Cosmosphere, Hutchinson: Hours, Address, Cosmosphere Reviews: 4.5/5
Cosmosphere
Cosmosphere
4.5
Speciality Museums • Science Museums • History Museums
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9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Cosmosphere International SciEd Center & Space Museum is a Smithsonian affiliated museum in Hutchinson, KS. Its collection includes U.S. space artifacts second only to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, and the largest collection of Russian space artifacts outside of Moscow. This unique collection allows the Cosmosphere to tell the story of the Space Race better than any museum in the world while offering fully immersive education experiences that meet the Next Generation Science Standards and introduce students to the power of wondering—asking the critical questions that lead to discovery. The Cosmosphere also features the Carey Digital Dome Theater offering documentary showings daily; experience the night sky in the Justice Planetarium; Dr. Goddard’s Lab, where visitors experience live science demonstrations daily; and featuring CosmoKids, an interactive play area for Young Explorers.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
672 reviews
Excellent
524
Very good
124
Average
18
Poor
2
Terrible
4
Peggy H
Olathe, KS45 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
Amazing destination if you are the least bit interested in space and/or rockets, maybe even if you're not! They are affiliated with the Smithsonian (not part of) and have great, quality exhibits. The layout is well planned, the displays are chronological so you come away with a real feel for the history of rockets and space exploration. The displays often have both quick info signage and more detailed explanations. Real aircraft, real modules, real satellites! I was fascinated. We spent 5 hours there including a planetarium show and a movie and didn't make it through but a third of the museum (but we are nerds that read everything, lol!) A definite must see!
Written March 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thank you for visiting and for your fantastic review, Peggy H!
Written April 28, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
M N
7 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Our 3 kids ages 6 to 10 lived this museum, and my wife and I did as well. The best part was the story of the space race with the USSR...what an adventure! A good portion of the museum tells the Soviet story too. The actual Apollo 13 capsule was amazing to see. We spent about 4 hours including a lunch break and a movie.
Written July 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ty F
Saint Louis, MO5 contributions
Jul 2021
This is a great rocket/space museum I stumbled upon. You don't even have to be a great fan of rocketry or space. I traveled with 3 other adults and they enjoyed it immensely too though I have always been very interested in the space program. Lots of artifacts of history including original Apollo 13 capsule, Gus Grissom's Mercury capsule that sank in the 1960s but was recovered and refurbished. Cafe and snacks and amenities were wonderful too. Through no fault of the museum, my wife had an injury that gave her a significant skin tear (not related to the museum) but the staff there provided support, gauze, bandages, etc. They went beyond what was necessary to help us even though it wasn't caused by the museum or its environment. Would visit again.
Written July 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kristian
Peace River, Canada116 contributions
Feb 2020 • Business
Came here on a Sunday and used the whole 5 hours it was open. Still not quite enough time.
The show with the stars in the planetarium was neat but not sure I would recommend for adults.
Restored actual artifacts are amazing the work and detail they went to like the Apollo 13 and the Russian return pod. Sadly the liberty bell was not currently on display.
If you like to read each placard don’t come on a Sunday. Would probably need 7 hours to do. Great time though.
The show with the stars in the planetarium was neat but not sure I would recommend for adults.
Restored actual artifacts are amazing the work and detail they went to like the Apollo 13 and the Russian return pod. Sadly the liberty bell was not currently on display.
If you like to read each placard don’t come on a Sunday. Would probably need 7 hours to do. Great time though.
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thanks for your honest review! Liberty Bell 7 has returned to the Cosmosphere from now through the end of 2020. After then it will go on tour to Brazil in 2021. We're sorry you missed it! We hope you can come back and visit us soon.
Written June 19, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Melinda D
30 contributions
Jul 2020
Really enjoyed this place! My husband has always been a space travel/rocket fan and this place did not disappoint. The museum has an excellent collection of artifacts and educational documentation of the history of rockets and space travel from WWII German rockets to the present day. The Cold War is presented to show what was going on in the USSR and the US on parallel timelines -- so interesting. They have actual rockets, engines, space suits, etc. They even have the Apollo 13 capsule! It's just all really well done. You can also go to the planetarium for a lesson on the night sky, learn about very early work in rocketry that is made to me fun and interesting for children (we adults enjoyed it too), and a digital theatre showing films. I think we ended up spending about 4-5 hours there. Definitely recommend.
Written August 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thank you, Melinda D, for your great review! Please come back and see us soon!
Written August 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
koppla69
Phoenix, AZ173 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
A must see. Staff was very friendly. When we went,there were a few interactive attractions closed because of the COVID-19. This was not a big deal. There are so so much information in this place. If you do the whole museum including the 2 movies and the Lab you will be there for 4-6 hours. Try to have a break before the extras. We missed the planetarium one because the family needed a restroom break. You had to be there on time. I would recommend this place to kids maybe 6 and up. Take a nice camera, you will take lots of pictures. We ate at the cafe there and even though it was a little pricey, the food was awesome. You can take snacks and drinks in which was nice. They have elevator is need. Hope you have much fun and we all did. Any questions please don't hesitate, shot me a message. Have happy travels.
Written June 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
What an outstanding review! Thank you so much for visiting us, koppla69! We're so happy that you and your family enjoyed our hidden gem in the middle of Kansas!
Written June 19, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
douglasf719
Gulfport, MS65 contributions
Jun 2020
I've been to many different space related museums and this is one of the best. Has many original space rockets/components that have actually flown or were backups ready to fly but weren't needed. The Goddard Lab was interesting but would be of particular interest to pre-teens since the person doing it was using liquid oxygen and actually created an explosion in the lab. Naturally a plexiglass shield separated the audience from the explosion. I would recommend the visit. Also see the theatre and Planetarium shows. By the way, the cafeteria was pretty good.
Written June 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thank you! What a great review! We're glad you enjoyed your visit. Please come back and see us anytime!
Written June 19, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Oknurse
12 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
It was nice to revisit the Cosmosphere. My son attended the space camps there several years in the past. My husband and I came for a visit and spent 4 -5 hours enjoying the museum and film/interactive shows. Very enjoyable afternoon
Written June 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
We're glad you enjoyed your visit! Come back soon!
Written June 19, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
americanhistorymajor
Colorado Springs, CO41 contributions
Jul 2020
My husband and I are huge Air and Space fans. This museum was such an experience in the Cold War and early space history. Of particular interest was the early rocket experiments in Nazi, Germany and the interesting parallels in the museum of the race to the moon between Russia and the US. We toured the entire museum as well as the planetarium show. This was about a 3 hour tour for us. It could definitely be longer.
Written August 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
We like to pride ourselves that our collection includes the largest combined collection of U.S. and Russian space artifacts in the world, thus allowing us to tell the story of the Space Race better than any other museum! Thanks for visiting and come back and see us soon!
Written August 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
recorder
Pineville, MO1,648 contributions
Aug 2020
As someone who lived through the cold war and the space race that was a part of it, it was a great experience to relive those bygone days. There's lots to see here and lots to learn if you've never heard the story of Sputnik and rockets blowing up on launch pads and in the air. A great history lesson with lots of artifacts from the era on display.
Written August 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thank you for the review, recorder and thank you for visiting!
Written August 24, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
CurlyQLink
16 contributions
Is 2 - 3 hours sufficient to see the exhibits? What is a "don't miss" for an 11 year old?
boatlvr13
Olathe, KS31 contributions
Yes but they will want more. just wait and see when they get I to experiment mode...
AreWeThereYet87
102 contributions
The website says they have activities for kids 2-12, but all the pictures I've seen show mostly older kid-adult exhibitions. Can any parents tell me if this would be a good day trip for 2-3 year olds (who are interested in space ships)? :)
travelswellAZ
Phoenix, AZ12 contributions
I think on the third Saturday of the month they have more activities for little children and a story time, according to a friend. There was a table in the lobby where they had kid friendly activities and they have a space capsule little ones can get in and push buttons, listen to mission control etc. It's been a long time since my kids were that little, so I'd say yes for a few hours but not the whole day. It is not a "children's museum" with a dedicated children's play area, but during our visit, there were a lot of families with little ones there with strollers, etc. who seemed very happy.
Areis the. Cosnoshere open on sunday? And what is price od adnission??
Robert D
Bismarck46 contributions
Yes they are open 12 to 7 on Sunday and here is the site for ticket prices and times they are open.
Adults
$23.00 +tax
Children (4-12), Seniors (60+), Military
$21.00 +tax
Children 3 & Under, sitting on a parents lap
Free
These prices get you into everything for the entire day.
Single venue prices are as follows:
Single Venue Ticket
Adults
Children (4-12), Seniors (60+), Military
Children
3 & Under
Hall of Space Museum
$12.50 +tax
$10.50 +tax
Free*
Dr. Goddard's lab
$8.75 +tax
$7.75 +tax
Free*
Justice Planetarium
$8.75 +tax
$7.75 +tax
Free*
Carey Digital Dome Theater Documentary
$8.75 +tax
$7.75 +tax
Free*
Carey Digital Dome Theater Hollywood Feature Filmâ€
$7.50 +tax
$6.50 +tax
Free
Frequently Asked Questions about Cosmosphere
- Cosmosphere is open:
- Wed - Sun 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Cosmosphere:
- (1.04 mi) Hampton Inn Hutchinson
- (0.95 mi) Fairfield Inn & Suites Hutchinson
- (0.63 mi) Prairie Moon Bed and Breakfast
- (1.20 mi) Comfort Inn & Suites
- (0.76 mi) Astro Motel
- Restaurants near Cosmosphere:
- (0.04 mi) Lunar Outpost Restaurant
- (0.59 mi) Bogey's
- (0.85 mi) Jillian's Italian Grill
- (0.45 mi) Papa Johns Pizza
- (0.55 mi) Antojitos El Barbas