have handled for years and several times a day; they close down all the exhibits and totally sanitize them.
Exploration Place is located just west of downtown Wichita, along the Arkansas River, at 300 McClean. Hours are: Tuesday – Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Friday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission, which includes Rock U, is $11.50 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for youth ages 3-11, and free for children 2 and younger. Dome tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for youth. Combo tickets, dome and admission, save you $2.