Very cool train museum! Opened originally in 1927, and recently restored to its original…read moreappearance. It is apparently available as an event venue as the large room can be set up with chairs and tables with a kitchen off to one side. Mini-train set that was very cool, full-size train driver system set up, many artifacts and exhibits showing the early history of Kansas and specifically the Union-Pacific Railroad. Interesting to see the marker for the Kansas River flood of 1951 that was above the height of my head! [Review 11418 overall, 1195 of 2019.]

So patriotic, love the flags! They caught my eye as I crossed the Kansas River and I had to see…read morewhat they were. The monument honoring the Medal of Valor recipients is beautiful!

There are places you plan to visit, and then there are places you stumble into--the kind that feel…read morelike they've been sitting there for years, quietly daring you to notice them. Little Russia Chili Parlor is the latter. A small, out-of-the-way joint in Topeka that doesn't scream for attention--but once you walk in, it doesn't need to. The air alone tells you you're in the right place. This is Daniela's house. Not in the literal sense, but in the way that matters. She runs the place with the kind of confidence you don't fake--part host, part artist, part benevolent dictator of flavor. You don't get the sense that anything leaves that kitchen unless it meets her standard, and that standard is unapologetically high. Start with the pickles. Yeah, pickles. The kind that makes you pause mid-bite and reconsider every sad, limp grocery store version you've ever tolerated. These are spiced, alive, sharp in all the right ways--like they've got a story to tell and no patience for small talk. Then there's the baked goods coming in from Oakland's Bakery--local, honest, the kind of bread that actually tastes like grain and effort instead of air and preservatives. And then you hit the sides. The spiced pimento cheese spread isn't some afterthought--it's a statement. Smoky, a little dangerous, layered in a way that suggests someone in that kitchen understands restraint just as well as indulgence. It's the kind of thing you keep eating long after you've told yourself you're done. But let's not kid ourselves. You came here for the chili. And the chili... the chili doesn't just deliver--it recalibrates. Deep, complex, unapologetically bold. It's not trying to be trendy or Instagram-friendly. It's trying to be right. The kind of bowl that makes you slow down, lean in, and pay attention. Every spoonful feels deliberate, like it's been simmering not just for hours, but for years of trial, error, and quiet perfection. The sandwiches? Stacked, messy in the best way, built on that Oakland's Bakery foundation like someone actually cares about what bread is supposed to do--hold everything together without getting in the way. This place doesn't need hype. It doesn't need a rebrand or a marketing push. It exists in that rare space where authenticity isn't a strategy--it's just how things are done. You don't come to Little Russia Chili Parlor to be seen. You come because someone told you, quietly, "Trust me." And if you're smart, you listen.

Loved this place so much! Truly local, we found it by using the "lunch near me" function. The…read moreregulars greeted us warmly and guided us through the menu. We started with chili this time but next time we will try the sandwiches. Any place with homemade pickles wins my heart - they had three kinds. And a cracker trough made from a garden planter. And pimento cheese. Basically, it was amazing. And the chili was super tasty too.

Remarkable building, great spot for brides-to-be to visit for possible upcoming events!!!read more

From the owner: The Governor's Row House is the perfect spot for your next event…read more Dinner parties, business meetings and lunches, weddings, receptions, graduation parties, holiday parties, family reunions and so much more - all can be held in this lovely historic home.

This is a good addition to downtown Topeka. They have a lot of family events that they offer for no…read morecost and then they have the bands, food trucks that park near the entrance.

Great downtown location but very poor wedding reception venu! We were seated in three large rooms…read morewith wedding party in middle. See nothing and here nothing! SMALL bathrooms in same hall catering staff must use to serve. Also bathrooms in basement. Street parking for most, at night no problems, day an issue. Your caterer will make a hugh difference.

From the owner: Dillon House Events is a historic mansion that has been fully restored and brought into the 21st…read morecentury with state of the art audio and visual. We have multiple room choices to accommodate events ranging from 7 guests to 200+ guests. Our expert event coordinators are available to assist with the planning every step of the way.

A beautiful view from the top of Townsite on a beautiful Easter Sunday. Townsite has reinvented…read morethemselves to offer beautiful spaces and food from the highest point in Topeka with a view.

A lovely Art Deco building with very friendly ushers. The seats and carpeting feel very 80's but…read moreeverything is in good repair. The temperature was fine (I hate being cold!) They got us in and out of the building quickly and the bathroom line (for women) went fairly quickly (and we were told there were bathrooms on the upstairs level too.)

Our family attended a concert here a couple weeks ago!…read more With a location in downtown Topeka, right off the highway, it's not too difficult to find! On the flip side of that, the location DID make parking a little tricky - there are numerous garages and street parking options around, but if you read carefully, many are highly restricted, and/or close to the public early in the evening, and/or have other restrictions. We parked in one garage, only to read on the door on the way out that it was set to close and lock down 20 mins later. So, back to the car, and I had to drive a couple blocks over to (luckily!) find what was probably the very last street parking space within a 10 block area. Inside the venue, I feel this place has aged particularly well. I remember when it was newly renovated, and despite that being decades ago, it still seemed in good repair and was a nice place to see a medium-sized event. Lighting and sound were both excellent, and the acoustics from our angle on the floor, near the back, was also very good. The view was perfect - no obstruction in front, due to ample rise in the auditorium as you go back. Navigating the building was also simple, well organized, and well attended by staff to help. Maybe the only thing that could really use some help is the restroom facilities, at least the one on the main floor. It's very tight, and falling into a bit of a state of needing some update and repair. Security did a nice job on our visit, and moved through our line pretty quickly! I'll probably have a better plan for parking next time; other than that, this was a good experience!