About the Salt Museum
Truly an experience unlike any other, the Kansas Underground Salt Museum is the only museum of its kind in the Western Hemisphere and has been designated one of The 8 Wonders of Kansas.
The adventure begins on a double-deck hoist taking you through the Earth’s strata to the Museum located in 100,000 square feet of awe-inspiring space -- vast chambers carved from salt deposits created as an ancient ocean evaporated millions of years ago. On the way down, you can experience the sensation of total darkness.
When the doors of the hoist open, you are 650 feet underground amid walls of salt that stretch for miles. You step out into an exotic subterranean world where it’s always 68 degrees with an equally comfortable 45 percent relative humidity.
A stroll through the Great Hall, along a series of informative displays, takes you to the Museum galleries. A special Underground Vaults & Storage exhibit features the actual costumes and artifacts from many famous movies.
Adding to the adventure’s excitement are the Dark Ride, a tram excursion through a maze of massive salt chambers, and an exhilarating ride on the new Salt Mine Express underground train.
It probably goes without saying: a journey 650 feet underground is no ordinary experience. Planning on a minimum of two hours is advised, although visitors can stay as long as they would like. Since access is based on hoist capacity, advance reservations are recommended to ensure a timely trip down to the Museum.
A Gallery Tour only ticket is offered, but most visitors prefer the Salt Blast Pass which includes the Dark Ride and Salt Mine Express. Special rates are available for seniors, active military, school groups, and groups of 28 or more. Mine safety regulations do not allow children under age four to go underground. The museum is handicapped accessible.
Regular summer hours are 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday and 1:00 to 6:00 pm Sunday afternoon. Although closed most Mondays, the Underground Salt Museum is open Memorial Day and Labor Day. The special hours around holidays, and ticket prices, as well as other information about this unique museum, are on the web site: undergroundmuseum.org.
The Kansas Underground Salt Museum is a short drive from Wichita, located at 3504 East Avenue G (G and Airport Road) in Hutchinson. Ticket purchases and reservations can be made by calling 620-662-1425 or 866-755-3450
