Southwest Publishing & Mailing Corp

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.

Fans of nature will absolutely love getting outdoors and hitting the trail at the Kansas Nature Trail. The trail was established in 1988 as a means of reestablishing 18 species of prairie grasses and native flowers that were once plentiful on this 80-acre section of land in west Topeka. The trail is designed for visitors to enjoy a self-guided yet easy to follow tour. The walkway is approximately 2.5 miles long and is six to eight feet wide so that it may comfortably accommodate several visitors. The trek begins at the trail head which is immediately east of the Kansas Historical Society parking lot.

Rewind the years and travel back to a time when Topeka was a place where iron horses, pioneers, Kaw Indians and Buffalo Bill were all part of life in what was then a rapidly developing area. One of the prime factors in the growth of Topeka is the famed Underground Railroad, and when you visit the Great Overland Station, you can learn about its history and influence, as well as all of the other aspects of life during that economically and historically progressive period of time. Topeka's rich heritage awaits you at Great Overland Station.

Take the plunge and keep cool when you take the family to Topeka's Blaisdell Family Aquatic Center. No matter what level of experience your kids have when it comes to swimming, they will love being in the water and enjoying the many amenities offered by this state-of-the-art aquatic attraction. Among its many fine attributes, the center features challenging diving boards, a kiddie section for toddlers to safely make a splash, and of course, the expansive 50-meter pool itself!