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50 destinations within a
three-hour drive of Topeka
10 dynamic duos of attractions in
Topeka that have something in common
d a o R
15 summer events in Topeka you won’t want to miss
8 apps that can help you plan or navigate your vacation
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50
NORTHEAST KANSAS
REASONS TO HIT THE ROAD
Discover these destinations within three hours of Topeka
I
The Capital-Journal
n the mood for a day trip but not sure which direction you want to go or what you want to see? Here are 50 sites and events within a three-hour drive of Topeka that might be just what you’re looking for. And who knows, you may end up taking several trips before summer ends.
1. ALCOVE SPRING AND WATERFALL 6 miles south of Marysville on East River Road Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, Alcove Spring spans more than 230 acres of largely undeveloped acres on the Oregon Trail that was a stopping place for wagon trains and other travelers, including the legendary Donner-Reed Party. The site includes a short trail through a shady woods to the waterfall; five miles of marked and mowed walking trails through the Blue River Valley; the Sarah Keyes monument; Independence Crossing; and visible wagon swales. Hours: Sunrise to sunset Cost: Free Information: bit.ly/Cjalcovespring; (785) 562-3101
2. ALLEGAWAHO HERITAGE MEMORIAL PARK Dunlap Road and X Avenue, south of Council Grove The 158-acre park, being developed by Kaw Nation, was part of the last Kaw reservation in Kansas before the tribe was removed to Indian Territory. A walking trail takes visitors past the stabilized ruins of the 1861 Kaw Agency building, a 1925 monument to an unknown Kaw warrior, the ruins of three stone houses built in 1861 by the U.S. government and a replica of an earth lodge. The Kaw Nation’s new dance arbor was dedicated in 2015. Hours: Round-the-clock Cost: Free Information: bit.ly/CJallegawaho; (620) 767-5140
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3. BAKER WETLANDS AND DISCOVERY CENTER 1365 N. 1250 Road, Lawrence Stargazers, bird watchers and joggers/walkers/hikers flock to the 927-acre natural habitat on the southern edge of Lawrence. More than 278 species of birds, 98 other vertebrate species and 487 plant species have been identified at the wetlands. The habitat features more than 11 miles of trails. Dogs on leashes and photo-taking are OK; no boating or fishing is allowed. Hours: Trails open dawn to dusk Cost: Free Information: bakeru.edu/wetlands; (785) 594-4700
4. BANNER CREEK RESERVOIR 10975 K-16 highway, Holton The 535-acre reservoir is known for its boating, skiing, camping, fishing, hunting and trapping activities. The reservoir on the southwestern edge of Holton also attracts birdwatchers — more than 25 species of birds have been seen there — and those who enjoy walking, jogging or bicycling the trail, which is made of recycled fly-ash and winds through wooded coves, native grassland, wildflower plots, hay meadows and other areas. Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily in-season Cost: $3 daily for vehicle entrance; additional fees for boating, water craft, fishing and camping Information: bannerreservoir.com; (785) 364-4236
5. BLUE RIVER RAIL TRAIL 900 Jayhawk Road, Marysville The Blue River Rail Trail stretches about 13 miles, from Marysville to the Nebraska border. At the state line, the rail trail continues north through Beatrice and Lincoln, Neb., joining the extensive Great Plains Trails Network. The crushed limestone on the trail provides a smooth surface for walking, jogging, biking and cross-country skiing. The retired railroad bed splits the Big Blue River on the west and is bordered on the east by limestone outcroppings, grass-covered bluffs and open farmland. An abundance of wildlife, plant life and bird species live along the trail. Hours: Sunrise to sunset Cost: Free Information: blueriverrailtrail.org
6. BROWN COUNTY AGRICULTURE MUSEUM AND WINDMILL LANE 301 E. Iowa, Hiawatha The Brown County Ag Museum resembles a 1900 farmstead, with a farm house, wash house, blacksmith and woodworking shops, milk barn, hen house, corn crib and other buildings. Other highlights are Windmill Lane, with more than 40 windmills, a train caboose, surreys, antique cars and old tractors and gas engines. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and by appointment on Saturday, May through October Cost: $5 for age 13 and older; $2.50 for ages 5-12 Information: bit.ly/CJagmuseum; (785) 742-3702
7. CARROLL MANSION 1128 5th Ave., Leavenworth Owned and operated as a museum by the Leavenworth County Historical Society, the Carroll Mansion was once the home to four different prominent Leavenworth families. The 1880s mansion features seven original mirrors; five ornate and unique fireplaces; hand-carved woodwork; elaborate stained-glass windows; and antiques from the Gilded Age, 1880–1900. Exhibits focus on Leavenworth County history and World War I soldiers. The grounds features a memorial rose garden and herb/heirloom garden. Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; last tour at 3 p.m. Cost: $6; free for age 5 and under Information: leavenworthhistory.org; (913) 682-7759
LEFT: 3. Baker Wetlands and Discovery Center ABOVE: 4. Banner Creek Reservoir [SUBMITTED PHOTOS]
8. CELEBRATE FREEDOM Various sites, Wamego A full day of fun activities on July 4 culminates with the No. 1-rated fireworks show in Kansas at 10 p.m. at the Wamego Recreational Complex. Other highlights are the Independence Day Parade at 6 p.m.; Kaw Valley Antique Engine, Truck and Tractor Club Show; Walter P. Chrysler Car Show; Hot Wheels races; ice cream and cake social; pork sandwich and homemade pie dinner; beer and wine garden; and screenings of “Boomtown USA.” Hours: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 4 Cost: Free Information: wamegofireworks.com; (785) 456-7849
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9. DEBRUCE CENTER 1647 Naismith Drive, Lawrence The 32,000-square-foot DeBruce Center on the University of Kansas campus is home to the 13 Original Rules of Basketball, created in 1891 by James Naismith. The center, which adjoins Allen Fieldhouse, also features several exhibits that tell the story of basketball and KU’s contributions to that history. The center also features a theater, The Rules Experience, the Courtside Cafe and the Roasterie coffee shop. Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday Cost: Free Information: debrucecenter.ku.edu; (785) 864-9750
10. FLINT HILLS DISCOVERY CENTER 315 S. 3rd St., Manhattan Visitors will learn about the tallgrass prairie and Flint Hills ecoregion through the center’s permanent and traveling exhibits, as well as its Immersive Experience Theater, where the story of the Flints Hills is told through sight, sound and innovative effects. The permanent exhibits focus on the people who live on the prairie, the role fire plays with the prairie, and the prairie’s ecosystem. “Be the Dinosaur,” on display through Sept. 3, uses virtual technology and hands-on activities to explore what a day in the life of a dinosaur was like. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. FridaySaturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday Cost: $9 for ages 18-64; $7 for age 65 and older and military, teachers and college students with ID; $4 for ages 2-17; free for ages under 2 and Flint Hills Discovery Center members Information: flinthillsdiscovery. org; (785) 587-2726
Charlie Daniels Band and Alabama, June 22; and Kane Brown and Florida Georgia Line, June 23. Hours: Concerts start at 2 or 2:30 p.m. Cost: $89 for one-day general admission; $150 for threeday general admission; $20 for one-day child general admission; $40 for three-day child general admission; free for age 5 and younger Information: countrystampede.com; (785) 539-2222
12. LAWRENCE BUSKER FESTIVAL/ART TOUGEAU PARADE Downtown Lawrence Multiple stages and dozens of street performers will entertain for tips and applause during the three-day Busker Festival. The lineup includes slack rope walkers; speed painters; acrobatic jugglers; breakdancing acrobats; a strongwoman; magicians and illusionists; African drum ensemble; aerial artists; fire dancers; and more. The Busker Ball will be from 7:30 to 9 p.m. May 24 at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire. The Art Tougeau Parade, which features anything on wheels, will be at noon May 26 in the downtown area. Hours: 5 to 11 p.m. May 25; noon to 11 p.m. May 26; noon to 6 p.m. May 27 Cost: Free for festival and parade; $5 for Busker Ball
11. KICKER COUNTRY STAMPEDE Tuttle Creek State Park, Manhattan Dozens of country music musicians have been corralled for this year’s Kicker Country Stampede June 21-23. Main stage headliners include Code Johnson, Brett Young and Cole Swindell, June 21; Marshall Tucker Band,
11. Kicker Country Stampede [PHOTO BY CHRIS PIZZELLO/INVISION/AP]
Information: lawrencebuskerfest.com; (785) 330-5110
13. NATIONAL BIPLANE FLY-IN Freeman Field, Junction City Biplanes from across the nation will fly into Freeman Field to land on the grass runways at the Junction City Municipal Airport. Highlights include aircraft from the 1920s through World War II; a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m.; aviation and food vendors; and children’s activities, including a full-motion flight simulator. Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 2 Cost: $5 per car; free tram from parking lot to flight line Information: nationalbiplaneflyin.com; (785) 210-7500
14. PRAIRIE BAND CASINO AND RESORT 12305 150th Road, Mayetta Players can test their luck in Prairie Band’s state-of-theart bingo hall or on its gaming floor, with its more than 1,200 slots and more than 25 table games, including live poker. Hungers can be satisfied at the Longhouse Buffet, Three Fires Steakhouse or Buffalo Grill. Check out the resort’s concert schedule or play a few rounds at Firekeeper Golf Course. Be sure to reserve a room at the hotel because you’ll be tired by day’s end. Hours: Check website Cost: Varies by activity Information: prairieband.com; (785) 966-7777
15. RED ROCKS STATE HISTORIC SITE 927 Exchange St., Emporia Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist William Allen White and his wife, Sallie, welcomed five U.S. presidents at their Emporia home, which today is furnished with items that belonged to the White family and treasures they collected during their worldwide travels. Highlights include a bed in which President Theodore Roosevelt slept; photos of White with inventor Albert Einstein, U.S. President Herbert Hoover and other dignitaries; and a garden with a lily pond. Exhibits about the White family and White’s journalistic legacy are housed in the visitor center. Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April through October Cost: $6 for adults; $5 for seniors, active military and college students with ID; $3 for ages 5-17 Information: kshs.org/red_rocks; (620) 342-2800
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16. SEELYE MANSION AND GARDENS/ PATENT MEDICINE MUSEUM 1105 N. Buckeye Ave., Abilene Most of the furnishings of the 25-room, Georgian-style Seelye Mansion were purchased at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair and installed when the home was built in 1905 for A.B. Seelye, a pharmacist who made his fortune in patent medicines. Highlights include original Edison light fixtures and music machines, a lever-operated bowling alley and gardens restored with a lily pad pond and waterfall. The Patent Medicine Museum features items from the original Seelye laboratory. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday Cost: $10 for adults; $5 for ages 6-16 Information: seelyemansion.org; (785) 263-1084
17. SUNSET ZOO 2333 Oak St., Manhattan More than 200 animals — from anteaters to zebus — call the Sunset Zoo home. You’ll get an up-close look at wallabies, otters, leopards and an array of primates. Feedings and chats with animal keepers are slated during summer hours. The zoo, which is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, also is known for its butterfly, hummingbird, rain, statue and sensory gardens. Also on the grounds are a gift shop and a cafe. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, March through October; noon to 5 p.m. daily, November through early March Cost: $5 for age 13 and older; $3 for ages 3-12; free for age 2 and younger Information: sunsetzoo.com; (785) 587-2737
17. Sunset Zoo [SUBMITTED]
SOUTHEAST KANSAS
18. TERRITORIAL CAPITAL MUSEUM
20. BIG BRUTUS
640 E. Woodson, Lecompton The Territorial Capital Museum, formerly Lane University, was constructed on the foundation of the proposed Kansas Capitol. The museum contains three floors of artifacts and exhibits from pre-Civil War Kansas to present day. Items on display at the museum, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, include a large barb wire collection; cannon balls; territorial maps; historical portraits; and a desk used at Constitution Hall in Lecompton. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday Cost: Donations welcome Information: lecomptonkansas.com; (785) 887-6148
6509 N.W. 60th St., West Mineral The largest electric coal shovel in the world, Big Brutus stands 160 feet tall, weighs 11 million pounds and has a boom that is 160 feet tall. The shovel, with a dipper capacity of 90 cubic yards, cost $6.5 million to build in 1962. Big Brutus has been turned into a museum with changing displays and photographs. A visitors center houses comfort facilities, including hot showers for RV and tent campers on the site. Special events include a Miner’s Day Reunion at 1 p.m. June 2 and Polka Fest at 7 p.m. Aug. 25. Hours: Varies with season Cost: $8 for ages 13-64; $7.50 for age 65 and older; $5 for ages 6-12; free for age 5 and under Information: bigbrutus.org; (620) 827-6177
19. TROLLEY TOURS Santa Fe Depot, 200 S. 10th, Atchison The trolley tours, which depart every hour, take riders on a 45-minute journey through Atchison, narrated by a knowledgeable driver. The trolley travels over the city’s brick streets to show off Victorian homes, sites with state and national history and dramatic views of the Missouri River. Hours: 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, through May; 1 to 3 p.m. ThursdayFriday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, June and July; 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, August through October Cost: $6 for adults; $2 for ages 4-10; free for age 3 and under Information: visitatchison.com; (913) 367-2427
21. ERIE DINOSAUR PARK East 4th and Walnut streets, Erie Kansas is spotted with unusual sites to see. The Erie Dinosaur Park is near the top of the list. The 10 metal dinosaur sculptures — some more than 30 feet long — were created by retired Air Force engineer Robert Dorris. When he died, the dinosaurs were moved from his home to the park in Erie. Hours: Noon to 4 p.m. on the second Saturday and third Sunday of each month or by appointment. The dinosaurs can be seen from a distance when closed. Cost: Free Information: eriedinosaurpark.com; (620) 404-9355
22. FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE 1 block west of US-69 and US-54 East highways, downtown Fort Scott Much of Fort Scott’s story focuses on the role of the U.S. Army on the frontier. The military fort, with its 20 historic structures, interprets the 1840s era with exhibits, period furnishings and, when in season, living history programs that include soldiers drilling on horseback and artillery demonstrations. Highlights include a self-guided tour of buildings, a walking trail through a tallgrass prairie and a 23-minute movie on the site’s history. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, April 1-Oct. 31; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, Nov.1-March 31 Cost: Free Information: nps.gov/fosc/index.htm; (620) 223-0310
23. LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE MUSEUM 2507 Country Road 3000, Independence, Kan. In addition to encouraging a love of reading and the Kansas prairie, the museum strives to preserve the Kansas homestead site of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the “Little House on the Prairie” books, and her pioneer family. The site includes an 1872 one-room schoolhouse, a one-room post office and replica log cabin similar to the one the Ingalls family lived in while in Kansas. The Prairie Days Festival, with music, pioneer games, crafts and Laura Ingalls Wilder reenactor, will be June 9. Hours: 10 to 5 p.m. daily, April 1-Nov. 1 Cost: $3 for adults; $1 for children Information: bit.ly/CJlittlehouse; (620) 289-4238
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NORTH-CENTRAL KANSAS
juried fine art and fine craft show with 130-plus artists; Artyopolis children’s area; more than 30 food vendors; arts and crafts demonstrations; outdoor art installations; and Friday-night big-band dance. Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. June 7; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 8-9; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 10 Cost (button for entire weekend): $15 at the gate; $10 in advance until June 5; free for age 11 and under Information: riverfestival.com; (785) 309-5770
24. GRASSROOTS ART CENTER 213 S. Main St., Lucas The art center focuses on grassroots and folk art of the region — works that are self-taught and naive and lean toward environments and other cultural arts. The center also features the outdoor Post Rock Limestone Exhibit, a tribute to the architectural work of stone masons in the area from 1870 to 1920. On display through Sept. 25 is “Button Masterpieces,” by the late Charles Berendt, of Denver, Colo. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May through September; 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday-Monday, October and April; 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, November through March Cost: $7 for adults; $3 for ages 6-12 Information: grassrootsart.net; (785) 525-6118
25. MIDSUMMER’S FESTIVAL Riverside Park and Heritage Square, downtown Lindsborg The Swedish village of Lindsborg will celebrate the summer solstice on June 16 with a 5K run/2-mile walk at 8:30 a.m.; Kubb tournament at 11:30 a.m.; entertainment, Swedish food demonstrations, blomkrans, Swedish genealogy and Swedish language lessons, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in downtown; blowing of the birch horn, Swedish dancing, arts and crafts booths, children’s activities and entertainment, 4 to 6:45 p.m. in Riverside Park; Swedish dancers and raising of
27. STERNBERG MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
24. Grassroots Art Center [SUBMITTED] the Midsummer’s Pole at 7 p.m. in Heritage Square, followed by free swim in city pool, a beer garden and live band. Hours: 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. June 16 Cost: Free; fees for run/walk, Kubb tourney, blomkrans and face painting Information: midsummersfestival.com
26. SMOKY HILL RIVER FESTIVAL Oakdale Park, 730 Oakdale Drive, Salina Live music on four stages, including blues, classic and indie rock, hip-hop, Latin and R&B, will delight visitors during the four-day festival. Other highlights are a
3000 Sternberg Drive, Fort Hays State University, Hays The Sternberg Museum features a realistic Cretaceous diorama; the Discovery Room, an interactive area where visitors can explore the wonders of nature; and “World of Giant Insects,” a summer exhibit featuring immersive, realistic habitats with plants, ground cover and scenic backgrounds, live insects in terrariums and portraits of insects. The museum is home to one of the finest assemblies of Pteranodon material and a large collection of fossil grass seeds. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 20 through Sept. 30; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. TuesdaySaturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1 through March 19 Cost: $9 for ages 13-59; $7 for age 60 and older; $6 for ages 4-12; $5 for Fort Hays State University students with ID; free for age 3 and under Information: sternberg.fhsu.edu; (785) 628-4286
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29. Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area [SUBMITTED]
28. BOTANICA WICHITA 701 Amidon St., Wichita The botanical gardens, encompassing more than 18 acres, features more than 4,000 species of plants, both native and new to the region. Highlights include the Chinese Garden of Friendship, with a man-made mountain with various traditional Chinese architectural features; Jessie Wooldridge Brosius Rose Garden, with more than 350 rose plants; and the Children’s Garden, where kids can play in a giant monster woods or run through a musical maze. The gardens also showcase a collection of 50 sculptures, streams, fountains, waterfalls, butterfly house and cafe. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday year-round; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April through October; extended hours until 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, April through September Cost: $7 for ages 13-61; $6 for age 62 and older and military; $5 for ages 3-12; free for age 2 and under Information: botanica.org; (316) 264-0448
29. CHEYENNE BOTTOMS WILDLIFE AREA North of Great Bend, between K-156 and K-4 highways The 19,857-acre wildlife area and adjacent 7,694-acre preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy comprise the largest inland marsh in the United States. Cheyenne Bottoms is one of the stopping points for thousands of waterfowl and shorebirds during the spring and fall
migrations. About 13,000 acres of the wildlife area are open to hunting. Bird watching is a popular activity; reptiles, amphibians and mammals also can be spotted. The Kansas Wetlands Education Center, operated by Fort Hays State University, is across from the wildlife area. Hours: Round-the-clock Cost: Free Information: bit.ly/2vCJcheyennebottoms; (620) 793-3066
30. COSMOSPHERE 1100 N. Plum St., Hutchinson The Cosmosphere International Science Education Center & Space Museum features the largest combined collection of U.S. and Russian space artifacts in the world. Visitors can see rocket science brought to life in Dr. Goddard’s Lab;
view documentaries daily and recently released feature films on weekends in the Carey Digital Dome Theater; and gain insight into the universe in the state-of-the-art planetarium. Space Out Saturday, a free family-friendly event with hands-on science demonstrations and museum tours, is offered every third Saturday of the month. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, through May 24; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, beginning May 25 Cost: $26 plus tax for ages 13-59, $23 plus tax for age 60 and older and military, $17 plus tax for ages 4-12 and free for age 3 and under (for all-access pass for museum, theater shows and simulator ride); single tickets also available Information: cosmo.org; (620) 665-9339
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the salt mining history of Hutchinson. The adventure begins with a ride on The Hoist to 650 feet below ground, where visitors can experience the Permian Room; Mining Gallery; Harry the Halophile, a salt-dwelling bacteria that’s the oldest living organism on Earth; a 15-minute train ride through part of the salt mine active in the 1940s-50s; and the Dark Ride, a 30-minute tour on a tram through areas of the mine. Also on display are Hollywood memorabilia, such as Superman and Batman costumes, and GE Engine No. 2, built in 1919 and used to provide switching services for the Carey Evaporation Plant and Salt Mine from 1928 to 1963. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tours depart every 20 minutes beginning at 9:20 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday; last tours at 3 p.m. Cost: $19 plus tax for adults; $17 plus tax for age 60 and older and active military; $12.50 plus tax for ages 4-12 (includes underground admission, dark ride and train ride) Information: underkansas.org; (620) 662-1425
35. TALLGRASS PRAIRIE NATIONAL PRESERVE
ABOVE: 33. Museum of World Treasures RIGHT: 35. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve [SUBMITTED PHOTOS]
31. HISTORIC WOLF HOTEL AND ELLINWOOD UNDERGROUND TOURS 1 N. Main St., Ellinwood The Wolf Hotel was built in 1894 as an addition to the Delmonico Hotel. The addition featured several new rooms; a new lobby; the Bank of Ellinwood, known for its elaborate tile work; and underground stores that were part of the underground tunnel system running through the city. The hotel also features The Underground bar. In addition to the hotel tour, the Ellinwood Underground guided tour takes visitors through the tunnels under the Dick Building, where they learn about the history of the tunnels and view artifacts. Hours: Reservations required; no tours on Tuesday or Wednesday Cost: $6 for Wolf Hotel tour; $6 for Ellinwood Underground tour; $10 for both tours Information: bit.ly/CJunderground; (620) 617-6915; (620) 564-2400
32. KANSAS AVIATION MUSEUM 3350 S. George Washington Blvd., Wichita In the old municipal airport terminal, the museum showcases Kansas’ aviation history with a world-class collection of historic, significant and one-of-a kind aircrafts and aircraft engines and an array of aviation memorabilia. Among aircraft on display are a 1927 Swallow, 1931 Stearman Model 4D and Beech U-8 Queen Air. Two children’s areas showcase computer simulators, an indoor jungle gym and hands-on activities that include a wind tunnel, hand-cranked propellers and Bernoulli
demonstrator. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday Cost: $9.50 for ages 13-64; $8.50 for age 65 and older; $7.50 for ages 4-12; free for age 3 and under Information: kansasaviationmuseum. org; (316) 683-9242
33. MUSEUM OF WORLD TREASURES 835 E. 1st St., Wichita On the three floors of the museum, visitors will find a massive number of artifacts from around the world and throughout time. In Fossil Hall, see fossilized skeletons of Ivan the Tyrannosaurus-rex and other prehistoric specimens, and view a shrunken head in the “Treasures from the Grave” exhibit. Other items include artifacts from the Civil War, World War I and WW II; coins from the reigns of Roman emperors; signatures from every U.S. president; 3,000-year-old mummies from Egypt; and African artworks. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday Cost: $9.95 for ages 13-64; $8.95 for age 65 and older; $7.95 for ages 4-12; free for age 3 and under Information: worldtreasures.org; (316) 263-1311
34. STRATACA: KANSAS UNDERGROUND SALT MUSEUM 3650 E. Avenue G, Hutchinson Visitors to Strataca will go underground to learn about
2480B K-177 highway, Strong City Established in 1996, the 10,894-acre Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve works in partnership with The Nature Conservancy to preserve and protect some of the last remaining tallgrass prairie ecosystem in North America. On the preserve is the historic Spring Hill Ranch, which tells the story of the end of the open range era to the period of enclosed holdings. Visitors can explore the historic 1880s buildings, one-room schoolhouse and 40 miles of hiking trails. Check in at the visitor center to sign up for a daily bus tour of the prairie, offered May through October. Hours: 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. daily, May-October; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, November-April; 24 hours daily for hiking trails; no camping Cost: Free Information: nps.gov/tapr; (620) 273-8494 (hit 0)
36. WALNUT VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL Winfield Fairgrounds, west of Winfield on US-160 highway Tens of thousands of acoustic music lovers make the trek to the music festival, which features more than 30 acts, a juried arts and crafts fair, workshops and contests for flat-picking and finger-style guitar, autoharp, mountain dulcimer, hammer dulcimer, mandolin, bluegrass banjo and fiddle. Among this year’s entertainers are John McCutcheon, Tom Chapin & Friends, Beppe Gambetta, Joshua Messick Trio, Linda Tilton and Marley’s Ghost. Hours: 6 a.m. to midnight Sept. 12-16 Cost: $15-$40 for single day for adults; $65-$75 for two-day adult passes; $95 for full festival per adult; $5 for ages 6-11; free for age 5 and under; advance priced tickets available before the festival starts Information: wvfest.com; (620) 221-3250
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MISSOURI 37. AMERICAN JAZZ MUSEUM 1616 E. 18th St., Kansas City, Mo. In the historic 18th and Vine Jazz District, the museum showcases the sights and sounds of jazz through interactive exhibits and films, visual art exhibitions, live performances and educational programming. Highlights include Charlie Parker’s Grafton saxophone, a sequined gown worn by singer Ella Fitzgerald and the Blue Room, an exhibit by day and jazz club by night. Hours: Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday Cost: $10 for ages 13-64; $9 for ages 65 and older; $6 for ages 5-12; free for age 4 and under Information: americanjazzmuseum.org; (816) 474-8463
38. GLORE PSYCHIATRIC MUSEUM, ST. JOSEPH BLACK ARCHIVES MUSEUM, ST. JOSEPH MUSEUM AND DOLL MUSEUM 3406 Frederick Ave., St. Joseph, Mo. The Glore Psychiatric Museum chronicles the history of the treatment of mental illness and the history of State Lunatic Asylum No. 2 with exhibits of surgical tools, treatment equipment, furnishings, patient art and other items, some of which may not be suitable for youngsters. The St. Joseph Museum showcases one of the largest collections of American Indian items in Missouri, with archaeological items, pottery, baskets, blankets, pipes and clothing from 10 cultural regions. The Doll Museum features popular and one-of-a-kind dolls and other toys. The Black Archives Museum celebrates the achievements of the community’s civil rights leaders, Civil War heroes and jazz and sports legends. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday Cost: $6 for adults; $5 for age 62 and older; $4 for students; free for age 6 and younger Information: bit.ly/CJstjoe; (816) 232-8471
37. American Jazz Museum [SUBMITTED PHOTOS] visitors, but feeding carries a small fee. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, March through Memorial Day and September-October; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Memorial Day through Labor Day; 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, November-February Cost: $16 for ages 12-54; $15 for age 55 and older; $13 for ages 3-11; free for age 2 and under Information: kansascityzoo.org; (816) 595-1234
39. KANSAS CITY ROYALS BASEBALL
41. LEILA’S HAIR MUSEUM
Kaufmann Stadium, 1 Royal Way, Kansas City, Mo. Since 1969, the Kansas City Royals has been one of the most beloved teams in all of sports. While stars like George Brett, Frank White, Bret Saberhagen and Dan Quisenberry helped lead the Royals to their first World Series title in 1985, a new group of stars including Eric Hosmer, Alex Gordon, Salvador Perez and Lorenzo Cain helped the Royals win the World Series again in 2015. Who will be the star players this year, and will the Royals vie for the pennant again? Be in the stands to cheer them on. Hours: Varies by game Cost: Ticket prices vary Information: kansascity.royals.mlb.com; (800) 676-9257
1333 S. Noland Road, Independence, Mo. Leila’s Hair Museum, the only hair museum in the world, is home to more than 750 hair wreaths and more than 2,000 jewelry pieces made of human hair. Highlights include a 1680 brooch, with a piece of hair enclosed in a crystal case; a neckpiece with a scene painted with pulverized hair; a mourning brooch with a lock of hair from 19th-century statesman Daniel Webster; 1865 wreath made of hair from League of Women Voters members; and family wreaths of President John Adams and Philip Livingston, who signed the Declaration of Independence. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday Cost: $15 for adults; $7.50 for seniors and children Information: leilashairmuseum.net; (816) 833-2955
40. KANSAS CITY ZOO 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, Mo. The zoo is a 202-acre nature sanctuary with a multitude of animals, interactive experiences and educational programs. New this summer is the Stingray Bay touch tank, which allows visitors to touch and feed stingrays and small bamboo sharks. The stingray exhibit is free to
42. LOESS BLUFFS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 25542 US-159 highway, Forest City, Mo. The Loess Bluffs refuge serves as a feeding and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. The refuge encompasses 7,440 acres of wetlands, grasslands and
43. National Silk Art Museum
forests where native prairie plants still grow. Three hiking trails and the 13-mile Wild Goose Auto Tour allow visitors the opportunity to see some of the more than 300 species of birds, 30 types of mammals and more than 40 species of reptiles and amphibians at the refuge. Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday for headquarters/ visitor station; sunrise to sunset for refuge Cost: Free Information: bit.ly/2CJloess; (660) 442-3187
43. NATIONAL SILK ART MUSEUM 423 Main St., Weston, Mo. More than 500 works of silk art are on display at the museum, organized by such themes as religious, World’s Fair souvenirs and military. The museum has the world’s largest collection of woven Victorian and Renaissance silk tapestries produced on punchcard mechanical looms. Each tapestry is a digitized copy of an original masterpiece painting by such artists as Francisco Goya, Rembrandt, Raphael, Guido Reni and others. The museum also has an art research library and a gift shop. Hours: Opens at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday (call before scheduling a visit) Cost: Free; donations welcome Information: nationalsilkartmuseum.com; (816) 536-5955
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44. NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL 2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, Mo. The museum/memorial is dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding World War I and its enduring impact on the global community. The museum holds the most diverse collection of WWI objects and documents in the world, including a French-made Renault FT-17 tank; a walk-through crater that shows the effects of being struck by a 17-inch howitzer shell; life-size trenches; a chronology of WWI; and a glass bridge suspended over a symbolic poppy field. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Memorial Day-Labor Day; otherwise, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday Cost: $16 for adults; $14 for seniors, college students with ID, teachers, veterans and military family members; $10 for ages 6-18; $8 for active duty military; free of age 5 and under; half-off for active duty military; $2 off for active duty military family, veterans and teachers; $8 for everyone on Wednesdays Information: theworldwar.org; (816) 888-8100
45. POWELL GARDENS 1609 N.W. US-50 highway, Kingsville, Mo. Set on 970 acres of rolling hills and meadows, Powell Gardens offers display gardens, a nature trail, special events and interesting architecture. Highlights are the native plantings; the 2,500-square-foot conservatory
46. SPRINT CENTER 1407 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, Mo. Since its opening in 2007, more than 9 million people have attended more than 950 live entertainment and sporting events at the Sprint Center. Summer concerts include Dierks Bentley, June 9; Kesha & Macklemore, June 26; Imagine Dragons, July 14; Shania Twain, July 24; Def Leppard and Journey, July 25; Rod Stewart, Aug. 14; The Smashing Pumpkins, Aug. 16; Keith Urban, Aug. 17; Sam Smith, Aug. 18; Luke Bryan, Aug. 26; and Maroon 5, Sept. 11. Box office hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday Cost: Varies by concert Information: sprintcenter.com; (816) 949-7100 46. Sprint Center [PHOTO BY CHRIS PIZZELLO/INVISION/AP] in the Visitor Education Center; Heartland Harvest Garden, the nation’s largest edible landscape; Festival of Butterflies, July 27 through Aug. 12; and “Big Backyard,” an exhibit of oversized everyday objects on display through Oct. 21. Hours: For gardens and gift shop, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, May-August, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, SeptemberNovember and March-April; for cafe, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, May-August, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekends, September-November and March-April Cost: $10 for adults; $8 for military; $9 for age 60 and older; $4 for ages 5-12; free for age 4 and younger Information: powellgardens.org; (816) 697-2600
47. THE NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM OF ART 525 Oak St., Kansas City, Mo. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art maintains nearly 40,000 artworks in its collections and receives more than 500,000 visitors a year. The museum is known for its Asian art; European and American paintings; photography; modern sculpture; and American Indian and Egyptian galleries. Summer highlights include “The Big Picture,” an exhibit of nearly 100 newly acquired photographs, and “Unexpected Encounters,” which showcases 10 years of acquisitions and highlights the inner-workings of museums. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday Cost: Free; admission for some special exhibits Information: nelson-atkins.org; (816) 751-1278
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NEBRASKA
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily, March 15-Oct. 31; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, Nov. 1-March 14 Cost: $21.95 for ages 12-64; $20.95 for age 65 and older and military adult; $15.95 for ages 3-11; $14.95 for military children ages 3-11; free for age 2 and under, May 1-Sept. 30. Prices lower at other times of the year. Lozier Theater tickets cost extra for non-members. Information: omahazoo.com; (402) 733-8401
48. OMAHA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM 500 S. 20th St., Omaha, Neb. A child’s sense of wonder and exploration will be stimulated by the Super Gravitron, a massive ball machine with pneumatic, hydraulic and mechanical sections; painting and drawing activities at the Art Smart Center; the Walker Tire and Auto Service Center; Sandy’s Splish-Splash Garden; and a carousel and train. Special exhibits this summer are “Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Secrets of the Sewer,” May 26-Sept. 2, and “Children’s China: Celebrating Culture, Character and Confucius,” May 26-Aug. 19. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Memorial DayLabor Day; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Labor Day to Memorial Day Cost: $12 for ages 2-15 and 16-59; $11 for age 60 and older; free for age 23 months and younger Information: ocm.org; (402) 342-6164
49. OMAHA’S HENRY DOORLY ZOO AND AQUARIUM 3701 S. 10th St., Omaha, Neb. The zoo contains thousands of animals from around the globe, 130 acres of exhibits and gardens, and an aquarium with a 70-foot shark tunnel and exhibits that
50. SPEEDWAY MOTORS MUSEUM OF AMERICAN SPEED
49. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium [SUBMITTED] explore polar regions, coral reefs, temperate oceans and the Amazon. Take a ride on a steam locomotive, tram, skilift-like Skyfari or wildlife carousel. Watch a movie on the 41-by-75-foot screen at the Lozier Giant Screen Theater or attend a “Birds of Flight” program in the Meadowlark Theater.
599 Oak Creek Drive, Lincoln, Neb. The 150,000-square-foot museum houses an array of history-making and one-of-a-kind cars, engines, parts, toys and memorabilia. Among the vehicles on display are a Duesenberg Model J; Tucker 48; Cadillac LMP Le Mans prototype; MacKichan-Schulz Streamliner; midget racers; Mallard Turbo Off; and NASCAR racers. Information on famous engine and car builders is available, and exhibits also showcase soap box derby cars and car-themed lunch boxes and cookie jars. Hours: Noon to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May through September; noon to 4:30 p.m. Monday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, October through April Cost: $15 for ages 18-64; $10 for age 65 and older; $5 for ages 6-17; free for age 5 and under and active military with ID Information: museumofamericanspeed.com; (402) 323-3166
DYNAMIC
DUOS
10 pairs of Topeka attractions with something in common
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The Capital-Journal
hy settle on visiting one site in Topeka when you can visit two on the same day? Doubling up is made sweeter when both stops share common subjects or activities and are within a short walk or drive. Here are 10 pairs of Topeka attractions that pair well.
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On the right track
Separate but equal
GREAT OVERLAND STATION
BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
701 N. Kansas Ave. greatoverlandstation.com
KANSAS MUSEUM OF HISTORY 6425 S.W. 6th Ave. ksha.org/museum Topeka’s railroad heritage comes alive at the Great Overland Station through its guided tours, photographs, special exhibits and events. On permanent display at the restored Union Pacific railroad station are Santa Fe and Union Pacific artifacts, a Model G Gauge train layout, Harvey Girls items and information about Kansas trains dating back to 1932. Next stop: Kansas Museum of History, where you’ll see an 1880s Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe locomotive. Other highlights include a full-sized Cheyenne tipi; covered wagon; 1914 Longren biplane; Carry Nation’s hammer; Gen. George Armstrong Custer’s boots; and Discovery Place with children's activities. (For a triple treat, mosey over to Gage Park, S.W. 6th Ave. and Gage Boulevard, to take a ride on a miniature train.)
1515 S.E. Monroe St. nps.gov/brvb/index.htm
GREAT MURAL WALL S.W. 20th St. and S.W. Western Avenue bit.ly/CJgreatwall The Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site explores the civil rights movement and the role of the 1954 Supreme Court decision that ended segregation in public schools. The museum is inside Monroe School, which was one of four all-black elementary schools in Topeka. Next stop: Great Mural Wall, a project within a few blocks of the museum that began in 2006 to visually explore the experiences of different community groups through paint. A portion of the wall, “The Road From Brown v. Board,” depicts young people breaking out of stereotypes to become fully realized.
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Military might MUSEUM OF KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD 6700 S.W. Topeka Blvd., Forbes Field kansasguardmuseum.org
COMBAT AIR MUSEUM Hangars 602-604, 7016 S.E. Forbes Ave., Forbes Field combatairmuseum.org The Museum of Kansas National Guard features artifacts, equipment and materials from the history of the Kansas National Guard and 35th Division. View 30 outdoor exhibits, including helicopters, tanks and a howitzer, and more than 100 indoor exhibits, including a mock Civil War encampment and a replica of the officer’s tent from the TV show “M.A.S.H.” Next stop: Combat Air Museum, about a 5-minute drive away, with more than 30 military aircraft from World War I to present day, aircraft engines, military vehicles, artifacts, dioramas and a flight simulator.
Family fun TOPEKA ZOO 635 S.W. Gage Blvd. topekazoo.org
KANSAS CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTER 4400 S.W. 10th Ave. kansasdiscovery.org
The Topeka Zoo is home to about 300 animals from around the world. Exhibits include Hill’s Black Bear Woods, Tropical Rain Forest, Discovering Apes, Lions Pride and children’s petting zoo. Next stop: Continue the family fun by walking a block west to the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, home to interactive indoor exploration areas, a bike and trike path, the TreeTop treehouse and a pond with an aquatic ecosystem. The center is designed for children age 10 and younger.
LEFT: Topeka Zoo [2015 FILE PHOTO/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]
RIGHT: Kansas Children’s Discovery Center [2015 FILE PHOTO/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]
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Nature’s beauty
Riders and drivers
OLD PRAIRIE TOWN AT WARD-MEADE HISTORIC SITE
EVEL KNIEVEL MUSEUM
124 N.W. Fillmore St. cjon.co/CJwardmeade
2047 S.W. Topeka Blvd., inside Historic Topeka Harley-Davidson evelknievelmuseum.com
TED ENSLEY GARDENS
HEARTLAND MOTORSPORTS PARK
3650 S.E. West Edge Road, Lake Shawnee cjon.co/ensley
7530 S.W. Topeka Blvd. heartlandpark.com
Nature lovers will revel in the color and beauty of the Wade-Meade Historic Site’s 2 1/2-acre botanical garden featuring about about 5,000 flowers and 500 varieties of trees and shrubs. The 6-acre pioneer village at Old Prairie Town also features a prairie mansion; 1854 replica log cabin; one-room schoolhouse; working soda fountain from the late 1800s; and general store. Next stop: The nearly 20-acre Ted Ensley Gardens, which includes meditation garden, rock gardens, annual and perennial beds, rose gardens and water gardens. Other highlights are a panoramic view of the lake; a 60-foot covered bridge over a rocky stream; a gazebo; a pergola; picnic areas; waterfalls; and ponds.
The Evel Knievel Museum showcases the world’s largest collection of the legendary daredevil’s performance leathers, jump bikes, memorabilia and Big Red, his 1974 Mack truck and trailer. Climb onto a motorcycle for a virtual-reality jump over 16 cars and try your skill at other interactive games. Next stop: Head south on Topeka Boulevard to Heartland Motorsports Park, Topeka’s hub for drag strip, road course and dirt track racing.
TOP: Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site [2009 FILE PHOTO/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL] BOTTOM: Ted Ensley Gardens at Lake Shawnee [2009 FILE PHOTO/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]
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Public art DOWNTOWN SCULPTURES Along S. Kansas Avenue from S.W. 10th to S.W. 6th bit.ly/CJstatues
NOTO ARTS DISTRICT 800 and 900 blocks of N. Kansas Ave. notoshopping.com
The history of Topeka and Kansas is set in stone and cast in bronze along S. Kansas Avenue, where you’ll see likenesses of the city’s historic movers and shakers; a limestone bison; a kinetic, wind-driven sculpture; a giant pencil; and a group of playing children. Next stop: Carry your interest in everything artistic north on Kansas Avenue and across the Kansas River bridge to the NOTO Arts district, where more than 3,000 people visit every month for the ArtsConnect First Friday Artwalk. Enjoy a meal at the district’s many restaurants or shop at its unique stores.
LEFT: Downtown Topeka sculptures [THAD ALLTON/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL] RIGHT: NOTO Arts District [2015 FILE PHOTO/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]
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Stormy inspiration
Landmarks and memorials
On display
“TRAGIC PRELUDE” PAINTING, BY JOHN STEUART CURRY
HISTORIC RITCHIE HOUSE
MULVANE ART MUSEUM AND ARTLAB
1116 S.E. Madison St. bit.ly/CJritchie
1700 S.W. Jewell Ave., Washburn University bit.ly/CJmulvane
TOPEKA CEMETERY
TIFFANY WINDOWS
1601 S.E. 10th Ave. topekacemetery.org
First Presbyterian Church 817 S.W. Harrison St. bit.ly/CJtiffany
Kansas Capitol S.W. 8th and Van Buren kshs.org/capitol
BURNETT’S MOUND Skyline Park 3511 S.W. Skyline Parkway bit.ly/CJburnett Abolitionist John Brown with gun in one hand and Bible in the other dominates the massive mural by John Steuart Curry on the second level of the Capitol. Surrounding the firebrand are Coronado with Spanish explorers; a frontiersman with a bison at his feet; a wagon train; a raging prairie fire; and an approaching tornado. Next stop: Burnett’s Mound, the highest elevation in Topeka, where visitors can view the city and imagine the path the 1966 tornado took when it plowed its way through the capital city. Burnett’s Mound is part of the 106-acre Skyline Park, which also features unpaved trails.
The Ritchie House, a stone structure built in the mid1850s by abolitionists John and Mary Jane Ritchie, was a station along the Underground Railroad and is considered to be Topeka’s oldest home. After serving with the Union Army in the Civil War, John Ritchie donated land for the establishment of Washburn College and gave land to incoming blacks who agreed to improve the property. Next stop: The final resting place of the Ritchies at Topeka Cemetery, the first organized cemetery in Kansas. Also buried there are Vice President Charles Curtis, Gov. Samuel Crawford, U.S. senator and publisher Arthur Capper, and Cyrus K. Holliday, founder of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad.
The Mulvane Art Museum houses collections of classic, traditional, modern and unexpected art, as well as larger-than-life installations. Visitors can view the artworks and explore the stories behind them. Exhibitions change regularly. Don’t miss the ArtLab in the basement, a hands-on learning center where people of all ages can create their own art souvenir. Next stop: The 10 jewel-toned, custom-made picture windows at First Presbyterian Church, created and installed by artist-designer Louis Tiffany in 1911. The windows depict stories from the Bible.
APPS
L E A D T H E WAY 8 picks to help you navigate your travels
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The Capital-Journal
ant to consolidate your vacation travels into a single itinerary? Or maybe you’re on the road and want to know where to buy the cheapest gas or dine on local cuisine. Several apps that can help you navigate your vacation or business trips are no further away than your fingertips. The Travel Channel, CNN and Techradar recommend these travel-related apps, which are all free and available for Android and iOS devices.
GOOGLE TRIPS
Google Trips combines the travel bookings and itineraries from a person’s Gmail account and then sorts them into specific trips. Google also provides suggestions on local sites and attractions based on a destination.
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GOOGLE TRANSLATE
Google Translate can translate more than 100 languages using several methods, including text translation, which allows an individual to type in a phrase to be translated into a designated language, and conversation translation, which allows two people to talk to each other as the app translates in real time.
ACCUWEATHER
Don’t be caught out in the rain on a nature hike or stranded in a snowstorm ever again. AccuWeather provides real-time local forecasts in more than 100 languages.
XE CURRENCY
XE Currency provides conversion rates for nearly every currency in the world. The information is continuously updated and stored offline, which means a person can use the app when their Internet connection is lost.
EXPEDIA
Expedia, one of the world's most popular travel apps, can help book flights and hotels, rent a car and reserve tickets to tourist attractions.
GUIDES BY LONELY PLANET
This app allows a person to download a visitor guide for more than 100 cities and then ask for information in a specific category, such as restaurants, shopping, hotels, bars, maps, attractions or recreation.
Many apps are available that can help individuals and families navigate their vacation or business trips. [METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION]
TRIPADVISOR
TripAdvisor has collected more than 500 million critiques of hotels, restaurants and events by those who have used or experienced them. After a person chooses a place to visit, TripAdvisor allows them to make reservations.
TRIPIT
A person can forward emails confirming bookings of flights, hotels and attractions and the app will organize them into a trip itinerary that can be shared with others. Tripit also provides flight notifications and packing advice based on the user’s travel plans.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR 15 events in Topeka you won’t want to miss The Capital-Journal
Who says there’s nothing to do in the capital city when the days grow longer and the nights are studded with stars? Here are a few of the events that will make summer in Topeka more fun. • May 20: 30th Annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Heartland Motorsports Park, 7530 S.W. Topeka Blvd. $45-$65; free for age 12 and under in general admission section with paid adult. heartlandpark.com • June 2: Capital City Family & Food Truck Festival, with food trucks and vendors, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., S.W. 10th Avenue between S.W. Harrison and S.W. Jackson and S.W. Jackson between S.W. 9th and S.W. 10th. Free. bit.ly/CJfoodtruck • June 2-3: Mulvane Art Fair, with more than 80 artists, food trucks and music, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 2 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 3, Washburn University, 1700 S.W. Jewell Ave. $10; free for age 11 and younger. mulvaneartfair.org • June 2-3: Germanfest, with food, live entertainment, bazaar, bingo, auctions and beer garden, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. June 2 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 3, Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish, 312 N.E. Freeman. Free.
Dancers entertain the crowd at Fiesta Mexicana. The July festival features music, dancing, food, a parade and a carnival. [2015 FILE PHOTO/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]
sacredheartstjosephcatholic.org • June 9: Heartland Military Day, with pancake feed, World War II battle reenactments, military equipment exhibits and demonstrations, Civil War exhibits and artillery, veterans exhibit, Spanish-American War exhibit and noon cookout meal, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Museum of the Kansas National Guard, 125 S.E. Airport Drive, Forbes Field. kansasguardmuseum.org • June 22-30: Sunflower Music Festival, 10-concert series
featuring orchestra and chamber music, jazz and student ensembles, White Concert Hall, Washburn University, 1700 S.W. Jewell Ave. Free. sunflowermusicfestival.org • June 23: Tap That Topeka: A Capital Brew Festival, with more than 200 craft beers, food trucks, vendors and music, 5 to 8 p.m., 800 block of S.W. Jackson. Must be 21 years of age. $10 for designated driver; $35 for general admission; $65 for VIP reservations. bit.ly/CJbrewfest • June 30: Rotary Freedom Festival, featuring Rotary Freedom March, student art displays, family-oriented activities, antique military vehicle display, reenactment of dispersal of Legislature by President Franklin Pierce, outdoor concert with Kelley Hunt, food trucks and beer gardens, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., downtown Topeka. Free. bit.ly/CJfreedomfest • July 4: Spirit of Kansas Blues Festival, with bands beginning at 11:30 a.m., food tent and fireworks, Reynolds Lodge at Lake Shawnee, 3027 S.E. Beach Terrace. Free; donations welcome. bit.ly/CJbluesfest • July 10-14: Fiesta Mexicana, with music, food, dance, parade, carnival and children’s activities, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 201 N.E. Chandler. Parade and coronation ball on July 7. olgfiestamexicana.org • July 13-29: Sunflower State Games, with 50 different sports competitions for all ages and skill levels, various Topeka sites. sunflowergames.com • July 21-22 and 25-29: Shawnee County Fair, with horse show, dog show, exhibits and live entertainment, Kansas Expocentre, 1 Expocentre Drive. Free. shawneecountyfair.org
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The Mulvane Art Fair, in early June, features more than 80 artists, food trucks and music. [2015 FILE PHOTO/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL]
• July 22: Northeast Kansas Weddings Expo, featuring fashion show and dozens of local photography, catering, attire, venue and other vendors, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kansas Expocentre, 1 Expocentre Drive. $7. neksweddings.com • July 28: Rock & Food Trucks, featuring food trucks and ZZ Top tribute band, 3:30 to 9:30 p.m., S.W. 9th and S. Kansas Avenue. Free. bit.ly/CJrockfood • Aug. 18: WTCT Radio Players, a celebration of the radio plays of the 1930s-50s with live sound effects and expressive actors, 8 p.m., Topeka Civic Theatre’s Oldfather Theatre, 3028 S.W. 8th Ave. $6. topekacivictheatre.com
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