Guide to the Best Day Trips from Topeka, KS

Topeka, KS, is a great place to live, with an affordable cost of living, a low unemployment rate, great schools, and a friendly community. It also has great healthcare, well-maintained roads, and a good library system.

Plus, there are a number of things to do in Topeka, from historical attractions, like the Kansas State Capitol Building to cultural attractions, like the Kansas Museum of History. The fun continues at Topeka Zoo, Gage Park, and the Kansas Children's Discovery Center. Plus, there are some outdoor and art-related activities in Topeka too.

However, if you are tired of being in the city and just want to get away for a day, there are a number of day trips that you can take, from Wildwood Outdoor Adventure Park to the Waterfalls at Chase State Lake. Day trips from Topeka offer a change of perspective, after which you'll return to Topeka feeling refreshed and energized.

Coronado Heights Castle

Located 120 miles west of Topeka, Coronado Heights Castle can be reached within a couple of hours, depending on the traffic. It's not a real castle but a stone structure resembling a castle. It's of historic interest because it is located where Francisco Vasquez de Coronado went looking for the Seven Cities of Gold in the 16th century.

Today, you can drive to Coronado Heights Castle and have a picnic at this park. You can also enjoy the breathtaking views from the castle, which is located on a hill. There are hiking and biking trails around the castle at the base of the hill.

Flint Hills Discovery Center

If you're interested in learning more about the geography and cultural history of the region, then take a trip to Flint Hills Discovery Center, located 60 miles west of Topeka. The center is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At the Flint Hills Discovery Center, you'll see exhibits such as "Shaping Winds and Water," "Blowing Winds in a Tallgrass Prairie," and "The Underground Forest." There's also the Prairie Playscape and the Prairie Garden Terrace and Trail, which recreates the prairie landscape outdoors.

Waterfalls at Chase State Lake

Chase State Lake is located a 1.5-hour drive from Topeka, and there are three amazing waterfalls, about 40 feet tall, caused by the overflow from the lake. You can also go fishing in the lake, or you can combine your view of the falls with lunch at Cottonwood Falls, which is about 2 miles away.

There's a dam on the east side of the lake, which you'll have to walk across, after which you can follow the trail to get to the waterfalls. This is only a 0.9-mile trail, which is easy to walk. There are also picnic tables, camping sites, and spots where you can feed fish in the lake.

Wildwood Outdoor Adventure Park

If you enjoy high-adrenalin pastimes such as ziplining, then Wildwood Outdoor Adventure Park is right for you. Located only 60 miles away from Topeka, this park offers ziplining from Wednesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Keep in mind that ziplines are only open from March through December, and you need to make a reservation for them.

There are seven ziplines and a 40-foot fall in the park. Not only will your adrenaline soar during the ziplining experience, but you'll also get to see some fantastic scenic views of the park. There's also a guided tour that lasts 2—2.5 hours; it combines hiking as well as ziplining.

Four State Lookout

Located 90 miles north of Topeka, the Four State Lookout is a scenic point to view the Missouri River Valley. It is called the Four State Lookout because you can see four states here—Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa. It's also considered one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography.

Although you can go to the Four State Lookout any time, the view is particularly amazing at sunset, so you can plan your day trip from Topeka accordingly. There's a 16'x24' platform with a concrete ramp from which you can enjoy the view.

Rock City Park and Mushroom State Park

These are two separate parks but with similar rock formations. Rock City Park is 60 miles north of Topeka, and Mushroom State Park is 120 miles northwest of Topeka. At Rock City Park, you'll find 200 stone concretions i.e. spherical stone formations. There are also hiking trails and scenic views in this park.

As the name suggests, Mushroom State Park boasts mushroom-shaped rock formations composed of sandstone. There's a short, easy hiking trail and picnic areas if you want to bring a picnic basket along for your day trip from Topeka.

Find Your Home Base in Topeka

If you're considering moving to Topeka, KS, there's no better place to live than Misty Glen Apartments & Townhomes. Here, you can rent 1 and 2-bedroom apartments as well as 2 and 3-bedroom townhomes.

The community also has two swimming pools, a nature trail, a few picnic areas, and large open spaces. Each apartment has pre-installed Wi-Fi, a dishwasher, a garbage disposal, and a balcony/patio. You and your pet will also love this pet-friendly community, with community events and contests.