Summer is the time that many people decide to take some time off for a little rest and vacation, leaving where they live for a trip, either short or long.
While there are plenty of places outside the Sunflower State that may be popular for individuals and families from Hutchinson to visit, there’s also a variety of places within Kansas for those looking for a shorter, trip, even if just for one day.
Here’s a look at interesting and exciting locations in Kansas and within a few hours drive from Hutchinson.
Kansas State Parks offer views and fun
One option for a short trip from Hutchinson is to visit one of the 28 Kansas State Parks spread across the state.
For a longer drive, there’s options like Little Jerusalem Badlands, three hours away and just south of Oakley. The newest of Kansas State Parks, this beautiful landscape is hundreds of acres of badlands including formations and cliffs of Niobrara Chalk, formed 85 million years ago.
In Ellsworth county there is Kanopolis State Park and nearby Mushroom Rock State Park. In addition to having fun on the lake at Kanopolis, the park offers miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, in addition to features like the Faris Caves.
While the smallest of state parks, Mushroom Rock is a fascinating 5 acres of unique and natural mushroom-shaped rock formations called concretions made of cemented calcium carbonate, with the largest being 27 feet in diameter.
Cool off inside at a museum
In addition to heading outside for some fun on a short trip from Hutchinson, there are also plenty of indoor options within a few hours.
A quick drive to Salina offers several places including the Smoky Hill Museum of history and The Garage, an automobile museum that currently has its Hello, Yellow exhibit, featuring cars, trucks and more in that color.
Traveling to Abilene, people can learn about Dwight D. Eisenhower at the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home. This museum explores the president’s life from his early years in Kansas, his time serving as the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during World War II, the presidency and later life.
Across the street from the Eisenhower Library is the Greyhound Hall of Fame where guests will be greeted by retired greyhound racers before exploring and looking at the history of the sport and its best competitors.
Going northwest people can stop inside the dome of the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, a venture of Fort Hays State University. This museum features live animals, fossils and more, emphasizing the millions-years long history of the Great Plains.
For a look at even more things to do, all within the boundaries of the Sunflower State, take a look at the Kansas Tourism website, www.travelks.com, which lets visitors search for events, places and more by city and region.
