Prairie
HavenArea Attractions and Entertainment
While there are many activities in camp, sometimes it is fun to get out and enjoy what the surrounding communities have to offer.
Local Attractions
Combat Air Museum
On the south side of Topeka at Forbes Air Force Base
On exhibit at the museum:
- 32 aircraft ranging from the WWI period to the present day
- Aircraft engines of many sizes and types
- An extensive display of artifacts and dioramas and a growing gallery of military aviation art
Topeka Performing Arts Center
Great Overland Station (Topeka)
LASR Travel Page
Great site with current information about Osage County Activities.
Heartland Park Topeka
Located about 25 miles north of camp on US 75, Heartland Park Topeka is a multi-purpose motor sports facility that hosts hosts the National Hot Rod Association and SCCA races.
Topeka Zoo
A truly surprising jewel of Topeka, the wonderful Topeka Zoo is home to many
species of animals in attractive, natural-type habitats. Don't miss the
rainforest which is home to many animals! Located at 10th and Gage Streets
(west central Topeka).
Fun Stuff in Topeka
http://www.topeka.org/fun_stuff.shtml
Fun Stuff to do in Topeka, Kansas A quick 30 minute drive north of camp.
The Kansas State Historical Society
The Society is headquartered at the Kansas History Museum & Library, in Topeka, Kansas. Here you'll find four buildings and a nature trail on 80 acres of woodlands and prairie at the capital city's western edge. The complex presents dramatic exhibits and fascinating programs to thousands of visitors each year. Surrounded by prairie and woodlands on the northwestern edge of Topeka, the complex is removed from the city but easy to find. For a detailed map, check the "Related links" section on the right side of this page.
Santa Fe Trail
Follow the Santa Fe Trail which runs along US 56 and crosses US 75
about eight miles north of camp. Just south of this intersection, commonly known
as "Four Corners," a Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
marker is located. About 1/2 miles west of this marker is the old McGee's Tavern
and Lodge. It provided entertainment and lodging for weary Santa Fe Trail
travelers. This is near the 110-Mile Crossing which is so named because,
according to the survey of 1825, it was 110 miles from the start of the trail in
Missouri.
Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site
On May 17, 1954, the United States Supreme Court announced its decision that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." The decision effectively denied the legal basis for segregation in Kansas and 20 other states with segregated classrooms and would forever change race relations in the United States.
The Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site is a first class museum and is well worth visiting. Located in Topeka at the corner of 16th and Monroe Streets (southeast of the Capitol Building near downtown).
Kansas State Capitol - Topeka, Kansas
Kansas State Capitol - Topeka, Kansas
The best free attraction in the Kansas State Capitol, IS the Kansas State Capitol building. The Capitol is open to visitors from 8 AM - 5 PM, Monday through Friday, with free tours conducted by the State Historical Society 4 - 6 times during the day.
New for 2006 are free tours to the top of the dome taking 45 minutes and climbing 296 steps from the 5th floor of the building to view both the interior and the surrounding community. Reservations are suggested at (785) 296-3966.
Day Adventures
Arabia Steamboat Museum
Even if you don't like museums you'll like the Arabia Steamboat Museum in Kansas
City, Mo. Learn how the handsome steamer Arabia prospered on the rivers,
perished in 1856 and was finally rediscovered 132 years later, precious cargo
intact.
Worlds of Fun / Oceans of Fun
Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun are located in Kansas City, Missouri, 10 minutes northeast of downtown off the east loop of I-435 at exit 54. They are 92 miles away from camp.
Marlow Woodcuts
Marlow Woodcuts are delicately shaped, almost lace-like silhouette pictures, cut from walnut wood, and framed in native Kansas solid black walnut. The business began during the Great Depression in 1932 and takes its name from the first three letters of the founder's first and last names--Margaret Lowe (Marlow).
Marlow Woodcuts is located at 706 Locust in Americus, KS, which is 10 miles northwest of Emporia, KS. Tours of the shop are welcome.
Extended Day Adventures
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Association
The
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Association is a non-profit organization that offers public excursion train rides May through
October. From I-70 exit #275, 2 miles south on K-15 (Buckeye St.)
Now located in the Historic 1887 Rock Island Depot, Old Abilene Town, 200 SE 5th, south of the Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum.
Enjoy a 1-1/2 hour 10 mile round-trip from historic Abilene to Enterprise, Kansas through the Smoky Hill River Valley. Ride in restored 100 year old coach/diner or open-air observation car pulled by 1945 ALCO S-1 diesel-electric locomotive. Cross the Smoky Hill River on a high steel-span bridge.
Presidential Libraries
Two of the nation's eleven presidential libraries are located within driving distance of Prairie Haven.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum Abilene, KS
The Eisenhower Center complex consists of the Library, Museum, Family Home, Place of Meditation, and Visitors Center. All the buildings are open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. seven days a week, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Abilene is located on I-70 approximately 80 miles west of Topeka. It is about 1 hour and 40 minutes from camp. The complex consists of five buildings located on 22 acres. They include the Family Home, Museum, Library, Place of Meditation, and Visitors Center.
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum, Independence Mo
President Truman - Harry S. Truman Presidential Museum and Library
The Harry S. Truman Library is the first Presidential Library to be created under the provisions of the 1955 Presidential Libraries Act. This presidential library is well laid out with a number of audio-visual displays throughout the museum.
The library is 76 miles east of Topeka and one hour and fifty minutes from camp.
Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure
Rolling
Hills Wildlife Adventure
Salina, Kansas
Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure is located six miles west of Salina, Ks. It is 120 miles west of Topeka on I-70 and about two hours from camp. Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure is Kansas’ newest zoo. This medium sized zoo is on 60 acres, adjacent to the Rolling Hills Ranch and the Museum (additional fee). The zoo is very spread out. We suggest taking the tram to get an overall picture of the zoo then you can venture out on foot. The zoo is in the country however there is an eating facility on site so you can have lunch or a snack during your visit.