Location: Topeka
Top Things to do in Topeka
Top 10 Free Things to do 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. Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By hwhite13 - Topeka, United States
Our family loves to go to this library! It has something for everyone to enjoy! The cafe is wonderful! They have a great section for kids to read, learn and play as well as computers for the older kids to enjoy and so much more. The staff is very helpful and kind. I could go on and on. Definitely check it out!
3. 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.
4. Cedar Crest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
This beautiful French-Norman style Governor's residence, perched on a bluff overlooking the Kansas River, was recently renovated to reflect its original French theme.
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. Iwig Dairy Store
7. Owls Nest Topeka Antique Mall and Flea Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
8. 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.
9. Mulvane Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
The permanent collection of the Mulvane Art Museum is national and international in scope and is also well represented with Kansas and regional artists. Other features are the ArtLab: look, create, understand education facility, a hands-on activity center for all ages. The Mulvane is open noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closed major holidays, Thanksgiving weekend and mid-December through mid-January.
10. Blue Moose Topeka
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