A- Overview:
Strategically located in the fertile Kansas River Valley, the capital city of Kansas was born because a young Pennsylvanian, Colonel Cyrus K. Holiday, wanted to build a railroad. The present city of Topeka, which sits on the Kansas River, was chosen as a suitable site and the town company was formed in 1854. In 1861 when Topeka was designated Kansas’s state capital construction began for the state capitol. Completed nearly 40 years later, the Classical Revival state capitol includes ornate senate chambers, with bronze columns and variegated-marble accents.
Topeka’s historic tours bring back the sights and sounds of yesteryear. West of downtown Topeka, the Kansas Museum of History explains Kansas’s history from the Native American era to the present. Historic Ward-Meade Park is as lovely as it is historic, with a restored mansion, a cabin, a train depot, a one-room schoolhouse, and botanical gardens.
True pioneer spirit is found all throughout the city of Topeka – particularly in the picturesque rolling hills, trees, lakes, and grasslands. If your seeking entertainment, The Expocentre and the Topeka Performing Arts Center bring the art culture alive in Topeka. For the visitor interested in the fast track – there isn’t a better way to experience the racing excitement of motorsports racing than by visiting the Heartland Park Topeka.
The World Famous Topeka Zoological Park provides visitors with the opportunity to visit with lions and other wild animals. After a visiting the zoological park, take a ride on the restored Carousel in the Park, an attraction known for brings out the child in everyone! If theatre and art are more your style, make sure to visit the exhibits at the Mulvane Art Museum. This museum features an ever-changing array of artwork for the art enthusiast. In the evening, you can catch dinner and a show at the Topeka Civic Theatre.
Topeka has it all! For your next vacation, travel to Topeka and share in the adventures of a pioneer history, along with the excitement of visiting a contemporary city.
B- City Information:
Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education National Historic Site
Monroe Elementary School
17th & Monroe
Sumner Elementary School
330 SW Western
(785) 234-1030
or 1-800-235-1030
These schools were the focus of the 1954 Supreme Court case, Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education that ended the doctrine of “separate but equal.” Both schools are listed as National Historic Landmarks, and Monroe Elementary School is one of the nation’s newest national parks.
Gage Park
635 SW Gage Blvd
(785) 368-3700
This 160-acre park is home to the World-Famous Topeka Zoo, the Reinisch Rose Garden, the historic Carousel, the Helen Hocker Theatre, and countless recreational facilities, including tennis, swimming, softball, and volleyball. More Info
Kansas Museum of History
6425 SW 6th
(785) 272-8681
The Kansas Museum of History, located on a branch of the Oregon Trail, features the story of Kansas as told through exhibits, videos, and programs. Visitors can learn about the prehistoric tribes that roamed the plains and the present day people who have made the Kansas plains the breadbasket of the world.More Info
Kansas State Capitol
10th & Jackson
(785) 296-3966
Built in 1866, the Capitol houses Kansas’ most famous works of art by native-born John Steuart Curry. The House and Senate Chambers are full of native oak, cherry wood, and marble from Kansas, Italy, Belgium and Tennessee. Guides are knowledgeable about the history and lore of the government.
Lake Shawnee Recreational Area
3137 SE 29th
(785) 267-1156
Lake Shawnee is a man-made, 411-acre lake offering fishing, boating, sailing and swimming. Within the 1,600-acre park surrounding the lake are foot trails, fish hatcheries (for stocking the lake), a golf course, a marina, tennis courts, shelter houses, horseback trails, baseball fields and gardens.
Topeka Zoological Park
635 SW Gage Blvd
(785) 272-5821
Intimate views of nearly 400 animals from all over the world add to the reputation of the Topeka Zoo as one of the nation’s finest small zoos. Major exhibits include Hill’s Black Bear Woods, Animals & Man (a new Pachyderm Yard), Tropical Rain Forest, Discovering Apes, Lions Pride, and the Children’s Zoo & Playground. More Info
Combat Air Museum
Forbes Field
(785) 862-3303
This museum displays operational aircraft from every armed conflict since powered aircraft have been involved. Much more than a collection of aircraft, the Combat Air Museum houses a wide variety of military and aviation-oriented memorabilia. More Info
Historic Wade-Meade Park
124 North Fillmore St
913-295-3888
Historic Wade-Meade Park is as lovely as it is historic, with a restored mansion, a cabin, a train depot, a one-room choolhouse, and botanical gardens.
Z Bar / Spring Hill Ranch
Route 1
316-273-8494
Offer wagon tours and visits to the Flint Hills. More Info
Golfland / Sunsplash
20005 West 153rd St
913-764-3204
A family-oriented golf and water theme park.
C- Attractions/Things To Do:
Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education National Historic Site
Monroe Elementary School
17th & Monroe
Sumner Elementary School
330 SW Western
(785) 234-1030 or 1-800-235-1030
These schools were the focus of the 1954 Supreme Court case, Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education that ended the doctrine of “separate but equal.” Both schools are listed as National Historic Landmarks, and Monroe Elementary School is one of the nation’s newest national parks.
Gage Park
635 SW Gage Blvd
(785) 368-3700
This 160-acre park is home to the World-Famous Topeka Zoo, the Reinisch Rose Garden, the historic Carousel, the Helen Hocker Theatre, and countless recreational facilities, including tennis, swimming, softball, and volleyball. More Info
Kansas Museum of History
6425 SW 6th
(785) 272-8681
The Kansas Museum of History, located on a branch of the Oregon Trail, features the story of Kansas as told through exhibits, videos, and programs. Visitors can learn about the prehistoric tribes that roamed the plains and the present day people who have made the Kansas plains the breadbasket of the world. More Info
Kansas State Capitol
10th & Jackson
(785) 296-3966
Built in 1866, the Capitol houses Kansas’ most famous works of art by native-born John Steuart Curry. The House and Senate Chambers are full of native oak, cherry wood, and marble from Kansas, Italy, Belgium and Tennessee. Guides are knowledgeable about the history and lore of the government.
Lake Shawnee Recreational Area
3137 SE 29th
(785) 267-1156
Lake Shawnee is a man-made, 411-acre lake offering fishing, boating, sailing and swimming. Within the 1,600-acre park surrounding the lake are foot trails, fish hatcheries (for stocking the lake), a golf course, a marina, tennis courts, shelter houses, horseback trails, baseball fields and gardens.
Topeka Zoological Park
635 SW Gage Blvd
(785) 272-5821
Intimate views of nearly 400 animals from all over the world add to the reputation of the Topeka Zoo as one of the nation’s finest small zoos. Major exhibits include Hill’s Black Bear Woods, Animals & Man (a new Pachyderm Yard), Tropical Rain Forest, Discovering Apes, Lions Pride, and the Children’s Zoo & Playground. More Info
Combat Air Museum
Forbes Field
(785) 862-3303
This museum displays operational aircraft from every armed conflict since powered aircraft have been involved. Much more than a collection of aircraft, the Combat Air Museum houses a wide variety of military and aviation-oriented memorabilia. More Info
Historic Wade-Meade Park
124 North Fillmore St
913-295-3888
Historic Wade-Meade Park is as lovely as it is historic, with a restored mansion, a cabin, a train depot, a one-room schoolhouse, and botanical gardens.
Z Bar / Spring Hill Ranch
Route 1
316-273-8494
Offer wagon tours and visits to the Flint Hills. More Info
Golfland / Sunsplash
20005 West 153rd St
913-764-3204
A family-oriented golf and water theme park.