Recommendations for Lawrence, KS
Food Scene
Lawrence has a great selection of locally owned restaurants, coffee shops and other great establishments. Here are some of the local favorites.
Merchants Pub and Plate
746 Massachusetts StAwesome for fine dining!
Munchers Bakery
925 Iowa StBest donuts in town!
Food, brewed beer, night life in the heart of downtown.
65 locals recommend
Free State Brewing Company
636 Massachusetts StFood, brewed beer, night life in the heart of downtown.
Great little corner bakery. Stop in for a pastry and a coffee and enjoy the vibe.
25 locals recommend
1900 Barker Bakery and Cafe
1900 Barker AveGreat little corner bakery. Stop in for a pastry and a coffee and enjoy the vibe.
Original...and perhaps the best coffee shop in town. Located in an old bus terminal. Check it out!
9 locals recommend
La Prima Tazza
638 Massachusetts StOriginal...and perhaps the best coffee shop in town. Located in an old bus terminal. Check it out!
The Bourgeois Pig
6 E 9th StCoffee shop
Encore Cafe
1007 Massachusetts StThe best Chinese food in town, hands down!
India Palace
129 E 10th StGreat Indian food
Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt
4801 Bauer Farm DrBest frozen yogurt in town.
First Watch
11112 W 63rd StGreat for breakfast, lunch or brunch!
Great locally owned bar & grill and an awesome place to watch KU games, Chiefs football or Royals baseball. Awesome burgers!
Set'em Up Jacks
1800 E 23rd StGreat locally owned bar & grill and an awesome place to watch KU games, Chiefs football or Royals baseball. Awesome burgers!
Get your sushi fix in a fun and unique atmosphere! My personal favorite is the Bay Roll...my husband prefers the Hot Night. Try them all!
Sushi Station Revolving Sushi Bar
1606 Louisiana StGet your sushi fix in a fun and unique atmosphere! My personal favorite is the Bay Roll...my husband prefers the Hot Night. Try them all!
Biemer's BBQ
2120 W 9th Stwww.biemers.com
Established 2006, the 23rd St Brewery is a small, locally owned brewpub in Lawrence, KS, and is located on the west side of Lawrence going towards beautiful Clinton Lake.
11 locals recommend
23rd Street Brewery
3512 Clinton ParkwayEstablished 2006, the 23rd St Brewery is a small, locally owned brewpub in Lawrence, KS, and is located on the west side of Lawrence going towards beautiful Clinton Lake.
J. Wilson's
4821 W 6th StNew American cuisine.
jwilsonsrestaurant.com
The Mad Greek
907 Massachusetts StGreek/Italian in the heart of Downtown Lawrence
Sylas and Maddy's Homemade Ice Cream
1101 Massachusetts StDrinks & Nightlife
West Coast Saloon
2222 Iowa StGood old fashion bar w/juke box, pool tables and dart boards.
John Brown Underground
7 E 7th StThe Sandbar
17 E 8th StThe Granada
1020 Massachusetts StDifferent bands and shows every weekend
Locally owned Bar & Grill with an active night scene and adjacent to a bowling alley.
Wayne & Larry's Sports Bar & Grill
933 Iowa StLocally owned Bar & Grill with an active night scene and adjacent to a bowling alley.
Jazzhaus
926 Massachusetts StLive music!
Parks & Nature
Baker Wetlands Discovery Center
1365 N 1250 Rd
Clinton Lake
The Baker Wetlands is a nature preserve and artificially sustained wetland, spanning approximately 927 acres south of Lawrence, Kansas, United States. It is associated with the Wakarusa River and sustained by levees and flood controls built in the 1990s.
Baker Wetlands
The Baker Wetlands is a nature preserve and artificially sustained wetland, spanning approximately 927 acres south of Lawrence, Kansas, United States. It is associated with the Wakarusa River and sustained by levees and flood controls built in the 1990s.
Lawrence Riverfront Loop is a 8.8 mile loop trail located near Lawrence, Kansas that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and mountain biking. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Lawrence Loop Trailhead
Lawrence Riverfront Loop is a 8.8 mile loop trail located near Lawrence, Kansas that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and mountain biking. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Things to do
How do you Relax and unwind? With a massage, mud facial acupuncture or hot tub soak and sauna? Try it! You won’t be sorry!
Mud & Lotus: Outdoor Soaking Tub and Sauna
841 New Hampshire StHow do you Relax and unwind? With a massage, mud facial acupuncture or hot tub soak and sauna? Try it! You won’t be sorry!
One of the best full-service marinas in Kansas sits within Clinton State Park. Boat rentals, a deli, outdoor supplies, fishing and hunting licenses, wifi, courtesy slips, convenience store, fuel, are just a few of the things available at the marina. It also has dry boat storage and almost 500 rental slips with water and electricity.
https://clintonmarina.com/
Clinton Marina, Inc.
1329 East 800 RoadOne of the best full-service marinas in Kansas sits within Clinton State Park. Boat rentals, a deli, outdoor supplies, fishing and hunting licenses, wifi, courtesy slips, convenience store, fuel, are just a few of the things available at the marina. It also has dry boat storage and almost 500 rental slips with water and electricity.
https://clintonmarina.com/
Located in downtown Lawrence, opened in 1997, Sunfire Ceramics is a great place to make your own Gifts, Art and Jewelry.
Sunfire Ceramics
1002 New Hampshire StLocated in downtown Lawrence, opened in 1997, Sunfire Ceramics is a great place to make your own Gifts, Art and Jewelry.
Royal Crest Lanes
933 Iowa StBowling with an adjacent locally owned Bar & Grill
Arts & Culture
Lawrence Arts Center
940 New Hampshire StWatkins Museum of History
1047 Massachusetts StLawrence History
This is a great stop whether visiting alone or with kids.
21 locals recommend
KU Natural History Museum--Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk BlvdThis is a great stop whether visiting alone or with kids.
Spencer Museum of Art
1301 Mississippi StTheatre Lawrence
4660 Bauer Farm DriveGreat local theatre 🎭
Essentials
Dillons Food Store
1740 Massachusetts StSalad Bar, Chinese & Deli. Starbucks Coffee Shop
Checkers Foods
2300 Louisiana StLocally owned grocery store.
Lawrence Laundromat
711 W 23rd St24-hour laundromat just around the corner. Clean and accepts credit/debit cards.
Scotch Dry Cleaners
1526 West 23rd StreetLocal Dry Cleaners
http://scotchcleaners.com/
Sightseeing
Check out this park nestled in the heart of Kansas University with a view of the famous Campanili and the KU football stadium
Potter Lake
Check out this park nestled in the heart of Kansas University with a view of the famous Campanili and the KU football stadium
University of Kansas
1450 Jayhawk BlvdGreat historical buildings
Settled by members of the New England Emigrant Aid Company on August 1, 1854, what is now the town site of Lawrence was forged on the anvil of the Civil War. During its Territorial days, Lawrence was defended by John Brown in the 1855 Wakarusa War, sacked by sheriff Sam Jones in 1856, and was designated the free state capital of the Kansas Territory from 1857-1860. At least 143 men were massacred on August 21, 1863 when Lawrence was burned to the ground by the pro-slavery forces of William Quantrill. Much of the town was rebuilt following the raid, and some of those buildings still stand; bronze plaques mark the most significant historic structures. Exhibits of those pioneer years and Lawrence’s free state heritage are on display at the Watkins Museum.
10 locals recommend
Downtown Lawrence Inc
833-1/2 Massachusetts StSettled by members of the New England Emigrant Aid Company on August 1, 1854, what is now the town site of Lawrence was forged on the anvil of the Civil War. During its Territorial days, Lawrence was defended by John Brown in the 1855 Wakarusa War, sacked by sheriff Sam Jones in 1856, and was designated the free state capital of the Kansas Territory from 1857-1860. At least 143 men were massacred on August 21, 1863 when Lawrence was burned to the ground by the pro-slavery forces of William Quantrill. Much of the town was rebuilt following the raid, and some of those buildings still stand; bronze plaques mark the most significant historic structures. Exhibits of those pioneer years and Lawrence’s free state heritage are on display at the Watkins Museum.