Kansas Furniture Mart

Fans of the outdoors love making the short drive to Pomona Lake. Located 31 miles southeast of Topeka, this 4,000-square-foot lake is not only the perfect setting for a family outing or picnic but also you can take a swim or go boating and fishing. The lake is known for being an excellent place to catch such fish as crappie and channel catfish. So grab the family, get some sunscreen and get ready to catch a great time out at Pomona Lake.

The Ward-Meade Park in Topeka allows you to literally step back in time to experience what life was like during a time when settlers were making their way on the Oregon Trail. Luckily, some stayed in this part of the world, and you can take a self-guided tour of some of the fascinating places that used to inhabit the area. Marvel at the detail of a general store, a Southern-style mansion, botanical gardens and log cabins that all help create a true scenario of what Topeka looked like back in the early part of the 20th century.

Topeka's history is full of surprises. One of the most noteworthy is the fact that a native of the city, Charles Curtis, was the first Native American to serve as Vice President during the Herbert Hoover administration. Get a more detailed look at Curtis' life and work when you visit the Charles Curtis House Museum. The finely preserved details of the furnishings and personal items on display all go to help tell the story of Curtis' life as well as his significant contribution to American political history.