A double-decker hoist sends visitors 650 feet below the surface to delve into salt-mining history at Strataca. On tram, train and self-guided tours, navigate the network of tunnels to see remnants of the 1950s mine, historical gallery displays and Hollywood props that are kept here for preservation. You can even pick out a chunk of souvenir salt to take home. 

Next, reach for the stars at Cosmosphere, the only Smithsonian affiliate in Kansas. The museum showcases a world-class collection of space artifacts, including Gus Grissom’s Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft. Children especially love the interactive CosmoKids area, immersive planetarium show and two-story dome theater. 

Get a front-row view of more flying machines at Airport Steakhouse, serving flame-grilled meats and other first-class fare at Hutchinson Regional Airport. Planes land just beyond the restaurant’s windows, and pilots often join the lunch and dinner crowd. 

Downtown, Salt City Brewing Company rotates 18 craft beers in its taproom—a mix of local favorites like the easy-to-drink Amber Ale and tropical IPA, plus seasonal and concept beers. Order a flight with some food, including the popular salmon salad with bourbon glaze. 

End your visit on a serene note at Dillon Nature Center. Three miles of hiking trails wind past hundreds of species of native trees, plants and grasses, plus a playground and a fishing pond. Keep an eye out for some 200 species of birds and other critters at this National Urban Wildlife Sanctuary.

TRIP TIP

Time your visit to attend a concert or film at Hutchinson’s Historic Fox Theatre, an Art Deco movie palace built in 1931. The original flashing neon marquee (the first in Kansas) still glows. Inside, stunning chandeliers, terra-cotta arches and floral motifs dazzle nearly a century later.

Once the credits roll, discover your next Sunflower State destination in the Official 2025 Kansas Travel Guide.