Topeka Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Photo provided by Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism
The capital of Kansas played a key role in American history. Today it’s known for outdoor adventures including hiking, biking and camping across its vast landscape.

Topeka is at the center of Kansas, America’s heartland of prairies and wheat fields, but there’s more to the laidback city than rolling countryside. The capital of Kansas fascinates with its museums, activities, retail settings and decisive part in the battle for civil rights.

Go to the Brown vs. Board of Education National Historic Site. This interactive museum inside Monroe Elementary School commemorates the 1954 ruling that ended segregation in public schools in the USA. See Civil War battle flags and an 1868 locomotive at the Kansas Museum of History. Tour Great Overland Station for insights into Topeka’s railroad heritage.

Visit some of the city’s historic neighborhoods. Appreciate the Victorian-style homes at Potwin Place. Admire the 1920s and 1930s Italian Renaissance-style properties in Westboro. For a look at some of the city’s oldest residences, take a look throught Holiday Park, which dates back to the turn of the 20th century.

Topeka’s flat plains and farmlands provide the setting for numerous outdoor pursuits. Go walking, hiking and biking along the forested trails of the Kaw River State Park. Sail across Lake Shawnee and camp out in the park that surrounds it.

Experience the life of a prairie pioneer at Old Prairie Town, a collection of 19th-century buildings at Ward-Meade Park. This 5.5 acre (2.2 hectare) pioneer village has a restored 1870 Victorian Mansion, an 1854 replica log cabin, town square and an 1891 school house. Visit the town’s two-story reproduction of a drug store and enjoy a cold drink from its working soda fountain. Jump back into the modern world with some 21st-century shopping at the 1.1 million-square-foot (102,000-square meter) West Ridge Mall.

Take the family on a day of activities at Gage Park. The 160-acre (64-hectare) park is home to numerous attractions. Travel on the mini-train, ride the vintage 1908 carousel, see apes, jungle cats and alligators at its zoo, and enjoy the sights and smells of about 400 rose varieties at Reinisch Rose Garden. Let the children press buttons, pull levers and play games at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center.

Topeka is located 64.5 miles (104 kilometers) west of Kansas City on the Interstate 70. Get around the relatively small center by bus or taxi. Rent a car to see the countryside that Kansas is known for.

Where to stay in Topeka

Kansas as well as a large group of people

Downtown Topeka

If you're spending some time in Downtown Topeka, Topeka Performing Arts Center and Kansas State Capitol are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Topeka
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Southwest Topeka

5/5(1 area review)

When in Southwest Topeka, you can plan a visit to Topeka Zoological Park and Kansas Expocentre, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Southwest Topeka
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Historic Holiday Park North

While there might not be top attractions in Historic Holiday Park North, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Kansas State Capitol and Topeka Performing Arts Center.

Historic Holiday Park North
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Westboro

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Westboro and surrounding area, you can visit Topeka Zoological Park and Kansas Expocentre.

Westboro
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College Hill

Though College Hill may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Kansas Expocentre and Kansas State Capitol.

College Hill
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Oakland

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Oakland and surrounding area, you can visit Topeka Performing Arts Center and Kansas State Capitol.

Oakland
Ramada Hotel & Convention Center by Wyndham Topeka Downtown
Ramada Hotel & Convention Center by Wyndham Topeka Downtown
3 out of 5
420 E 6th St, Topeka, KS
The price is AU$145 per night from 10 Nov to 11 Nov
AU$145
includes taxes & fees
10 Nov - 11 Nov
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Topeka. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,009 reviews)
"Staff"

Reviewed on 1 Nov. 2024

Ramada Hotel & Convention Center by Wyndham Topeka Downtown
Endeavor Inn & Suites, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Endeavor Inn & Suites, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
3 out of 5
924 Southwest Henderson Road, Topeka, KS
The price is AU$135 per night from 27 Nov to 28 Nov
AU$135
includes taxes & fees
27 Nov - 28 Nov
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Topeka. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,049 reviews)
"Very quiet corner of a busy street. Room was nice and they have very nice shower heads. Definitely recommend for your next trip if you need a nice quiet place to rest on your trip"

Reviewed on 28 Oct. 2024

Endeavor Inn & Suites, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
AmericInn by Wyndham Topeka
AmericInn by Wyndham Topeka
2.5 out of 5
1530 Sw Westport Dr, Topeka, KS
The price is AU$112 per night from 28 Nov to 29 Nov
AU$112
includes taxes & fees
28 Nov - 29 Nov
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Topeka. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (581 reviews)
"i think free breakfast is awesome!"

Reviewed on 1 Nov. 2024

AmericInn by Wyndham Topeka
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Washburn Hotel Suites
Washburn Hotel Suites
4 out of 5
1635 SW Washburn Ave, Topeka, KS
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Topeka. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Mulvane Art Museum and ...
7.8/10 Good! (87 reviews)
"Love it here will be my first option everytime"

Reviewed on 2 Nov. 2024

Washburn Hotel Suites
Cozy Treehouse Cottage - can sleep 8 with airbeds - sleeps 4 without air beds
Cozy Treehouse Cottage - can sleep 8 with airbeds - sleeps 4 without air beds
Topeka
Stay at this vacation home in Topeka. Enjoy a fitness center, a garden, and tennis courts. Popular attractions Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site and ...
Wonderful!!!
"We stayed here on our way to Minnesota for the night. The home is beautiful and very comfortable in a quiet neighborhood! The host was very helpful and quick to answer any questions we had! I definitely recommend!!"

Reviewed on 26 Sep. 2024

Cozy Treehouse Cottage - can sleep 8 with airbeds - sleeps 4 without air beds
Pet Friendly Home by Lake Shawnee!
Pet Friendly Home by Lake Shawnee!
Topeka
Stay at this vacation home in Topeka. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Lake Shawnee and Brown v. Board of Education National Historic ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (35 reviews)
Lake House
"It was nice,it rained most of our stay, so we couldn’t take advantage of the lake and screened in porch. Outside number on the house would be nice. We stopped at the neighbors first."

Reviewed on 4 Nov. 2024

Pet Friendly Home by Lake Shawnee!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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