Ward-Meade Park
Ward-Meade Park
4.5
About
Originally a family farm on the Oregon Trail, this six-acre park features an early 20th-century town, an elegant Southern-style mansion, botanical gardens and original log cabins.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
110 reviews
Excellent
69
Very good
33
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Princerman
Otsego, MN1,334 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
We were visiting some family and were looking for an outdoor place walk around. Ward-Meade was beautiful and the kids were equally enchanted by the place. Even with COVID protocols it was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon
Written 10 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SueCtravler
76 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
This was a gem we just happened upon. Flowers were blooming & beautiful. Park itself was very whimsical. We smiled every time we turned a corner. Great place to take school age children. Tours are available, but we didn't take one. The park is actually broken into different sections. Japanese Garden, Old Town & Whimsy.
Written 25 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen L
1 contribution
Jul 2022 • Couples
We found the park to be well-maintained, quite beautiful and scenic. There was a lot to look at and plenty of great photo opportunities. The park was quiet and peaceful. We spent about 2 hours walking around. The best part is that the entire experience was absolutely free with a small donation box at the entrance.
Written 1 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChasingNature
Joplin, MO56 contributions
Warde Meade Park has a lot to offer.
When you pull in you will first notice the old time general store. It is a working shop and sells old fashioned candy, toys, and what nots.
Other attractions include:
Old Time Soda Shop, working shop with real fountain sodas, milkshakes, floats and some good sandwhichs. Here you can also view the old medical display of concoctions used for illness.
One room school house
A newer addition is the church with steeple. Upper level has an old time doctor office.
Historical Caboose you can get great photos of your kids on this.
Livery Stable
On the other side is the Warde Meade Manion. Tours of all non working buildings are scheduled so call in advance for times. Behind the mansion is the most BEAUTIFUL floral and tree garden! Each tree and floral display is noted with a plaque on the ground so you know what you are looking at. Many weddings are held on the patio by the fish pool because of the beautiful surroundings. The paths through the park to view the trees, flowers, wild grasses, etc are nicely taken care of and for the most part are wheel chair accessable although not paved we have got my daughter's wheel chair through it nicely with some little extra effort in some areas.
Some days they have cider milling in the log cabin again you will want to call. They also make molassas cookies on some days (the old fashioned way of course)
Another cool thing to check out is a large hand carved totem poll by a local artist.
Basically this is about a 3 hour adventure if you look at everything and schedule walk thorughs of the non working houses, stables, manion etc.
A lovely thing to see if you are passing thorugh town and not more than 10 or 15 minutes from any highway.
I have lived in Topeka my whole life and this is one of my favorite places.
In summer they also have a festival so depending on when you are coming through or visiting you may want to ask about this event.
When you pull in you will first notice the old time general store. It is a working shop and sells old fashioned candy, toys, and what nots.
Other attractions include:
Old Time Soda Shop, working shop with real fountain sodas, milkshakes, floats and some good sandwhichs. Here you can also view the old medical display of concoctions used for illness.
One room school house
A newer addition is the church with steeple. Upper level has an old time doctor office.
Historical Caboose you can get great photos of your kids on this.
Livery Stable
On the other side is the Warde Meade Manion. Tours of all non working buildings are scheduled so call in advance for times. Behind the mansion is the most BEAUTIFUL floral and tree garden! Each tree and floral display is noted with a plaque on the ground so you know what you are looking at. Many weddings are held on the patio by the fish pool because of the beautiful surroundings. The paths through the park to view the trees, flowers, wild grasses, etc are nicely taken care of and for the most part are wheel chair accessable although not paved we have got my daughter's wheel chair through it nicely with some little extra effort in some areas.
Some days they have cider milling in the log cabin again you will want to call. They also make molassas cookies on some days (the old fashioned way of course)
Another cool thing to check out is a large hand carved totem poll by a local artist.
Basically this is about a 3 hour adventure if you look at everything and schedule walk thorughs of the non working houses, stables, manion etc.
A lovely thing to see if you are passing thorugh town and not more than 10 or 15 minutes from any highway.
I have lived in Topeka my whole life and this is one of my favorite places.
In summer they also have a festival so depending on when you are coming through or visiting you may want to ask about this event.
Written 22 January 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
breoni
Topeka, KS774 contributions
For the past two Decembers, my fiance and I have purchased tickets for the "Holiday Happenings" events at Ward Meade. For $30, you get a FULL holiday meal with all the fixings (you can bring in your own wine, if you prefer). Live period music is played by a quartet during dinner. All the volunteers are dressed in period costume and there is a great Santa / Father Christmas. After dinner, you get to explore the grouds and there are things to do in nearly every building. Home-baked ginger cookies over a fire in the cabin, hand-cart rides at the Train Depot, hot fudge sundaes at the pharmacy, and shopping at the general store. We even took in a spelling lesson from the teacher in the school house, and heard a performance in the old church. The tickets go on sale in the summertime through the county's park and rec, so plan early!
Written 3 January 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NLKelly_10
Virginia Beach, Virginia20 contributions
Sept 2011 • Friends
Old Prairie Town is a pleasant way to pass the time if you're passing through Topeka and on a short time frame. Located all Ward-Meade Historic Site, Old Prairie Town offers the visitor a glimpse of turn-of-the century living. The village features recreations of vintage buildings that include a log cabin, livery stable, barber shop, drug store, dental and doctor offices, a church and old train station. Potwin's Drug Store has a working soda fountain and you can opt for a milkshake or order the more traditional cherry phosphate, sasparilla, or green river soda. The town is adjacent to a lovely botanical garden that has 500 varieties of flowers, shrubs and trees. A footbridge, water garden and gazebo add to the charm. I recommend Old Prairie Town for all ages. We visited on a Monday when most other museums were closed. You can walk around on your own for free or pay for a guided tour.
Written 12 October 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelinlight58
Kansas City, MO387 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
This is a great place to spend a couple of hours. It has a relaxing garden area with benches and a pond. The garden is fairly large for a private one, with different areas to explore. It has an old-time store complete with a soda counter. Worthy of your time.
Written 9 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ttowntriper
Topeka, KS267 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
We stop over here during the apple festival , they always have a great selection of venders , and it’s a cool place to visit and stop off at the ol drug store and the general store has some neat souvenirs also !!
Written 6 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LittleMrsMagoo
Santa Barbara, CA53 contributions
Oct 2011 • Couples
If you want Solitude this is the place to go to in the Fall
Written 3 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChristiKC
Kansas City, MO25 contributions
We stopped to see Old Prairie Town and the small Botanical Garden at Ward Meade Park and were very happy that we did. We toured the buildings with a delightful lady who told us about the history of each and then enjoyed a Green River icecream drink at the working old fashioned soda fountain. The General Store held a nice selection of gifts and they also host Victorian dinners in the mansion and hearth cooked meals in the log cabins at certain times of the year.
Written 18 August 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What are the hours and the cost for seniors
Written 21 February 2021
Dogs must be on leash as per city requirements, but are welcome in the outdoor areas of the park. I have taken my dogs there several times.
Written 25 May 2016
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