Discover Topeka's Secrets: 8 Surprising Fun Facts About Kansas' Capital City

1. Golden City Wealth

Why did the chicken cross Kansas? To get to the "Golden City," of course: Topeka, Kansas was once known as the "Golden City" due to the surge of wealth from the Santa Fe Railroad in the late 1800s, leading to the construction of many elaborate buildings and a thriving downtown area, some of which still stand today as a testament to its prosperous history.
Source => wibw.com

2. Tulip Party Time

In Topeka, Kansas, springtime tulips and daffodils party harder than a 17th-century Dutch Golden Age exhibition: Every April, the annual Tulip Time festival showcases thousands of vibrant tulips and daffodils in gardens around town, delighting visitors at locations such as Ted Ensley Gardens at Lake Shawnee, Old Prairie Town, Gage Park’s Reinisch Rose Garden and Doran Rock Garden.
Source => visittopeka.com

Did you know that in the late '80s, Kansas City was once a paradise for underage drinkers due to differing legal drinking ages across state lines? Discover this wild story and more! 🍻💃🕺

=> Fun Facts about Kansas-City

3. Concrete Zoo-tropolis

In the land of Oz, where camels aren't dromedarily challenged but made of concrete: Gage Park's Animaland in Topeka, Kansas, boasts over 30 animal sculptures, like the now-famous concrete camel with a hole in it, all of which have entertained visitors for 62 years since the park's opening in 1960.
Source => ksnt.com

4. Dorothy's Arts District

In the land where Dorothy and Toto once roamed, an artsy and historic destination has risen from the dust: North Topeka Arts District (NOTO), a vibrant cultural hub in Topeka, Kansas, houses over 50 businesses like galleries, studios, and shops, and even holds a monthly "First Friday Art Walk" event with artists, vendors, and the community coming together to enjoy music, special activities, food, and shopping.
Source => washburnreview.org

5. Lunar Library Adventure

Blast off into a world of knowledge with a touch from the stars: Topeka, Kansas commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with an interactive art exhibit and summer reading program at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, featuring space-themed activities, NASA deep space photos, and galactic prizes for avid young readers.
Source => cjonline.com

6. Vintage Carousel Fun

No horsing around here, folks: Topeka, Kansas is home to a well-aged carousel from 1908 that features a vintage Wurlitzer-style band organ, granting visitors a lively spin back in time at the seawest corner of the Blaisdell Family Aquatic Center – and for those feeling a bit carou-sellout, the VonRohr Victorian Garden is just a trot away to restore their tranquility with serene melodies and picturesque lunch spots.
Source => visittopeka.com

7. Free Zoo Extravaganza

Who let the penguins out in Kansas? Topeka, that's who: Topeka hosts the esteemed Saint Louis Zoo, ranked among the nation's finest, boasting more than 12,000 animals from 500 species – including penguins, bears, and elephants – all frolicking in roomy and nature-like habitats. And guess what? It's completely free, making it the ideal destination for laughter-loving families on a budget.
Source => wanderlog.com

8. Creative Crime-Fighting Murals

Topeka, Kansas: where the streets aren't paved with gold, but they're certainly brushed with creativity and community spirit! This Kansan gem is home to the Topeka Mural Project, which, since 2013, has been revitalizing areas vulnerable to crime and vandalism by adorning them with vibrant artwork advocating eco-awareness under the deft direction of local talent, Mona Cliff.
Source => artstopeka.org