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Fall is a great time of year to go hiking. The weather is cool, there aren't as many bugs as in the summer, and there is beautiful foliage to look at. The Salina, Kansas, area has many places to hike with trails for all experience levels. Here are some of the best places for a fall hike in Salina. more Salina Levee Trail The Salina Levee Trail is a 4.8-mile trail that makes its way along the flood control levee on the west bank of the Smoky Hill River. You can park at the Bill Burke Sports Complex or Oxbow Park on McAdams Road. There is also access to the trail from the Salina Soccer Complex on East Magnolia Road. This trail provides views of the river, and it connects to several local parks along the way. You can also view part of downtown Salina. If you want to shorten your hike and just walk a portion of the trail, start at Bill Burke and hike to Magnolia for 2.25 miles. Alternatively, you can start at East Magnolia Road and head over to East Schilling Road for a quick 1-mile hike. Marquette Pioneer Trail Marquette, Kansas, is not far from Salina and is home to the Marquette Pioneer Trail. This trail features asphalt millings and runs along an old railroad corridor for 2.8 miles. It also connects to the Wolverine Loop nature trail which loops around a local sports complex, which you can take if you want to expand your hike. To get started, park at the sports complex on Harold Street. This is an easy hike or walk with mostly flat surfaces and crushed stone, making it accessible for almost any fitness level. Lakewood Park Trails The Lakewood Park trails offer a variety of hiking experiences. The trails work their way around an old sandpit and feature woodlands, some prairies, and even water features with an ag-line surface that is solid and simple to walk on. You are sure to see several different types of animals including white-tailed deer, fox squirrels, and even some raccoons. This area has 3.5 miles of trails designed for a relaxing stroll or a more vigorous hike. Indian Rock Park You can also head to Indian Rock Park which is just a short distance from the Lakewood Park trails. If you park at the south end of the hill, there is a kiosk where you can get a trail map with information about the 100 different species of flowers in the park. Hike up the hill and take the loop trail that brings you to the river overlook for some beautiful views of the Smoky Hill river gorge. The trails at Indian Rock Park are well-marked right on the ground to help guide you along, and there are restrooms at the park for your convenience. These are a few of the best places for a fall hike in and around the Salina area. Whether you want to spend the day out on the trail or just make it a quick one, there is something for everyone.

Residents of Salina are lucky in that there are plenty of activities you can do in the area to keep your kids occupied. Better still, many of the main activities are either cheap or completely free, meaning you can help your kids avoid boredom without breaking the bank. Find out below about some great cheap family attractions in Salina. more Smoky Hill Museum There is nothing quite like a good museum for combining both fun and education in the one attraction. The Smoky Hill Museum is a great place to take your kids to learn about the history of Salina through a series of exhibits that explore topics including immigration, agriculture, and education. Located on West Iron Ave., Smoky Hill Museum attracts 35,000 visitors to its doors each year, and the museum's exhibits date back to the 1800s. One of the best things about the Smoky Hill Museum is that it is absolutely free to visit. There's even a designated interactive children's area sure to keep your kids occupied and engaged for an hour or two. The museum opens Tuesday to Friday from noon until 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sculpture Tour Salina Exercise is a great way for you and your kids to spend time considering its numerous scientifically proven health benefits. But kids often find exercise alone quite boring. Thankfully, residents of Salina and visitors to the city get the chance to combine exercise and engagement with Salina's unique Sculpture Tour. Essentially, Sculpture Tour Salina features some intriguing sculptures scattered throughout the downtown area of the city, and it's your job to explore them on foot. The sculptures change each spring, which keeps this activity fresh and interesting. As a completely free activity, Sculpture Tour Salina is another great way to keep your kids occupied in Salina without breaking the bank. You and your family also get the chance to vote for your favorite sculpture, with the annual winner receiving a special "People's Choice" award that nets them $5,000 and a permanent place in the city's sculpture collection. Oakdale Park Located on Oakdale Drive, Oakdale Park is perhaps the most popular park in Salina. The park features multiple playgrounds with different swings and climbing frames, making it a great place to bring your kids on a pleasant day. The large swathes of green spaces make Oakdale Park great for a picnic too. A slew of musicians perform at Oakdale Park throughout the year. Additionally, the park plays host to the annual Smoky Hill River Fest, a hugely popular four-day entertainment event held each June, with live music, food, and a range of great kids activities. As another attraction in Salina that costs absolutely nothing to do, a visit to Oakdale Park is a superb way to keep your kids entertained on a pleasant day in the city. In addition to playgrounds, there are tennis courts, fishing opportunities, and a botanical garden. Having fun in Salina doesn't have to cost a dime, making it a great city to help your kids avoid boredom without breaking the bank.

Camping is a great time-honored tradition for the warmer months of the year. Although summer is close to its end, fall is still a perfect time for you to go camping in the right areas. The area around Salina, KS, is good for fall camping as it is not too hot or cold. The weather is fairly consistent as well which makes it possible for you to go camping well into the season. If you are looking for a place to go camping this fall, here are the three best places for fall camping in Salina, KS. more Salina KOA Campgrounds Many cities have specific areas set aside for camping. Salina is no exception and developed the KOA Campgrounds. The KOA Campgrounds have a wide range of amenities that make camping more enjoyable. The camping area where you will sleep and set-up your sleeping arrangements has electrical hookups and Wi-Fi so that you can stay connected. It is great for people who travel a lot and need to continue working, or for people who want to be more connected to nature and technology at the same time. Several activities like fishing, swimming, and biking are made easier by the centrally located water areas. There is also a bike rental place nearby if you didn't bring a bike with you. Fuel sources including propane and firewood are available for purchase by on-site vendors as well. Lakeside Recreational Park If you are traveling with a camper or RV, then finding a place to camp can be difficult. Fortunately, the Lakeside Recreational Park located at 1288 E. Lapsley Road in nearby Assaria. It provides full hookups for all of the resources that you need. The park has beach and lake access where you can go fishing or swimming. There is a range of nature trails for hiking as well. If you want to ditch your RV for the night, there are campsites available as well. Lakeside Recreational Park is limited to 25 RV sites, so you will want to get there at a reasonable time to make sure that you get a spot. Sundowner West Campground Salina Sundowner West is another great place to go camping in Salina. It provides a spacious 79 campsites for RVs and tents. It also has a wide range of amenities including swimming pool, playground, and laundry facilities. Restrooms have been built in convenient locations across the campsite. If you are concerned about the weather, there is a weather monitoring system in place. In the case of inclement and dangerous weather in the area, there is a storm shelter for your protection. It is well prepared for any possible issues that you may face. Camping in the fall can be a lot of fun for you and your family. In fact, it can be more enjoyable than summer camping. The weather is slowly changing so that it will be cooler outside, making it easier for you to enjoy nature. The best way to find out more about these campsites is to visit them. They are affordably priced and offer you a great opportunity to get out and enjoy the environment.

Central Kansas isn't the most cosmopolitan part of the United States, and it's true that Salina is a great place to find steaks, burgers, and American cuisine. However, America is a nation of immigrants and that's just as true of Salina as it is about the rest of the country. If you want to dine out at a place with an international flavor, you can stop by any of the spots below. more Martinelli's Little Italy Martinelli's Little Italy sits at the corner where Walnut Street meets South Santa Fe Avenue. The restaurant combines a relaxed atmosphere with fine dishes made in an authentically Italian way starting with the handmade sauces and ending with the carefully selected wine list. Toasted ravioli appetizers can start off your meal of chicken or steak, or you can try something different and get a St. Louis-style pizza with an ultra-thin crust packed to the edge with toppings. Martinelli's also has a gluten-free menu and desserts worth leaving room for. Jalisco Mexican Restaurant There are several Mexican places in Salina, but the best of the bunch would probably have to be Jalisco. The restaurant is just off the Old Highway on Market Place between West Key Avenue and Belmont Boulevard. The atmosphere isn't as amazing as it could be, but the menu offers a very nice variety of authentic Mexican food with great portions for the price. Even the complimentary salsa has a good taste, and the margaritas are a great value. Seoul USA Korean Restaurant There's more to Asian food than Chinese dishes, and Seoul USA proves it for the people of Salina. You'll find this surprising spot just south of where West Crawford Street and South Broadway Boulevard meet, and on the menu you'll find kimchi, tofu pancakes, bibimbab stir fry, curry rice, and the Seoul Sampler, a dish that combines a bit of every meat the restaurant offers. All the tofu options make Seoul USA a great choice for vegans and vegetarians, and they roll out a lunch buffet every day for big eaters. Joselyn's Philippine Kitchen Also known as the Pinoy Po Tayo Café, Joselyn's Philippine Kitchen is a small restaurant that sits on South Santa Fe Avenue and East Jewell Avenue. The small building makes it a better place for takeout than for eating in, but it's a great place to eat if you're looking for food that sounds like your usual East Asian fare but tastes completely different. The egg rolls are especially delicious and the meat skewers have such a thick layer of sauce you'll think it came from an American barbecue place. Every American city over a certain size has people who came from other countries, and many of them are happy to share the flavors of home with locals who love variety. So if you live in Salina or you find yourself passing through the central plains of Kansas, be sure to take some time and stop by one of the international restaurants that can add a little extra spice to your life.

The welcoming nature of Salina Kansas, located in the Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains, is a breath of fresh air and a trip worth taking. With a population of just around 50,000 and easy access to I-70 and I-135, it is the perfect combination of modern city life and small town attraction. If you get the opportunity to visit Salina, here are three ways to experience the most from your trip. more A Blast From the Past Go back in time and experience history through the stories of those who lived it at the Smoky Hill Museum in Salina, Kansas. The intentional detail put into each exhibit tells a story of the struggles and successes of those who settled the Smoky Hills region. With many permanent and rotating exhibits, see what life was like in a one-room sod dugout or take a journey through the crossroads of the heartland. Visitors will leave with a greater understanding and appreciation for the people who created a thriving city from a wild frontier. Children visiting the museum will love the Curiosity Shop, an interactive exhibit that engages kids in exploring the world around them through play. Smoky Hill Museum is free of charge and open Tuesday through Saturday. A Family Getaway A trip to Salina wouldn't be complete without a visit to Rolling Hills Zoo. With over 350 animals and a wildlife museum as well, this zoo is a must-see for families visiting Salina. Open seven days a week, the 60-acre park features animals such as a rare white camel, Indian rhino, giraffes, bears, and more. The museum presents animal exhibits from regions around the world with state of the art human animatronics teaching about the unique relationships between animals and humans. Rolling Hills Zoo also features a hands-on children's discovery center, which is a nice break halfway through the museum tour. Check out the 2,000-square-foot art gallery, and top off your trip with lunch at the Overlook Restaurant. A Cultural Tour Known as a thriving art community, Salina invites its visitors to not only experience the art and culture of the city but also to interact with it. SculptureTour Salina, on Santa Fe Street in the heart of downtown Salina, is an impressive way to do this. Each spring, the city offers a new outdoor walking tour of sculptures created by artists from all over the country. Visitors can pick up a brochure and ballot card at many downtown crosswalks and businesses and vote for their favorite sculpture. The sculpture that wins the most votes will be purchased and find a permanent home in the city. This is a free activity and pairs perfectly with dinner and shopping downtown. From historic restaurants to world-class shopping, car shows and water parks, there are so many more reasons to love Salina. What makes it truly special are the people who call it home and the diverse community in which they live. Visit Salina and discover its rich history, cultural accomplishments, and family fun.

Summer is a wonderful month in Kansas. The summer sun beams down while the winds over the Great Plains keep things cool, and all kinds of events take place throughout the state. Thanks to living in a city built on a crossroads near the center of the state, Salina residents can attend these events no matter where they take place. more Smoky Hill River Festival Salina's own big summer event is the Smoky Hill River Festival, which takes place on the second weekend of June. The festival is all about the arts, and artists of every discipline come from dozens of states to have their creations judged. Festival goers will find plenty of works for sale, including paintings, photographs, sculptures, jewelry, pots, and more, and many national music acts that stop represent genres like folk, bluegrass, rock, jazz, and country. Aside from the judging, other events include craft demonstrations and activities for kids. Spirit of Kansas Blues Festival Head on over to Topeka for an all-day celebration on the Fourth of July. The festival organizers are the Topeka Blues Society, and thanks to donations and member support attendance is free for everyone. All the music acts play blues or a closely connected genre, and aside from the music you can find food trucks and craft stalls that sell all kinds of items. The festival opens at 11 a.m. and ends the way every Independence Day celebration does: with a great big fireworks display. Kansas City's Big Picnic Cross the border to Missouri and you'll get to take part in Kansas City's Big Picnic. This event takes place every year on a Sunday in late July on the giant lawn and sculpture garden of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and spills over into Theis Park. The picnic honors National Park Month, and while you need to bring your own blanket, you can pack a lunch or get something from one of the food trucks at the event. Other highlights include music acts, lawn games, a puppet theater, a "quick paint" contest, and giant bubbles courtesy of Grateful Bubbles. Kansas State Fair It's still technically summer when the Kansas State Fair takes place in mid-September. The fair takes place south of Salina in Hutchinson, and thousands of people come from all across the state to see the big music acts, watch the professional artists show off their craft, and ride the many rides of the midway. And in a state as rural as Kansas, you can bet there are plenty of old-fashioned competitions for livestock, agricultural products, food, flowers, and more. Kansas really comes alive during the summer months, and that means more than just the cattle ranches and wheat fields. You can always find plenty events, festivals, fairs, and other celebrations taking place throughout the season, and thanks to its central location Salina is never far from where any of the action is happening. So if your summer seems to be dragging, just find out whether one of these events is coming soon and get yourself there.