48 Hours in Salina: The Essential Kansas Heartland Experience

Rolled into Salina after a proper long drive across the Kansas plains – endless fields stretching to the horizon like nature's own version of the ocean. First things first, sort your accommodation. The Homewood Suites offers decent family digs with breakfast included (major win when traveling with hungry kids), but if you're watching the pennies like me, the Baymont by Wyndham does the job without the fancy price tag.

Kick off your Salina adventure at the Cozy Inn for lunch. These sliders are legendary, mate – tiny onion-packed burgers that haven't changed since 1922. Fair warning: you'll reek of onions after, but it's a proper Salina experience. The kids will proper love it, and your wallet won't take a beating.

Afternoon calls for the Rolling Hills Zoo – not massive like big city zoos but well lush with over 100 species and these detailed dioramas showing animals in their natural habitats. The zoo keepers are proper passionate, offering talks that even kept me interested (and I'm usually more into catching waves than animal facts). Bring your insulated water bottle because Kansas summer heat is no joke – sneaks up on you like a ninja.

As the day cools, head downtown to Santa Fe Avenue. The Salina Art Center punches well above its weight for a small city – I was genuinely impressed by the contemporary exhibitions. If you've got little ones getting restless, the Smoky Hill Museum nearby has hands-on exhibits where they can dress up as pioneers and pretend they're living in olden days Kansas. Proper cute photo ops there.

Day two, rise and shine early doors – the Kansas prairie is best experienced in the morning light when everything's golden and quiet. Pack some snacks and your travel hammock (absolute game-changer for impromptu chill sessions) and head to Kanopolis State Park, about 30 minutes southwest of Salina.

The park's Dakota sandstone bluffs and canyons will proper blow your mind – not what you'd expect in Kansas! The Buffalo Track Canyon Trail is a decent 1.5-mile loop that's manageable for kids but still gives you those stunning views. We spotted wild turkeys and deer within the first hour – the little ones will be buzzing.

If you're visiting in summer like I did, the reservoir is perfect for a cooling dip. The beach area has shallow entry points ideal for families with younger kids. My waterproof bluetooth speaker came in clutch here – nothing like some tunes while the family splashes about.

For lunch, I recommend proper planning ahead with a picnic. The Dillons grocery store in Salina has a decent deli section for sandwiches and snacks. Save your cash for experiences rather than overpriced park food – that's how I stretch my travel budget, innit.

On your way back to Salina, make time for the Mushroom Rock State Park – it's tiny but wild. These massive rock formations look like something from another planet, balanced on these skinny stems. Kids go mental for them, scrambling all over while parents snap the obligatory holding-up-the-rock photos. Takes about 30 minutes to explore the whole place, but it's free and properly unique.

Listen up, food is where Salina properly shines for a small city. Skip the chains and hit up The Scheme for dinner – this restaurant in an old bank building serves up farm-to-table fare that's bang on. Their locally-sourced burgers are proper tasty, and they've got plenty of options for the little ones. The building itself is worth a gander with its original vault door still intact.

For dessert, Martinelli's Little Italy does this chocolate cake that's absolutely mental – rich enough to share between the family. If you're after ice cream (and who isn't in Kansas summer?), Dagney's Ice Cream scoops up homemade flavors that put chain shops to shame.

Breakfast the next morning has to be at Udderly Delicious – don't let the cheesy name fool you, their cinnamon rolls are bigger than your head and proper lush. Get there early as locals pack it out on weekends. I always travel with my collapsible coffee cup for takeaway brews – saves money and plastic waste when I need multiple caffeine hits throughout the day.

If you're after snacks for the road, the Paramount Bar downtown has surprisingly good bar food and a family-friendly atmosphere until evening. Their loaded fries kept my energy up for exploring, and the kids' menu is decent value. For something sweet, Mahaska Chocolate Shop makes handcrafted chocolates that make perfect gifts – I grabbed some for my mum back in Liverpool and she was well chuffed.

Before heading out of town, make time for the Stiefel Theatre – even if you can't catch a show, the restored 1931 art deco building is worth popping in to see. The staff usually don't mind if you have a quick peek at the ornate interior. If you're lucky enough to be in town when they have a family-friendly matinee, book it – the acoustics are mint and tickets are reasonable compared to big city venues.

For hands-on fun with the kids, the Salina Discovery Center is a proper little science museum with interactive exhibits that'll keep the little ones engaged for hours. My favorite bit was the augmented reality sandbox where you can create topographic landscapes – proper cool tech in the middle of Kansas! Their tornado simulator is a hit with kids too.

If weather turns naff (always have a backup plan, right?), the Big Nose Kate's bowling alley offers cosmic bowling that's a laugh with families. Not fancy, but decent prices and they've got bumpers for the young'uns.

Before you leave town, swing by Ad Astra Books & Coffee House – it's where the locals hang and has a brilliant children's corner with bean bags and books. I grabbed a coffee while letting my mate's kids explore the shelves. My pocket sketchbook came in handy here – sketched some of the local characters while soaking up the vibe. Great spot to chat with residents who'll give you the real scoop on Salina beyond the tourist bits.