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Why go there

Salina is the second-largest city in the western two-thirds of Kansas. Locals say Salina offers the combination of large-city amenities and a small-town atmosphere.

What to do there

The region’s Smoky Hill Museum and the Yesteryear Museum offer a chance to learn about the region’s history. Salina also offers major retailers in the city and at the Central and eclectic shops in the downtown Lee District.

Must see

The state’s largest grape-producing winery, the Smoky Hill Vineyards and Winery, is in northern Salina. It was started in 1991, and the winery now ships its bottles to several states.

For the kids

Salina offers the zoo and wildlife museum at the Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure, where children come face-to-face with more than 100 species of wildlife in the landscaped park.

Pocketbook friendly

The Salina Arts Center’s exhibitions are open Wednesday through Sunday free of charge.

Online/Twitter/Facebook

salinakansas.org/visit; bravosalina.com; riverfestival.com/salina

Save this date

Smoky Hill River Festival in Oakdale Park is June 10-13 and is four days of music, from rock, funk, salsa, jazz, hip hop, swing, bluegrass and more. More than 75,000 people attended the 2009 festival, which also includes special events, activities, food, art, shopping and entertainment.

Did you know?

Astronaut Steve Hawley, now a Kansas University physics and astronomy professor, considers Salina his hometown.

How to get there

Salina is at the crossroads of Interstate 70 and Interstate 135, 175 miles west of Kansas City, Mo., and 90 miles north of Wichita.

Also near

The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is in Abilene, about 27 miles east of Salina on I-70. The Brookville Hotel restaurant, famous for its fried chicken dinners, is also in Abilene.