Location: Topeka
Top Things to do in Topeka
The 10 Best Things to do Good for Big Groups in Topeka, Kansas (KS)
Get a blast of the past in this western Kansas state capital, which was founded in 1854 by a group of anti-slavery activists and later played a key role in the civil rights movement. Visit the Brown vs. Board of Education National Historic Site, which celebrates those involved in the 1954 Supreme Court decision that deemed segregated schools unconstitutional. Continue your back-in-time travel at Ward Meade Park, which features an early 1900s town, Victorian mansion, one-room schoolhouse and log cabins. View aircraft dating from World War I at the Combat Air Museum, and visit Cedar Crest, the historic Governor's home, overlooking the Kansas River. Aside from historical attractions, Topeka is also known for its world-class motor sports racing site, Heartland Park Topeka, with its record-breaking quarter-mile drag strip. Topeka has its share of cultural attractions as well in the form of numerous art galleries, live theater and local symphony and opera companies. For a great family outing, head over to the Topeka Zoological Park for a visit to the tropical rain forest, naturalistic bear dwelling and the children's petting zoo, featuring llamas and sheep.
Restaurants in Topeka
1. First Presbyterian Church Topeka
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 51 reviews
2. Keynundrum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 263 reviews
Keynundrum is an escape room adventure that is a new interactive game where you and your friends are challenged as a team to find hidden objects, resolve puzzles and decrypt clues to earn your freedom. Keynundrum is Topeka's only live escape room. This adrenaline filled adventure will bring out the imagination and creativity you didn't know you had. Five rooms available with different themes to excite anybody. You have just 60 minutes to unravel the story and get out of the room. Can you escape the room?
Reviewed By Brady1010
It was my first time at any kind of event like this so I was not sure what to expect. It was challenging and a lot of fun!!! Would definitely want to do it again!!!
3. Evel Knievel Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 401 reviews
The Evel Knievel Museum showcases an incredible collection of authentic artifacts that belonged to the most legendary, death-defying daredevil of all time! Experience Knievel’s life and journey to record-setting, super-stardom! The 2-story 13,000 sq ft Evel Knievel Museum features: • Evel’s motorcycles – the bikes that launched a legend • Knievel’s genuine leathers and helmets • “Big Red,” Knievel’s fully-restored Mack Truck • Evel’s personal and never-before-seen memorabilia INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS: • Virtual Reality 4-D Jump Experience • Broken Bones Interactive, including Evel’s actual X-rays • “Plan Your Jump” Interactive Challenge • Engine & Suspension Interactive • Snake River Experience Room featuring Knievel’s actual X-2 Sky Cycle
Reviewed By 786clifft
I have to tell you this is an absolute MUST DO. I never knew how much me and Evel had in common. The museum is unbelievable. The layout is perfect. I stumbled across it by way of the BBQ spot that is attached to the Harley dealership the museum is attached to. Well the BBQ was off the hook, the bikes were BA and then we found the museum. WOW. You have got to do the jump. Check it out. Pro tip: Don't lean to far in the turns.... In a word it was awesome. worth every penny!
4. Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 323 reviews
The Monroe Elementary School, one of the segregated schools involved in the 1954 Supreme Court decision aimed at ending segregation in public schools, is now a National Historic Site commemorating this landmark ruling.
Reviewed By JennCMorris - Kingwood, United States
It was easy to get to. It was closed when we got her. There are signs ALL over to give you history and information. It is a beautiful building and we loved seeing history. It is in an neighborhood left very unsafe. We LOVED the mural across the street.
5. Kansas State Capitol Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 560 reviews
Built in 1866, the Capitol building contains magnificent artwork, including murals by native-born artist John Steuart Curry, ornate architectural features and elaborate Senate and House Chambers.
Reviewed By newengland50 - Franklin, United States
The State Capitol Building was fully renovated and it's a great and beautiful place to visit. One tour is a walking tour of the building. The guide was knowledgeable about the building's history. It was an informative and enjoyable tour. The second tour was a bit more adventuresome and fewer people took it. It included climbing stair to reach higher into the building and to see more of its structure. Then, we reached a point where some people decided not to go further. We climbed steel stairs that rose high above the interior dome (see photo). If you fear heights, the second portion of this tour is definitely not for you. Next, we reached the top of the building and had an opportunity to go outside (it's safe) and see a high, panoramic view. It was spectacular and worth the climb. Both tours are free. There is also a nice little store.
6. Ward-Meade Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 104 reviews
Originally a family farm on the Oregon Trail, this six-acre park features an early 20th-century town, an elegant Southern-style mansion, botanical gardens and original log cabins.
Reviewed By jcrowe630 - Chicago, United States
History buffs will enjoy the building moved here, the drugstore from Potwin, the General store from Mulvane, the Barbarshop, train depot and livery stable. I enjoyed volunteering at the Apple Festival and I enjoyed strolling through the tulips this week.
7. Gage Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 247 reviews
Reviewed By bghjwp - Topeka, United States
With a community theater, a small zoo, a swimming pool, the kids' train and lots of playground equipment, Gage park is an ideal place to spend a day with the kids.The fishing pond, so many trees and the amazing rose garden provide a beautiful and tranquil setting. The Discovery Center is located there too! The City really needs to resurface the tennis courts, however. They are so torn up it has become almost impossible to play on them.
8. Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
TCTA is the nations oldest continuously operating community dinner theatre in the nation. Next year, they celebrate 75 years of bringing live theatre to Northeast Kansas. They offer two performance spaces with a 282 seat dinner theatre and a 150 seat studio theatre offering a large variety of shows 50 out of 52 weeks of the year.
Reviewed By Imretitrd
The food was great and the play was great! I loved the humor. Would have preferred a table for two; however, the other people we sat with her a good match with our personalities
9. Kansas Children's Discovery Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center is a hands-on children’s museum with a mission to enhance the lives of children and enrich the communities it serves. Since opening in 2011 in Topeka, Kansas, the Discovery Center has become a special place where children can explore, create, discover and learn through play. The museum has hosted visitors from all 50 states and 23 countries. The Discovery Center features 15,000 square feet of indoor exhibits exploring science, careers, art, building and more, special space for babies and toddlers, and a 4.5-acre certified Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom. Daily programs, field trips, birthday parties and other special events provide additional opportunities for serious fun. Outreach programs bring quality, hands-on experiences into our community to inspire a lifelong love of learning for every child.
Reviewed By RoseyV5 - Minneapolis, United States
Took my 7 year old granddaughter. She loved the variety of experiences. The slime making session was her favorite. There was a large variety of activities for ages toddler to 12 yr olds.
