kansas cosmosphere & space center

Cosmosphere is always a good atmosphere. After the salt mines it was a bit drab. We did not make it in time for the lab to be open, but did catch a film. Only needs visited about once a decade unless you go just for the lab or the film.

Even though this is really a place for older kiddos, it still had plenty of displays for younger ones. We will be visiting again!

Plan to spend a minimum of 2 hours here. Comprehensive museum of Nazi, Soviet, and American efforts. Wish we had had time for movies and Dr. Goddard's laboratory.

What a delight to discover such a gem in such an unexpected place. When you go - and do plan to go visit,- allow plenty of time to explore the many, many items on exhibit from the many years of space exploration. There's a delightful IMAX theater and more. We did not have time to experience all, or even half, they have available. Ask for a guided tour to make the best use of your time. They have recently improved their education program - should you live close enough, I recommend you/your children participate in at least one of their educational camps.

Visited the museum on a Saturday with a group of friends. Very informative with all of awesome exhibits. The theaters are really worth visiting. I would go back again. I am sure I missed some things.

The fact that they have a Gemini Rocket (Also used as the Titan II ICBM) there are so many neat things I could be there all day. I attended the SR-71 Spectacular twice now and got to talk with the Pilots and RSOs of the SR-71. Got to meet several astronauts and got their autographs too! I wonder if I'm the only person to just go there every once in a while just to see the gift shop. They always have something worth adding to my aviation/military collection. AWESOME!

If you are a space fan, or not, this is an outstanding museum. You will never see another one like it outside of DC or Russia as they have one of the largest collections in the world of space artifacts. You should see Dr. Goddard's Lab if you have children, and the planetarium shows are also good. If you have time, catch a film on the Digital Dome as well. Very nice museum, and splurge on the full day pass.

Allow more than 4 hrs to see everything. Highly recommend guided tour. Kids enjoyed science lab show and show. I've seen better planetarium presentations. Simulation ride was a waste unless you want whiplash and a sour stomach. Not worth the price for what you get. I'd purchase just the museum ticket if I had it to do again. It was a bit over my 7 and 8 yr olds head and attention span.

a lot of work went into all the displays to be brought to the middle of nowhere and put together to be enjoyed by young and oldkids get to see a shuttle, a rocket, space suits and things up close you don't see just everywherehard to absorb all the info about space explorationworth the stop and time and money well spent

Had a really enjoyable time going through the museum. I usually don't like museums but plenty of things to keep busy with. We purchased the all day mission pass, and started out in the main part of the building looking at exhibits and then went to the Carey Digital Dome theater for a documentary which we enjoyed immensely. Then we headed to the Hall of Space Museum. We did half of the museum and then went to Dr. Goddard's lab, which we weren't sure we even wanted to do, but really enjoyed. The young man doing the show was very interesting in his story-telling, (loved listening to his deep voice) and enjoyed the different demonstrations that he performed. After that we went to the Justice Planetarium, which was interesting, very comfortable seats, but was cold in the planetarium. Good place to catch a 5 minute nap, but don't miss all of the show. We finished up the day going through the rest of the museum. Takes you through the history of space travel all around the world, failure and successes, sending a monkey and a dog to space; Some interesting things about Germany in the Germany Gallery and the making of the bombers, and the B-2 rockets taking out neighborhoods in England.....I hate history, but they make it come alive. Was really surprised that I enjoyed this place as much as I did. We also did the navigator flight simulator, think if I went again I would skip this. But don't skip the Cargo Bay Gift Shop. Neat items, kind of pricey, but comparable with other gift shops. Overall we had a great time.

It is an amazing trip underground to experience a salt mine. The trip thorugh the mine is fascinating. But once you get to the display area it is so interesting to see all the Hollywood memorabilia that is stored there. I recommend it to anyone.

It may not seem fair to call Hutchinson, Kansas the middle of nowhere, but for a Californian on a cross-country trip, it certainly seemed that way. In any event, there in Hutchinson is a space museum that is only a half step below the Smithsonian! Go figure. I allotted three hours, added one more, and still felt I had given the place short shrift.

I grew up outside Washington DC. So I know the Smithsonian well. I never really expected much, when a local recommended this place to me while I was in town a few days. I had a blast, and was really impressed with the interactive presentations. If you are a fan of space and cosmology I recommend this place as a must see in Hutchinson. Every bit a impressive as the Air and Space in DC, a tad smaller.

There are more space artifacts here than you can imagine. An amazing amount of history and a real learning opportunity.

This is one of the premier space museums in the country. The collection includes Liberty Bell 7, the Apollo 13 capsule and the largest collection of Russian space artifacts outside Russia. A new focus on STEM education will introduce a new generation of students to the wonders of science and space. This is a must-see if you are anywhere within 500 miles.