If you are starting to think about a summer trip, you’re in a good position. From Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport there are several nonstop flights that put three very different Florida vacations within easy reach: world-class theme parks in Orlando, the white-sand beaches of the Emerald Coast in Destin, and the culture-meets-coast vibe of St. Petersburg.
Each destination offers a completely different kind of trip. The challenge isn’t finding somewhere great to go it is figuring out which trip actually fits your budget, energy level, and travel style. A theme park marathon, a relaxed beach week, and a culture-plus-water adventure all require different planning strategies.
To help Wichita travelers plan smarter, we have created three detailed guides that walk through the real logistics, realistic budgets, and planning decisions that actually determine whether a trip feels smooth or stressful.
Orlando: The Theme Park Capital of the World
No destination in the United States packs more family attractions into one place than Orlando. Within a 20-minute radius you will find the massive resort complexes of Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, and LEGOLAND Florida Resort.
For Wichita families, the trip is simpler than many people realize. Nonstop flights from ICT reach Orlando in a little over two hours, making it one of the easiest “big destination” vacations available from Kansas.
But the reality is that an Orlando trip rewards planning more than almost any other vacation. Ticket pricing, crowd patterns, accommodation choices, and dining strategies can easily shift the total trip cost by several thousand dollars.
Our Orlando planning guide breaks down:
- The real cost of a one-week theme park trip
- When summer prices and crowds are actually lower
- Which parks deliver the best value for different age groups
- Smart ways to save hundreds without sacrificing the experiences that matter
👉 Read the full guide: How to Plan a Summer Vacation to Orlando Theme Parks Without Overspending
Destin: The Emerald Coast Beach Vacation
If Orlando is high-energy vacation mode, Destin is the opposite: slower days built around emerald-green Gulf water and some of the whitest sand beaches in the country.
Thanks to seasonal nonstop service from ICT to Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport, Wichita families can reach the Emerald Coast in about two hours making it one of the most convenient beach trips available from the Midwest.
But beach trips come with their own planning challenges. Vacation rentals, condo rules, hidden resort fees, beach access, and activity costs can add up quickly if you don’t understand how Destin vacations actually work.
Our Destin planning guide explains:
- Realistic week-long vacation budgets ($3,000–$6,500 depending on style)
- When summer prices drop while beach conditions stay perfect
- The pros and cons of beach houses, condos, and hotels
- Which Destin experiences are actually worth the money
👉 Read the full guide: Destin Family Vacation Planning (Without the Overwhelm)
St. Petersburg: Culture, Water, and Gulf Coast Adventure
For travelers who want a beach trip that isn’t just beach time, St. Petersburg offers one of the most interesting destinations in the Gulf region.
Known locally as “St. Pete,” the city mixes art museums, waterfront parks, kayaking preserves, and sunset sailing with access to Gulf Coast beaches. Wichita travelers can fly nonstop into St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport and reach downtown St. Pete in about 20 minutes.
What surprises most visitors is the cultural density of the city. Attractions like the Salvador Dalí Museum and the Chihuly Collection sit just blocks from waterfront parks and paddleboarding launches.
Our St. Pete guide covers:
- What summer weather actually feels like on the Gulf Coast
- The best indoor attractions for hot afternoons
- Sunrise and sunset activities that beat the heat
- Why summer is often less crowded and cheaper than winter
👉 Read the full guide: Things to Do in St. Pete in Summer Beyond the Obvious Beach Day
Which Trip Is Right for Your Family?
Each destination works best for a slightly different kind of trip:
- Orlando – best for families with younger kids or theme park fans who want a full activity schedule
- Destin – best for a relaxing beach-first vacation with plenty of downtime
- St. Petersburg – best for families who want a mix of beaches, culture, and outdoor adventure
The good news for Wichita travelers is that all three destinations are reachable with relatively easy nonstop flights from ICT. That makes them some of the most practical summer getaways available from the Midwest.
And with the right planning framework, each one can deliver the kind of trip families talk about long after the flight home.