Guidebook for Topeka
Food Scene
The Classic Bean is a local institution a 10-minute walk from the house. A mix of tables and armchairs, they serve beer, wine, and a full menu in addition to coffeeshop fare, with live music on certain nights.
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Classic Bean
722 S Kansas AveThe Classic Bean is a local institution a 10-minute walk from the house. A mix of tables and armchairs, they serve beer, wine, and a full menu in addition to coffeeshop fare, with live music on certain nights.
Small family-run restaurant with good cheap Mexican food, although admittedly the margaritas aren't the best.
El Maguey
1630 SW Arvonia PlSmall family-run restaurant with good cheap Mexican food, although admittedly the margaritas aren't the best.
French food which we hear is surprisingly good. Prices are high for Topeka - $20-30 for entrees. If you try it, let us know how it is.
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Chez Yasu
2701 SW 17th StFrench food which we hear is surprisingly good. Prices are high for Topeka - $20-30 for entrees. If you try it, let us know how it is.
Bigger than Mad Eliza's, with a more laid-back shabby-chic vibe. I personally prefer their cupcakes as they are less sweet than the ones at Mad Eliza, but their flavors are just as original (bourbon and pecan cupcake, anyone?).
Billy Vanilly
4036 SW Huntoon StBigger than Mad Eliza's, with a more laid-back shabby-chic vibe. I personally prefer their cupcakes as they are less sweet than the ones at Mad Eliza, but their flavors are just as original (bourbon and pecan cupcake, anyone?).
The library has a coffee shop/restaurant with decent food. Generously, they don't mind if you carry your drinks and snacks into other parts of the library - including the large "quiet" room with desks and armchairs. If you need a break, there's a small museum off the lobby which has rotating exhibits.
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
1515 SW 10th AveThe library has a coffee shop/restaurant with decent food. Generously, they don't mind if you carry your drinks and snacks into other parts of the library - including the large "quiet" room with desks and armchairs. If you need a break, there's a small museum off the lobby which has rotating exhibits.
Topeka's newest "hot spot." Creative gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, extensive beer list (and other drinks). Open to midnight on weekends, with live music on the patio on Saturdays. Sunday brunch features a make-your-own mimosa & bloody mary bar. Located in the NOTO Arts District.
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The Wheel Barrel
925 N Kansas AveTopeka's newest "hot spot." Creative gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, extensive beer list (and other drinks). Open to midnight on weekends, with live music on the patio on Saturdays. Sunday brunch features a make-your-own mimosa & bloody mary bar. Located in the NOTO Arts District.
As far as we can tell, this is the only place in Topeka that serves frozen yogurt - and it's just a couple minutes' walk from us! Decent flavors and prices that make it worth braving the sticky floors. They also serve donuts, but we haven't tried them yet.
Baker's Dozen 6th Street
2601 SW 6th AveAs far as we can tell, this is the only place in Topeka that serves frozen yogurt - and it's just a couple minutes' walk from us! Decent flavors and prices that make it worth braving the sticky floors. They also serve donuts, but we haven't tried them yet.
Shana Cake: an allergy friendly bakery (I couldn't even remember the whole list, so I looked it up on their website: they are "wheat, soy, dairy, corn, nuts, treenuts, and of course fish and shellfish!" free, with some egg-free items as well). And it's pretty tasty stuff, too.
435 S Kansas Ave
435 South Kansas AvenueShana Cake: an allergy friendly bakery (I couldn't even remember the whole list, so I looked it up on their website: they are "wheat, soy, dairy, corn, nuts, treenuts, and of course fish and shellfish!" free, with some egg-free items as well). And it's pretty tasty stuff, too.
Sightseeing
Said to be very beautiful; you can take tours and climb the dome. Also the beginning of the Downtown strip.
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Kansas State Capitol Visitor Center
Southwest Van Buren StreetSaid to be very beautiful; you can take tours and climb the dome. Also the beginning of the Downtown strip.
Parks & Nature
The Shunga trail is a green belt running through much of the city. The trail is paved and bike/horse/dog friendly; there are also playgrounds at intervals. There's a parking lot just through the neighborhood directly south of us, a 2-minute drive.
Shunga Trail
Shunga TrailThe Shunga trail is a green belt running through much of the city. The trail is paved and bike/horse/dog friendly; there are also playgrounds at intervals. There's a parking lot just through the neighborhood directly south of us, a 2-minute drive.
MacLennan Park is a 240-acre park with 8.75 miles of hiking/running/biking trails. Located on the site is Cedar Crest, a historic home currently used as the Kansas Governor's Mansion.
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Cedar Crest
1 SW Cedar Crest RdMacLennan Park is a 240-acre park with 8.75 miles of hiking/running/biking trails. Located on the site is Cedar Crest, a historic home currently used as the Kansas Governor's Mansion.
Arts & Culture
A gorgeous Art Deco theater, known as "TPAC" to the locals, which hosts a variety of events.
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Topeka Performing Arts Center
214 SE 8th AveA gorgeous Art Deco theater, known as "TPAC" to the locals, which hosts a variety of events.
Essentials
A block away, large and modern with a health-food section as well as prepared foods and a Starbucks kiosk. I think there's also a pharmacy.
Dillons
5311 SW 22nd PlA block away, large and modern with a health-food section as well as prepared foods and a Starbucks kiosk. I think there's also a pharmacy.
Redbox
2121 SW Fairlawn RdDVD rental kiosk in case Hulu/Netflix just won't cut it during your stay. :-)
Entertainment & Activities
Topeka Zoo
635 SW Gage Blvd