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:

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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