Find Adventure and Fun with These Top Things to Do in Hutchinson, KS.
Located in the heart of the Midwest, Hutchinson, Kansas, is a charming small city with approximately 40,000 people. Known for its friendly residents and bustling community events, Hutchinson offers a unique mix of urban amenities and small-town charm.
Visitors can stroll down Main Street, explore the many boutique shops, restaurants, and galleries, or attend one of the many community events throughout the year.
Hutchinson is also home to various cultural institutions, including the Hutchinson Art Center, the Cosmosphere, and the Reno County Museum. The Cosmosphere is a must-see attraction for space enthusiasts, with a vast collection of artifacts and interactive exhibits that allow visitors to experience the wonder of space exploration firsthand.
The Hutchinson Art Center offers a rotating collection of local and regional artwork, while the Reno County Museum provides a fascinating glimpse into the region’s history.
Nature enthusiasts will also find plenty to love in Hutchinson, with various parks, trails, and outdoor recreation opportunities. For example, visitors can explore the prairies and woodlands of the nearby Dillon Nature Center or enjoy a picnic and a game of disc golf at Carey Park.
The city is also home to the Hutchinson Zoo, which offers visitors the chance to get up close and personal with various animals in a beautiful park setting.
Whether looking for a weekend getaway or a place to call home, Hutchinson has something to offer everyone. From its welcoming community spirit to its unique blend of urban amenities and natural beauty, it’s no wonder that many people are proud to call this charming city home.
Cosmosphere
Cosmosphere is a space museum and STEM education center in Hutchinson, Kansas, USA. It has the most extensive combined collection of US and Russian spaceflight artifacts worldwide. The museum houses over 15,000 spaceflight artifacts and is known for its internationally acclaimed educational programs.
The facility covers an area of 105,000 square feet and has four venues: The Hall of Space Museum, The Justice Planetarium, The Carey Digital Dome Theater, and Dr. Goddard’s Lab, an explosive live science presentation on the history of rocketry.
The Cosmosphere also offers summer camps and co-curricular applied STEM education programs for field trips, groups, and scouts.
Cosmosphere is the only Smithsonian affiliate museum in Kansas. The SpaceWorks division of the Cosmosphere has restored flown US spacecraft for museums and exhibits worldwide, including artifacts from the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum collection.
The Cosmosphere museum starts with the earliest experiments in rocketry during World War II. Next, it explores the Space Race and Cold War, continuing through modern times with the Space Shuttle and International Space Station, SpaceShipOne, and commercial spaceflight.
Notable items on display include a Moon rock from Apollo 11, the first human-crewed mission to land on the Moon, the Liberty Bell 7 Mercury spacecraft, the Gemini 10 space capsule, and the Command Module Odyssey from Apollo 13.
Additionally, authentic Redstone and Titan II launch vehicles used in the Mercury and Gemini programs flank the building’s exterior. The museum has a collection of winged aircraft, including the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance plane and a restored World War II German V-2 rocket.
Kansas State Fair
The Kansas State Fair, located in Hutchinson, Kansas, is a 280-acre area with over 70 buildings. The fair is held annually for ten days in September and is the most significant event in the state, attracting approximately 350,000 visitors annually.
The fairgrounds at 23rd Ave between Main and Plum Street in Hutchinson feature full-time, year-round staff. The first Reno County Agricultural Society fair was held on September 23-24, 1873, in a small wooden livery stable behind the bank on the northwest corner of Sherman and Main in Hutchinson.
The present Kansas State Fair began on February 7, 1901, when a few men met to talk about organizing a fair association.
In 1912, 112 acres of land were purchased north of 17th Avenue and east of Main Street for expansion. The Old Mill was completed for the opening of the 1915 fair. One thousand feet of water-filled channels featured boats that promised to transport passengers through “gloomy caves of gleesome gladness.”
The Cottonwood Court was built in 1928 and renovated in 2003. The building was initially used as an automobile building, the Commercial Building, and then the Cottonwood Court. The Grandstand was built in 1930, and the Domestic Arts Building was built in 1930 and renovated in 2003. In 1931, a sandpit was landscaped and renamed Lake Talbott.
The state fair grandstand hosts events every evening, with concerts, a demolition derby, auto races, and truck/tractor pulls. The state fair has over 1,000 commercial vendor locations used for competition, education through Kansas’ Largest Classroom field trip program, and entertainment with strolling and stage entertainment in addition to the national entertainment acts scheduled for the fair.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the 2020 fair, which ended a 107-year streak of hosting annual fairs in the state, though the fair has continued to go on despite the Great War and World War II.
Strataca
As you step into the world of Strataca, you’ll find yourself transported back to an era when salt mining was one of the essential industries in the United States.
Built within one of the world’s largest rock salt deposits, the museum offers a unique opportunity to explore the underground world that lies 650 feet beneath the surface. The journey begins with a thrilling descent on the 6-ton hoist, which takes up to 30 passengers at a time into the depths of the earth.
Once inside, you’ll be greeted by the breathtaking Permian Room, where the walls reveal secrets of the strata formed by the Permian Sea millions of years ago.
This stately room is a wonder to behold, with intricate patterns etched into the salt walls and a stunning play of light and shadow dancing across the room. As you explore further, you’ll come across a treasure trove of historical artifacts and geological wonders, including the oldest living organism on earth.
One of the museum’s highlights is the Dark Ride, a 30-minute tram tour through the mine that takes you through lit areas explaining the challenges and unique solutions required to keep mines safe and functional.
You’ll also collect a souvenir piece of salt to take home. For the adventurous at heart, the Salt Safari offers a guided ride through select parts of the mine, where you’ll discover unique historical salt formations that only a few have seen until now.
Overall, Strataca is a fascinating museum that offers a glimpse into the underground world’s rich history and geological wonders. This museum is a must-visit destination that promises to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.
Dillon Nature Center
Amidst the bustling city of Hutchinson, Kansas, lies a tranquil oasis of nature and wildlife known as Dillon Nature Center.
Spread over 100 acres of pristine land, the nature center is a popular tourist attraction, offering visitors a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse themselves in the beauty of the great outdoors. The lush greenery, serene ponds, and diverse plant and animal life make Dillon Nature Center a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts of all ages.
One of the most remarkable features of Dillon Nature Center is its vast collection of woody plants, with over 300 species present within the 10-acre urban sanctuary.
Visitors can explore the nature center’s various walking trails, observe the different types of trees and plants, and get up close with the local wildlife. Dillon Nature Center has something to offer everyone, whether a stroll or a more adventurous hike.
In addition to the scenic beauty and peaceful atmosphere, Dillon Nature Center provides visitors with various recreational activities. From fishing in the stocked upper pond to canoeing and bird watching, visitors can immerse themselves in various outdoor activities.
Children can let their imaginations run wild at the Jim Smith Family Playscape, an outdoor playground that allows them to explore and play in nature.
The Visitor’s Center, free of charge, features an exhibit called A Closer Look at Nature and a gift shop called Wild Things, where visitors can learn more about the local flora and fauna and purchase nature-related gifts and souvenirs.
Hutchinson Zoo
Nestled in the heart of Hutchinson, Kansas, the Hutchinson Zoo is a delightful destination for animal lovers of all ages. Covering nine acres of land, the zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1997.
Visitors will find many exotic and native animals, from the playful North American River Otters to the majestic Bald Eagle and everything in between.
The zoo offers a chance to observe and learn about animals and has a strong educational focus. From the educational signs and touch-and-talk encounters to the on-site Wildcare Center, visitors can learn about the animals and their natural habitats.
There is even a Mini-Farm where families can get up close and personal with friendly animals. Additionally, the zoo has a conference room and meeting room available to rent for the public, making it an ideal location for events and educational programs.
Despite the setbacks caused by natural disasters, the zoo has persevered and continues to expand and improve.
With the recent completion of the North American River Otter exhibit, which has already become a guest favorite, and the upcoming addition of a new exhibition in the former Discovery Center, the Hutchinson Zoo is poised to become an even more significant attraction in the Hutchinson area.
The zoo will thrive and continue its education and animal conservation mission with the community’s support, volunteers, and staff.