Kansas Family Day Trip :: Topeka

Topeka Day Trip

If you have a weekend (or even just a day) to get away, Topeka offers several great attractions sure to keep your family entertained. It’s a short drive from Wichita and Kansas City, which means less time in the car and more time for fun! If you like history, art, science, or being outside, Topeka has something for you. These are my top five things for families to do in Topeka:

ArtLab at Washburn University’s Mulvane Art Museum 

Kids and parents alike will be overwhelmed in the best way by all the activities available at ArtLab. Learn how to weave on the loom, practice sketching light and shadows with dozens of lamps, make use of the self portrait station, explore architecture with the impressive Lego collection, and more. There’s something for everyone at ArtLab, including staff on hand to assist with a daily project and technical skills!

Gage Park

Gage Park is your starting point for so many Topeka adventures. Visitor favorites are the Mini-Train, vintage Carousel and Rose Garden. Add in fantastic play grounds, picnic areas and proximity to other attractions and Gage Park is a can’t miss stop.

Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center

Get wild at this small, but mighty zoo within Gage Park. While you’re observing the animals be sure to make time to visit a zookeeper during an animal encounter and flutter through the Butterfly House. Admission is free with your Sedgwick County Zoo Membership.

Kansas Children’s Discovery Center

They say it’s “Serious Fun,” and they’re right. Nestled in Gage Park is Topeka’s children’s museum offers play areas for infants all the way to educational opportunities for tweens/teens. Spend time in the Build Gallery, Career Gallery (top notch imaginary play), the Science Gallery, or in the fluorescent light of Flo-Graphix. Admission is half-off with an Exploration Place Membership.

Kansas State Capitol

Every Kansas kid needs their picture taken in front of the Statehouse. It’s impressive from the exterior, but there’s even more to discover inside. You can take a self guided or group tour to see the rotunda, Senate Chamber, Representative Hall and State Library. If your children are four or older you may also take the dome tour- a harrowing 296 steps to the cupola!

For even more day trips from Wichita, including an alternate Topeka itinerary, check out this post.

 

 

Ginny Ellis
Ginny Ellis is a hometown girl who happily resides in East Wichita with her husband, two young sons, two rowdy dogs, and one spoiled tortoise. Together they enjoy taking part in all our city has to offer, especially if it involves being outdoors, supporting the arts, or is particularly delicious. She is a WAHM who serves as WMB's Events Director as well as holding volunteer positions in Junior League of Wichita, on her neighborhood elementary school's PTO Board, and for United Way of the Plains. Ginny is a podcast enthusiast, laundry folding procrastinator, and insatiable reader who loves the Shockers, theme parties, and her margaritas on the rocks.