Location: Topeka
Top Things to do in Topeka
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10 Things to do Good for Kids in Topeka That You Shouldn't Miss
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. 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!
2. 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!
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. Heartland Park Topeka
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
"The Heart of American Motorsports" Heartland Park Topeka stands out as one of the world's finest, multi-purpose racing and entertainment destinations. Located on the south side of Topeka, KS, the facility covers approximately 750 acres and provides ample room for its many racing and motorsports venues. The facility features a championship, NHRA-sanctioned 1/4-mile drag strip, four-level sponsor-suite tower, a 2.5-mile road course with four different configurations, a 3/8-mile banked clay oval, a 22-acre asphalt pad for autocross and drift events. A world class motocross track was also added to the complex in 2016. The 23-acre paddock area features a mix of asphalt parking and access roads as well as grass parking and camping areas for car shows, swap meets and other large footprint events.
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. Kansas Museum of History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
The striking "White Buffalo" sculpture outside offers an inkling of the interesting exhibits inside this museum, including a steam locomotive, a Southern Cheyenne teepee, one of the largest collections of prairie memorabilia in the U.S. and a hands-on children's area. Admission is $10 for adults, and $5 for children aged 2-17. Admission includes admittance to the discovery place.
Reviewed By jennyleer2017 - Carlisle, United States
This museum was a great look at the surrounding area through time. Great displays of famous influential people over the years and progress of civilization; Indians, cowboys, immigrants, buffalo, horses, cattle, trains and covered wagons, etc. Well worth a trip!
7. 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.
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. Combat Air Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 140 reviews
A collection of military aircraft, a re-created German P.O.W. barracks, aircraft engines and aviation memorabilia spanning World War I to the space shuttle program are on display at this museum tailor-made for flight enthusiasts.
Reviewed By sue6k
This is a great place to visit. I have been to several airplane museums and this is the best. A lot ofhistory and it's really great that there are a few that you are allowed to walk inside of. There is war memorbilia here. It's humbling to think of the sacrifice our military has made to keep our country free. Thank you veterans!!
10. 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.
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