The Kansas State Capitol dome tour requires climbing 296 steps, with no elevator. This specific limitation adds an unusual note to Shawnee County: in Topeka, you can explore state history not only at the Capitol, but also in the context of civil rights, public art and historic buildings. Gardens, trails and recreation at Lake Shawnee add to the experience; Rees Fruit Farm offers a seasonal experience in October.
History between the Capitol and historic sites
Lake Shawnee in Topeka was built as a Works Progress Administration project. Construction began in 1935 and ended on September 3, 1939. Today, the lake offers opportunities for fishing and boating. Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Botanical Garden offers another way to explore history: the 19th-century village includes a replica of an 1854 log cabin. The complex also includes the 1891 Victor Schoolhouse and the 1880 Everest Church; the Ward-Meade mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Tours of Old Prairie Town are available daily: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Register and purchase tickets at the Mulvane General Store. Check the hours again before you travel. At the Kansas State Capitol, tours take you through the historic building and the State Library, showcasing significant public artworks and the dome. The Visitor Center features exhibits on the history of state government and the building. When planning your visit, allow for the 296 steps to the dome, with no elevator.
Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park preserves the site associated with the landmark ruling that ended racial segregation and presents the case in the context of the ongoing struggle for civil rights. Exhibits are located in the Road to Brown rooms and the Legacy Gallery. The Visitor Center and park store are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission and public parking are free. The Landon Trail runs alongside the parking lot and connects to the Shunga Trail. Check opening hours before your visit.
Architecture, art and collections
Other buildings tell stories of different chapters in the city’s history. Historic Ritchie House was built in 1856 by abolitionists John and Mary Jane Ritchie. Great Overland Station was a former Union Pacific train station dating from the 1920s. Built in the Free Classical Revival style, it was completed in 1927; it is currently closed to the public. Historic Topeka Cemetery is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Tours of historic burial sites are available upon request.
More than 50 public artworks, including sculptures, mosaics and murals, are spread throughout the NOTO Arts & Entertainment District. The First Friday Art Walk features live music, outdoor performances, special offers and extended store hours. The NOTO Arts Center adds to the arts scene with rotating exhibitions, workshops and presentations. It is housed in a building constructed in 1938 as a Classical Revival-style federal post office.
The Mulvane Art Museum pairs its galleries with the interactive Art Lab, an activity center for all ages. Admission to the galleries and Art Lab is free. The Combat Air Museum offers a different collection: on display are 47 military aircraft dating from World War I to the present, along with static exhibits featuring missiles, projectiles, aircraft engines, artifacts and dioramas. The museum is located at an active airfield, where visitors can regularly observe Air Force fighter aircraft and Army helicopters in flight.
Gardens, trails and outdoor experiences
Ted Ensley Gardens offers views of a diverse plant collection, including 1,200 varieties of perennials and 300 varieties of annuals. Paved walking paths and an ADA-accessible observation deck are also part of the grounds. At the Kansas Museum of History, a 2.5-mile nature trail loops through prairie and woodland areas in four sections. Shawnee County Parks + Recreation’s trail system includes a total of 60 miles of trails for walking, hiking, running and mountain biking; the range of activities gives the network its versatility.
The Topeka Zoo focuses on close-up animal encounters, garden paths and wildlife experiences for families. The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center has a certified Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom on 4.5 acres. Along with garden paths and nature trails, these attractions reveal another side of the destination: outdoor experiences range from walking paths and plant collections to animal and nature activities.
Seasonal events and recurring programs
Some experiences are tied to specific times of year or events. Every weekend in October, Rees Fruit Farm offers a pick-your-own pumpkin patch and hayrides through the orchard. Kansas Day at the Kansas Museum of History takes place annually on or around January 29 for Kansas schoolchildren. Art lovers can visit the recurring First Friday Art Walk to discover public artworks and enjoy a program of music, performances and extended store hours.
Discover more destinations: Topeka, Finney, Cloud County, Ellis County, Miami, Harvey County, Gray County, Phillips County.
For the main travel overview: Kansas.
