Ward-Meade Park — Attraction in Topeka

We found ourselves in Topeka with some time to fill and stumbled on this Old Prairie Town. What a wonderful surprise! The park consists of several historic structures, several of which had been meticulously deconstructed, pieces numbered, and reconstructed in this lovely setting. For $4 (ahem, senior rate) we got a tour that lasted almost 2 hours, with knowledgeable explanations of a prairie log cabin, the mansion the log cabin owner was later able to build, a historic small town train station, livery stable, prairie one-room schoolhouse, church, and pharmacy with dental office and doctor office. We love this kind of historical experience, but this was really special. It is a real snapshot of prairie life in the late 1800s-early 1900s. Plus the tour ends up in the drugstore where you get a complementary Green River soft drink which was apparently a popular (and delicious) soft drink from the period. The drugstore also serves a variety of classic soda fountain concoctions such as...

Honestly, having already been to Tulips at Twilight, I thought the Garden Glow was unimpressive. I understand that the event is volunteer-based, but it seems so hastily and lazily thrown together. They keep reusing the same light frames in the same locations, just changing the light color. I noted last time we went that some of the lights didn't work in certain areas...its been months and it appears those lights were never fixed. It doesn't seem like they added anything new besides a few Halloween decorations. Even the fairy village was the exact same as last time. If you've been once, you've seen it all. Go during Tulips at Twilight and save yourself a trip to the less than impressive Garden Glow. It was still beautiful, but...

If you ever are in the city of Topeka Kansas this is a must go and see. It is the best kept secret in Topeka....lol It is really not a secret but it is very open to the public. I would recommend it to anybody young old middle aged with 10 kids. It is simply gorgeous. If you like flowers we will really really want to go to the ward-Meade Park.. they have got many old buildings that originated rub this area and that were built in the 1850s to the 1900s. The buildings have been donated to the park by generous people who have Passed on. One of the best gifts they could have ever given the city of Topeka. If you like to walk through a gorgeous and beautiful botanical Garden you've got to...