photo by: Nick Krug

Students get a look at the Kansas Statehouse rotunda from the top floor during Inauguration Day on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015.

Why go there:

The capital city is always a fascinating place to visit, but this year there will be more to see and do than ever before. After years of planning and construction, Topeka will celebrate the grand reopening of a redesigned Kansas Avenue, the city’s main downtown thoroughfare. It now features sculptures and other kinds of public art commemorating the history of the city and state, “pocket parks” that host performances and street musicians, along with many new and interesting dining and entertainment establishments. The North Topeka art district, known as NOTO, is full of galleries and studios that feature the work of local artists. The city also boasts numerous parks that offer fun and recreation for the entire family. And of course there’s the newly renovated Statehouse itself that is not only the seat of state government, but also a public museum to the rich history of the state of Kansas.

photo by: Nick Krug

The Kansas Statehouse in Topeka.

What to do there:

Whether you enjoy a day at the museum, a night on the town, strolling through the park or competing in Olympic-style athletic events, Topeka has something to offer almost everyone.

For families with children, Gage Park features the World Famous Topeka Zoo. It also has a minitrain that takes visitors around the entire 160-acre park, a carousel and a spectacular rose garden. Also popular is Lake Shawnee, which offers fishing, boating and a swimming beach, along with a public golf course and the Ted Ensley Gardens.

History buffs will enjoy the Ritchie House at 1116-1118 SE Madison, which was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Nearby is the Brown vs. Board of Education National Historic Site that celebrates the civil rights movement in Kansas. The Kansas History Museum, west of Sixth and Wanamaker, houses many exhibits from the state’s past, along with the official state archives. And the Combat Air Museum at Forbes Field honors the military traditions of Kansas and the nation.

The Mulvane Art Museum at 17th and Jewell on the Washburn University campus, and the Alice Sabatini Art Gallery in the Topeka-Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 SW 10th Ave., are two of the most popular art galleries in the city. The NOTO Arts District also hosts a monthly First Friday art walk.

Adults who want to enjoy a night out can find concerts and entertainment throughout the city at places like the Topeka Performing Arts Center, 214 SE Eighth St., and the White Concert Hall, 1700 College Ave., at Washburn University.

Things you must see:

The Kansas Statehouse tops everyone’s must-see list. Guided tours are available on weekdays in the summer. Make sure to see the renovated, ornate House and Senate chambers on the third floor and the famous John Brown mural by John Steuart Curry on the second floor. And if you’re in good physical shape, ask the tour guides to take you up the stairs to the inside portion of the Statehouse dome. Another historic oddity to notice is the sledge hammer used to break down the doors of the House chamber during the Legislative War of 1893.

Within a few blocks of the Statehouse are two of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the area, Grace Episcopal Cathedral, 701 SW Eighth St., and Topeka High School, 800 SW 10th St. Other must-see attractions include the Great Overland Station in North Topeka; Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Park; and the Charles Curtis House Museum, home of the Topeka native who served as vice president of the United States under President Herbert Hoover.

Things to do with kids:

The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center in Gage Park is a new and popular attraction. It offers children a fun place to explore, create and discover on their own, and it features hands-on exhibits, camps, daily programs and field trips, as well as a venue for special events such as birthday parties.

A tropical rain forest exhibit, housed within a geodesic dome, is one of the more popular attractions at the World Famous Topeka Zoo in Gage Park. Gage Park also offers Blaisdell Family Aquatic Center, which includes a 50-meter pool with one-, three-, and five-meter diving, a separate baby pool, four water slides, fun floatables, sprays, shade structures, picnic areas, party room and more.

photo by: Nick Krug

Artist rendering of the newly redesigned Kansas Ave. in downtown Topeka. The city is planning a grand reopening celebration, Freedom

Save the date:

June 4-5: Mulvane Mountain/Plains Art Fair, Mulvane Art Museum, Washburn University.

June 11: Capital City Family & Food Truck Festival at Gage Park, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

July 2: Freedom Festival, downtown Topeka. Grand reopening of Kansas Ave., with free concert featuring the band Kansas.

July 4: Spirit of Kansas Blues Festival, Lake Shawnee.

July 9: Topeka Railroad Festival, Great Overland Station, 701 N. Kansas Ave.

July 12-16: Fiesta Mexicana, traditional Mexican food, music and dancing in the Oakland neighborhood near Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 134 NE Lake St.

July 29-30: “Cyclovia Topeka,” a weekend full of bicycle activities, with a focus on health, wellness and active living.

Aug. 13: Cruisin’ the Capitol Car Show, downtown Topeka.

Sept. 9-11: Huff ‘n Puff Balloon Rally, Tinman Circle, Lake Shawnee.