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Cosmosphere, Hutchinson, KS

Photo: Patrick Pelletier ( Ppelleti, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

MuseumsFamily FavoriteRainy-Day PickHistory Buff

Cosmosphere

1100 N Plum St · Hutchinson, KS

Why you should go…

The Cosmosphere is a space museum that began in 1962 as a planetarium on the Kansas State Fairgrounds. Its Hall of Space Museum displays US and Russian spaceflight artifacts, including the flown Apollo 13 command module Odyssey, the Liberty Bell 7 Mercury capsule recovered from the Atlantic, a Gemini 10 capsule and a V-2 rocket. An SR-71 Blackbird is also on display. Beyond the galleries you can visit the Justice Planetarium, the Carey Digital Dome Theater, Dr. Goddard's Lab and CosmoKids.

  • #space museum
  • #planetarium
  • #apollo 13
  • #science museum
  • #dome theater

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Cosmosphere, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Rolling Hills Zoo

    Under $25

    AZA-accredited Kansas zoo and wildlife museum with more than 350 animals from over 100 species.

    55 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Museums
    Local Gem

    The Garage

    Under $25

    An automotive museum in downtown Salina with rotating classic, custom and muscle car exhibits.

    56 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Kansas I-70

    Free

    A travel association covering communities along Interstate 70 across Kansas, from Goodland to Lawrence.

    57 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing