Topeka, Kansas: Cheap Activities for Families

With the economy what it is today, there is little doubt that families will be shopping for cheap vacation ideas and places to go in 2009. In this article, you will find out all about wonderful things to do in Topeka, Kansas. Although there is a horrible myth that Kansas is boring this IS NOT true! There are lots of wonderful vacation experiences for a family to enjoy, especially in Topeka. Kansas is steeped in the history of the westward movement of our country and Topeka became the state capitol in 1854.

State Capitol

One of the most popular things to do in Topeka is to visit, and perhaps, take one of the two guided tours at the capitol building itself. This building was built in 1866 and houses fabulous artwork by native born artists including John Stuart Curry. Along with incredible works of art, you will also be able to feast your eyes on elaborate architectural elements and the fantastically adorned Chambers for the Kansas House and Senate.

No trip to the Kansas State capitol would be complete without taking the free guided tour of the capitol dome. It is no lie that this tour will take your breath away as getting to the top of the dome means you will have to climb 296 steps. If you do the math, that means all-in-all you will ahve climbed up and down 492 steps! The effort will be worth it when you reach the top and have a spectacular view of Topeka. You will also want to consider participating in the free guided tour focusing on the history of Kansas while visiting the state capitol.

Old Prairie Town

Another way to spend fun time and learn while playing in Topeka is to visit Old Prairie Town at the Ward Mead Historic site. Old Prairie Town was originally a family farm located on the Oregon Trail in 1854. It is now a gorgeous 6-acre compound that houses a Victorian home, a log cabin and a whole turn-of-the-century town. There is also a beautiful 2.5-acre botanical garden located on the property. There are guided tours offered all year of the historic buildings. The admission price is $4.50/adult, $4.00/senior and $2.50/children ages 6-12.

Gage Park

If you love zoos, outdoor theatres, and rose gardens, then Gage Park is a must see for you and your family. The park is nestled on160-acres and is one of the largest parks in Topeka. The Topeka zoo, located on the premises of the park is known for having the first indoor rainforest in America which is one of the most popular visitor sites in Topeka. There are an estimated 150,000 visitors/year at the park. There is a miniature train that provides a ride and view of the park. Admission rates are: $5.25/adult, $4.25/senior over 65, $3.75/child12 & under and free/child under 2.

Kansas Museum of History

There is no better place to get a feel for what it was like to live in the "old west" than to visit the Kansas Museum of History. Guided tours can be arranged with two weeks prior notice. The museum has a life size Cheyenne tipi as well as a covered wagon that is fully loaded for a long trip across country on the Oregon Trail. Some of the featured guided tours include: Lucy Goes to Oregon, Indian Homes in Kansas, Westward Ho and Oregon or Bust.

The Museum also offers self-guided tours such as: Lewis and Clark on the Nature trail, Junior Detective Series, I spy, and Scavenger Hunt. Museum admissions are: current Military/free, Adults/$5 for nonresidents -$4 residents, Seniors/$4 nonresidents -$3 residents, Student I.D/$3 nonresident - $2- resident and children under 5 free.

Kansas History Center

When visiting the Kansas State Historical Society, located on one of the branches of the Oregon Trail, you will have the opportunity to see the Stach one-room school house as well as a variety of other exhibits that cover the years from the Indian era to the Civil War up to the present.

One of the attractions that might be of interest to families is the Discovery Place, which provides children with hands-on activities for their learning pleasure. The Discovery Place is only open mornings and you must have by reservations. There is no admission charge for this activity.

The admission for the museum for Kansas residents is $5.00/adult, $4.00/senior and $3.00/student. Non-resident admission fees are: $6.00/adult, $5.00/senior and $4.00/student. All children under 5 are free.

As you can see, there are many fun, interesting and educational activities for families to do in Topeka, Kansas and the ideas in this article are just the tip of the iceberg. Take some time to find out more about Topeka by contacting the Topeka Chamber of Commerce and/ or the Kansas Department of Tourism. Both resources will be able to provide you with addresses, phone numbers and websites for further research.

I hope you have a great time in Topeka and that you take the time to visit other fun places in the surrounding area. Kansas City, Kansas is not far away and Manhattan, Kansas is just down the road. Both locations have many, many more cheap activities for families looking for fun.