Lawrence (Kansas)

Lawrence is a city in Eastern Kansas, USA along I-70, 35 miles (56 km) west of Kansas City, Kansas. It is home to the University of Kansas. Lawrence provides a mix of academics, bohemia, and small-town Kansas kitsch. It has been the setting of many movies and is a growing cultural hub in Kansas.

Understand

Lawrence is a college town with ideologically diverse residents. Two universities are located in the town - the older and more historic University of Kansas, with a campus spanning from downtown Lawrence to west Lawrence, and the federally funded Haskell University in southeast Lawrence. There are also many historic settings, as this city was among the first in Kansas and shaped the cultural and political landscape of Kansas for generations to come, at its founding. Today, it is a cultural hub in the state, with several theaters, restaurants, music venues, bars, clubs, churches, and landmarks. This town, and the surrounding county, is oozing with history from the pre-Civil War Bleeding Kansas era, and there is much to explore.

Watch

The Day After. A 1980's movie about life in Lawrence before and after a hypothetical World War III. (updated Apr 2019)

Get in

By car

Interstate 70. On the north edge of town.
State Highway Kansas 10. Access from southwest metropolitan Kansas City on the south edge of town.
US 24 and US 40. East-west access from Topeka and Kansas City (24 immediately north of town and 40 through the center of town).
US 59. North-south access from Ottawa and Atchison through the center of town.

By bus

The K-10 Connector (RideKC Route 510). The K-10 Connector runs between Overland Park and Lawrence on weekdays. Services are limited during KU summer term and school breaks and holidays. $3 one-way.
38.97324-95.234871 Greyhound Bus (Stops at 2447 W 6TH Street.). Two buses run from Kansas City, Missouri to Lawrence before continuing to Topeka. The trip from Kansas City takes about an hour. Other buses run from Topeka and Wichita. After you arrive at the bus stop, you can catch the number 6 local bus to downtown Lawrence. (updated Apr 2019)

By train

Amtrak provides one daily service via the Southwest Chief route. Westbound trains, from Chicago bound for Los Angeles stops just before midnight while eastbound trains rolls in to Lawrence early morning. The 38.971258-95.2303812 Lawrence Amtrak station is at 413 E 7th St. There's no bus stop directly at the station, however 7th & New Hampshire station is just a few minutes walk away.

By plane

Kansas City International Airport (MCI^IATA) 46 miles east-northeast. The closest airport to Lawrence with commercial airlines operating, and a major Southwest hub. Service also available on major airlines to large domestic hubs (Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Memphis, Detroit, Salt Lake City, Cincinnati, Cleveland, New York, Houston)
39.0111-95.21643 Lawrence Municipal Airport (LWC ^IATA). A small airfiled, no scheduled service, only corporate and private jets. (updated Apr 2019)

Get around

Map of Lawrence (Kansas)

The central part of the city, consisting of the downtown, the KU campus, and the student-filled neighborhoods in between is easily walkable. The Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau's Visitor Information Center offers brochures for self-guided walking tours in the city. Outside of the central part of the city, cars are king. Cabs are cheap, though uncommon.

By bus

Lawrence has a fairly good and inexpensive bus system, known as the T. Before January 1st, 2023, the fare was only $1 and would get you one transfer or you could pay $2.75 for a day pass. However, through 2023, you no longer required a bus pass to ride the T due to the Fare Free Pilot Project. The website is on Lawrencetransit and there a bus to the Overland Park campus k-10-connector ^{[formerly dead link]} . The transit stops are on Google transit and searchable there, excluding the K-10 connector. In early 2024, a new central bus station is expected to be finished on 15th St. between Kasold and Iowa.

By taxi

Jayhawk Taxi, 850 E 13th St, +1 785 843-8294, M-Sa Hotline Open at 8AM.
Ground Transportation Inc. 301 Maple St, +1 785 838-4500. $9 anywhere in town, 24/7 hours open.
Lawrence Taxi +1 785 304-6748. Th-Sa Part-time.
Uber is also available in Lawrence, as far as the south border of Douglas County, and up to Lecompton, Kansas.

By bike

The city is relatively bike-friendly, and has had a good reputation among the biking community.

See

38.958056-95.2477781 The University of Kansas. Locally known as "KU", and built on Mount Oread. Campus is simply beautiful and has been called "one of the most picturesque campuses in all of America." Walk around and enjoy a picnic next to Potter Lake, or visit historic Allen Fieldhouse on Naismith Drive, or Kansas Memorial Stadium on Fambrough Drive. Several of the buildings on campus are on the National Register of Historic Places. (updated Feb 2024)
38.958611-95.2438892 University of Kansas Natural History Museum, 1345 Jayhawk Blvd (Catch the #11 bus from 7th street and Vermont in downtown.), ☏ +1 785-864-4450. Tu-Sa 9AM — 5PM, Su noon — 4PM; closed on Mondays and major holidays. See the Panorama of North American Mammals and Comanche, the famous horse. Free but donations of $7 adults, and $4 children are accepted.
There's an interesting rock mural on North Side of the river which was created by local artist Stan Herd. It is visible from the Massachusetts Street Bridge.
38.97153-95.235553 Liberty Hall (on the corner of 7th and Massachusetts). See a film, theatre production, live concert, art show, wedding or any number of other things at the multifunctional Liberty Hall. (Serves Free State Beer on tap, including during films)
38.961625-95.2421324 Solidarity Library, 1204 Oread Ave. community-run library of over 4,000 rare & radical books and zines). free.
38.954306-95.2523945 Allen Fieldhouse ("The Phog"), 1651 Naismith Dr. Historic Allen Fieldhouse was built in 1955, named after Dr. Forrest C. "Phog" Allen, the most successful coach in Kansas basketball history, and recognized nationally as the "father of basketball coaching". The court is named after James Naismith, the inventor of the game of basketball, who was also the first basketball coach at KU (and ironically the only men's head coach who ended his KU tenure with a losing record). (updated Feb 2024)
38.9632-95.246376 David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium (Kansas World War I Memorial Stadium), 1101 Mississippi St. Home of the Kansas football team, Memorial Stadium is situated just north of Potter Lake, at the base of Campanile Hill, in the heart of Lawrence. Along with football games, the stadium also hosts summer movie nights, free of charge, open to the public. However, the stadium will be closed for the 2024 football season during renovations. The Jayhawks will play their 2024 home games in the two Kansas Cities, with non-conference games at Children's Mercy Park (home to Major League Soccer's Sporting Kansas City) in Kansas and conference games in Missouri at the Kansas City Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium. (updated Feb 2024)
38.96399-95.23627 Watkins Museum of History, 1047 Massachusetts St, ☏ +1 785-841-4109. Apr–Nov: Tu W F Sa 10AM-4PM, Th 10AM-8PM, May-Oct also on Su 1PM-4PM; Dec-Mar: Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. Closed on holidays. A history museum focusing on the history of Kansas and Lawrence, ran by the Douglas County Historical Society. The museum features permanent exhibits about Kansas history such as Bleeding Kansas and various changing exhibits. Its public spaces are fully accessible. The museum is free, but has a suggested donation. (updated Jul 2017)
38.9597-95.24468 Spencer Museum of Art, 1301 Mississippi St, ☏ +1 785 864-4710, spencerart@ku.edu. (updated Feb 2019)
Wells Overlook Park (Take Hwy. 56 south of the city to the N 1000 Rd. exit, driving eastbound on N 1000 Rd. for a few minutes until you see the sign). 6AM-10PM. Beautiful overlook of the city, complete with an observation tower. Great way to catch some beautiful views of the valley Lawerence is situated in. (updated Dec 2023)

Do

Kansas Memorial Stadium, University of Kansas

Kansas Men's Basketball. If you haven't seen the Jayhawks play in the heart of basketball season, you're missing out on one of the best events in the area, even if you're not a huge basketball fan. People from all over Kansas come to Allen Fieldhouse to cheer on this nationally acclaimed team that has been to countless Final Fours and Sweet Sixteens in its long history. Make sure you buy tickets well in advance, since they sell out fast. During any Kansas Men's basketball game, home or away, Massachusetts Street will be alive with people. (updated Apr 2017)
Kansas Football. The Jayhawks play their home games in Memorial Stadium. In the mid-2010s, the football program was troubled by coaching changes, but Memorial Stadium is regarded locally as one of the most underrated Division I stadiums in the country.
Kansas Soccer. The Jayhawks play women's college soccer at Rock Chalk Park in west Lawrence. They compete in the Big 12 conference.
Kansas Baseball. The Jayhawks play their baseball games in the heart of Lawrence, in Hoglund Ballpark, just south of Allen Fieldhouse.
Historic driving tour. Visits many of the sites involved Quantrill's Raid (the Lawrence Massacre) in 1863. You can also see many of these sites on the Quantrill's Raid
38.9358-95.36831 Clinton Lake State Park, 798 North 1415 Rd, ☏ +1 785-842-8562. The park is just outside of town and provides opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, hunting, and camping.

Learn

University of Kansas, home of the Spencer Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History (Dyche Hall), the "Lone Survivor" of the Battle of Little Bighorn, and the Dole Institute of Politics at 2350 Petefish Drive. The flagship university of the state of Kansas, and regarded as one of the most beautiful university campuses in the Heartland.
38.939722-95.2327781 Haskell Indian Nations University, 155 Indian Ave, ☏ +1 785 749-8404. Haskell has served as an institution of learning for Native Americans since 1884. (updated Jan 2022)

Buy

Massachusetts Street is the downtown shopping district. You can find anything from incense burners to sporting goods. Allergy sufferers, take note: several local merchants (the Dusty Bookshelf, Love Garden Sounds, and Sunflower Outdoor) have resident cats. The 23rd Street in the south has many shopping places and Iowa/31st Street is home to Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe's, Chick-fil-A, Hobby Lobby, Best Buy, and other big box stores.

Eat

Many restaurants are on Massachusetts Street in the historic downtown.

38.96877-95.235681 Limestone Pizza, 814 Massachusetts, ☏ +1 785 856-2825. Delicious, locally sourced, minimally processed & hand-crafted pizza.
Pizza Shuttle, ☏ +1 785-842-1212. Dirt cheap, open late. Everybody's top choice for post-bar dining.
38.97049-95.236192 Bigg's on Mass, 719 Massachusetts. Barbecue.
38.96573-95.235173 India Palace, 124 E. 10th St, ☏ +1 785 331-4300. Authentic Indian food. Lunch buffet every day.
38.9591-95.278614 Jade Garden, 1410 Kasold Dr, ☏ +1 785 843-8650. Chinese and Vietnamese food. Delivery available for orders over $10.
38.96935-95.308345 Johnny's Tavern West, 721 Wakarusa Dr. Pizza, sandwiches and other bar food. Great place to watch a game or play pool.
Kokoro, 601 Kasold Dr, ☏ +1 785 838-4134. Japanese grill and sushi.
38.97098-95.235546 Rudy's Pizzeria, 704 Massachusetts, ☏ +1 785 749-0055. Unassuming location with great pizza. Free delivery.
38.96503-95.235547 Sylas and Maddy's, 1014 Massachusetts, ☏ +1 785 832-8323. Sells ice cream.
38.97241-95.278658 Tortas Jalisco, 534 Frontier, ☏ +1 785 865-1515. Authentic Mexican food.
Thai Siam, 601 S. Kasold Dr, ☏ +1 785 331-2525. Thai and Chinese food in what used to be a Subway (really).
38.94314-95.258439 Yello Sub, 1814 W. 23rd St, ☏ +1 785 843-6000. Locally owned sandwich shop with a number of vegetarian options. Delivery available.
38.96891-95.2361910 Zen Zero, 811 Massachusetts, ☏ +1 785 832-0001. Thai, Nepalese, and Japanese noodle shop. Prices are low, and the atmosphere is casual.
38.96529-95.2361611 Encore Cafe, 1007 Massachusetts St, ☏ +1 785-856-3682. Specializes in Asian-American food, and bubble tea. Karaoke rooms available.
38.96966-95.2361912 Jefferson's, 743 Massachusetts St (in the heart of the Mass Street downtown area), ☏ +1 785 832-2000. Classic burgers, great fried chicken baskets, crinkle cut fries, oysters, and fried pickles (updated Apr 2017)
38.96916-95.236213 The Burger Stand, 803 Massachusetts Street, ☏ +1 785 856-0543. Gourmet burgers, average price around $9.00 for a meal. $5.00 classic American burger basket 10PM to closing time. (updated Apr 2017)
Taco Zone, 13 East 8th Street, ☏ +1 785 424-7123. Affordable and tasty Mexican food.

Drink

Lawrence has a varied nightlife with a number of opportunities to see live music. For a calendar of upcoming shows, visit Lawrence.com

38.96972-95.234941 ^{[dead link]} The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, ☏ +1 785 841-LIVE (5483). 6PM-2AM. Live music venue featuring a range of local and national rock music.
38.97191-95.235622 Free State Brewing Company, 636 Massachusetts, ☏ +1 785 843-4555. This microbrewery and eatery claims to be the 'First Legal Brewery in Kansas'. Monday nights offer $1.50 pints of tasty microbrew.
38.96496-95.235533 Fatso's, 1016 Massachusetts A Pl, ☏ +1 785 865-4055. To have a beer and enjoy some live music most nights of the week. Wednesday nights are the busiest here and usually have the best drink specials.
38.96522-95.236194 Louise's, 1009 Mass, ☏ +1 785-843-9032. One of the few Lawrence bars frequented by both locals and students, featuring pool tables, foosball, and a double-decker heated outdoor smoking deck.
38.95803-95.241075 The Wheel. College bar (updated Feb 2019)
38.96583-95.235676 Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St, ☏ +1 785 749-7676. Lawrence's home for local and national punk and indie rock. It's also has a collection of pinball machines and a large heated smoking porch to keep you from shivering while you smoke and swill your PBR.

Sleep

Mid-range

38.971034-95.2363241 The Eldridge Hotel, 701 Massachusetts St, ☏ +1 785-749-5011, info@eldridgehotel.com. The Eldridge Hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places - as one of the buildings that Quantrill burned during his raid of the city in 1863. Room rates climb higher the weekend of KU graduation. $120-$145.
38.965392-95.240352 Halcyon House Bed & Breakfast, 1000 Ohio St, ☏ +1 785-841-0314, toll-free: +1-888-441-0314. A lovely bed and breakfast with rooms to suit most budgets. Within walking distance to the city center (and all the shopping and eateries on Massachusetts St.) and the University of Kansas. Delicious homemade breakfast that will give you a good start to the day. Helpful tourist information is provided by the owners upon request. $55-149.
38.962174-95.2425673 The Oread Hotel, 1200 Oread Ave (Located beside the campus of the University of Kansas.), ☏ +1 785-842-1200, toll-free: +1-877-263-6347, info@theoread.com. The Oread is a unique center for lodging, hospitality, business and social leisure activities.

Splurge

TownePlace Downtown, 900 New Hampshire St (right across the street from Massachusetts Street), ☏ +1 785 842-8800. Great views overlooking the Kansas River (updated Jul 2017)
Spring Hill Suites, 1 Riverfront Plaza (on the shoreline of the Kansas River), ☏ +1 785 841-2700. (updated Jul 2017)

Connect

38.9708-95.23752 Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St, ☏ +1 785-843-3833. Home to thousands upon thousands of books and media, as well as a free, growing video game collection. (updated Apr 2019)
38.9717-95.237583 Lawrence Post Office. (updated Apr 2019)

Go next

Routes through Lawrence

Albuquerque ← Topeka ←	W E	→ Kansas City → Chicago
Hays/Wichita ← Topeka ←	W E	→ Kansas City, KS → Kansas City, MO
St. Joseph ← Atchison ←	N S	→ Ottawa → Miami

This city travel guide to Lawrence is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.