One Day in Lawrence, KS
 

I have to make travel arrangements for a group of musicians. If they had an afternoon in Lawrence, KS, what one activity should they NOT miss? Also, what about restaurants? I imagine there isn't too much in Lawrence, but one never knows! Thanks!

Very traditional college campus and small / supporting town environment. Downtown Lawrence, along Massachusetts St., offers a wide variety of shops and local restaurants. I went to KU, live in KC but can't really think of a "must see" in Lawrence. It's truly a great college town but not really a "destination" tourist type place. Enjoy!

Like the previous poster said, there aren't many "must see" activities in Lawrence. I would at least drive through the KU campus--it's really pretty and there are a few museums on campus that you could check out. Also, Mass St. (Massachusetts) would be a definite stop. There are two restaurants there that I would recommend...one is Quinten's--it's a bar/restaurant, but they have GREAT soup and sandwhiches. The soup in a bread bowl is YUMMY! Also, the Free State Brewery is on Mass...it is slightly "nicer" than Quinten's...has a variety of food and they brew their own beer. It's a nice little city...just enjoy the atmosphere!

What time of year?

Keith

Pachamama's is one of the nicest restaurants in Lawrence, eclectic menu. There is a small, but lovely art museum on the KU campus, not sure of the name.

We stopped in Lawrence for the weekend during a trip from NY to Colorado this past January. The other posters are right. It was a perfect stop for us-- nice college town, fun to walk around and windowshop, beautiful drive around the campus, some really nice houses in neighborhood and interesting architecture on campus. We saw a bald eagle along the river. It is a good place to just walk around Mass Ave for the afternoon or cross the river and go walking/rent bikes on the path. It is probably the best place for a "free afternoon"-- people can go to borders, starbucks or one of any number of antiques stores, coffeehouses, restaurants along Mass Ave.

I live in Lawrence, KS and feel that the one "don't miss" site is Allen Field House. The doors are usually open to the public and there is a lot of college basketball history in there. If you're lucky there might even be a pick up game in the summer with several current NBA players or current KU players on the court. The campus is nice and walking down Mass Street is liking going to that old home town that you've seen in the movies. I like Free State Brewery or Zen Zero for the meals.

adisim, you timed it just right for the eagles.

They hang out near the open water just east of the bridge in the coldest weather (usually January and February). Sometimes there are many, and if you can get into the old building that housed the riverfront mall, you can sometimes get within about 20 feet of them.

Anyone, is the new Robert Dole Institute worth a visit?

Keith

Thanks for the advice! I assumed correctly in thinking that isn't much to do in Lawrence. The main drag sounds like an interesting place to start. Also, thank you for mentioning the art musueum. This group will be particularly interested in that. Thanks!

I just wanted to add that the Robert Dole Institute looks like it's worth a visit..I've seen pictures and it's beautiful...large stained glass American Flag (large as in two stories high), there's also an exhibit honoring Kansas WWII veterans & casualties. Looks worth a stop to me!