Summer events

There are going to be several events this summer all over the city. From the Farmers market to parades and concerts. You won't want to miss out on any of the fun. Since I am not going on vacation anywhere this summer I have to make the best of staying home and finding the best things to do here in Topeka. Here are a few of the things on my  list this summer.


Thanks for reading,
Ben

Cedar Crest at MacLennan Park

Cedar Crest is the name of the Governor of Kansas's house. The House was first used as the Governors residence in 1962. On Mondays you can tour the home between the hours of 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM.

The home,sitting on a hilltop with 244 acres, has some of the best views of topeka. The beautiful wood work and ornate decorations makes this tour a must see in Topeka.



Thank you for reading,
Ben

Kansas Expocentre

The Kansas Expocentre is located at the intersection of Topeka and 17th and hosts tons of events, from concerts and Rodeos, to a  World Championship Horseshoe Tournament. The land the Expocentre is built on has a long history here in topeka. The land has been used since the late 19th century for many town festivals and is the original site for the Kansas State Fair.

Here are a few videos of events held at the Expocentre.

Harlem Globe Trotters at the Kansas Expocentre

Blizzard Bash

The Band Perry at the Kansas Expocentre

Picked to host 2016 Equifest 

For more information about events and other things you can do at the Expocentre go to their website here.

Thanks for reading,

Ben

Topeka Zoo

The Topeka Zoo is one of the great attractions here in topeka. There are several exhibits at the zoo from lions and jungle cats, to a rainforest, all the way to down to a bug exhibit. It is a wonderful place to take kids of any age and offer several events through out the year. Recently the zoo has been undergoing some constructions, I am going to let Drew Switzer from WBIW News tell you a little more about some new attractions at the zoo this summer.



Zoo's are one of my favorite places to go. I grew up in Wichita, Kansas, which is about 2 hours south of Topeka. The Zoo is Wichita is called the Sedgwick County Zoo and is one of the top 20 zoo's in the country. With so many great zoo's out there, I would like to know where your favorite zoo's are?
Leave me a comment about your favorite Zoo.

For more information about the Topeka Zoo head to there website here.

Thanks for reading,
Ben

Topeka Flashback

I stumbled upon something quite wonderful this weekend, I believe it can show you the Topeka of the past.

These three video's can show you how far we have come from the Topeka of the past. Each video is aproximatly 8 minutes long and will take you to a better time, The 70's.

The video's were created by the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce and Southwestern Bell Telephone. Thats right, I said Southwestern Bell Telephone, you might know it as a little company called AT&T. The video's show many local businesses, attractions, and Topeka as a whole.
Please enjoy, I know I did!

Thanks for reading, 

Ben

Antiques and Thrift Stores

If your looking to find that vintage style or for a weekend project, there are plenty of antique and thrift shops all around town. A good place to start your looking is in Topeka's own NOTO art district. If your are just browsing the Downtown Antique Mall has 3 levels of trinkets, furniture, tools, music, and much much more.

There are many small antique stores and thrift shops all over the city, but here are just a few of the more popular stores.




Go out and find your own diamond in the rough.
Thanks for reading,
Ben

Topeka Civic Theatre and Academy

The Topeka Civic Theatre and Academy is a major part of the Fine Arts community here in Topeka.
They offer a wide range of entertainment options on their three stages, from Children's shows, all the way up to a more thought provoking performance. The Theatre has show options with or with out dinner. They are just wrapping up The Lion, witch, and the Wardrobe at their Oldfather Theater and about to starting Visiting Mr. Green in May at the Helen Hocker Theater.

The Topeka Theatre building is home to two of the three stages, the Main Stage, and the Oldfather Stage. The Oldfather is a much smaller, more intimate theatre. The third stage is the Helen Hocker Theatre is located a short distance away in Gage park.

The academy has a wide range of opportunities for young and old to come together and attend classes or camps to better prepare themselves for the Theatre.

Here is a video promotion for the Topeka Civic Theatre and Academy.


Bravo - Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy from Berkeley Square on Vimeo.


For more information or showtimes visit the Topeka Civic Theatre and Academy website here.

Visit Topeka

I was looking around on the internet the other day and I found two great videos showing some of the fun stuff to do around the city. The First video is created by Visit Topeka Inc. and I thought it was a creative ad for tourism in the topeka area.

The Second video, which is also created by Visit Topeka Inc., really shows you a lot of the great things around here in Topeka.

Thanks for reading and taking a look a these great videos by Visit Topeka Inc.,
Ben Faires

Bike Trails

There are several bike trails all over the topeka area from Lake Shawnee's paved pathways to Skyline Parks dirt mountain bike trails. In this post I will talk about just a few these options. Lets start of with a trail that everyone could do. Shunga Trail is a paved pathway that starts in Crestview park and eventually stretch across topeka. Right now there is about six and a half miles of path laid out and the rest is a ongoing project to continue it across the city. The pathway is good for bikers, skateboarders, roller bladders, and of course walkers and runners. for more information about Shunga park click here. 

The Next bike path has two types of trails a limestone loop and several dirt hiking and mountain bike trails. MacLennan Park Trails is located near Cedar Crest, the governors mansion, in north west Topeka. The Limestone loop is the most commonly used trail, it gives great views of the mansion and travels through a forested area and then into the tall grass. It is a great trail for a scenic bike ride. For more information on the MacLennan Park Trails click here.

The last park I am going to tell you about is Skyline Park. Located on Burnett's Mound, these trails are specifically just for mountain bikes. Burnett's Mound is the highest elevation in the city of topeka and is give great views of the city. There are three trails as of right now and more are being constructed. These trails are more for above average bikers that can control their bikes through the twists and turns. For more information about Skyline Park trails click here.

Thanks for reading,
Ben Faires

Day Trip: Lawrence

Like I said in one of my earlier posts, Topeka is in a great location. It is under and hour to many great locations. This post is about some of the things to do in Lawrence, Kansas. Lawrence is only a 20 to 30 minute drive from Topeka. Not only is it home to the University of Kansas, but it has an amazing main street. Massachusetts St. (main street) is home to several bars, plenty of local and corporate shops, and Lawrence's business district. Along with all the great things to do around town, Lawrence is also home to tons of Civil War and early State history. Lawrence has a vibrant artistic and creative feeling and is home to the most liberal part of Kansas. All and all Lawrence is one of my favorite places to visit, tons of festivals, great basketball, amazing nightlife, and only a 20 min drive from my house.

for more information about Lawrence and its events, go to the Visit Lawrence website.

Thank you for reading,
Ben Faires

Flash Back at Old Prairie Town and Ward-Meade Park

Topeka is filled with tons of great parks and many in some unlikely places. Old Prairie Town and Ward-Meade Park is located west of Topeka Blvd. off of 1st Street. Ward-Meade is a great place to take a stroll, the botanical is getting ready for bloom and will soon be filled to the brim with tulips. The park has an 1870's Victorian mansion, pathways through out, a flowing stream, gazebo, and tons of sitting space. The park is getting ready for its annual Tulip Time Festival, I hear it's going to be great. The Park is also home to Old Prairie Town, which is a replica of a small town on the Frontier. To just walk around the grounds is free, but there are guided tours for a fee. There is a visitors center and gift shop in the general store, and you can still get a soda and the Drug store. For more information about Old Prairie Town, their buildings, and fees go here.
Here are a few pictures from my visit:

...

Thanks for reading,
Ben Faires

Day Trip: Manhattan

Even though Topeka has a lot of things to do around town, sometimes it's nice to go on a day trip and see something new. That is what this post is about. Topeka is in a great location, it is less than an hour away from Kansas city, Lawrence, and Manhattan. This Post is about my recent visit to Manhattan, Kansas.

This past weekend was the annual Fake Patty's Day in Manhattan. Fake Patty's day is alway the week  before St. Patricks Day because St. Patricks Day always falls during K-State's spring break. It is a day where the bars in the famed Aggieville open up early, the police force is tripled, and the party never stops, at least not until it has too.

Manhattan is so much more than just a college town. 5 years ago it was the fastest growing city in America. It has top notch restaurants, three 18-hole golf courses,you can catch a sporting event or another special event at Kansas State University, local shops in Aggieville and downtown, Manhattan is also close to the Konza Prairie where there are tons of great hiking trails, and then at the end of the day you can always go out to Aggieville to have a few drinks.
Thanks for reading,
Ben Faires

A Good Night For A Movie

Photo found on:http://guvesorb.tumblr.com/topeka-movie-theaters

Now I'm a little bias when it comes to my movie theaters because, coming from Wichita, KS we got a little spoiled with our Warren Theaters, I usually don't know what to expect when I go to a new theater. The Regal Hollywood Stadium 14 is definitely not the worst theater I have ever been to. Decent size screens, affordable ticket prices, good deals at the concession stand, and even a loyalty rewards point system. Overall it's a pretty good theater and what do I really have to complain about, I got to see a movie didn't I?
Thanks for Reading,
Ben Faires

Cold Weather Can't Keep Me Away From This Park

For this post I am going to tell you about Gage Park. The Park is located in the North West section of the city. There are two main entrances in to the park, one on the south side off of 10th avenue and the other on the north side off of 6th avenue. The park was donated to the City of Topeka in 1899 by the heirs of Guilford Gage, hence the name Gage Park. The Park has a lot of great things for the whole family. The south side of the park is where the baseball and soccer fields are located. Along with the sports fields, the south side of Gage Park is home to a dog park, Bark Park. Spread throughout the park are many memorials, sculptures, and Playgrounds. Near the center of the park is the Blaisdell Family Aquatic Center, the Reinisch Rose Garden, and the Doran Rock Garden. On the North side of the park is the Topeka Zoo,  the Helen Hocker Theater, and  one of the bigger playgrounds in the park, Animal Land, as well as the Mini Train. The park Mini Train travels all around the park, travels through a tunnel, and over a small wooden bridge. I would recommend this park to any one and every one. There is plenty of places to have an impromptu ultimate frisbee game or to throw the pig skin around. Great for runners and walker, the park has several pathways to exercise on, and perfect for dog owners because of the fully fenced in, spacious Bark park. This park has a little bit of everything.
For more information, like seasonal events, hours of operation, and anything else about Gage Park go to the Parks and Rec. website.
Thanks for reading,
Ben Faires

Everyones Gotta Read a Book Sometime

This Post is about the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.

I have been to a few libraries in my day and I have to say I didn't think a library could be more then just a building with books. The Topeka and Shawnee County Library is just so much more. Inside the building there is an art gallery, which was actually pretty amazing, a cafe, a beautiful children's section, an extensive movie and audio book section, a large reference library,, and auditorium, and even a section upstairs for genealogy. I was very impressed by this Library and the City of Topeka and Shawnee County should be proud they have produced such a beautiful Building.

Here are a few pictures I gathered from my day at the Library:

Front entrance to the Library Photo By : Ben Faires

Lobby Of The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library Photo By : Ben Faires

Entrance to the Children's section Photo By: Ben Faires

Children's Section Photo By: Ben Faires

Children's Section Photo By : Ben Faires

Children's Section Photo By: Ben Faires

Reference Library Photo By: Ben Faires

Art Gallery Photo By: Ben Faires

Civil Rights On a Snowy Day

Monroe Elementary School, Brown v. Board of Education Historic Site, Photo by Ben Faires

I recently went to the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site to learn a little more about the rich history of Topeka. I thought it was a perfect place to go on a cold snowy day. The building is located just south of Downtown Topeka at 1515 SE Monroe St. The Historic site is free to everyone, which is a bonus, and is open 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. everyday. The sad part is that a large majority of Local Topekans have never been to the site, I hope that this post helps to get some of those locals out there, even if it's just a few. 

The site is actual located in the Monroe Elementary School building, which was 1 of 4 all African American schools here in Topeka. When you first walk in you are greeted by a National Park Ranger that will tell you a little about the building and what exhibits are there. Sometimes there are exhibits on the 2nd floor that are rotated in and out, at the time I went there was only the permanent exhibits. There are two wings in the building a North wing, which is on the right when you walk in the building, and a south wing, which is on the left. The North wing exhibit is specifically the Civil Rights movement in the 1950's and 60's. This wing has an extraordinary amount of information, from visuals to quotes and facts.

Photo By: Ben Faires

Photo By: Ben Faires

 The South Wing is the Legacy room, which is partially about the civil rights movement and what came about after the famous court decision. The other part of the this exhibit revolves around another civil rights movement for Native americans.

Photo By: Ben Faires

Photo By: Ben Faires

 Across the Hall from the Legacy exhibit there is a replica of a 1950's kindergarden. This is a neat room to take a look around in to get a feel of what it was like in that room at that time.

Photo By: Ben Faires

The 3rd main exhibit is in the Auditorium. This room is full of symbolic sculptures and above you is a continuously running short film about Brown v. Board and the Civil Rights Movement.

Photo By: Ben Faires

Here is a video that I hope can explain the layout and what each exhibit is at the Brown v. Board of Education Site a little more in detail. The video was created by Talk about Topeka, which is a show sole about the City of Topeka.

I would recommend everyone to take a visit to the Site to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement and Brown v. Board of Education. I would especially recommend it to teachers looking for a great educational field trip. I have had many classes about this specific time period and I still found tons of information I had never heard before.
Thanks for reading,
 Ben Faires

Washburn University Standing Strong for 150 years

Since I am on campus at Washburn University right now, I thought it would be fun to write a short post about the campus. Washburn was founded in 1865 by members of the Congregational Church as Lincoln College. The name was changed to Washburn after a benefactor of the same name donated money that saved the school from financial disparity. Since then, Washburn has been at the front of many political movements, such as allowing women to attend college, one of the first desegregated colleges, and now rights to protect the LGBT community. Washburn Is a beautiful, open campus with lots of things to do from seeing sports, theatre, music, to seeing guest Speakers, attending clubs, go to the recreation center, and creating kid friendly events.
Here are a few pictures around campus:

Picture taken on 3rd floor of Garvey Building looking out over campus. Photo by: Ben Faires

Watching a football game from the Rec Center. Photo by: Ben Faires

Memorial Union in fall. Photo by: Ben Faires

View of Whiting Field House through the trees. Photo By: Ben Faires

This is actual a picture I took on my first day of school after taking 6 years off. View of Memorial Union and the Bell Tower. Photo By: Ben Faires

For more information about Washburn go here.
Thank you for reading, 
Ben Faires

Kansas State Capitol Beauty

On  Wednesday, February 11th, I went to the Kansas State Capitol building in downtown Topeka. The Capitol building historic Tour is one of my favorite things to do here in Topeka. Parking is easy,there is an under ground parking lot off of SW 8th st. on the north side of the building. There are two Free tours in the Capital building, first the Historic Capitol Tour which runs January - May
9, 10, and 11 a.m. and 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Monday - Friday and June - December
9 and 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.. The second tour at the Capitol building is the Dome tour and that runs at 9:15, 10:15, and 11:15 a.m., 12:15, 1:15, 2:15, and 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

When you go through the doors and enter the Visitors Center, you first go through a security check point its simple, easy and the Capitol Police are nice too. There is big desk across the room, you just walk up to it and tell them you would like to do the Historic Capitol tour and then you just sign in and wait till your tour starts. I had time to kill so I walked into the gift shop and took a look around. They have all sorts of great gifts in the store, you can even get a piece of the old copper dome.

Gift Shop @ Kansas State Capitol Photo By: Ben Faires

When the tour starts you walk through a limestone hallway, which has many historical artifacts and pictures.

Kansas State Capitol Tour Photo By: Ben Faires

After you walk through the hallway, you go up the stairs to the 1st floor of the Capitol. You walk right through the rotunda and its a great place to stop and take a picture.

The Dome inside the Capitol Photo by: Ben Faires

Group of people taking a picture looking up in the Rotunda Photo by: Ben Faires

The Capitol tour takes you through many rooms, the Senate Room, the House of Representative Room, the Capitol Library, and many more.

Senate Room Photo by: Ben Faires

House of Representatives Room Photo by: Ben Faires

Capitol Library Photo by: Ben Faires

Governors Cerimonial Office Photo by: Ben Faires

Tragic Prelude Photo by: Ben Faires

After my Historic Capitol Tour I went up to the 5th floor To Take my Dome tour. This is absolutely my favorite thing to do in the City. Once you go up the 296 stairs you get the best views of The City of Topeka.

Looking down the Rotunda Photo by: Ben Faires

The interior of the outside dome Photo By: Ben Faires

This is the tip top of the inner dome that you see from the ground floor Photo by: Ben Faires

One of my favorite pictures I took that day, looking down the spiral stair case from the very top of the Dome.

View of Downtown Topeka from the top of the Capitol Photo by: Ben Faires

North Topeka from the top of the Capitol Photo by: Ben Faires

Looking toward Washburn Campus from the top of the Capitol Photo by: Ben Faires

Don't forget that you can see more photos on my Instagram or just type in #topekabased in the search bar. For more information about the tours go to the Kansas State Capitol website. 

Thanks for reading,

Ben Faires

A Little Kansas History

         

Photo Found on: Legends of Kansas

            Since the weather has been so cold here in Topeka as of late, I decided to head to the Kansas Museum of History to warm up. The museum is located in the northwest portion of the city at 6425 Southwest 6th Avenue Topeka, Ks 66615. Doors open up at 9 A.M. and close at 5 P.M. Tuesday through Saturday and from 1 P.M. to 5 P.M. on Sunday. Along with the Museum, the building is also home to the Kansas State Archives which houses more than a centuries worth of historical documents. Here is a link to the Kansas Museum of History web page for more information. 

             I have to say, I was very surprised with this museum. When I first decided to go I wasn't sure what to expect. I have been to museums all over the country, how could our little museum stack up? Having said that, this museum is a fantastic place for any history buff or curious visitor to Kansas and the city of Topeka. When you first enter the exhibit you start in pre-historic Kansas, and through the twists and turns you go through the civil war, the industrial revolution, all the way to modern Kansas. Visiting the museum was a great way to spend an afternoon in the city and I recommend it to anyone and everyone. 

Here are a few pictures from my visit:

Photo By: Ben Faires @ Kansas Museum of History

Photo By: Ben Faires @ Kansas Museum of History

Photo By: Ben Faires @ Kansas Museum of History

Photo By: Ben Faires @ Kansas Museum of History

Photo By: Ben Faires @ Kansas Museum of History

Introduction to Topeka Based

Photo By: Tara Lohmann @ Barristers Ball, Great Overland Station

      My Name is Ben Faires, I am a student at Washburn University in Topeka, Ks. I am relatively new to the city. I moved here in June of 2014. Every time I move to a new place I look up all the things to do there; the night life, the art scene, concerts, museums; anything and everything the city has to offer. This Blog, Topeka Based, is about finding and describing such places here in Topeka so as to be used as a helpful guide to visitors, those new to the area, and even long time locals. Topeka Based will feature pictures of the places I visit, if you like any of the pictures and are interested in seeing more then go look at my Instagram page, @bfaires7, or search the hashtag #TopekaBased.

Here are a few pictures I have already taken around town:

Photo By: Ben Faires @NOTO Art District

Photo By: Ben Faires @ Kansas State Capitol

Photo By: Ben Faires @ Memorial Union Washburn University