Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
Lawrence is a college city of about 95,000 people on the Kansas River, about 40 miles west of Kansas City. It was founded in 1854 by antislavery settlers from New England, and it became a center of the Free State movement during the violent years of Bleeding Kansas. In 1863 Confederate guerrillas led by William Quantrill raided the town and killed more than 150 men and boys, one of the worst atrocities of the Civil War. Lawrence rebuilt quickly.
The University of Kansas, founded in 1865, sits on Mount Oread above downtown, with limestone buildings, the Campanile memorial bell tower and the Spencer Museum of Art. KU basketball is a way of life here: the game's inventor, James Naismith, coached at KU, and Allen Fieldhouse is one of the most famous arenas in college sports. Naismith's original rules of basketball are displayed in the DeBruce Center.
Downtown Lawrence along Massachusetts Street, known as Mass Street, is one of the liveliest main streets in the Midwest, with historic buildings, independent shops, the Granada and Liberty Hall music venues and many restaurants. Clinton Lake State Park and the Kansas River trails offer outdoor escapes, and the Watkins Museum of History tells the story of the town's dramatic past.
Hilltop campus of KU on Mount Oread, with limestone buildings, the Campanile memorial bell tower, Potter Lake and views over the Kansas River valley. It is home to several museums and Jayhawk sports. Walk Jayhawk Boulevard and stop at the Campanile hill for a classic view of the city.
Lawrence's lively downtown main street, known as Mass Street, lined with locally owned shops, bookstores, bars, music venues and restaurants in historic brick buildings. It is busy day and night, especially on game days. Walk its full length and stop for a local craft beer or a meal on a patio.
Historic home of Kansas Jayhawks basketball since 1955, famous for its loud crowds and long tradition in the sport. Banners honor national titles and legendary players and coaches. Game tickets are hard to get, but visitors can often walk in on non-game days to see the court.
KU's art museum, with a large collection of art from around the world spanning many centuries, including European paintings, Asian art, photography and contemporary works. Admission is free. Check the website for current exhibitions and free events, and combine it with a campus walk.
Museum in historic Dyche Hall on the KU campus, known for its Panorama of North American wildlife first shown at the 1893 World's Fair, plus fossils, live animals and the mounted horse Comanche. Admission is by suggested donation. Allow an hour or two, and look for the live bee colony.
Local history museum in an 1888 bank building on Mass Street, telling the story of Lawrence from its founding by anti-slavery settlers to the 1863 raid that burned the town. Exhibits are well suited to families. Admission is low, and the building itself has fine woodwork and stained glass.
Tribal university founded in 1884 as a boarding school for Native American children, now serving students from many tribal nations. The Haskell Cultural Center and Museum shares its history, and the campus has a medicine wheel earthwork. Visit the cultural center first and be respectful on campus.
Historic downtown theater on Mass Street that opened in the 1920s and is now a concert venue hosting touring rock, indie, hip hop and electronic acts. The marquee is a downtown landmark. Check the show calendar, and arrive early for standing room near the stage.
Community arts center near downtown with free art galleries, a theater for plays, dance and music, and classes in many art forms for all ages. It also hosts festivals and film events. Browse the galleries for free, and check the calendar for shows and family workshops.
State park on Clinton Lake just west of Lawrence, with a swimming beach, camping, boat ramps and many miles of trails popular with hikers and mountain bikers. Sunsets over the water are lovely. Bring a bike for the trails, and check the state park entry fees before you go.
City nature center beside Mary's Lake with exhibits of live animals including birds of prey, plus trails through restored prairie, wetlands and woods. It runs nature programs for kids. Walk the trail loop around the lake, and visit the center to see the raptors up close.
Historic park at the south end of downtown with large shade trees, a gazebo, a playground and a bandstand where the Lawrence City Band plays summer concerts. It is a lovely spot for a picnic close to Mass Street. Bring a blanket for a summer evening concert.
Top-rated local businesses in Lawrence, with real reviews on WiserMap.
No reviews yet. Been to Lawrence? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Lawrence? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photosPhoto: Ian Ballinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Catboy69, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Studio804, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ethan James Scherrer, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: freeblue_kostas from Athens, GREECE, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Voidxor, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Bhall87 (talk), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Bhall87, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Ian Ballinger, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Bhall87 (talk), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Shannon Beat, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Jackpendry at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Epicsosseum25, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Epicsosseum25, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Nicolas Henderson from Coppell, Texas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Bhall87, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Studio804, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ethan James Scherrer, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Voidxor, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Original uploader, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: David Reber, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: 신현식 기자, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Batistaya, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Alan Islas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Rocco Pozzi / After Giovanni Domenico Ferretti / After Jacques d'Agar, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Julius Rolshoven, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Julius Rolshoven, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Tidal401, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Nightryder84, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Nightryder84, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Gen. Quon, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Gen. Quon, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Gen. Quon, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Gen. Quon, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Gen. Quon, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Nicolas Henderson from Coppell, Texas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
