10 Really Cool Things To Do In Topeka, Kansas

If you’re looking for places to visit in Kansas, Topeka is a city that should be on your list. It’s an easy day trip from Kansas City, and a fun stop if you’re taking a cross-country road trip along Interstate-70. In this travel guide to Topeka, you’ll learn about the best things to do in Topeka and find recommendations on where to eat and stay!

Topeka is a city in the northeast corner of Kansas situated along the Kansas River. Although it is not the largest city in Kansas, it is very significant culturally and historically.

The city’s name is a Kansa-Osage word that means “place where we dig potatoes”. Topeka’s founders chose the name in 1855 because it was of Indian origin and also a word that was pleasing to the ear.

This city was placed on the map during the 1840s when wagons started making their way west from Independence in Missouri following what became known as the Oregon Trail. It wasn’t long before a ferry service was established allowing travelers to cross the Kansas River at what is now Topeka.

Soon after, steamboats were regularly docking at the Topeka landing depositing meat, flour and lumber, then returing eastward with potatoes, corn and wheat. By the late 1860s, Topeka was a vital commercial hub offering many Victorian era comforts.

Today, Topeka is the capital city of Kansas and home to one of the most stunning state capitol buildings in the United States. Built entirely out of Kansas limestone, the Kansas State Capitol is a must see in Topeka. It is one of the few capitol buildings in the U.S. that allow tours to the top of its dome.

Topeka is also home to the Brown v Board of Education court case, a case that changed the course of history by ending racial segregation in the U.S. public school system. Stop by Brown V Board National Historic Site which is managed by the National Parks Service to learn about the landmark case.

Besides historical attractions, Topeka has a buzzing art scene and a few other interesting attractions worth visiting the city for. Here are the ten best things to do in Topeka!

Best Things To Do In Topeka

1. Tour the Kansas State Capitol

By far, the best thing to do in Topeka is to visit the Kansas State Capitol building! And if you’re brave enough, climb to the top of its impressive copper dome tower.

Kansas State Capitol is an impressive public monument that will certainly leave you awestruck. Constructed entirely of limestone and topped by a statue of a Kaw warrior named Ad Astra, it is a prominent feature of the city skyline.

Not only is it the state’s most important architectural treasure, but also the center of Kansas government and where the state legislature convenes.

Construction of the Capitol began in October 1866 and was officially completed in March 1903, taking a total of 37 years to build from start to finish. Limestone from nearby Geary County and Cottonwood Falls was used for the construction.

The Kansas State Capitol stands 306 feet from the ground to the top of Ad Astra’s bow making it 17-feet taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

Without a doubt, this is one of the most architecturally beautiful buildings you will ever see. And while the Capitol’s exterior is magnificent, it is even more awe-inspring inside! Inside you’ll find artwork, murals and statues by Kansan artists on display throughout the building’s several floors.

Visitors are welcome to take free guided or self-guided tours Monday through Saturday. There are two tour options; one is a historical tour of the lower floors and the other is a tour to the top of the Capitol’s dome. The latter is definitely not for the feint of heart!

Tours begin approximately every hour starting at 9:15am. Reservations are not required for tours. Just turn up at the Visitor Center located on 8th Avenue. The Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm.

I highly recommend the Dome Tour. On this tour you will ascend 296 stairs climbing up into the inner part of the dome and finally to the summit where you can step outside and see sweeping views of the city. Tour participants who reach the top will certainly earn bragging rights!

If you’re afraid of heights, there are several locations where you’ll have the opportunity to turn back should you begin to get nervous. And even if you only make it halfway it’s still worth seeing the interior architecture of the dome. Afterwards you can explore the lower floors on your own.

Related: Get High At Kansas State Capitol On A Tour Of Its Dome!

2. Visit the Brown V Board of Education National Historical Park

Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park commemorates the U.S. Supreme Court decision that ended racial segregation in public schools.

This landmark in American history is memorialized at the former Monroe Elementary School, one of Topeka’s four segregated schools. The school was acquired by the National Park Service to be used as a civil rights interpretive center.

The supreme court case Brown v Board of Education originated in Topeka in 1951 when the public school system refused to enroll the daughter of African-American resident Oliver Brown at the school closest to her home.

On May 17th 1954, the court announced its unanimous decision in the case of Oliver L. Brown versus the Board of Education of Topeka stating “We conclude in the field of public education the doctrine of ‘separate but equal’ has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”

It is recommended by the onsite national park rangers that you start your tour of the school in the auditorium where you can watch a thirty minute film that traces the history of racism and segregation. Next, explore the site’s two exhibit galleries.

The first gallery examines the barriers African Americans faced while trying to receive a formal education between the early 19th century up until the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision. Photos and interpretive media are combined to offer a summary of the hardships they faced.

The second gallery explores the Civil Rights Movement that followed in the wake of the Brown decision. In this gallery you can learn about the continuing impact and legacy of Brown to ensure equality in all walks of life for all people.

Lastly, you can visit a former kindergarten room and see what it was like to attend the segregated Monroe school in 1954.

Park hours are Tuesday through Saturday 9am to 5pm. The park is closed on Sunday and Monday. Admission is free! Please note that no food or drinks are allowed in the building.

3. Admire Topeka Highschool

Topeka Highschool is a stunning, three-story Gothic building that in my opinion is an absolute must see in Topeka for lovers of architecture. The magnificent building features an ornate bell tower that rises 165-feet over the main building’s entrance.

Other unique features include six areas with stained glass and a library modeled after the Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace (home of King Henry VIII). Most of the wooden shelves in the library have been hand-carved and the ceiling is hand-painted.

It is the only public highschool in the world with an 18-note working Deagan chime system. Topeka High School was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005 confirming it is a true treasure.

The architecture of Topeka High was designed by Thomas W. Williamson, a former student who graduated in 1907. Construction took 18 months to complete at a cost of $1.8 million which at the time was among the first million dollar highschools west of the Mississippi. The school opened in September 1931.

I guarantee the beauty of this building will take your breath away upon first sight. Feel free to walk around the exterior of the campus at any time.

If you’d like to tour the school’s interior spaces, click here to organize a free guided tour hosted by Topeka High Historical Society. You can find Topeka Highschool at 800 SW 10th Street, Topeka.

4. See the First Presbyterian Church’s Tiffany-stained glass windows

The First Presbyterian Church in Topeka is a very handsome building that was built in 1884. If you love architecture, you’ll surely want to see this church. It’s one of the few churches in the U.S. that has Tiffany stained glass.

These 100 year old windows were installed in 1911. Known as Favrile windows, they display an iridescent quality with hues that change with the light. Louis Tiffany patented Favrile glass in 1880.

So what exactly is Favrile glass? It is glass made without paint, enamels or stains. The colors are created by additives such as cobalt, gold and copper. There are ten of these stained windows for you to look at, and they certainly are a unique sight.

5. Play arcade games, go bowling, and enjoy the best ever milkshakes at The Pennant!

One of the top things to do in Topeka is to pay a visit to The Pennant, a popular restaurant that offers a very unique dining experience.

The Pennant, located in the heart of downtown, is a two-story restaurant with a four lane bowling alley downstairs and a vintage arcade gaming area upstairs!

The range of arcade games are actually quite impressive and include all the classics like Pacman, Streetfighter, Space Invaders, and The Simpsons.There’s also a handful of pinball games and my personal favorite; Skeeball!

This place also has an extensive menu featuring juicy burgers, chicken and waffles, wings, wraps, pulled pork sandwiches, salads, and more.

I especially loved the choice of fries which included cajun fries, cheesey curly fries, cream cheese and bacon fries, a roasted garlic parmesan version, and a few others. The selection of burgers was equally as impressive. Nashville hot chicken, blackened salmon, and black bean patty were just some of the alternatives to the range of black angus beef burgers.

Because I dined with a large group of people, I was fortunate enough to try several items on the menu. Some of the dishes that were crowd pleasers with our group were the mac and cheese balls, rosemary parmesan fries and fried cheese curds.

The “Get Elote Of This” was the standout burger. Unfortunately noone was brave enough to try the PBJ burger which comes on a donut bun even though it looked really good.

The absolute standout here and what The Pennant is really known for though are their over the top milkshakes. You know the kind, milkshakes that are Instagram-worthy!!!

I tried the PBJ milkshake which involved strawberry ice cream mixed with peanut butter and jelly topped with whipped cream and more jelly. But the crowd favorite here is “You’re Killing Me Smalls”; a vanilla ice cream milkshake hand-blended with burnt marshmallow dip and fudge then topped with graham crackers, Hershey’s chocolate and marshmallows!

If the excessive calories from the shakes scare you (they should), there is also a full bar with a range of beers on tap, wine, and signature cocktails to choose from too.

Staff are friendly and the prices for food, drinks, and games are very reasonably priced here. You can’t get much better than $5 per person for bowling (includes shoe rental) and under a dollar each for the arcade games upstairs.

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Topeka, The Pennant should definitely be at the top of your list! Come for the great food and drinks, stay to play!

Read: Indulge In Mouthwatering Shakes At The Pennant In Topeka!

6. Check out the art scene and murals in NOTO

NOTO, otherwise known as North Topeka, is a neighborhood of Topeka that is beginning to earn a reputation for its growing art scene.

This part of the city is home to a small community of artists that are helping to revitalize the area and there are several art galleries on Kansas Avenue for you to stop by. However if you only have time to visit one, don’t miss the NOTO Arts Center.

The folks that run the arts center are extremely friendly and very knowledeable about NOTO’s intriguing history. Feel free to ask them questions about the art scene here or about the area’s somewhat tragic history involving a devastating flood.

Michaela, a fellow Australian and the administrative assistant at the arts center filled me in on why North Topeka has a repuation as being the “Compton of Kansas” and the steps her community is taking to change that.

Take a walk around NOTO’s main drag and you’ll notice lively and colorful murals painted across the walls of many buildings. The iconic Greetings From Topeka mural is a must see (and photograph) but my favorite would have to be the surreal elephant mural on the corner of Kansas and Laurent Streets.

It’s worth spending at least half a day in North Topeka to see the murals, art galleries, and antique stores. If you’re lucky, you may catch a band or other performance at the park across the road from NOTO Arts Center.

7. Have a pint at Norsemen Brewing

While you’re in North Topeka, be sure to stop by Norsemen Brewing for a pint! Don’t worry, there’s no pillaging or plundering here, only hand-crafted beers with Viking-inspired names like Odin’s One-Eye IPA and Shield Maiden Wheat Beer.

This is also the best place to eat in North Topeka where you can enjoy American food with a Norsemen twist such as Swedish sausage strogonoff, Swedish meatballs, and the Savory and Sweid — deep fried goat cheese balls drizzled with lingonberry jam!

Be sure to leave room for dessert which also features a Northern-Europe-meets-Midwest twist with treats like ligonberry sundae and goat cream cheese cake.

Devour your meal and craft brew in a large and sophisticated space that certainly feels like Valhalla! Trust me, you will be impressed by this place.

8. Explore your inner daredevil at the Evel Knievel Museum

Evel Kneivel is perhaps the most famous daredevil that ever existed. Some of his most daring stunts included attempting to jump the fountains at Caesars Palace and across the Snake River Canyon in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Even though this death-defying stuntman has since passed away, his legend lives on at the Evel Kneivel Museum in Topeka. At the museum you can explore a ton of Evel Knievel memoribilia!

The two-story museum features an incredible collection of items that belonged to the legendary Kneivel including his motorcycles, his fully restored 1974 Mack truck, star-spangled helmets, and even his actual x-rays!

When you’re ready, channel your inner daredevil by donning VR goggles and attempting to jump sixteen cars just like this American icon did. This is definitely a museum you won’t want to miss if you’re looking for unique things to do in Topeka.

9. Spend a day at Topeka Zoo

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Topeka with kids, you should head to the local zoo. There’s no doubt you and your children will love seeing all of the cute critters at Topeka Zoo.

Of course they have the usual zoo favorites like elephants, lions and hyenas. But at this zoo you’ll also see a few species rarely seen at other zoos like the Chevrotain (the smallest hoofed animal in the world) and Kirk’s Dik Dik Nicobar Pigeon, the closest living relative of the Dodo bird.

It won’t cost your family an arm and a leg to visit either. Admission is under $10 per person. Topeka Zoo is open everyday of the week from 9am to 5pm.

10. Indulge in an eight course dining experience at Saltwell Farm & Kitchen

Indulge yourself in an eight course dining experience at Saltwell Farm & Kitchen. The Saltwell experience involves a three hour farm-to-table tasting menu featuring dishes inspired by local ingredients and the changing seasons.

Almost all of the produce is sourced locally from neighboring farms with the exception of olive oil, spices, and a few cheeses. Because of this, the menu is never the same since availability of ingredients are constantly changing.

You won’t know what’s on the menu until you are seated for dinner. However all eight course meals include a small charcuterie plate followed by two appetizers, salad, soup, pasta, a protein and finally dessert.

Each course comes out at an unhurried pace so you’ll have plenty of time to soak the rustic farm atmosphere and bask in the warm summer night air. Guests are welcome, if not encouraged to wander the property in between meals. Go and say hello to the goats or find a farm cat to cuddle while you wait.

Otherwise order a glass of wine or one of their delicious and delightfully strong cocktails and sit back and relax under the stars.

The farm to table dining experience is available on Friday and Saturday nights only. Dinner starts at 6.30pm and lasts between three to four hours. From May through October guests dine outdoors under string lights in the garden. In winter guests will be seated inside the dining room where a wood-burning stove is used for warmth.

Saltwell Farm & Kitchen is located in Overbrook, a small town in Kansas just twenty minutes east of Topeka. It’s the perfect spot to celebrate a special occasion, to enjoy a date night, or if you’re looking for unique and unusual things to do in Kansas.

Where To Stay In Topeka

Topeka has a variety of affordable accommodations with the majority of hotels located in southwest Topeka. If you’d like to stay in the downtown area, the upscale Cyrus Hotel is the best option. Rooms here blend modern chic with historical elegance.

If you’d prefer to be closer to Interstate-70, stay in southwest Topeka. Homewood Suites by Hilton and the adjacent Hampton Inn both offer spacious rooms at reasonable rates close to a range of favorite chain restaurants like Texas Roadhouse, Cracker Barrel and Panera Bread.

For those traveling in an RV or campervan, Deer Creek Valley RV Park is just off I-70 and close to downtown Topeka. The KOA in Topeka is also a good choice for tent and RV camping.

Pin For Later!