Immerse in rich history, enjoy vibrant arts and cultural events, and explore outdoor adventures. Company Overview
Welcome to Topeka!
Visit Topeka is here to help you plan where to dine, what to see & where to play when you visit Topeka, Kansas. Find out what's happening in Topeka by checking out our website, getting our email newsletters, or by giving us a call. We have free visitor information for you! We’d love you to join the conversation and share your unique experiences, photos, videos or just share your love of Topeka! Li
ke the Visit Topeka page to keep up to date on all the latest events, information, competitions and much more. Description
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09/21/2024
There are SO many fun things to do this weekend when you ! Today through Sept. 28 is Downtown Topeka Restaurant Week 2024! Don’t miss the limited-time specials being offered by some wonderful local businesses.
Don't miss out – tag us in your delicious photos using , and let's celebrate downtown restaurants together!
Brew Bank
The Celtic Fox Irish Pub and Restaurant
Cosmos Court
Forward Nutrition
Hazel Hill Chocolate
Iron Rail Brewing
The Pennant Topeka
Ta Co. Topeka
The Tee Box
The Weather Room
09/21/2024
Don’t miss all the festivities happening in NOTO Arts & Entertainment District today as part of NOTO Live! Music, food, vendors, galleries and more! 🤩
We hope to see you in NOTO this weekend 🎉
09/21/2024
This Saturday, Sept. 21, through February 2025, you can catch the "Our Stories: African American Topeka Before and After Brown" exhibit at Great Overland Station! The grand reopening is part of NOTO Live, and you won't want to miss everything the district has planned.
09/19/2024
Have you heard?!🔊Downtown Topeka Restaurant Week starts THIS Saturday! 🍽
Downtown Topeka Restaurant Week runs Sept. 21 to 28.
09/17/2024
🎷✨ Topeka is about to experience a jazz revival with the Topeka Jazz Concert Series at the Topeka Performing Arts Center! This season promises an incredible lineup of smooth rhythms, soulful melodies, and electrifying performances that will have everyone swinging in their seats. 🎶💃
Mark those calendars and grab tickets for an evening of jazz magic that’s sure to impress. Whether a jazz aficionado or simply seeking a fantastic night out, this series has something for everyone. 🌟
📅 Full schedule and ticket information available here: www.topekajazz.com/concerts
📍 Location: Performing Arts Center
Get ready to celebrate the art of jazz and create lasting memories! 🎺❤️
Topeka Jazz has produced unforgettable jazz concerts in the Topeka area for decades, bringing some of the most talented and well-known names from our area and across the nation to the Capitol City. See our upcoming concerts here and purchase a ticket to one of our next performances!
09/16/2024
📚✨ Mark your calendars for the 13th Annual Kansas Book Festival on September 28, 2024! ✨📚
Join the fun from 9am-4pm at the Washburn University Library (17th and Macvicar) for a day full of literary excitement, including 24 author panels, 40 exhibitors, live music, a children’s activity tent, food trucks and a keynote by NYTimes bestselling detective fiction author, Sara Paretsky. The festival is *FREE* and open to the public, including youth! 🙌🏽
09/16/2024
Get ready for India Mela’s Bollywood Movie Night! Join us on September 27th from 6:30pm-9:30pm at Evergy Plaza for an unforgettable evening filled with Indian food, music, henna, traditional jewelry, clothing, and a special Bollywood movie screening!
09/12/2024
🎉 Don’t miss the rescheduled 4th Annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Parade in downtown Topeka this Saturday, September 14! 🌟
Join us for a vibrant celebration of freedom, unity, and community spirit! The parade and festivities begin at 11am.
09/06/2024
09/05/2024
🌟 Experience the ultimate night out at ForgeFest: Rooftop Glow! 🌟
On Saturday, Sept. 14, join the excitement from 7-10pm with live music from KCFlo 🎶, delicious bites from Bobby’s Food Co. 🍔, refreshing drinks from Axe and Ale 🍹, and great views from atop the Crosby Parking Garage in downtown Topeka. ✨ There’s also an after-party to follow at Celtic Fox Irish Pub and Restaurant! 🍀
Tickets are just $10 which covers live music, food and 1 drink ticket! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Entry via the south entrance of the Crosby Parking Garage. Take the stairs or elevator to the 6th floor!
Don’t miss out on this unforgettable event—secure your tickets now at bit.ly/ForgeFest2024 and get ready to shine! 💫
08/31/2024
Check out the latest edition of the Visit Topeka eNews full of fun upcoming events! 👉 https://conta.cc/4e2BSGn
We love a great parade in downtown Topeka! Don’t miss the Central States Shrine Association Parade THIS Saturday, August 31st.
Join us Saturday, August 31 at 9:30 a.m. in downtown Topeka for the CSSA Parade. See your Topeka Arab Shriners and temples from other shrines in the CSSA region. They will travel down 10th to Jackson, turn down 7th to Kansas and to 11th street.
08/25/2024
Get ready for an exciting weekend! Watch the Central States Shrine Association bring the streets of downtown to life with over 1,000 people participating in the parade on Aug. 31! Or check out the motor corps competition on Aug. 29 at the Stormont Vail Events Center's South Parking Lot.
08/22/2024
Have you joined the MET&L Prairie Pour Tour yet?! We're only halfway through this year's brew tour, so there's still time to get your FREE digital pass and start exploring the region's craft brewers. You'll earn points along the way for a chance to win some great prizes! What are you waiting for?!🍺👕⚡️
🚀🍻 From award-winning brews to mouthwatering bites, the The Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant in Topeka has everything you need for an unforgettable evening. Experience their full menu service in the lounge or the bar, and try one (or more!) of their flagship brews. The Blind Tiger is a proud sponsor of the Sumatran Tigers at the Topeka Zoo, with a portion of every Tiger Bite IPA sale donated to the Topeka Zoo! 🍺🎉
Visit Topeka
08/20/2024
Mark your calendars! India Mela Topeka is hosting a fun Bollywood movie night at Evergy Plaza next month!
Did someone say India Mela 2024? Yup, we are back! We're bringing you some food, shopping, a Bollywood movie and FUN! Mark your calendars, like and share, and come hungry!
08/18/2024
📞 Calling All Foodies!! The Topeka Food Truck Festival is ONE WEEK from today in beautiful Gage Park!! With over 20 food trucks and activities for the whole family, you won’t want to miss it!
08/15/2024
Gage Park was featured by HGTV as one of 50 great public gardens and arboretums in the United States! Soak in some summer vibes at this Topeka treasure. Learn more >>
Thunder Fans - we are officially two months away from SHAKING THE TOPEKA SKY!
We've got an action-packed show featuring the USAF Thunderbirds, the Kansas Air National Guard in the KC-135, the Vaerus Jet Sales' DC-3, a Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet, world class aerobatic performers, and so much more!
That's not all! Friday and Saturday are NIGHT SHOWS featuring fireworks, a wall of fire and flying from some of our world-class aerobatic performers!
Join us Oct. 11-13 at Forbes Field for the 2024 Thunder Over the Heartland Air Show Presented by CoreFirst Bank and Trust! This is truly going to be one of the can't miss Topeka events of the Fall. Tickets are currently discounted. However, prices will go up as more tickets are sold, so now is the time to get your tickets!
🎟️ thunderovertheheartland.com
📆 October 11-13, 2024
📍 Forbes Field | Topeka, KS
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08/09/2024
For The Culture KS is still on our minds! From the delicious food trucks and vibrant vendors to the energizing music and performances, this year's event was truly one to remember! Share your photos with us in the comments below. ⬇️
08/06/2024
TaCo. Topeka is now OPEN! 🎉
Try a taste of downtown’s newest hot spot and elevate your dining experience with stunning views from THREE different floors. Whether you’re sipping craft cocktails at one of the bars, relaxing beneath the skylights, or enjoying the patio, TaCo has something for everyone!
08/05/2024
It's a great day to try a new restaurant in Downtown Topeka,! Ta Co. Topeka is officially open! ☀️🎉
🎉 Today’s the day! Ta Co. is officially OPEN! 🎉
Join us in downtown Topeka at the corner of 8th and Kansas where we’re serving up hand-crafted tacos packed with flavor and delightful cocktails from 11 AM to 9 PM. 🌮✨
We can’t wait to see you here!
08/01/2024
Check out the latest edition of the Visit Topeka eNews full of fun upcoming events! 👉 https://conta.cc/3A3V0oX
Enjoy a variety of family fun in Topeka, Kansas! About Us | Events | Restaurants | Inclusive Topeka The Mimosa Mile Matinee is THIS Saturday! Dancing queens and brunch scenes – it's M
07/30/2024
We can’t stop reminiscing about Fiesta Topeka! From the delicious food and lively music to the exciting carnival and colorful dances, this year's event was nothing short of spectacular. What was your favorite moment?
07/25/2024
Check out all the fun you can expect this weekend at For The Culture KS!
07/25/2024
You won’t want to miss Thunder Over The Heartland airshow coming to Forbes Field Oct. 11-13, featuring the United States Air Force Thunderbirds in their first appearance in Topeka in more than 20 years!!
🎫 Score the best deals on air show tickets 🎫
Did you know that the sooner you buy your tickets to the 2024 Thunder Over the Heartland Air Show Presented by CoreFirst Bank & Trust the better deals you can get??
That’s right!
As more tickets are purchased, prices will go up and this applies to all seating areas. So, if you want the best deal on tickets now is the time to purchase them before they soar away.
You do not want to miss the 2024 Thunder Over the Heartland Air Show Presented by CoreFirst Bank & Trust featuring the USAF Thunderbirds, warbirds, world-class aerobatics, fireworks (Fri & Sat. only) and SO. MUCH. MORE. https://thunderovertheheartland.com/tickets/
07/22/2024
The African American Historical Sites Bus Tour and Gala may be sold out, but don't miss their Women of Brown exhibit on July 27th from 11am to 5pm at Townsite Topeka! It's a fantastic opportunity to learn about their significant contributions to the civil rights movement.
07/15/2024
Visit Topeka and our friends at Downtown Topeka, Inc. are proud to support this year's For The Culture KS fest! Don't miss all the action downtown at Evergy Plaza July 26-28! Follow For The Culture on your favorite social platform today, to stay up-to-date on headliner announcements and more.
APPRECIATION POST 🖤❤️🤎🤍💛
For The Culture Fest is a FREE, family event featuring music artists, creatives, impactful speakers, businesses, vendors, and much more. We will provide a welcoming space for everyone to experience the joys, history, and identity of African American culture through the arts.
We thank these businesses that believe in enriching our community and have invested in this event. We are always stronger together.
Stormont Vail Health
Southwest Publishing & Mailing Corporation
Hills Pet Nutrition
Yvonne Guy Agency Farmers Union Midwest Agency
My Company, Inc.
For The Culture KS
Rejoice - Embrace - Inspire
04/26/2024
You don't want to miss it! "Our Stories: African American Topeka Before and After Brown" is on display NOW through May 19th Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library . As our community gears up to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board on May 17th, we're highlighting important activations across Topeka that contribute to the conversation. Enjoy this guest blog by Sherri Camp of Black American Blueprint Collective Topeka to learn more about the exhibit and Topeka's history of Black excellence. Then, explore "Our Stories" at the library today to see Topeka's Black history in context!
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Videos
Bollywood Movie Night in Topeka!
Get ready for India Mela’s Bollywood Movie Night! Join us on September 27th from 6:30pm-9:30pm at Evergy Plaza for an unforgettable evening filled with Indian food, music, henna, traditional jewelry, clothing, and a special Bollywood movie screening!
Get ready for an exciting weekend! Watch the Central States Shrine Association bring the streets of downtown to life with over 1,000 people participating in the parade on Aug. 31! Or check out the motor corps competition on Aug. 29 at the Stormont Vail Events Center's South Parking Lot.
TaCo in Downtown Topeka
TaCo. Topeka is now OPEN! 🎉
Try a taste of downtown’s newest hot spot and elevate your dining experience with stunning views from THREE different floors. Whether you’re sipping craft cocktails at one of the bars, relaxing beneath the skylights, or enjoying the patio, TaCo has something for everyone!
Fiesta Topeka is BACK!
Get ready for Fiesta Topeka, a five-day celebration of Mexican culture from July 16th-20th! Enjoy delicious food, vibrant music, an exciting carnival, and a new addition this year—a fantastic car show!
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¡Prepárate para Fiesta Topeka, una celebración de cinco días de la cultura mexicana del 16 al 20 de julio! Disfruta de deliciosa comida, música vibrante, un carnaval espectacular, ¡y una nueva adición este año: un fantástico espectáculo de autos!
Mini-Fiesta Celebration on July 6th!
Get ready for a fantastic time at the Mini-Fiesta on July 6th at Evergy Plaza! From 4pm-9pm, enjoy an unforgettable evening with a live performance by Laura Denisse y Los Brillantes, delicious Mexican food, and a variety of vendors! Best of all, this event is FREE! Come celebrate 91 years of Fiesta Topeka. 🎉
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¡Prepárate para un tiempo fantástico en la Mini-Fiesta el 6 de julio en Evergy Plaza! Desde las 4pm hasta las 9pm, disfruta de una noche inolvidable con una presentación en vivo de Laura Denisse y Los Brillantes, deliciosa comida mexicana y una variedad de vendedores. ¡Y lo mejor de todo, este evento es GRATIS! Ven a celebrar los 91 años de Fiesta Topeka. 🎉
Have you been to the Rita Blitt Gallery at Washburn University - White Concert Hall recently? Did you know there was a limited duration installation helping to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision? Well, now you know!
#VisitTopeka #BrownvBoard
Free Yourself in Topeka
The capital city of Kansas welcomes you! Be yourself, see yourself, and free yourself in Topeka.
Topeka!
Topeka welcomes you! Discover the hospitality of the capital of Kansas. Food, fun, and adventure awaits. See yourself, be yourself, and free yourself here in Topeka!
¡Experimenta los vibrantes sonidos de Los Tucanes De Tijuana en vivo en el Stormont Vail Events Center el 24 de marzo!
Experience the vibrant sounds of Los Tucanes De Tijuana live at Stormont Vail Events Center on March 24th!
Heading downtown for the parade this Saturday? Then snag some Topeka merch from our Welcome Center while you're there! Don't miss out on getting the ultimate holiday gifts this season. 🎁
Thanks to everyone who helps make our community better, we’re grateful for you this year!
Get ready to jingle all the way through a festive celebration in downtown Topeka! Join us on Dec. 2nd from 6-8 pm for a holiday parade that's bound to sleigh the season! ✨
Whether you’re all about picking the perfect pumpkin, taking a hayrack ride, or finding your way through a corn maze, Topeka’s got it all! Check out our latest video at Gary's Berries Fall Festival and make sure to follow us for more seasonal fun.
What an incredible night at India Mela Topeka! From the mesmerizing beats of traditional Indian music to the food and dance performances, our region discovered one more amazing reason to discover Topeka!
¡Prepárate para experimentar la máxima descarga de adrenalina mientras te llevamos en un épico viaje de kayak en el río Kansas! Únete a nosotros mientras capturamos las impresionantes vistas y sientes el poder del río debajo de tu remo.
Get ready to experience the ultimate adrenaline rush as we take you on an epic journey of kayaking on the Kansas River! Join us as we capture the breathtaking views and feels the power of the river beneath your paddle.
Experience the first-ever India Mela 2023 in downtown Topeka on August 11 at Evergy Plaza, featuring vibrant shopping stalls, cultural performances, beautiful henna art, and a grand light-and-music fountain show set to Bollywood beats!
The first-ever Topeka Food truck Festival is rolling into Gage Park this summer! It's going to be a foodie's paradise, with over 15 local food trucks serving up the most delicious eats you can imagine.
They'll have live music and tons of family-friendly activities like a photo booth, face painting, a balloon artist, and a bubble foam pit! The festival will even host raffle giveaways, with all proceeds going to support a local nonprofit. So, you can indulge in great food and entertainment while making a positive impact on our community!
Topeka, Kansas is known not only for being the Capitol of Kansas, but has deep roots in history. From repeatedly finding itself at the Crossroads to Freedom to an Arts District springing to life from grassroots efforts; Topeka is a unique stop on the map and a town that will surprise you.
If you continue reading, you can learn more about the city’s history below, but Topeka isn’t just the epicenter for change. The city has morphed, and is continuing to become a destination with a little of everything. From muralladen buildings to mountain bike and hikingtrails, from local gift shops and businesses to century old trusted companies; Topeka thrives on the ability to adapt and create. You can attend the Midwest’s largest craft beer festival, Tap That; as well as eventslike the Spirit of Kansas, Cruise Nights, Heartland Stampede, Huff & Puff Balloon Rally, and Music & Food Truck Festivals.
Bring the kids for a family fun getaway; even make it educational at one of our many museumsor the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center. Make it a weekend for two, or a friends getaway, and enjoy a little luxury with the Cyrus Hoteland White Linen. Even party it up at one of our breweries and a show at the Jayhawk Theatre or Studio 62. Want to bring the whole fam and relatives? A show at the Topeka Performing Arts Center or Topeka Civic Theater might be right for you, with a stop at Blue Moose, The Pennant, or El Mezcal.
The city is thriving on local fare and trusted good time! No matter which part of the city you end up in, we have something perfect just for you. Yes, even you looking for a day at the spaor a day on the boat; we even have beer yoga for those that take their meditation with a little extra flare.
Downtown Topeka is not only home to the State Capitol, but also to a wide variety of restaurants, hotels, and makers spaces. Evergy Plazanow also calls Downtown home, offering a wide variety of concerts, shows, and more. NOTO Arts District has everything from event venues to art galleries, and an art center where everyone can take classes and become a part of the district alongside Arts Connect. The west side of town is a staple, housing usual favorites, shopping hubs, and local fares scattered throughout. So many neighborhoods make up the city of Topeka and it’s surrounding areas, it takes days to visit it all.
So, with open arms we welcome you to Topeka! Let us help you discover our #TopCity! VisitTopeka.com >>
Topeka History:
Bitter abolitionist and pro-slavery conflict during the 1850s served as a prelude to the Civil War and gave rise to the term "Bleeding Kansas." As Kansas approached statehood, Topekans such as Col. John and Mary Jane Ritchie battled for the abolition of slavery. Ritchie's house became a meeting place for the free-state faction and a station along the Underground Railroad.
After what is widely considered a corrupt election in March 1855, A pro-slavery government was created in Lecompton, Kansas. Fearful that the state might enter the Union as a slave state, anti-slavery supporters gathered in Topeka, in a building now known as Constitution Hall, to draft an anti-slavery constitution for the Kansas territory. For three weeks, 47 delegates from around the state gathered in Constitution Hall and wrote the first of four constitutions for the Kansas territory. Though the constitution was eventually blocked, the building continued as headquarters for the free-state movement, being used as a meeting hall, warehouse for weapons and supplies and as base for the Topeka guard, which protected free-state supporters.
One of the largest railroads in the United States, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, was chartered by the state of Kansas in 1859, and organized in 1860 by Cyrus K. Holliday. The railroad had a great influence on the settlement of the southwestern United States.
Topeka also was home of the Oliver Brown family, the namesake in Brown v. Board of Education, the 1954 Supreme Court case that eliminated the "separate but equal" standard in American public schools. Unlike the elementary schools in Topeka at that time, Topeka High School had been integrated since the late 1890s.
The Episcopal Church established the College of the Sisters of Bethany in Topeka in 1860. Billed as the "Wellesley of the West," the college provided a rare opportunity for women to receive an excellent education.
Charles Curtis served at the 31st Vice President of the United States from 1929 to 1933. He was the first Native American VP, the first VP West of the Mississippi, and the only VP from the state of Kansas.
Plan your trip back in time by visiting our website here.
