Topeka

Hear the Music

Experience the city’s vibrant music scene this summer through Southwest Publishing’s Topeka Music Week! From country cover groups to rock bands to classical ensembles, get ready to dance the days away July 7-16 and enjoy a diverse lineup of artists hitting entertainment venues across the city during the week of Country Stampede and “Mini Fiesta.” Live bands will be found at Evergy Plaza, NOTO Arts & Entertainment District, Happy Basset Barrel House, and more. Learn more about Topeka Music Week and its upcoming events by visiting https://www.visittopeka.com/stampede/topeka-music-week/, and get ready to rock out in TopCity! Thank you to Topeka Music Week supporting sponsor Security Benefit and media sponsor KSNT for making it possible.

For the Kids

A new interactive exhibit opened this month at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center that features the great outdoors of Kansas. Open through August 27, families can set up a pretend camp in the discovery center’s indoor campground, and explore life as a park ranger all while fishing, researching songbirds, and learning about the beautiful outdoors in the Sunflower State. Regular admission applies, which is $9 for children and adults. Admission also lets you play all day at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, with more than 15,000 square feet of indoor educational exhibits exploring science, careers, art, building and more, plus a 4.5-acre certified Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom. The exhibit will also be open during monthly free nights on July 20, and August 17.

Sunflower Summer provides a wide variety of ways for families to get out, explore something new, and enjoy time together. Families with children (grades Pre-K through 12) can visit museums, zoos, historic landmarks and more for free! This year will feature more than 115 venues, select day camp experiences and bonus events. For details, visit https://www.sunflowersummer.org/

Savor the Flavors

Choose from a diverse array of restaurants – everything from intimate dining in one of our historic buildings to award-winning barbecue, exotic international cuisine and tried-and-true chain establishments. Topeka has the traditional, the spicy, the sweets and other fine eats to make your stay truly memorable. Enjoy everything from the traditional, the spicy, the sweets and other fine eats in Topeka.

For classic French cuisine in an elegant setting, Chez Yasu offers a delicious menu for lunch and dinner. Try the boeuf bourguignon or a seafood special like Chilean sea bass. The White Linen is a unique restaurant based on contemporary French and American cuisine. Chef Adam takes locally grown, bred, and produced products and re-imagines them into a modern, unique treat with the familiar structures and textures known to be a staple of the Kansas plains.

For lighter fare, The Iron Rail in Downtown Topeka offers fantastic craft beer and BBQ, as well as tasty American and southern dishes. Featuring amazing lunches and Saturday morning breakfasts, the locals advise that you arrive early at Henry’s Grill at Topeka Harley Davidson because “when it’s gone, it’s gone!” And speaking of rave reviews, Lonnie Q’s has a fiercely loyal local following, and Lonnie’s famous cheesy taters are worth the trip alone.

Win A Prize!

Visit Manhattan, Visit Emporia, Visit Topeka and Explore Lawrence have teamed up to launch the MET&L Prairie Pour Tour, a new initiative showcasing the vibrant beer, wine and spirits scene of northeast Kansas! The virtual trail connects 14 premier brewery, winery and distillery destinations in the region. Visit PrairiePourTour.com today to view all participating locations and to sign up for a digital passport! Earn points with each location check-in, and win some awesome prizes! Check in at all 14 locations by Dec. 31 to be entered into a sweepstakes for the chance to win one of four prizes valued up to $500! This event is 21+

Art and Culture

Topeka’s arts scene takes center stage every First Friday. Cultural festivals celebrate Topeka’s diversity. Outstanding community theatre, ballet, symphony and regional venues that host touring acts will give you myriad chances to enjoy what you love right here in Top City.

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