Fun things to do in Hutchinson: 12 fun attractions and activities

This was a really interesting activity during my recent visit to Kansas. I was able to walk in and buy a ticket for the Combo tour (Salt Blast Pass and the Salt Safari). Had about a 10 minute wait until they took us down 650 feet in a dark elevator. For the first half hour we were on our own to explore, look at the exhibits and watch the videos. Then we got on a small train for a narrated ride through the mine. Following that, those of us who chose the Safari were seated in a small electric cart driven by Larry. He took us all over the mine, telling us many interesting facts and stories and pointing out different things along the way. At one point we entered the non-electrified area, so no overhead lights. The only light was from the cart's headlight and the flashlights he gave us. The road was very bumpy but Larry is a very careful driver. This was the best part of the whole combo tour and we saw the mine as it was back in the 1940s and 50s - trash and all! A couple times we were allowed to get off the cart and pick up chunks of salt as souvenirs. Highly recommend touring Strataca, and if you're the least bit adventurous be sure to do the Combo tour!

This place is really fun and definitely worth checking out if you are in the area. We had tickets for 2 tours and the dark ride I think, and yes, in one tour and the dark ride, you are allowed at one time each to choose a rock from a pile that you can keep. Tour rock was to be no larger than a hard hat, dark ride no larger than your fist - or you could fill a small bag with rocks, which was actually better in this case because most rocks seemed too large. There are no bags to carry these rocks in and you will need to carry them around until you leave for the most part. There is a table you can leave them on while you continue to shop or explore, but there are no bags to store them in. Whole some information overlaps in tours and can get repetitive for folks who have been to each, they have their own charm, and I enjoyed them. We did learn a lot about the salt mines and the tour guides were all quite educational and friendly. The shaft to get down/up can be a little shaky and sometimes they leave the light inside off. We did on the way down and I felt a little dizzy after - they will turn it on if you ask, it's not a big deal. It was much better on the way up with it on. They have all sorts of events going on, and if we were closer, we'd definitely check them out. This place is worth visiting for sure. Children will find some enjoyment, though it is mostly a museum. The special events might be something they would enjoy more.

We had so much fun looking and learning about the mine and all the history. I recommend going on all 3 rides thru the mine. Be sure to get your rocks too! The museum was fascinating and don't worry if you don't have enough time to walk thru it before going into the mine, you will have plenty of time after. It's hard to believe you are 650 ft underground! This looks us a little over 3 hours. I will go here again if I get in the area again!

Strataca review WE GOT THE SHAFT!!! 😁 We went down a mine shaft today that is. Toured Strataca, a former salt mine section 650 feet below Hutchison, Kansas. Starting with a 90 second hoist ride down at 10:00 AM and ending with a 90-second hoist ride back up at 2:30 PM, we saw a lot of exhibits explaining the history and techniques of salt mining. The sections we were in were actively mined beginning in the late 1940's through the late 1950's. Active mining has been ongoing and continues to this day mining horizontally at the 650 foot depth. It's all connected, but the current active mining is now about 2 miles away from the section we were in. Besides walking in various exhibit areas, we also got to take 3 tram/train tours back through different sections. We definitely recommend doing the combo-pass to include the "salt safari". It was not "claustrophobic" as the mined sections were all about 50 feet wide and 10 feet tall. It is a consistently about 67 degrees down there every day all year round (very nice). These mines produce road salt, not table salt. One of the rules in the safety briefing was "Don't lick the salt." 👅 Sections of mined out areas are now used for safe, secure, climate controlled, dry storage (as salt naturally removes moisture from the air). We also got to see some of the storage area and some artifacts from movie companies that are stored here. A great experience and well worth the time and admission.

My wife wanted to go to this and I wasn't too excited about it to be honest. But when we got in 650 ft below the ground level and started looking around this is a really cool place. I would recommend anybody taking an afternoon to go in and checking it out. Lot of very cool history down here

We drove from Topeka Friday morning, June 20, 2025. We bought the Combo Pass which included the Salt Safari and the Salt Blast. We had a great time! It was nice and cool, 68 degrees, 650' underground. (97 degrees outside that day) The staff were all very friendly and well informed in all facets of the mine. The tram tours and train ride were fun and informative. Everyone has such a wonderful sense of humor! We also stopped by the gift shop and bought a couple of T shirts to have a remembrance of our time there. We would recommend adding Strataca to your bucket list!

Had a blast exploring this active salt mine with just a flashlight. You step back in time by visiting areas of the mine that were mined in the 40's & 50's. Everything is perfectly preserved as it was when the miners left that area of the mine. You can even experience total mine darkness, which is cool and creepy at the same time. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. Evan and Barry were our guides, they do a great job telling you the story of the mine as they take you back to the 1940s & 1950s. This gem is certainly worth a visit.

A very interesting and informative afternoon. It's nice that they have taken every age group into account. I'm old and had a good time, and I also could see my grandkids hanging a blast. Bring a jacket! It's really, really cold in there. I would call first and see how busy they expect it to be that day. If it's going to be pretty slow, then it might be best to buy tickets when you're there. Theater prices for food.

This place has rockets, engines, space suits, and equipment from both the USSR and American space race. You can follow the progress of NASA and the early part of the Soviet space program as they worked on the mission to be the first to get to the Moon. There are also learning programs for kids, interactive labs, movies and documentaries, flight simulators and even a cafe. You could spend a whole day here. Shows are on a schedule, so arrive early if you want to catch them all at their staggered time slots .

Very cool place to go. You can learn lots of space & history. They have several movies that you can watch, which I did not because my grandsons didn't want to see any. As far as buying tickets in advance, that would be your preference. The time that I did have to wait in line, It wasn't terribly long. They also have a cafe on site and they have a very nice gift shop as well. There it's also a kid zone where smaller children can go in and play and make things with an adult.

This place is the most underrated gem in the entire state & it's worth driving from anywhere. The Berlin Wall piece was just jaw dropping, so many iconic pieces of history here.

We had a fairly large group,4 school age children, 3 adults, bought the "everything included" ticket, had a blast! Informative, fun, all rolled into a well kept facility. We especially enjoyed Dr Goddard lab show and the Blue Angels simulator. Great museum kept the kids interested. I recommend!

This is a really cool place where you could spend the entire day! We literally closed the place down and still didn't get to do everything! Well worth the drive off the interstate! The gem for us was the command module Odyssey from Apollo 13! Staff is uber friendly and made for a fun time. It wasn't crowded, but it was Thursday, which made the visit quite enjoyable. The planetarium shows were topped notch! If you're into space, put the Cosmosphere on your must do list!

Awesome place to visit. The Dr Goddard show was fun. The planetarium was amazing. The museum was a fun visit, my two kids really love it. The flight simulator was a good time as well.

We attended the River Otters birthday party! It was so much fun. This zoo is not large, but it is clean & the animals are well cared for. It's a nice place to visit for an hour or so.

This is a pretty decent zoo. However it is kind of showing its age and with the Wichita Zoo being so close I have to wonder what the point of it is. The Wichita zoo is so much nicer. Almost feel like Hutchinson should spend their money on something for the public to enjoy. There seemed like there was plenty of interactive things for children to do. I would go again because I think it's free which is nice

It’s a small zoo, but for a free small town zoo, I can’t really complain. They have a decent amount of animals, and the landscaping is great! My only complaint is that they don’t really have anything in the way of wildcats, except an Ocelot, which was unfortunately off exhibit. They had a decent amount of work being done, so hopefully when all that opens up, it’ll be even better.

The Hutch Zoo gets better every time I go. Grabbed a few shots with my new lens this most recent trip.

Definitely a nice neat little zoo. It is free access!! It had quite the selection of some impressive animals and a train ride! The otters put on quite the show for us! Everything was well laid out and clean. Very friendly staff, you can tell they loved working with the animals.

I absolutely loved this zoo! They suggest $5 a family or $2/person but you aren’t required to donate to enter. Super cute gift shop. Staff was very friendly and willing to answer any questions you had. Cicada turtles were participating in adult quality time and it was weird. The raccoon was sleeping the whole time it’s like it know it’s my favorite and what I was looking forward too so that was a lil sad but it’s gotta be exhausting being that cute 24/7 so I understand. There were a bunch more interesting animals to see though so it was fine. Definitely take the time to stop. The whole park itself is cute.

What a fun little zoo to visit!!! My littles especially enjoyed the small play areas and the telescope! The animals were moving all about and we got the chance to get right up close to a few of them. The path circles back to the beginning so there's no backtracking. We were there 30-45 minutes but you could stay longer if you wanted! Plenty of picnic tables I wish we could have taken advantage of--next time!

A wonderful small museum. It does not charge admission (just a donation if you wish). When we were there they had an exhibit about the Vietnam war that was well done. No propaganda attached just facts about both sides

My child absolutely LOVES the Oodleplex, open every day the museum is, for free. And we rented their conference room for her birthday and it was a GREAT price. The museum is free and the staff is so friendly. Their courtyard is decorated for fall and Christmas and would be a beautiful place to take some pictures. A great place overall when the weather keeps you indoors!

We make this an annual tradition to come check out this museum while we’re here. Always has some good exhibits.

Very nice museum documenting the local history of the county. Helpful staff, he looked up several items that my wife great aunt had donated to the museum back in the seventies. It was middle of the day mid-week so we were able to park our RV in the lot.

Love this little museum. It’s a great place to take the kids when the weather outside isn’t great and the cost of access is only a small donation. The Oodleplex can keep the little ones entertained for hours and parents can enjoy the photographic history of Reno/Hutch.

Small but interesting museum mostly dedicated to the local history of Hutchinson KS. Entry is technically free, but suggested donation of $2 per adult and $1 per child 12 and under. The Attached Oodleplex is fun for young children, nice place to play when the weather is bad. There is also a small research center for local history. There is an elevator for 2nd floor exhibit and Oodleplex.

A unique museum that is free. It had an exhibit on the Vietnam War with visually appealing displays. Since the museum is free, donations are recommended.

Great splash park and swimming pool! Love that it’s all in one and usually you can get a chair next to the flowers. Both slides are fun, see which one you think is faster! Wade swim or bake your choice! Not a bad snack bar either if you’re really hungry they even have hamburgers…..haven’t tried them but I’m told they’re good.👍 kid approved.

A great splash pad area for kids that cannot swim! Also has a larger pool with a very tall high diving board and short tube slide. Also has 2 larger, separate tube slides.

Great price for the the fun activity and if you go there when they're not busy even better for everyone. Thank you Salt City Splash for making such a economic price for families to have fun. 👍👍

First time here today. It is very clean, and it runs very smoothly. The lifeguards were very attentive. My kiddos had a great time, and the atmosphere is family-friendly.

Great place for Littles to have fun and cool down! And also for older better swimmers a bigger pool area with diving boards !!

I go here to swim laps. Lap lanes are always open and never seem to be busy. Lifeguards always appear to be very attentive to the swimmers.

So, my first rating of Salt City Splash was all 5 stars. It has now changed. The bathrooms were filthy and the 15 minute safety checks are really an advertisement for their concessions. One lifeguard made our experience rather rough. I was swimming laps, but had taken a brief break when she literally said get out. Not, if you are done please leave the lap lanes. She called out several others for different things, but the two guys wrestling in the pool splashing her, we're fine because they were flirting with her. She looks to be the youngest lifeguard and wearing some gold chains around her neck. Tell her to be consistent or minimally be kind. You turned it around for me. The world is already sad enough without your adding salt and vinegar to wreck the whole reason we went. A sixteen year-old on a power trip today, made me question if I want to go back. Obviously, the little short girl life guard with long brown hair has a Napoleon Complex.

I got to see MASH this past weekend, and it was so good. I wasn't sure how this was going to be pulled off as a stage play, but I was blown away. Good job to all who were involved.

Good show, fun people, the walls were brightly painted with lots of theatre people. We went for the Sunday matinee, and we found good seating easily. A fun option for families and elderly folks looking for a good activity

We were in town for the Pretty Prairie Rodeo, not realizing it was sold out weeks in advance, so we filled our time by seeing an adorable rendition of Shrek by the local youth. Worth the time and money for sure!

A must see event! Our community is fortunate to have this opportunity! We have been attending for many years the cast of Clue is one of the best ever!!! Thanks to all involved!

Always have a good time here. The actors are fun and energetic. The shows are reasonably priced and the snack bar is stocked with your favorite theater treats for $1 or $2.

Great little local theater with awesome shows, we went to watch a play and the acting was superior to other plays I have watched elsewhere. Definitely recommend.

Our first time and I wish we could have come back another night to see it again. (Peter Pan and the Starcatcher) great theater. Loved the murals! Community theater at its finest.

Beautiful and well maintained. I’ll return; it’s 3.5 hrs. from my home but top notch.

Such a magical place. When I was a kid I thought it was a place only Kings could go. Look for the little bases of the baluster staircase-- they look like Reese's peanut butter cups

We went and watched Floyd Nation. It was an AWESOME show!! As always, the Fox Theater had GREAT service and was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! We love the Fox Theater!! 💓

First time visiting this beautiful theater seeing Garrison Keillor. What a great evening. Can’t wait to go back to Hutchinson to spend more time to experience other things the town has to offer.

Cool space. Saw Garrison Keilor there - good show. Great to see these venues saved and used today!

Loved the history and the location. This venue reminds me of the Stifel Theatre in Salina. I wish that the downtown area offered more restaurant choices. Other than that, it was a lovely evening.

Love seeing any show at the Fox!

The true name of this Theater and production company is Stage 9. Charles Johnston is the artistic director, putting on surprisingly professional caliber productions for a small town community. Fully functioning facility where props and sets are hand crafted. Most production is achieved in house. You'll really want to check out this quality theater in Hutchinson, KS!

Great place to see a live show!

Great place, they have some good proformances and offer good prices for space rentals

Community theater that does an excellent job.

Fun matinee. Solid vocal performances for Charlie Brown.

I dare you to find better talent in a town even twice this size.

Great spot for a show

Nice place. Hard to find ur way around if u have never been there.

Very nice facility, they also had rows blocked off for spacing in some sections,first time there and I liked what I saw,not a bad seat in the house.

Haven't been there in years . It has been remodeled since we have been there and everything good. Very clean.

Nice place to walk especially wen been so hot out

Great arena. Large, plenty if seating. Accessibility is very good.

NJCAA D1 national championship tournament. Great arena - able to watch some of the best volleyball players in the nation. Snow College Volleyball represented this year.

Good parking and seating was plenty and comfortable.

Had fun playing here with cousins! Love the water that adds some fun to the game!! I’m from Pennsylvania and have never played at a mini golf place where u hav to hit your ball across the water!

Really impressed putt putt course. Worth it just for hole 16! (Make sure to try it out a few times if you can!)

Went with a bunch of friends and had a blast! Would definitely go again!

Friendly staff, well cared for miniature golf course. Very, very clean!

Great place to have fun with the family. Price is a little high

Inexpensive family fun. Put the phones down for an hour or so and come be outside together. Friendly staff. Personal putters welcome!

Wonderful experience w great customer service.

Great artists are on display right now.

They are very nice with lovely permanent pieces. I only got photos of my own work, as it is up in their front gallery through the end of July, 2025.

Lovely paintings and prints! Enjoyed my visit thoroughly!

Free admission

This is a great gallery. The gallery has a nice collection of art that they own and have on display. They also offer a place for members to show their work as well as sell their art in the gift shop.

Great display of Stan Reimer's photos! He does wonderful work! Truly an inspiration and I am so glad that the Art Center brought his work to show everyone!

If you are an artist, get ready to spend time getting inspired. Above all, go when you've got money to spend! You'll find affordable must haves inspirations to stay home working your creative self to a sweet exhaustion!

It would be nice if you could get some response to getting more bicycle racks downtown. Told over and over would get back to me, Guess health and fitness isn’t really a priority.

Horrible experience with a woman named Patches. Extremely rude so be aware!!

Its just okay