Why go there

A city with a population of more than 40,000, Hutchinson offers sports, accommodations, dining and shopping. It’s home to the Kansas Cosmosphere, and Kansas’ annual state fair, which draws more than 350,000 people to south central Kansas the weekend after Labor Day.

What to do there

In addition to the main attractions, the Underground Salt Museum offers a unique look at a working salt mine 650 feet below ground. Exhibits include actual movie costumes courtesy of an outside company that contracts with Hollywood businesses to store items in a secure area.

Must see

The Kansas Cosmosphere, founded in 1962 as the Hutchinson Planetarium, is the area’s top draw. It houses the Hall of Space Museum, filled with Russian and American space artifacts; the Justice Planetarium; a dome-shaped astronomy classroom; a live demonstration of early rocket technology; and an IMAX dome theater.

For the kids

From Memorial Day until Labor Day, children can enjoy the Salt City Splash Aquatic Center in Hutchinson’s Carey Park. The water park features a splash pool, water slides, a 50-meter pool and a wading pool for children.

Pocketbook friendly

The Hutchinson Zoo in Carey Park offers a pleasant experience for children and adults for no admission costs. For a small fee, a train ride has recently been installed at the zoo.

Online

Attractions can be found online at visithutch.com.

Save the date

The Kansas State Fair will come to Hutchinson from Sept. 10-19, and will feature the band Foreigner, along with comedian Terry Fator.

How to get there

Hutchinson is in south central Kansas, and can be accessed from all directions using Kansas Highway 61, Kansas Highway 96 or U.S. Highway 50.

Also near

About an hour’s drive northwest of Wichita, Hutchinson is also a little over 60 miles south of Salina.