I was able to check out Salina’s newest attraction, The Garage, during its ribbon-cutting ceremony. Let me tell you — from a non-car enthusiast’s background (when I say “non-,” I was once sent to the car parts store looking for muffler bearings after a guy friend was helping me fix my car and wanted to give his buddies at the NAPA store a good laugh), this museum is awesome! Here is my guide to the museum from a novice automobile perspective — but as an avid museum aficionado. 

First off, the museum is huge. It’s a place you can easily spend a couple of hours exploring. If you have kiddos in tow, I recommend heading left first (unless you want to make a pit stop at the self-serve beer and wine taps in the lobby). You will pass through the gift shop onto your way to the exhibits. Once you enter, beware: Squeals of excitement will commence when they see the huge electric Hot Wheels exhibit. This interactive exhibit allows you to put the cars on the track and send them flyin.’ Parents, you can relax in the nearby lounge library. Also in this part of the museum is the “Kustom Kemps” area (“Kemp” was teenage slang for a car or truck in the late ’50s and early ’60s.) I loved the Mötley Crüe Hearse, but my favorite was the Elvis mural near the classic cars. Also in this exhibit is an official “selfie station,” with a car bench and museum backdrop and the racing simulator game.

Interactive education

From the lobby if you head to the right, you will be greeted by a beautiful 1938 Lincoln Brunn Town Car Cabriolet that was once owned by Richard Ringling, son of Alf T. Ringling from — you guessed it — Ringling Brothers Circus. This part of the museum houses the Crossroads Car Experience exhibit that showcases classic cars. Throughout this area are several interactive and educational exhibits like the digital gas pumps, the virtual reality car spray-painting and welding simulators, and a vintage wood race car ramp.

I really enjoyed seeing the old roadsters in front of the scenic Kansas paintings. You can just envision yourself riding in one with the windows down on a perfect sunny Sunday afternoon. Lastly, in this area is the temporary exhibit section, which right now features the From Horses to Horsepower automobiles.

Salina improvements

The Garage is part of Salina’s downtown improvement and redevelopment initiatives. Salina has embraced the attributes that makes a city desirable not only to visitors, but also to the people and businesses that make it a community.

Enhancements to the downtown include a new streetscape; residential lofts; five-story hotel; multisport, tournament-grade fieldhouse; family entertainment center, Riverwalk development, and a variety of new restaurants and boutique shops.

If you’re looking to make a weekend trip out of it, which you should totally do, here are my suggested stops to make it full of adventure:

Need more inspiration and Salina trip ideas? Head to travelks.com/places-to-visit.

Sharples-Terry is public relations and communications manager for Kansas Tourism. Kansas Tourism aims to inspire travel to and throughout Kansas to maximize the positive impacts that tourism has on the state and local communities. For more trip inspiration and to order a free Kansas Travel Guide, head to travelks.com.