Spirit Of The Game

Many hikers and bikers in Topeka enjoy the experience of moving along the Dornwood Park Trail. The trail is located in southeast Topeka and accessible from a trailhead on SE 25th Street, east of California Avenue. The recreational trail winds through the heavily forested Deer Creek and features some challenging, rolling terrain, prairie grasses and breathtaking views.

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.

It's funny how cyclical everything is. About 30 years ago, music fans lamented the passing of the vinyl record album as it was pushed aside by the smaller, silvery compact disc. Now that mp3s and digital music downloads are the norm, the CD has gone the way of the record. But its magic is still very much alive at Topeka's CD Tradepost. There are three locations in town that all feature a constantly changing inventory and will offer you an opportunity to trade your discs in to receive store credit to trade in or purchase something they have in stock. They also offer a great selection of games and movies, too.

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.