Things to Do in Salina
Although Salina is the main urban hub of the Smoky Hills region of Kansas, its cultural institutions, outdoor attractions and annual events celebrate its agricultural heritage and idyllic surroundings
With the Smoky Hills River running right through it, as well as more than 700 acres of parkland, you’re never far from the bucolic countryside even as you explore the city.
Cultural and Historical Attractions
As you stroll around downtown Salina, you will see some of the 20-30 sculptures that are on public display as part of Sculpture Tour Salina. You can bring the kids to play and create at the interactive ARTery lab at the free-of-charge Salina Art Center. The experiences of Salina’s mid-19th century settlers are brought to life at the Smoky Hill Museum, where you can sit inside “The Dugout,” a full-scale replica of the first one-room sod home built in Salina in 1858.
Outdoor Attractions
See more than 100 species, including a rare white camel, at the Rolling Hills Zoo. It’s compact enough for even the littlest visitors to explore in its entirety. They’ll love climbing in a treehouse and uncovering artifacts in a dig site at Hideaway Hollow. On a hot day, you may want to head to Kenwood Cove Water Park to blast down its four adventure slides, loll around in the lazy river and try your luck crossing a water obstacle course. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy hiking the trails and seeing the wildflowers at Indian Rock Park, a scenic setting on the banks of the Smoky Hill River; they will also appreciate nearby Lakewood Park, with its winding trails and butterfly garden.
Festivals and Annual Events
The biggest event of the summer in Salina is the four-day Smoky Hill River Festival, which is held in Oakdale Park every June. Attendees can see live music performances on four stages, art shows and demonstrations. Kids can enjoy crafts, games and face painting, as well as wandering jugglers and puppeteers. Old-fashioned fun hits the park again at the All-American Fourth and Play Day in the Park on the 4th of July.
The region’s heritage is celebrated at the Smoky Hills Museum Street Fair each September. Admission is free, and the entertainment includes a parade, historic demonstrations and a chili cook-off. If you’re a blues fan, you’ll want to get some tickets for Blues Masters at the Crossroads, which is held at the historic Stiefel Theatre in October. A wintertime visit is brightened by seeing the Christmas Festival and Parade of Lights, where you can take the kids to meet Santa, decorate cookies and take a sleigh ride.
The Best Midwest Food Town
While the Midwest is known for its hearty cuts of beef, in Salina, you can try the fun size of the region's specialty. If you’re in the mood for classic, no-frills burgers, visit the Cozy Inn (108 N. 7th St., Salina), where the menu of signature sliders—and very little else—hasn’t changed since 1922. It has been called the “Best Burger Joint in Kansas” by USA Today. For wood-fired, thin-crust pizzas—plus a menu of craft beers made right where you sit—head to Blue Skye Brewery and Eats (116 N. Santa Fe Ave., Salina). Another institution, Hickory Hut Barbecue (1617 W. Crawford St., Salina) serves up signature ribs, burnt ends and brisket.
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