The capital of Kansas, Topeka, just 55 mi/85 km west of Kansas City, was founded by abolitionists in 1854. A century later it played a key role in the Civil Rights movement when Topeka's segregated schools served as the catalyst for
Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court ruling that forced the desegregation of public schools. Visitors can learn about the landmark 1954 decision and see what life was like before desegregation at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, located in Monroe Elementary, once an all-black school.
To get a better feel for the city's role in state government, take a walking tour of the impressive state Capitol and its dome, built with native limestone and several types of marble. Displayed inside are a number of murals by John Steuart Curry, including one famous for its depiction of John Brown with a gun in one hand and a Bible in the other. Construction of the Capitol began in 1866 and continued for 37 years. Another impressive government building is Cedar Crest, the governor's residence, open Monday afternoons for tours.
Learn more about the state's history at the impressive Kansas Museum of History, which includes a hands-on children's area, and the archives and library at the Kansas Center for Historical Research. Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Park is worth a visit for its Victorian mansion, frontier log cabin and one-room schoolhouse. (Don't be surprised if a schoolmarm greets you at the door and reviews grammar rules.)
The Combat Air Museum has approximately 30 aircraft dating back to World War I. The Rees Fruit Farm, owned by the Rees family for more than 100 years, is a must-stop for their signature cider slush and home-grown produce. Other attractions include the Topeka Zoo, with its enclosed tropical rain forest, and the Reinisch Rose Garden, both in Gage Park.
Racing fans will also want to visit Heartland Park Topeka, with stock-car, motorcycle and drag-racing events. If you're feeling lucky, a number of Native American-operated casinos are located a 30-minute drive north.
