//
City and county seat in Kansas, United States
Photo: Ian Ballinger, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
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.
See the Panorama of North American Mammals and Comanche, the famous horse.
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)
community-run library of over 4,000 rare & radical books and zines).
"The Phog"
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).
Kansas World War I Memorial Stadium
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.
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.
Beautiful overlook of the city, complete with an observation tower. Great way to catch some beautiful views of the valley Lawrence is situated in.
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.
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
The park is just outside of town and provides opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, hunting, and camping.
Delicious, locally sourced, minimally processed & hand-crafted pizza.
Dirt cheap, open late. Everybody's top choice for post-bar dining.
Barbecue.
Authentic Indian food. Lunch buffet every day.
Chinese and Vietnamese food. Delivery available for orders over $10.
Pizza, sandwiches and other bar food. Great place to watch a game or play pool.
Japanese grill and sushi.
Unassuming location with great pizza. Free delivery.
Sells ice cream.
Authentic Mexican food.
Thai and Chinese food in what used to be a Subway (really).
Locally owned sandwich shop with a number of vegetarian options. Delivery available.
Thai, Nepalese, and Japanese noodle shop. Prices are low, and the atmosphere is casual.
Specializes in Asian-American food, and bubble tea. Karaoke rooms available.
Classic burgers, great fried chicken baskets, crinkle cut fries, oysters, and fried pickles
Gourmet burgers, average price around $9.00 for a meal. $5.00 classic American burger basket 10PM to closing time.
Affordable and tasty Mexican food.
Live music venue featuring a range of local and national rock music.
This microbrewery and eatery claims to be the 'First Legal Brewery in Kansas'. Monday nights offer $1.50 pints of tasty microbrew.
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.
One of the few Lawrence bars frequented by both locals and students, featuring pool tables, foosball, and a double-decker heated outdoor smoking deck.
College bar
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.
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.
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.
The Oread is a unique center for lodging, hospitality, business and social leisure activities.
Great views overlooking the Kansas River
By bus
By train
Amtrak provides one daily service via the Southwest Chief route.
By plane
By bus
Lawrence has a fairly good and inexpensive bus system, known as the T.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.
By taxi
By bike
The city is relatively bike-friendly, and has had a good reputation among the biking community.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Kansas City · International · MCI
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Lawrence (Kansas) and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.