Jayhawk Hospitality is your one-stop resource for planning, booking, and hosting your next event on KU’s campus or affiliated facilities. We offer:
• A variety of spaces
• A customizable catering menu
• Tech solutions to fit your needs
• And more Contact us
The Jayhawk Club has a wide-range of membership options for people of all ages. From our most popular Golf membership, which includes full access to The Championship 18-hole golf course, to our Social membership, where you can enjoy the family-friendly, resort-style pool and exciting social calendar with events scheduled throughout the year; The Jayhawk Club has something for everyone.
1809 BIRDIE WAY | LAWRENCE KS, 66047 | (785) 842-2929 | INFO@THEJAYHAWKCLUB.COM
Welcome to
Lawrence
Quirky? Unexpected? Yes! Lawrence is definitely that. But more importantly, we’re here for you to explore and enjoy your own version of the city, on your own time, night or day. Whether you are here for a conference, a family vacation, a short stopover, or an extended stay, this guide and our explorelawrence.com site are here to help you find the perfect places to see, experience, and enjoy while you are in Lawrence.
Passport Destinations
Discover the best of Lawrence while unlocking exclusive discounts and earning prizes along the way with Lawrence Passports. These free passports are easily accessible from your smartphone and simple to use. Destinations and travel themes rotate by season. Recent passport themes include: Burger Battle, craft beverage tours, and more. Choose the passports that fit your fancy, add them to your cart, and start exploring, saving, and winning!
Global Approach
Our comprehensive website is available in dozens of languages, including Spanish, French, Arabic, Japanese, and more. Look for the national flag bar on our website to use the translate feature.
Getting Around
The town is laid out roughly in a rectangle, with the University of Kansas campus near the center. The city’s downtown commercial and entertainment center, Massachusetts Street, runs north and south. There are numerous public garages and lots for parking. A free citywide bus service, the Lawrence T, provides multiple routes with hundreds of stops around the city. An online trip planner assists in finding the best and quickest way to your destination. After hours, the T provides free curb-to-curb service to any two destinations in town. You’ll just need to schedule in advance during business hours. lawrencetransit.org
Keep In Touch
If you enjoy your time in Lawrence, consider keeping in touch by signing up for our newsletter. These emails will keep you updated on upcoming events and festivals in the city and provide you with a good excuse—should you want it—to return for another visit.
We promise–we won’t sell your email address for advertising or any other purpose. This is simply your connection to Unmistakably Lawrence updates. explorelawrence.com/plan-yourvisit/e-newsletter
explorelawrence.com info@explorelawrence.com
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THE
Day and Night,” digital illustration by Haley Kidder, SIDE Studio.
TWO MUSEUMS TWO MINUTES APART
Explore collections ranging from art to zoology
downtown
The heart of Lawrence for shopping, entertainment and culture
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6 places to eat
Of course you’re hungry, but we’ll make sure you’re delightfully satisfied
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Festivals & Events
Something’s always happening, and you can discover what’s going on when you’re in town
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Music
Jazz, symphonic, bluegrass, metropopolis, or punk … it’s playing on a Lawrence stage
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History
From dinosaur fossils to Civil War testimonies, history comes alive at sites across the city
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Universities
Two great universities, two grand traditions: Onward, Haskell! Rock, Chalk Jayhawk!
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arts & culture
Discover the galleries, sculptures, murals, shows, and more
38
Outdoors & Sports
Whether you are rooting for the team or going for a personal record, Lawrence has the facilities, venues and fandoms
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around lawrence
We’re close to airports and interstates—but steeped in our unique identity
42
Family Outings
Find an agenda that pleases everyone (really, we promise!)
44
Maps of Lawrence and Downtown
48
Hotel Listings
Amenities, locations, and services
Welcome to Mass. Street
day & evening
Welcome to Massachusetts Street, or “Mass.” as we call it, the town’s historic main street and the heart of the city.
Rise early with us to enjoy coffee and breakfast at the street’s numerous coffee shops and cafes. Or, go for an early-morning run or bike ride down the sidewalks and dedicated bike lanes.
Stay through the day on Mass. for shopping at Lawrence’s original stores and art galleries. Eat lunch and then enjoy dinner at a downtown venue with options such as Asian fusion and fine dining.
Gather with us as evening turns into night for concerts and street-party celebrations, or maybe just that late-night ice cream cone that closes out the day in the perfect way.
Mass. Street (and the surrounding downtown blocks) is the place to see and be seen. It’s the place to stroll, shop and savor. You will quickly discover your favorite spots, and here you’ll find a sample of the variety that Lawrence has to offer.
1313 Mockingbird Lane Toys & Collectibles 1
Inspired by television’s Munster Mansion to be part spooky and part zany, 1313 Mockingbird offers an ever-changing array of offbeat figurines (such as the Ozzy Osbourne Oz Fest action figure or an Attack of the Killer Tomatoes tomato) and other collectibles. Always worth a return because it is never the same store twice.
after 8 p.m.
1027 Massachusetts St. 1313mockingbirdtoys.com
Historic & Thriving
In the mid-1800s, the founders of Lawrence intentionally chose “Massachusetts Street” as the center of town to honor the city’s ties to Free-State and abolitionist groups from Massachusetts.
You can learn about the city’s exciting and turbulent past—from Civil War raids to Hollywood-star parades— at the Watkins Museum of History. You can also follow the history of Mass. Street, block by block, on our website.
Delicias Del Sur
With a focus on South American and Cuban cuisine, Delicias Del Sur gives you so many choices all day. For breakfast, you can enjoy a variety of specialties including aperitas dulces, choripapa, and Cuban coffee. For lunch, enjoy crepes and empanadas, or visit their speakeasy, El Cuarto de Tula, on weekend nights to enjoy cocktails and Latin American music.
724 Massachusetts St. deliciasdelsurks.com Squishington’s Candy
Sugar rush time! Squishington’s offers a carefully curated selection of gourmet, unusual, and alwayssweet treats where the fun is in the discovery as much as in the taste, from Swedish BUBS to Japanese Botan Rice Candy. 646 Massachusetts St. squishingtons.com
For over 50 years, Sunflower has been a leading outdoor gear and bicycle shop and the center of the region’s “self-propelled” community. On Sunday mornings, for example, a gravel ride kicks off from the shop. Sunflower is also home to a highly popular in-house cafe and yoga studio, as well as an event space. Whether you’re looking for gear or the outdoor community, Sunflower is a must-stop.
804 Massachusetts St. sunfloweroutdoorandbike.com
Sylas and Maddy’s Homemade Ice Cream 5
Sylas and Maddy’s Homemade Ice Cream makes its waffle cones fresh daily and creates its own long list of unique, house ice creams and sherbets. This is old-fashioned ice cream without shortcuts. For example, if a flavor has the word “pie” in it, that means an entire pie has been mixed into the ice cream bucket. There’s always time for ice cream with this gourmet store open from noon to 10 p.m. Sundays–Thursdays, and noon to 10:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 1101 Massachusetts St. sylasandmaddysicecream.com
Wonder Fair is many things—an art supply center, a stationery store, a gift shop, zine headquarters, and an exhibition hall—but it is always dedicated to high-quality and original goods. Rooted in an art collective from 2008, and under the same ownership since 2011, this is a store by artists, for artists. Also, be sure to say hello to Dave, the store’s resident orange tabby, and venture into the haunted bathroom ... if you dare!
a matter of taste
Food tells you about the history and character of a place. Lawrence has always been close to the land. Our restaurants were early advocates and pioneers of the farm-to-table movement, and many menus proudly feature local-grown ingredients.
But our palate is also international–reflecting a community of diverse and global residents who call Lawrence home and value authentic cuisine from many cultures.
Come take a seat at 715 for a plate of lobster carbonara surrounded by a sophisticated European cafe atmosphere, or join us in the line for a midnight meal of pambazos at Tacos El King food truck–whatever your mood, and whatever your taste, there’s a place here for you.
Named in honor of the state’s first wind-powered mill that once stood in the Swedish section of town, Big Mill serves up big dishes of Detroit-style pizza, mushroom quinoa burgers, Coney dogs, kale and roasted beet salad, and more. If you are looking for some home-team spirit, try the Rock Chalk Lemonade. 900 Mississippi St. bigmilllawrence.com
Burger Stand 2 A Lawrence original with certified college-town vibes. The name gives away one of the Stand’s specialties, with everything from the classic American Kobe beef to chicken, turkey, or Impossible. But locals know this place as serving up some of the city’s best fries, with several options for sauces and dips. 803 Massachusetts St. burgerstandrestaurants.com
Big Mill 1
The
Newly opened in 2024, this womanowned bakery features coffee, pastries and other treats. A perfect North Lawrence stop if you’re walking, running or biking the nearby River Levee trail. 300 Elm St. Ste A cleoandleoonelmstreet.com
Ladybird Diner
Chosen by KANSAS! magazine as one of the state’s 24 must-see destinations for 2024, Ladybird Diner has made a name for itself by focusing on classic, generous comfort-food dishes served in an inclusive, affirming and welcoming venue. Enjoy the hospitality by stopping in early for the fancy French toast breakfast special, or swinging by late for the Friday night fried chicken specials. Be sure to grab a slice of their famous pie before you leave!” 721 Massachusetts St. ladybirddiner.com
Located on a sustainable food–focused organic vegetable farm, Juniper Hill bakes wood-fired oven pizzas on site while also hosting more upscale chef’s dinners. Either way, the menu is a testimony to local values and food sourced on site.
Mass St. Fish House + Raw Bar 6
Coastal dishes in a sophisticated dining atmosphere. The star section of the menu is the Raw Bar with oysters, snow crab, lobster tail and cocktail shrimp, but the Fish House also features dishes such as lobster pasta, paella, salt and pepper crispy calamari, and Moroccan lamb meatballs.
719 Massachusetts St. massfishhouse.com
McLain’s Market 7
A Lawrence branch of a popular KC-original, McLain’s is a bakery, cakery, and coffee shop specializing in breakfast and lunch menus. One of its long-time favorite items, the Market Wrap, features sweet potato quinoa falafel for a fun vegetarian option.
2412 Iowa St. mclainskc.com
Pizza Palace 8
An offshoot of one of the city’s longtime Indian restaurants, Pizza Palace specializes in Indian-inspired pies such as the aloo ghobi with fried potatoes, green chilies, red onions, cilantro, green onions, garlic, cheese, and butter sauce. The kitchen also serves classic Italian-style pizzas, sandwiches, pastas, and customized thali.
125 E. 10th St. pizzapalacelawrence.com
Gabriela Otero
Gabriela Otero describes her shop, Cleo & Leo on Elm Street, as “a neighborhood bakery focusing on pastries, custom cakes, and a full coffee bar with lattes and teas.”
The shop is part of a revitalized North Lawrence business community that sits just off the Lawrence Levee Trail, a popular spot for walking, running, and biking along the Kansas River.
Otero, who has been a professional baker for more than 12 years and lived in North Lawrence for a few years before she opened her shop in October 2024, says she loves “walking on the levee and around North Lawrence.”
When Otero has guests in town, she begins the day by taking them across the river for breakfast at The Roost and then shopping along Massachusetts Street, with a stop at one of her favorite places, the stylish vintage and consignment clothing store Arizona Trading Co.
And then for the evening, Otero brings her guests back to North Lawrence for a concert at Northside Social, run by her friend Corrie Mclean.
“We’re really fortunate to have some talented female business owners and entrepreneurs here,” Otero says. “I love how the area is growing as more businesses open.”
The explorelawrence.com website has a full listing of restaurants, cafes and eateries for you to choose from, so go ahead and plan out a trip with plenty of variety. And whatever you do, you won’t go wrong with a short stop at Otero’s kitchen.
Something’s Happening All the Time
There is always something happening in Lawrence. Here’s a sample of our annual events that make Lawrence unmistakable. For more information on any of these or to check out what other events are happening during your visit, such as concerts, festivals and more, go online at explorelawrence.com/events.
January
Final
Fridays
On the last Friday of every month, galleries, artist studios and other venues open their doors for art showings, music and mingling.
Lawrence
Restaurant Week
Cold weather is dining weather, and Lawrence’s chefs help you celebrate the season with a week of special menus and dishes.
February
Langston Hughes Birthday Celebration
The Raven Book Store and Lawrence Arts Center hold their annual celebration honoring the birthday of poet, author, and playwright Langston Hughes, who spent his formative years in Lawrence.
Kevin Willmott Film Festival
Liberty Hall holds a four-day event with showings and discussions of four key films in the career of Lawrence resident and Oscar-winning film maker Kevin Willmott.
March
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
One of the city’s biggest outdoor celebrations is also one of Lawrence’s oldest charities—springtime fun and costumes all for a good cause.
April
KU Powwow & Indigenous Cultural Festival
A wide range of partners, including KU First Nations Student Association, hosts presentations, dances and more to celebrate the culture and contemporary community of Native students and residents.
Kansas Relays
The University of Kansas hosts one of the nation’s premier collegiate track and field competitions.
June
Lawrence Pride Parade and Block Party
May
City Band Concerts
Visit these free weekly summer concerts in South Park by the Lawrence City Band—a beloved Lawrence institution since 1854. Enjoy the rest of downtown Lawrence while you are here!
Busker Festival
Acrobats, fire-breathers, musicians, comedians and more fill downtown for the entire community to enjoy a weekend of street performances.
The Lawrence Pride Parade is a vibrant celebration of diversity, inclusivity, and community spirit in the heart of downtown Lawrence. Join locals and visitors alike for a day of colorful floats, live music, and festivities that honor LGBTQ+ pride and welcome everyone to come together in joyful support.
Juneteenth Celebration
This community-wide celebration of fellowship marks the liberation of thousands of formerly enslaved people during the Civil War.
Midsummer Night on Mass
A Lawrence tradition. Merchants bring their best bargains onto the sidewalks of Downtown Lawrence for an evening shopping spree.
St. John’s Mexican Fiesta
Annual celebration of music, food, and dancing to honor Lawrence’s MexicanAmerican community.
Free State Festival
Art Tougeau Parade
Parade of art cars, bicycles, and anything else that is artsy and ambulatory.
Kaw River Roots Festival
This signature event brings independent films, live music, comedy, and art to venues across the city. Celebrate the free spirit of Kansas with films and performances that inspire, challenge, and entertain, followed by panel discussions with filmmakers, producers, and featured talent.
Concerts of roots, folk, bluegrass, and Americana music from multiple stages—plus plenty of good food and drink.
July
Summerfest
Lawrence’s annual Fourth of July celebration features outdoor concerts, food trucks, and more.
August
Kansas State Fiddling and Picking Championship
The state’s best roots and Americana performers gather at South Park, providing guests free competition concerts and jam sessions.
Civil War on the Border
Douglas County Fair
An annual tradition with animal shows, pie-baking contests, carnival rides, demolition derbies, concerts, and more at the county fairgrounds in Lawrence.
Each year, Lawrence marks the anniversary of the 1863 Quantrill’s Raid (also known as the “Lawrence Massacre”) and honors those shot down by pro-Confederate forces. Bus and walking tours lead groups to historic locations, and lectures, seminars and other events help rediscover and understand this tragic moment in Civil War history.
September
Haskell Indian Art Market
Haskell Indian Nations University hosts Native artists from across the continent for one of the largest authentic Native markets. Food vendors, concerts and dance performances are also part of the celebration.
October
Kaw Valley Farm Tour
Farms, wineries, orchards, and more open their gates to visitors for a fascinating glimpse into the people who make farm-totable life possible.
Late Night in the Phog
A free celebration of KU basketball teams ahead of their winter competition season.
November
Holiday Lighting Ceremony & Santa Rescue
With the flick of a switch, Downtown Lawrence becomes a winter wonderland. Now, if only Santa would learn how to arrive without crashing.
Kansas Half Marathon
The fall season brings perfect running weather, so tighten those laces or get ready to cheer on the runners at the Kansas Half Marathon or 5k.
December
Old Fashioned Christmas Parade
This is the Midwest’s largest parade of horse-riders and horse-pulled carriages, buggies and wagons. A family-fun favorite.
Rev it Up! Hot Rod Street Fest
Rockabilly music and a competitive gathering of vintage cars, hot rods and other amazing machines—all open to the public and supporting a designated Lawrence charity.
The Lawrence Restaurant Association and dozens of area restaurants and drinking establishments serve up signature and specially created cocktails for one week. Proceeds benefit the Lawrence Hospitality Workers Relief Fund.
University of Kansas Vespers Concert
The Lied Center and the KU School of Music present an annual concert of seasonal sounds.
Cocktail Trail
When your mental health or substance use affects your daily life, and you are no longer able to handle the situation on your own, it’s time to reach out. The Treatment & Recovery Center of Douglas County is here to help. No appointments necessary.
1
Your Kind of Sound
The music has never stopped. There’s been a buzz going on in Lawrence even before Wizard of Oz author Frank L. Baum belted out his musical, The Maid of Arran, from the stage of Lawrence’s Bowersock Opera House in 1882. That venue is still going strong as Liberty Hall and has hosted modern luminaries from the Wu Tang Clan to Willie Nelson.
But that’s just one concert hall among a thriving live music scene with live music in bars, pavilions, parlors, church sanctuaries, and street stages. Whatever your favorite sound, whether you want to hear it early in the day or late through the night, you’ll find it playing here.
AMA Saturday Jam Session
As part of its mission to teach and support American roots music, the nonprofit Americana Music Academy holds an open jam session each Saturday as well as summer camps and family workshops.
1419 Massachusetts St. americanamusicacademy.com
2
Beautiful Music Violin Shop
This luthier’s workshop sells, repairs and restores violins, violas and other stringed instruments. A place to talk, shop and admire the handcrafted instruments.
925 Iowa St. Ste. I beautifulmusicviolinshop.com
The Bottleneck 3
A Lawrence rock ’n’ roll landmark since 1985, The Bottleneck has hosted Gogol Bordello, Radiohead, Weezer, Cake, Lucinda Williams, Bo Diddley, Smashing Pumpkins and other touring acts as well as rising local acts, drag shows and more.
737 New Hampshire St. thebottlenecklive.com
KU World War II Memorial Campanile & Carillon 4
The University of Kansas carillon provides free summer concerts on Sunday evenings. No tickets are required to visit this beautiful venue, just show up in the vicinity for the open-air treat. You can preview the musical selections on the campanile’s Facebook page. Memorial Drive, KU campus music.ku.edu/carillon
The Granada 5
This former cinema hall hosts regular themed dance parties and national touring acts. Recent 2024 performances included GWAR, Amyl and the Sniffers, Kublai Khan, Shaboozey, Tech N9ne.
1020 Massachusetts St. thegranada.com
Jazzhaus 6
Intimate, second-floor venue with more than 40 years of performances. Open five days each week until 2 a.m., the Jazzhaus stage regularly hosts karaoke, comedy, poetry readings, rock, country, and— of course—jazz.
926 ½ Massachusetts St. jazzhaus.com
This locally owned music shop features guitars, amps, pedals and more. A downtown center for music lessons and repairs, Guitarma also donates a portion of its sales to local charities and causes.
726 Massachusetts St. guitarmalfk.com
Liberty Hall 8
One of the city’s most historic venues, Liberty Hall has hosted The Wallflowers, Allen Stone, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Bombay Bicycle Club and more.
644 Massachusetts St. libertyhall.net
Guitarma
Love Garden 9
If you love vinyl, look for the giant squid mascot! Love Garden Sounds stocks old and new LPs to browse or to take home and round out your collection. Come for a release party, look for the bargain bin that might hold your next musical treasure, or ask the staff for recommendations from the top new stock.
822 Massachusetts St. lovegardensounds.com
Lucia 10
The downtown eatery and live music venue hosts rock, blues, roots, karaoke, drag and more on most nights, with a country round-up concert on Sunday afternoons.
1016 Massachusetts St. lucialawrence.com
Mass Street Music 11
It’s like an art museum for guitar fans—the luthiers and musicians of this long-standing music venue know their instruments and their community. Ask to see the staff picks for some standout vintage and modern models.
1347 Massachusetts St. massstreetmusic.com
12
Northside Social
A cozy venue north of the Kansas River with DJ dance nights and a range of live music performances from pop rock to country. 444 Locust
Replay Lounge 13
A champion of the local music scene. The Replay’s outside stage often hosts laid-back, family-friendly performances, and the inside stage shakes the house.
946 Massachusetts St. replaylounge.com
Historical Encounters
Historical forces shaped Lawrence.
Standing at the edge of an ancient network of Indigenous communities, this area became the ancestral home of the Kaw, Osage, and Shawnee peoples before the arrival of Euro-American colonizers.
Lawrence endured pro-Confederate attacks after being founded by abolitionists during the turbulent years of Bleeding Kansas.
The city’s symbol—a phoenix—is a testimony to Lawrence’s reconstruction after it was nearly destroyed by pro-Confederate raiders in 1863.
Immigrants from Germany, Mexico, Ireland and other areas helped the city grow through Reconstruction, the railroad years, and the 21st century. At the same time, Indigenous students from across America arrived to study at Haskell Indian Nations University.
Home also to the rich academic and sporting traditions of the University of Kansas, the city is proud to explore, acknowledge, and share its past.
Eldridge Hotel 1
This historic downtown hotel was once the center of the city’s Free State resistance to slavery. The hotel even has a rich supernatural lore. Hotel founder Colonel Shalor Eldridge is rumored to haunt room 506, and teams of paranormal investigators have examined the building’s connection to the spirit world.
701 Massachusetts eldridgehotel.com
Lecompton 4
The historic town of Lecompton sits on the bluffs of the Kansas River, just a short drive north of Lawrence. History enthusiasts will want to stop by Constitution Hall, where lawmakers fought to determine whether Kansas would enter the Union as a free or slave state. The nearby Territorial Capital Museum displays Civil War artifacts and local history. lecomptonkansas.com
Allen Fieldhouse 5
Watkins Museum of History 3
Housed in a gorgeous three-story Richardsonian Romanesque—style building, the nonprofit museum presents permanent interactive exhibits focusing on events such as the turbulent period of Bleeding Kansas, the local civil rights movement, and more. Enjoy some of the unusual artifacts, such as a 1920 electric car, and look for the schedule of special exhibits, free community lectures and familyfriendly celebrations.
1047 Massachusetts watkinsmuseum.org
A shrine of college basketball, Allen Fieldhouse hosts the men’s and women’s Jayhawk basketball teams. Visitors can learn about the school’s athletic history, including stories of legends such as Wilt Chamberlain and the inventor of basketball, James Naismith, at the adjacent Booth Family Hall of Athletics and the DeBruce Center, which also displays Naismith’s original handwritten rules for basketball. If you want to see all of this and receive rare access to behind-the-scenes areas of the Fieldhouse complex, you can book a tour through KU Athletics.
1651 Naismith Dr. kuathletics.com
Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics 6
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics is a renowned research archive celebrating the legacy of the Kansas-born U.S. presidential candidate and decorated war hero. Explore the exhibition hall, which shares the history of his remarkable career, and be sure to capture a photo by the stunning stained glass window inside.
2350 Petefish Dr. doleinstitute.org
La Yarda
This ongoing walking mural project honors the culture and history of Mexican American immigrant families who arrived to work for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. The families created a thriving, tight-knit community that was dispersed by the 1951 Kansas River flood. The walking mural will stand at the site of La Yarda, on the northern end of the Burroughs Creek Trail of the Lawrence Loop.
Eighth and Delaware streets findinglayarda.com/publicart
Burroughs Creek Trail
The 1.7-mile Lawrence Loop features historical markers commemorating significant events and figures, such as nearby World War II prisoner-of-war camps and an East Lawrence amusement park that denied entry to Black children, inspiring Langston Hughes’ poignant poem “Merry-Go-Round” and re-created in “Not Without Laughter.” The trail name honors William S. Burroughs, renowned Beat writer who called Lawrence home in his later years.
East Lawrence
Free State Brewery
History isn’t contained only in museums. Once the location where abolitionist John Brown rallied the city against proslavery militia and then an intercity rail line office, Free State became the state’s first post-Prohibition brewery in 1989.
Located in a historic bank that was possibly robbed by Clyde Barrow of Bonnie and Clyde fame, Merchant’s serves technique-driven food with a gastropub atmosphere.
746 Massachusetts merchantsonmass.com
A town of two universities
Lawrence is home to two great universities, each with an unmistakable history and each an anchor in the community’s culture.
Haskell Indian Nations University
Located in the southeast section of town, Haskell Indian Nations University is the nation’s only fully accredited, four-year college specifically for students from federally recognized tribes and boasts a student body representing over 140 tribal nations and Alaska Native villages. The campus sporting events and many of its presentations are open to visitors, as is the annual Indian Art Market that features Native-made arts and crafts as well as a celebration of traditional dances from Native communities across the United States.
Haskell Indian University Attractions Open to the Public
Haskell Cultural Center and Museum
With permanent and rotating exhibits, this venue tells the history of Haskell, from its traumatic inception as a forced boarding school to its triumph as a national center for Indigenous-led and Indigenous-focused education.
Coffin Sports Complex
Home arena to the university’s basketball and volleyball teams. Onward, Haskell!
Self-guided walking tours are available by downloading a brochure from the Haskell website. Prospective students and families can book a 90-minute tour through Haskell’s admissions office.
haskell.edu
Tour Haskell
TECHNOLOGY
Flexible curriculum tailored for students passionate about music production, technology, and entrepreneurship
Diverse range of commercial genres: from singer/songwriter to video game production
Designed as the ideal pathway for aspiring professionals in popular music.
Culminates in a comprehensive portfolio: including original songs, business plans, mixes, and collaborations.
Ideal for double majors in other music and creative fields, business, or professional performance
Personal assessment/skills inventory, Business planning
785-864-3436
The University of Kansas
The main campus of the University of Kansas sits in the center of Lawrence on a steep hill known as Mount Oread. The University of Kansas, more commonly known as KU, is the state’s flagship public university with a graduate and undergraduate enrollment of approximately 28,500 students. The university’s schools regularly feature in top national rankings, and its faculty produces research and cultural works that have won international recognition and prizes from an Oscar to a MacArthur Foundation “genius grant.” ku.edu
KU Campus Attractions Open to the Public
David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
The showcase of the KU Biodiversity Institute features extensive paleontological collections, Kansas wildlife exhibits, living specimens, rare mounted specimens from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, and galleries on contemporary scientific research. Download the “Explore Biodiversity Scavenger Hunt checklist” for a family-friendly activity.
Home of KU Football since 1921, this is the epicenter of tailgate parties. Be sure to visit this year to see the newly renovated stadium and celebrate all of those Jayhawk touchdowns.
Allen Fieldhouse
Home court of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Champions, this historic venue is one of the most unique and stirring college arena experiences. In 2017, boisterous Jayhawk fans set the record for the loudest crowd roar at an indoor arena. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the crowd reached 130.4 decibels. That’s nearly as loud as jet take-offs on an aircraft carrier deck! Go to kuathletics.com to book a 60 or 90 minute tour.
DeBruce Center
Next to Allen Fieldhouse, this facility holds James Naismith’s original handwritten rules for basketball and serves as a gathering center with a gallery on the history of KU basketball and a café.
Booth Family Hall of Athletics
Adjacent to Allen Fieldhouse and free to the public for self-guided tours, these sprawling two floors of museum space tell the history of KU athletics with rare artifacts and interactive exhibits.
Dole Institute of Politics
Part museum, part archives, part academic and community gathering spot, the institute commemorates the life and service of Senator Robert Dole with numerous public events and lectures.
Spencer Museum of Art
KU campus art museum open to the public with galleries presenting classical, international, and contemporary art exhibits with on-site artist residencies and public events.
Lied Center of Kansas
This contemporary performing arts venue hosts a regular season of national touring performances as well as KU musical, dance, and theater events throughout the year.
KU Natural History Museum
Arts & culture
Lawrence invites you to experience and be a part of its community of arts and culture.
We believe that art is more than a decorative addition to a community. Through the arts, we redefine ourselves, adapt to changes, discover lost stories, and integrate new voices and perspectives.
Many of the city’s art and culture attractions are free and accessible for all ages. There are public mural works on the walls of the town as important to us as the paintings in our galleries.
From a new, walking mural trail telling the history of the Mexican-American neighborhood of La Yarda to the traditional decorative Venezuelan chest ornaments preserved and displayed at the Spencer Museum of Art, art in Lawrence seeks to engage, challenge, and delight you.
Come live the arts with us.
Art in the Park 1
This 60 year art tradition continues each fall as the Lawrence Art Guild hosts more than 125 artists offering paintings, ceramics, mixed media, photography and more.
lawrenceartguild.org South Park
Final Fridays 2
Find something that delights, puzzles, or intrigues you! Take it home or simply treasure the encounter. All this is possible on the last Friday of every month, from 5–9 p.m., as Lawrence galleries, studios and businesses open their doors for an evening of showings and performances. Many locations are concentrated in Downtown and in the East Lawrence Warehouse District, making it possible to leisurely stroll from one venue to another.
explorelawrence.com/events/ annual-events/final-fridays Spencer Museum of Art 3
A world-class art collection is the center of this public museum on the University of Kansas campus. The permanent collection shares space with thoughtfully curated and highly relevant rotating exhibits. Open all-year, the museum holds a variety of seasonal events, most free to the public.
1301 Mississippi St. spencerart.ku.edu
Marlo Angell
Filmmaker, curator, and co-founder of the Free State Festival, Marlo Angell has led or contributed to many cultural events and organizations in Lawrence. Her current work at the Lawrence Arts Center focuses on creating art experiences both within the center’s walls and throughout the community.
She invites visitors to stop by the Arts Center gallery exhibitions, which change every few months.
“We particularly love to have kids come into galleries and be exposed to the artwork and talk about it,” Angell says. “My kids have had wonderful, immersive experiences here.”
Angell adds that the Arts Center galleries, like many other galleries in town “are entirely free and open to the public—Lawrence galleries are a great place for some down time to enjoy and clear your mind.”
Touring community murals is also a free and inspiring option. Angell advises going onto the explorelawrence.com website and tracking down some of the murals listed on the city’s mural trail.
When Angell has visitors, she often takes them downtown to shop and browse at some of her favorite Lawrence-original stores: Raven Book Store, Love Garden Sounds, and Wonder Fair.
“Stores like these feel very distinctly Lawrence,” Angell says. “You can come into them and browse and enjoy, even without buying anything.”
And when Angell’s father comes to town— there’s always a trip to his favorite spot.
“Free State Brewery,” Angell notes. “My dad comes into town for Christmas and that’s the first place we go.”
Lawrence Arts Center 4
The Lawrence Arts Center anchors the city’s thriving art scene with local and touring stage performances and free galleries. Plan your visit around the annual Free State Festival, a celebration of art, film, and music that has welcomed legendary acts such as George Clinton and ParliamentFunkadelic, Chuck D, Bootsy Collins, and more.
940 New Hampshire St. freestatefestival.org
Lawrence’s stage for local theater productions. Founded in 1977 and located at its customized venue since 2013, Theatre Lawrence presents productions that challenge and entertain, from revisions of popular Broadway musicals to premiere stagings of original works.
Theatre Lawrence
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outdoors and the Sporting Life
We are a town of Jayhawk legends, Haskell superstars, Olympians and world champions. We back our teams and dive into our own games and recreations with a passion. Whether you’ve come to cheer from the bleachers, pedal across the prairie, or paddle down the Kansas River to view a sunset from the water, Lawrence has a spot for you.
Clinton Reservoir, State Park, and Wildlife Area
Locals refer to the entire area as Clinton Lake. The 7,000 acres of water is popular for recreational sailing, fishing, swimming and other water sports. The surrounding land, administered as a state park by the Army Corps of Engineers, offers bike, hiking, and horse trails, a sand beach, campsites, and a private marina where you can rent a boat for several hours or a day. Best spot for sunsets! On the southwest edge of town, approach on Clinton Parkway or Highway 10.
clintonmarina.com nwk.usace.army.mil (“Clinton Lake”) ksoutdoors.com (“Clinton State Park”)
Sports Pavilion Lawrence 3
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River Trails
Popular for running, walking, and biking, the river trails of North Lawrence are open year round.
Parking off Walnut St. or N. 8th St. lawrencemountainbikeclub.org (“river trails”)
Open to non-county residents for a $5 daily fee or a $60 yearlong pass, this is the city’s largest indoor recreation center with a weight room, 1/8 mile walking/ jogging path, fitness machines, indoor courts and more.
100 Rock Chalk Lane sportspavilion.lawrenceks.org
Lakeview and the Swiss Valley Road 4
Ride a favorite route of local cyclists to explore some of the most scenic roads around Lawrence. This 25mile route is one of several options, from family-friendly 3-mile routes to an iconic 44-mile weekend morning route, recommended by Sunflower Outdoor and Bike Shop.
Sunfloweroutdoorandbike.com (“Maps” tab)
Lawrence Loop 5
The Lawrence Loop is an ambitious 22-mile biking and running/walking trail around the entire city. Easily accessed through numerous entry points, it is popularly used by locals and visitors alike.
lawrenceks.org/loop
Kansas/Kaw River 6
Known as either the Kansas or the Kaw, this river flows through Lawrence and is recognized by the National Park Service as a National Water Trail. One of the best ways to explore the Kansas River is to join an expedition by the Friends of the Kaw, or follow one of their recommended paddle routes, with designated entries and exits.
kansasriver.org
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Here and There
Getting to Lawrence is easy.
We’re about 45 minutes from the newly redesigned Kansas City International Airport (MCI) and immediately off Interstate-70 and Kansas Highway 10, depending on how you approach us. You can get to us on Amtrak; we’re on the Southwest Chief route between Chicago and Los Angeles.
Even if we aren’t your final destination, we’re delighted to host you for a stayover as you travel down the road.
Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park
This prairie and woodland farmstead marks the location that abolitionist John Brown defeated a group of proslavery militia in a shootout that marked the beginning of Civil War combat in Kansas. The battlefield is open year-round, dawn to dusk, but October is an ideal time to visit as historic reenactors recreate the battle and provide insights about the conflict.
163 E 2000th Rd, Wellsville (15 miles south of Lawrence) blackjackbattlefield.org Grinter’s Sunflower Fields 2
One of the region’s most popular destinations in the late summer and early fall when acres of giant sunflowers burst into bloom and visitors arrive for family photos and some downtime at the craft shop and food stand. Come in the morning and return in the evening to see the sunflowers rotate as they track the sun across the sky.
Family Fun
There’s much to explore and enjoy together and Lawrence is proud to offer attractions that are fun for children and their families.
For example, young children, teens, and adults will all enjoy a trip to Prairie Park Nature Center with close-up ambassador animal interactions and exhibit information about the area’s natural landscape and wildlife. Staff are always available to talk about the history of the animals and ongoing conservation efforts.
But there’s plenty more to do, and we know you’ll find what speaks best to your family during your stay in Lawrence.
Baker-Haskell Wetlands 1
An area of natural and restored wetlands running west from the southern edge of Haskell Indian Nations University to Highway 59. For visitors, the best place to stop is the Baker University Wetlands and Discovery Center with its boardwalks and bird observation points. Beyond that, 11 miles of trails through the wetlands are open from sunrise to sunset. The center also hosts a free weekly crafts and nature program for children 5 years and younger.
Burroughs Creek Park and Splash Pad 2
A summer favorite for kids, this park along the Burroughs Creek Trail at 15th Street features play equipment, soft surfaces and the Kaw Pavilion, a shade structure made of recycled telephone poles and street signs. The park also has a splash pad, exercise equipment, restrooms, and a public-owned grove of fruit trees whose fruit is there for the taking.
Public Library 3
Open to the public year-round, the Lawrence Public Library has an expansive, dedicated children’s and youth section and regular activities scheduled throughout the year.
1365 N 1250 Rd.
900 E 15th St.
Lawrence
Mutt Run 4
Your dog is part of your family as well, so you’ll want to make time for them to enjoy the sounds and scents of Lawrence nature. The largest of two public dog parks, Mutt Run, provides 30 acres of outdoor adventure and active play.
1330 E. 902 Rd.
Sunfire Ceramics 5
This downtown ceramics studio allows you to paint and fire your own preformed mug, plate, bowl, or whimsical ceramic portrait. Some selections do not require firing and may be taken home the same day, an ideal option if your stay in Lawrence is less than three days.
1002 New Hampshire St. sunfireceramics.com
Prairie Park Nature Center 6
This free center is part museum and part hands-on interactive learning center whose resident ambassador animals teach children and families about native Kansas wildlife and ecology. You can sign up for one of the center’s frequent events—such as the nighttime “Wild Nocturnal Hike,” or you can explore, fish and play on your own, with a nature trail around Mary’s Lake, playgrounds, and more.
2730 Harper St. lawrenceks.org/lprd/ppnc
Historic Elegance Downtown Lawrence, KS Rooms & Suites Dining & Cocktails Weddings & Events Make a Reservation Today!
785-749-5011 eldridgehotel.com
Places to Stay
Find the perfect place to stay on our website, explorelawrence.com. Visitors can search by location and amenities, then click straight to the accommodation’s booking system.
