Kansas Press Assn Inc

Sure, there's romantic music, romantic meals and even romantic poetry, but nothing symbolizes romance quite as effectively as a beautiful rose. The two of you can enjoy the multilayer bouquet of sights and smells when you stroll hand in hand on a date at the Reinisch Rose Garden. The walking paths are lined with beautiful roses and even offer several small benches where you and your sweetheart can sit and take it all in. The garden is home to 6,500 bushes of roses that are captivatingly presented over 2 ½ acres.

The MacLennan Park Trails are located in northwest Topeka and offer some of the area's most stunning scenery as the recreation trail runs along the hills overlooking the Kansas River. There are two types of trails here–a limestone loop and a series of dirt single track hiking and biking trails. Access to the trails is available on the south side of the park on 6th Street, west of Fairlawn Road, as well as on the north side of the park on the west side of the Governor's Mansion.

If you and your friends are out and want to grab a few drinks in a truly comfortable, no-frills environment, then make your way over to Topeka's Matinee Club. Don't let the name fool you, this charmingly low-key nightlife venue is one of those places that makes little effort to draw attention to itself. Instead, the bartenders, waitresses and fellow guests all enjoy the relaxed if somewhat detached mood of the place. Come in, enjoy a few rounds, and feel like you've been at a friend's house who doesn't like to make a big deal about things, but you still manage to have a great time in his company anyway.

While it may be true that you can always read about history, it is a very rare occasion when you can actually step back into it. That unique opportunity is offered to visitors of the Old Prairie Town at Ward Meade Historic Site. Over the course of this history-laden one-half acre area, you can see, hear, and touch various examples of living history. Some of the many highlights and attractions include a fully restored 1870 Victorian mansion, a wood cabin, a train depot, a one-room schoolhouse, a stone barn, a church and a general store. Don't forget to check out the gift shop and the nearby botanical garden.