Take a vacation to Hutchinson, relax, and enjoy the best things in life. Don’t miss out on all the opportunities this city offers.
Hutchinson is home to over 40,000, and its small-town atmosphere welcomes you warmly.
The city earned the nickname “Salt City” for its thriving salt mining industry, established in 1887.
Hutchinson is a one-stop Kansas town perfect for family fun and adventure.
The city offers unique experiences for everyone – whether you’re a history buff, outdoor junkie, sports fan, or art enthusiast, this city has it all.
Explore the numerous fun things to do in Hutchinson (KS):
Fun Things to Do in Hutchinson (KS)
1. Experience the Annual Kansas State Fair

Have fun at the 10-day annual Kansas State Fair at the Hutchinson Fairgrounds.
To ensure you don’t miss the state fair meals and events, mark your calendars for the Friday after Labor Day in September.
There are various food vendors for some of the tastiest fairground food.
Get your blood pumping on thrill rides at the carnival and catch live concerts.
There are also booths for various activities featuring Kansas products.
You’ll get a glimpse of Kansas’ thriving commercial industry and meet residents.
This 10-day entertainment showcases Kansas agriculture, commercial industry, and community.
2. Pick up Space History at Cosmosphere

Walk through the museum, filled with many space exhibits that will make you relive your childhood dream of being an astronaut.
The Cosmosphere displays artifacts flown into space and replica rockets and shuttles.
The most popular attractions at the Cosmosphere are the digital dome and the planetarium, which are enhanced with cutting-edge technology and offer a space-like experience.
They are equipped with interactive exhibits and simulators for practical teaching.
Don’t forget to visit the Cosmosphere and enjoy fun for both young and old.
3. Go See a Movie at B&B Hutchinson Mall 8

If you’re a cinephile, be sure to put this cinema on your bucket list, as it’s the perfect place if you want a combination of great movies and comfort.
Grab your popcorn and reserve your favorite movie at the B&B Hutchinson Mall 8 movie theater.
This family cinema hosts regular screenings of the latest films.
Their movie theater offers reclining lazy boy seats for a more comfortable viewing experience.
Stop by for a great movie experience with a superb selection of movies.
Things to Do in Hutchinson (KS) at Night
1. Bowl With Friends at the Alley of Hutchinson

The Alley of Hutchinson offers plenty of indoor entertainment and great food; it’s a must-see for families and friends visiting Hutchinson.
Get ready for the perfect strike in their sleek and modern bowling alley.
They also have other attractions like laser tag, bumper cars, and arcade games.
Whatever fun activity you want to try, the Alley of Hutchinson always offers something for both young and old.
2. Don’t Miss a Show at Hutchinson’s Historic Fox Theatre

Famous for building lavish “movie houses,” the Boller Brothers created Hutchinson’s historic Fox Theater, which debuted on June 8, 1931.
The theatre is recognized as one of the finest examples of Art Deco theater architecture in the central United States.
The Fox Theater offers 1221 seats, bright lighting, and excellent acoustics.
As an art deco building, the theater is characterized by protruding pilasters with stepped patterns that draw attention to its geometric shape.
The Art Deco style is evident throughout the structure in floral, botanical, architectural reliefs, capitals, columns, stair railings, light fixtures, signs, friezes, and other decorative elements in pressed aluminum and metallic glazed terracotta.
3. Grab a Bottle at Sandhills Brewing

The final stop on our adventure for the best things to do in Hutchinson comes to Sandhills Brewing Company.
Open Thursday through Sunday, this Hutchinson microbrewery focuses on oak-fermented and specialty beers.
If you want to taste great local drinks with your friends, this place covers you.
Things to Do in Hutchinson (KS) For Couples
1. Shop at Smith’s Market

Smith’s Market has become a staple of downtown Hutchinson since its inception in 1933.
This gem of a store is sure to take you back in time, and every aisle will surprise you with products you can’t find in regular stores.
It offers a variety of specialty foods, old-fashioned candies, nostalgic toys, and fresh local produce.
A trip to the grocery store should not be a typical and boring chore because Smith’s Market offers the best quality products and a nostalgic experience for all shoppers.
2. Stop by Dillon Nature Center

Located northeast of Hutchinson, this 100-acre urban sanctuary features indoor and outdoor exploration facilities.
The city sanctuary offers four hiking trails of varying difficulty levels, and visitors can learn about the area’s plants and wildlife.
You can play and get dirty at their Jim Smith Family Playscape, an outdoor exploration center perfect for families with children to have fun and learn.
You can also stop by their 1-acre pond for trout fishing and canoeing.
3. Play Golf Together at Carey Park

Carey Park is the perfect place to go golfing on a beautiful sunny day.
The 18-hole golf course is open to the public with no membership required, and you can also rent what you need to play in their shop.
In addition to golf, this extensive park is an ideal location for outdoor recreational activities.
In addition to golf, you can play baseball and disc golf, visit a small zoo, fish on the river, or skate in their skate park.
If you visit with children, there are playgrounds with various play equipment suitable for older children.
You can also prepare a nice picnic lunch in their picnic areas and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the park.
Things to Do in Hutchinson (KS) For Kids
1. Let Them at George W. Pyle Park

At George W. Pyle Park, you can sit on the benches and read a book or take a short walk around the park and get to know the warm Hutchinson community.
This place is also perfect if you come with children because a children’s park allows them to play, have fun, and interact with other children in the community.
The park also has some history – this is where President Harding spoke to local farmers.
2. Take Them to Salt City Splash Aquatic Center

Salt City Splash Aquatic Center has you covered if you want to cool off on a hot day!
The Aquatic Center offers a variety of slides for both adults and children, and you can roll down the slide and land with a splash.
They also have a 50-meter Olympic-sized pool, diving boards, a children’s wading pool, and floating toys.
They even host swimming lessons, aqua fitness classes, and other special events to make your visit full of experiences.
This place is perfect for a nice swimming time; just remember to wear a suitable swimsuit.
3. Visit the Hutch Putt

This 18-hole miniature golf course debuted in 2017 and is located outside Hutchinson Mall on the route to the airport.
First, Hutch Putt has no stereotypical miniature golf clichés like windmills and subpar plastic animal miniatures.
You get well-designed holes with unique elevation variations, excellent landscaping, two ponds, and a watercourse.
Hutch Putt has a stand that offers merchandise, cold drinks, ice cream, and other food. For a little more, you can pay for unlimited play.
They are open on Fridays and weekends for fun with friends and family.
Indoor Activities to Do in Hutchinson (KS) For Adults
1. Explore the Strataca Underground Salt Museum

Embark on an exciting underground adventure at the museum of the world’s largest salt deposit.
Strataca means underground adventure, so prepare for an after-dark adventure full of exciting exploration at the Salt Mine Museum.
To get to the museum, you must wear a helmet and walk down an actual mine shaft to explore the underground exhibits.
You can visit the museum independently and go on guided tours, which are included in the regular admission ticket.
Offers a 40-minute guided train tour called the Dark Ride to see salt formations, exhibits, and abandoned installations.
The Safari Tour is another option to add to your tour. It allows you to explore the salt mines in greater depth and areas previously closed to the public.
Not only will you learn about the history of salt mining in America, but also how rock salt mining works.
2. Visit the Hutchinson Art Center

If you’re an art enthusiast, you should spend a day of art appreciation at the Hutchinson Art Center.
The museum showcases local artists’ talents and displays various artworks such as paintings, ceramics, and other crafts.
They aim to enrich creativity and art in the region by hosting a platform for these talented artists.
The gallery’s carefully selected exhibits will inspire you with an extensive collection of local fine art by Kansas artists.
Attend events and workshops hosted by the Hutchinson Art Museum.
You can also shop for art that resonates with you and take home a unique Hutchinson piece of art.
3. Watch Beautiful Performances at Stage 9

If you’re looking to delve deeper into Hutchinson’s local art scene, then Stage 9 is a must-see.
Stage 9 is home to the artistic expression of Hutchinson’s talented artists by showcasing local talent through compelling theatrical performances and fantastic live entertainment.
They produce plays and musicals from classics to contemporary hits and host arts education events to enrich the Hutchinson arts community.
They present the most introspective shows that leave an impression on you with their great production for the small-town community.
You won’t regret catching a show at this intimate theater – get ready to fall in love with the local arts scene in Hutchinson.
Romantic Things to Do in Hutchinson (KS)
1. Visit Skateland Family Fun Center

Skateland Family Fun Center encourages youth to lead more active and healthy lifestyles.
They provide skating opportunities to people within a 50-mile radius of Hutchinson.
It is one of the largest places to celebrate major events in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Skateland Family Fun Center offers a variety of party skating packages with basic, deluxe, nerf, and private parties.
Book a fun ice skating party for your child’s next birthday and enjoy a fun day.
2. Check Out the Salt Discovery Well

The Salt Discovery Well is an outdoor history exhibit with a 1,260-pound slab of locally mined salt.
Ben Blanchard accidentally struck one of the richest salt veins in the world here.
He drilled an oil well in South Hutchinson in September 1887, hoping to strike it rich.
However, his hopes were dashed when they discovered salt instead of oil, but that discovery opened the door for salt mining to develop into a major Hutchinson industry.
A small picnic area and extensive pastures are also available for day-long recreation.
3. Participate in the Third Thursday Festivals

Live like a local every third Thursday of the month as Downtown Hutchinson transforms into a celebration of local art, music, and community.
Stroll the streets of Downtown Hutchinson and immerse yourself in the local music and arts scene while shopping, dining, and enjoying special activities and events of the month.
This monthly mini-community festival attracts people of all ages.
Free Things to Do in Hutchinson (KS)
1. Take a Walk Along Sand Hills State Park

Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for an outdoor adventure at Sand Hills State Park. Embark on an exciting outdoor adventure or bask in the outdoors.
North Hutchinson is home to 1,123 acres of natural land with lush grasslands, dunes, wetlands, and forests.
Plenty of outdoor activities in the area are ideal for running – you can go hiking, cycling, or horse riding.
There is camping and portable toilets for your convenience if you want to stay overnight.
2. Learn About Local History at Reno County Museum

For lovers of history, the Reno County Museum features a collection of historical exhibits and preserved artifacts.
Built in the 1870s, this museum began as a prison and houses over 36,000 historical items dedicated to preserving the county’s history.
Visiting the Reno County Museum is like stepping into a time capsule with interactive exhibits that fascinate you.
Attend some of their organized educational events and programs to learn more about the country’s history.
They also have a children’s corner on the second floor with toys so their imaginations can be carefree.
3. Explore Downtown Hutchinson

Downtown Hutchinson is a hub of local festivities, distinctive businesses, sophisticated and simple cuisine, and entertainment.
Among the largest owner-operated historic districts in the state can be found downtown, where many shops are housed in structures with late 19th-century architecture.
Home furnishings, collectibles, and decorations are examples of specialty products.
Several locally owned shops, restaurants, and the Antique District contribute to this dynamic atmosphere.
In addition, it is the venue location that showcases murals and works by well-known local and national artists, performers, and entertainers.
The Hutchinson Farmers Market also sells fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and other locally made goods when they are in season.
Cheap Things to Do in Hutchinson (KS)
1. Watch Animals at the Hutchinson Zoo

Hutchinson Zoo is the perfect place for a day out with the family.
This 9-acre zoo may be small, but it’s home to more than 160 animals native to the United States and some exotic animals.
You can watch the otters do somersaults in the water, feed the fish, and meet the zoo’s favorite raccoons.
Check out their gift shop and bring home a great souvenir from the zoo.
This place also has picnic tables and a Prairie Thunder Railroad ride to get around the area.
A trip to the Hutchinson Zoo is perfect for a budget, as donation-only admission is free.
Time-honored family fun at the zoo is an enjoyable experience for young and old alike, so stop by this zoo as you search for your next destination.
2. Go Shopping at Reno County Farmer’s Market

You’re in the perfect place if you want to improve your health, strengthen your community bonds, encourage local businesses, live more sustainably, and teach your kids about where their food comes from.
Opened in 1985, the Reno County Farmers Market is a lifelong project designed to highlight the area’s farmers, artists, craftspeople, musicians, and neighbors.
The market Pavilion provides an outdoor market with a wide variety of merchandise.
They provide artisan sourdough, pastries, cakes, pies, local fruit, jams, honey supplies, and other baked goodies.
In addition, they provide a variety of clothing, healing essential oils, health items, handmade wood, cosmetics, body care, accessories, and other crafts.
3. Grab a Snack at R-B Drive In

Since 1948, the family-owned R-B Drive-In in Hutchinson, KS, has served the community with fresh hamburgers, homemade pulled pork, and many other delicious snacks and meals.
R-B Drive-In is the best place for delicious jumbo burgers, hand-cut fries, and milkshakes.
Be sure to see and taste some good Hutch-style comfort food.
Before continuing the long drive to your destination, stop by R-B Drive-In and try their pulled pork burgers and onion rings.
Cool Places to Visit in Hutchinson (KS)
1. Yoder Amish Community

The largest Amish community in Kansas is in Hutchinson, in unincorporated Yoder.
They settled here in the 1880s, and if the name Amish sounds appropriate, that’s because it comes from one Eli M. Yoder, the son of an Amish bishop who homesteaded on the site in 1870.
Today, people visit throughout the region to pick up time-honored Amish specialties such as handmade blankets and other traditional crafts, as well as cured meats, preserves, and homemade desserts.
The best time to come is Yoder Heritage Day in August, with events and attractions such as buggy races, quilt auctions, wagon rides, a parade, a petting zoo, live music, and fireworks.
2. Hedrick Exotic Animal Farm

Northwest of Hutchinson on K-96, couple Joe and Sondra Hedrick started an exotic animal farm.
Guests can have the special experience of waking up to the sights and sounds of kangaroos and ostriches.
Tour arrangements are also made, and you can learn about the animals’ routines, diet, and behavior, feed kangaroos, and ride a camel.
This farm is home to giraffes, zebras, camels, peacocks, and many other exotic animals often seen at State Fair animal shows.
3. Cheney State Park

The park contains 29 miles of asphalt roads and parking areas, an office, 2 ports, 223 reservable electrical connections with water, and over 400 primitive campsites.
4 trailer tipping stations; 6 boat ramps with 22 launch lanes; 4 courtesy docks; 2 fish cleaning stations; 7 modern toilets; 9 shower rooms; 1 shelter with restrooms.
There are two large group shelters, two shelters for the middle group, 29 small picnic shelters, a large shed and toilet, three nature trails, including a 5-mile bike/hike trail, and nine modern cabins.
Conclusion
Hutchinson is the perfect town for your next weekend getaway.
The city always has something for everyone, and you will surely enjoy your time here.
Follow this guide to things to do in Hutchinson (KS) so you don’t miss out on fantastic places in town to explore.
Happy travels!