Welcome to Topeka, where the past and present collide to create a vibrant cultural scene. As the capital city of Kansas, Topeka is already steeped in rich history, but did you know that it’s also home to a diverse range of art galleries and museums? Founded in 1854, Topeka’s cultural history is as interesting as its present-day art scene. Whether you’re an art lover, a history buff, or simply looking for a fun and educational experience, Topeka has something for you.
Here is a list of eight must-visit museums and galleries the next time you’re in Topeka.
Kansas Children’s Discovery Center
With a focus on science, technology, engineering, and math, this Topeka museum is packed with hands-on exhibits and activities to learn from. Kids can unleash their creativity in the art pavilion with window painting, experiment with color and light at the illumination station or design their own raceway. Outside, explore a towering treehouse with a climbing wall, soar through the air on a 34-foot zipline or check out the butterfly garden.
Combat Air Museum
One of a few aviation museums that are located on an active airfield, Topeka’s Combat Air Museum boasts a collection of over 40 aircraft from World War II to the present day. Explore exhibits and displays that highlight the world of flight combat through USAF F-4 Pilot uniforms, USS naval ship scale models, survival equipment, and even a flight simulator. Check out Engine Row – a collection of plane and drone engines, and take a tour inside some of the aircraft on display, such as a Skyhawk US Navy attack plane and a huge CH-53A Sea Stallion helicopter.
Alice C. Sabatini Gallery
Tucked away inside the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, this art gallery is a Topeka attraction that is nothing short of a hidden gem. The location offers a rotating series of exhibits featuring various artistic styles and themes, from “Light & Shadow” to “Do Pi Ka: A Land Acknowledgement” to “Unexpected Friends.” Whether you’re more of a contemporary art fan, a traditionalist, or someone who enjoys experimental works, the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery is likely to have something up your alley.
Mulvane Art Museum
Perhaps the most ambitious museum in Topeka on this list, the Mulvane Art Museum features a collection of over 4,500 works of art, including paintings, sculptures and photography prints. Items in these collections are sourced from around the globe, though the museum primarily focuses on those created by Kansas and Mountain/Plains-based artists from the 20th century. However, you’ll uncover a few unexpected gems—including a Rembrandt painting from 1630!
Ward-Meade Park and Historic Site
The Ward-Meade Park and Historic Site is an outdoor museum that features several historic buildings, including a Victorian mansion, an 1854 log cabin replica, and a one-room schoolhouse. Also known as “Old Prairie Town,” this location is a blast from the past with a historic town square, an old-fashion general store that stocks its shelves with 19th-century goods, and a gorgeous Ward-Meade Botanical Garden that stretches 2.5 acres.
Great Overland Station
This museum is located inside a restored train station and features exhibits on railroad history and its impact on the development of the Great Plains. First opened in 1927, the museum is a great place to learn about the city’s industrial history, with attractions that cover railroads like the Union Pacific, Rock Island, Missouri Pacific, and Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroads. If you’re with the kids, check out the “Exploration Station,” where they can play with toy train cars, get creative with coloring books, or get hands-on with two train simulators.
Warehouse 414
Doubling as an art gallery and a home furnishings store, Warehouse 414 features a curated selection of paintings, sculptures, and other artwork from local and national artists. Discover a diverse range of art, from wacky to tacky and antiques. Marvel at oil paintings by artists from the 1800s, ponder postmodern abstract sculptures and view 20th-century Chinese furniture.
The Evel Knievel Museum
Dedicated to the life and career of Evel Knievel, this is a must-visit attraction for adrenaline junkies. Whether you’re looking to learn about the life of America’s most famous daredevil or just see his famous white suit in person, the museum has it all, including a large collection of Knievel’s personal items like his motorcycles, leathers and helmets. You can even experience “The Jump”—a virtual reality experience that sends you soaring over 16 cars, just like Knievel himself.
