Family-Friendly Things to Do Outdoors in Topeka, Kansas, Topeka, Kansas

Topeka is a great city to visit if you are stationed at Fort Riley. It’s only an hour away, and the drive takes you through some of the prettiest rolling hills and grasslands in northeast Kansas. Topeka has played a significant part in American history as well. And if that’s not enough, there are plenty of outdoor activities, parks, and interesting things to do in Topeka that are FREE too.

I’ve been to Topeka a few times since our PCS to Fort Riley. But none of those previous trips put a big smile on my face like this one. I needed to get out of the house and do something I considered normal. And that means I needed a road trip. I didn’t have plans to do a whole lot because there is a pandemic going on after all. Nevertheless, Topeka offers quite a few (outdoor) activities where you can practice safe distancing and re-capture a little normalcy in the process.

The downtown area is in the process of revitalization. I enjoyed an evening stroll up and down S. Kansas Street before settling in for the night. I hadn’t planned on visiting the State Capitol, but when I walked out the side door of my hotel, it was right there. The Kansas State Capitol, also known as Kansas Statehouse, is located on SW 8th & SW Van Buren. Built around 1866, the capital strikes a dramatic statement against the Topeka skyline. Tours are available. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).