From Old Prairie Town to Evel Knievel, put these Topeka-area hot spots on summer's can't-miss list
Are the kids complaining they have nothing to do now that the Fourth of July is over? Don't worry — there are still plenty of opportunities for family fun before school starts.
Whether looking for indoor options to beat the heat or outdoor options to soak in the sun, one or more of these nine places are likely to please even the finickiest member of the family.
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Parks are designed to please everyone
Outside is the place to be, said Shawnee County Parks & Recreation communications and public information supervisor Mike McLaughlin. He is in the know when it comes to all the activities the county has to offer, and the list is long.
Hiking, biking, disc golf, swimming, skating, skateboarding and park hopping (trying out each of the many playgrounds in the Topeka area) are a few ideas he had for summer fun.
"Parks and recreation is an important part of the quality of life in Shawnee County, " McLaughlin said. "We have more than 2,600 acres of parks. We have 60 miles of trails that are both paved and natural surface, 320 days of sporting activities, all kinds of recreational programs people can get involved in.
"So if you're not taking advantage of these things that you're supporting through your taxes, you're actually missing out on part of your quality of life."
History buffs can use a new, free app at Old Prairie Town
Ward-Meade Park, 124 N.W. Fillmore St., has much to offer for those interested in history, McLaughlin said.
"Old Prairie Town really shows people a glimpse of what the pioneer life was like when when the settlers came west," he said.
A free guided tour of the property is now available on the Otocast app. A cabin, a mansion, a drug store, a train depot, a school house and a general store/gift shop are part of the tour.
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The younger crowd is catered to at the Kansas Children's Discovery Center
It goes without saying that Kansas Children's Discovery Center, with more than 15,000 square feet of indoor educational exhibits and a 4.5-acre certified Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom, is the place to be for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. The center specializes in activities for their age group.
Free Family Fun Nights are from 5 to 8 p.m. on the third Thursdays of the month, with July 21 and Aug. 18 being the next opportunities to play and learn.
Teenagers have their own scene at the public library
Though teens may be harder to please, there still is hope.
The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave., which has a website devoted to teens, caters to their tastes, with two special areas to hang out.
"It gets them out of the house and into a safe space where they can socialize and have some fun and maybe even try something new," said program director Jacqueline Belden.
"It's kind of the magic of the space, that it's a safe place," she said. "It is welcoming to everybody from every background."
Teen crowds sometimes come in on their own to meet friends, play video games or browse the collection of books.
"This is one of the few opportunities outside of school that they get to have a relationship with a safe adult," Belden said. "You know, our staff is here providing services, but we're also creating relationships."
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Cosmic Bowling, mini golf and go karts are another draw for teenagers
Another option for the teenage crowd is Cosmic Bowling, which offers late-night fun Friday and Saturday nights at Westridge Lanes, 1935 S.W. Westport Drive.
Laser lights, disco lights, black lights, and glow-in-the-dark runway lights, along with heart-pounding music provide a more fast-paced and exciting form of entertainment.
In addition to bowling, the center offers mini golf and go karts. Funtime Fridays, 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Saturday Cosmic, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., are all inclusive deals.
Unlimited bowling with shoes, and unlimited mini golf and go karts are available as well. Reservations can be made by calling (785) 273-3333.
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Scientists, explorers and nature lovers have Oceans of Possibilities
Oceans of Possibilities, running through the end of July, at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, keeps kids busy having fun while exercising their brains, Belden said.
She shared ideas for a family's next visit.
"I would recommend stopping by the gallery and taking that little journey from the shore, the beaches, to the deep ocean and checking out their activities," Belden said. "Then I would plan on attending one of our Tuesday and Thursday programs, where we've got everything from science to arts and crafts."
Games are also a part of the fun, and a free lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
A family trivia game, with questions relating to the ocean, will be held at 10 a.m. July 30.
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Athletes are sure to enjoy Sports Center and the Evel Knievel Museum
Youth baseball and softball seasons are over, but Sports Center, a 54-acre family entertainment complex at 6545 S.W. 10th Ave., has plenty to keep summer athletes busy.
Renovations on its clubhouse have been taking place and its batting cages recently received a new system which allows control of how fast balls are pitched.
Also, kids and parents who feel the need for speed may want to check out the virtual reality jump at the Evel Knievel Museum, 2047 S.W. Topeka Blvd. The museum is for daredevils and dreamers who wish to marvel at the feats achieved by this man.
Movie lovers can enjoy oceanic scenes and a night under the stars
Friday Flicks has two locations where the family can watch movies for free this summer.
The Topeka & Shawnee County Library holds shows from 1 to 3 p.m. every other Friday through July, with "Shark Tail" showing this Friday and "Moana" — in Spanish on July 29.
Evergy Plaza, 630 S. Kansas Ave., holds its shows on the second Friday of the month. Its next movie, "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" will start at 8 p.m. Aug. 12. Food trucks will be on site. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
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Info on museums, swimming, paddle boat rentals and end of dinosaurs
The rest of summer will flow more smoothly for families who know the following information.
• Sunflower Summer, a Kansas State Department of Education program which gives Kansans free access to museums, parks and other attractions around the state, includes the Topeka Zoo and Children's Discovery Center.
• The Kansas Museum of History will be closing for major renovations Sept. 4. From August 17 to September 3 admission will be free. The Museum Store and Discovery Place will not be available.
• Dinosaurs Alive continues to exist, but only through Sunday at the Topeka Zoo, 635 S.W. Gage Blvd.
• Lake Shawnee has started up paddle boat and watercraft rentals again now that the blue-green algae problem has decreased.
• Topeka area public swimming pools will close for the season Aug. 7. The Dornwood Spray Park and Jackson Spray Park, as well as Evergy Plaza's Splash Pad, will still be open for those looking to beat the heat.
Catheryn Hrenchir is a feature writer for The Topeka-Capital Journal. She can be reached at chrenchir.gannett.com or (785) 817-6383.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Looking for things to do in Topeka? These are perfect for summer
