Connected: Summer Recreation

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, May 4, 2008

About this section

Northeast Kansas has a wealth of place to go and things to do - so many that even 100 pages wouldn't be able to list them all.

In this section, The Topeka Capital-Journal looks at some of the most popular destinations and at some that might go unnoticed without road signs to point the way.

Perhaps the stories on these pages will spark a fond memory of a family trip or raise curiosity about a town not yet seen.

Just be assured that for every attraction mentioned here, there are other interesting places around it and on the way there.

One caveat: While the information printed here is the most recent available, hours and admission charges are subject to change. Before hitting the road, it might be wise to call ahead or check the destination's Web site to make sure you don't arrive to find a locked door.

And check out the Northeast Kansas Connected section every Sunday in The Capital-Journal for more stories about people and businesses throughout the area along with news about events.

Brown County

The line of 42 windmills at the Brown County Ag Museum in Hiawatha is hard to miss. Tractors and other farm implements are featured here, too. See them at 301 E. Iowa, not far from the famed Davis Memorial in Mount Hope Cemetery, with its 11 life-sized statues depicting the lives of John and Sarah Davis.

Marshall County

Thousands of settlers who were looking for better lives in the west slaked their thirst at Alcove Spring near Blue Rapids. Interpretive signs tell the story, as do inscriptions left by those travelers at Naomi Pike Falls a quarter of a mile upstream. And don't miss Blue Rapids' town square, which is a circle.

Cloud County

Another group of western travelers is remembered here -- the thousands of children orphaned or abandoned who were sent by train from the East Coast to find new families out west. The National Orphan Train Museum in Concordia tells their story.

Chase County

Towering above the prairie in Cottonwood Falls is the Chase County Courthouse, which has been in use since its construction in 1873. A circular staircase leads to a third-floor window that offers a view across the town and the Flint Hills. Cottonwood Falls has a thriving business district, too, with shops, galleries and restaurants.

Dickinson County

While Dwight Eisenhower is Abilene's favorite son, his library and museum is just one stop on a tour of the town that first earned fame as the terminus of the Texas Cattle Trail. Along with the history of the area's early days the Heritage Center has a telephone museum and a 1901 carousel.

Jackson County

People traveling US-75 highway on their way to the Prairie Band Casino and Resort may not realize there's plenty to do and see elsewhere in the county. Holton and Mayetta offer unique shopping experiences, and the county has two lakes for recreation.

Jefferson County

Lake Perry is the centerpiece of the leisure-time activities in Jackson County, but take time to explore the history of the area at Old Jefferson Town, Cottonwood Station and the Valley Falls Historical Museum. Then get a brand-new taste of the region at Rees Fruit Farm or Gary's Berries.

Lyon County

William Allen White still draws attention to Emporia a century after his words in the Emporia Gazette made the world sit up and take notice. The famed publisher's home is open for tour.

Morris County

The oldest restaurant in continuous operation west of the Mississippi is in Council Grove, and it counts among its patrons Gen. George Armstrong Custer. First opened by Seth Hays in 1857, the Hays House still serves meals to travelers and locals alike.

Osage County

The Burlingame Schuyler Museum is one of the newest attractions in town, but it offers a look at the rich history of this Santa Fe Trail town and the surrounding county.

Franklin County

Call Ottawa the town of big engines -- its railroad past is celebrated at the Old Depot Museum, and the Power of the Past Antique Engine and Tractor Association stages its annual festival here.

Pottawatomie County

Lincoln Avenue in Wamego isn't made of yellow bricks, but it does lead to Oz -- the museum, that is. Everything anyone could want to know about L. Frank Baum, his series of books about Dorothy's travels and the movies and memorabilia that went with them can be found here.

Wabaunsee County

This is a place that was built to last -- take the Native Stone Scenic Byway to see walls, bridges and buildings made with the most prevalent building material in the region, limestone. The city of Alma's business district is almost exclusively constructed of limestone.

Shawnee County

The Statehouse is first on most visitors lists when they contemplate coming to Topeka. The current renovation is little hindrance to all there is to see inside, from the 34-star U.S. flag to the famed John Steuart Curry murals. The dome is open for those who want to say they climbed the 296 steps to the top.