Get a blast of the past in this western Kansas state capital, which was founded in 1854 by a group of anti-slavery activists and later played a key role in the civil rights movement. Visit the Brown vs. Board of Education National Historic Site, which celebrates those involved in the 1954 Supreme Court decision that deemed segregated schools unconstitutional. Continue your back-in-time travel at Ward Meade Park, which features an early 1900s town, Victorian mansion, one-room schoolhouse and log cabins. View aircraft dating from World War I at the Combat Air Museum, and visit Cedar Crest, the historic Governor's home, overlooking the Kansas River. Aside from historical attractions, Topeka is also known for its world-class motor sports racing site, Heartland Park Topeka, with its record-breaking quarter-mile drag strip. Topeka has its share of cultural attractions as well in the form of numerous art galleries, live theater and local symphony and opera companies. For a great family outing, head over to the Topeka Zoological Park for a visit to the tropical rain forest, naturalistic bear dwelling and the children's petting zoo, featuring llamas and sheep.  More info