We have our dates set for our trip to Kansas now, we are staying 3 nights and will be visiting a couple of farms and might go to the state fair also.
After phoning most of the hotels in Hutchinson they are all booked out for the dates that we require. (3, 4 %26amp; 5 September). The only hotel i have been able to book into is the Best Western Sundome in South Hutchinson. It doesn%26#39;t seem to get very good reviews (i have searched on a few different web sites), although it sounds good by it%26#39;s description. And i wonder if the location is any good as it is in South Hutchinson? Can you please tell me what you know about this hotel and what eateries are near it??
The only other option i have is to book into one of the other hotels for 1 night on 3 Sept (they have vacancies for that night only before the fair starts) and then either stay at a B%26amp;B or move to Best Western for the last 2 nights.
If i did this, which hotel do you recommend for location etc? These three are all in a similar location:
Holiday Inn Express
Comfort Inn
Best Value Inn
Grand Prairie
And these hotels are in a similar location:
Hampton Inn
Econo Lodge
Alaskan Motel
We are not overly fussy people - i never stay in fancy hiltons etc! As long as it%26#39;s clean and in a safe area it%26#39;s fine.
I was also thinking we might go for a drive to another town for our last night, like maybe Dodge City or Lindsborg (although dodge city is 2.5 hour drive away - is it worth visiting)? Any suggestions would be appreciated!!!
Also what is the mall like in Hutchinson?? Hopefully i will have some time for shopping.
Sorry for so many questions - gee i love tripadvisor!
Hotels in Hutchinson, more advise please!
Well these are only my thoughts so someone else may not agree, but the Sundome is probably fine for what you want...it is just an older facility. (no bugs or rats roaming around) LOL
Anyway I prefer the Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn, or Hampton Inn since they are part of nationwide chains so pretty consistant. There is also a Microtel next to the Holiday Inn Express (nothing fancy but has always been clean when we%26#39;ve stayed there)
Lindsborg is a quaint town with a strong Swedish background and worth a stop to chat with the local folks and see the little downtown area....at least I prefer it over Dodge. You can also stop in Yoder (not far from Hutch) to see a true Amish community and buy the best breads...yum!
The mall in Hutch is small but has nice stores just like we do here in Topeka. If you do have more specific questions, please feel free to send a personal message to me since I am not here on the Kansas forum daily...and hope you have a nice trip!
Hotels in Hutchinson, more advise please!
Of the ones that you are considering, the only one I have stayed at recently was the Grand Prairie. It has done a fair amount of renovation in the past few years and I have been happy with it. As far as location in Hutchinson, it isn%26#39;t a large community, if a hotel is otherwise fine, I wouldn%26#39;t worry about location.
For B%26amp;Bs, you might check on Hedrick%26#39;s Exotic Animal Farm Bed and Breakfast in Nickerson. I haven%26#39;t stayed there, but looked at the rooms when I toured the animal farm. I think the place is pretty cool.
Dodge City is probably a much more familiar name outside of Kansas, but as far as things to do, IMO there are many more interesting communities that are closer - starting with Wichita.
You will find driving in Kansas to be easy. Even the two lane roads tend to be straight, wide and have 65 MPH speed limits.
We visit Hutchinson monthly and I would say the recommendations of the first responder are correct.
We%26#39;ve stayed at the Sundome, and though it is nothing special, it is perfectly adequate. If you cannot find a place to stay in Hutch, I would recommend looking at hotels in Newton (best western) and McPherson- they are about a half hour from Hutch and a easy drive. Dodge City is a much longer trip. I%26#39;d look at Wichita before I%26#39;d drive to Dodge City.
Finally, if you are not adverse to a hour and a half trip, I would certainly recommend looking into the Prairie Fire Spa and Inn in Strong City Kansas for at least a night. Its in the flint hills, not far from the tall grass prairie preserve, and presents some excellent scenic opportunities. If you want to truly spend a night on the prairie, go there and travel the road from matfield green to cottonwood falls.
I reread your post and have a couple of comments. Unless you have a real interest in feed lots, I would strongly recommend Lindsborg or the Flint Hills over a drive to Dodge City-
I meant to say the road between Cassoday and Council Grove- the recommendation for the Prairie Fire Spa stands- if you decide to look into the route, make a post and I%26#39;ll give you some stops.
Our experience with eateries in Hutch is not overly encouraging we%26#39;ve yet to find the local steak house or grill that is over the top. Yoder, Pretty Prairie and some of the surrounding communities may yield the gem you are looking for, but the classic Kansas grass fed beef is a rare find.
Like plants? The Dyck arboretum in Hesston is a good place to see native prairie.
Finally, go to the State Fair and pig out! Its probably the worst food you could possibly eat for a healthy diet, but its got the basic fair food groups of fat, fried dough and sugar. Who needs a four star meal when you can find a coronary on a stick!
I would recommend the Grand Prairie. If you have kids, stay in the south part, near the water park. If not, stay in the north part, with its own quiet atrium area. The Mall is nearby, as is the street to the Cosmosphere, which has space exhibits and a domed IMAX theatre.
I agree with the crowd on Dodge City ... it%26#39;s a long drive with no pay-off at the end ... except for a really bad smell. Lindsborg is nice, as are the Mennonite communities.
If you are looking for some Old West of the animal kind, you could go to the Maxwell Game Preserve as a side trip from Lindsborg -- it%26#39;s about 10 miles east, and 5 miles south from Lindsborg, and has bison (buffalo) and elk in a wild prairie setting. You could grab a picnic lunch on your way out of Lindsborg to enjoy in the hills. You could also dash into Wichita to visit the Old Cowtown and the Mid-American All Indian Center, just west of downtown, for an even-handed old west account.
While in Hutch ... everybody is raving about the Salt Mine Museum. I haven%26#39;t made it there yet, but many friends have told me it%26#39;s a really great experience, and much better than they expected.
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