Lawrence
Around Lawrence
Photo: Ian Ballinger · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Kansas · 121k people
Lawrence
“LFK”, “Boulder of the Plains”, “River City”
A lively college town with a creative soul
KU CrimsonKU Blue
Welcome to Lawrence, where the prairie meets the college town vibe. Whether you're here for the Jayhawks, the trails, or the food, you'll find a friendly community ready to share its favorites.
Clubs for Lawrence
No clubs for Lawrence yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Lawrence. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Lawrence. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Allen Fieldhouse Home of KU basketball, known for its deafening crowd.
- Memorial Stadium KU football stadium with views of the campus.
- Clinton Lake A reservoir with trails, fishing, and boating.
- Baker Wetlands A 1,000-acre wetland with boardwalks and birdwatching.
- Massachusetts Street Downtown's main strip with shops, restaurants, and nightlife.
- Spencer Museum of Art Art museum on KU campus with diverse collections.
- Outdoors Hike or bike the trails around Clinton Lake
- Outdoors Paddle on Clinton Lake
- With kids Visit the KU Natural History Museum
- With kids Spend a day at Clinton Lake State Park
- Evenings Catch a concert at the Granada Theater
- Evenings See live music at the Bottleneck
- Locals love Coffee shops
- Locals love Craft breweries
Through the year
- Free State Festival June Film, music, and art festival in June.
- Lawrence Busker Festival July Street performers and buskers take over downtown in July.
- Lawrence Art in the Park September Juried art fair in South Park every September.
- Lawrence Farmers Market May–October Weekly market with local produce and crafts, May through October.
- KU Jayhawks football Fall Home games at Memorial Stadium on fall Saturdays.
Lawrence has four distinct seasons with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Spring and fall are the most pleasant times to be outdoors. Best: Spring and fall are the most pleasant times to be outdoors.
Talk like a local
- “Rock Chalk”
- The KU chant, used as a greeting or cheer.
- “Mass Street”
- Short for Massachusetts Street, downtown's main drag.
- “LFK”
- Abbreviation for Lawrence, Kansas.
- “The Hill”
- The KU campus area.
Getaways
- Kansas City Big-city attractions, museums, and BBQ.
- Topeka State capital with museums and the zoo.
- Manhattan Flint Hills scenery and K-State campus.
- Ottawa Quaint downtown and historic sites.
Local flavour
Teams
- Kansas Jayhawks NCAA Division I
Also rooting for Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), Kansas City Royals (MLB), Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Eat and drink
- Kansas City-style BBQ Burnt ends and smoked meats are popular, though more associated with KC metro.
- Bison burgers Kansas is bison country; local restaurants often serve them.
- Craft beer A vibrant local brewery scene, including Free State Brewing Co.
Where people go
- College campus The University of Kansas campus, with its iconic buildings and Memorial Stadium.
- Downtown Mass Street The historic main street lined with shops, restaurants, and bars.
- Clinton Lake A large reservoir offering boating, fishing, and trails.
- Prairie trails Hiking and biking paths through the rolling Kansas plains.
- Historic buildings 19th-century architecture, including the Lecompton Constitution Hall.
Heritage and traditions
Lawrence is proud of its Free State heritage, its vibrant arts and music scene, and its deep ties to the University of Kansas and the Jayhawks.
This time of year in Lawrence
- Maple Leaf Festival October Held in Baldwin City, features a parade, crafts, and maple-themed treats.
- Maple Leaf Festival October Held in Baldwin City, features a parade, crafts, and maple-themed treats.
Say it like a local: “The Hill” — Refers to the KU campus area.
Festivals
- Maple Leaf Festival October Held in Baldwin City, features a parade, crafts, and maple-themed treats.
- Eudora Community Chicken Dinner September A small-town fundraiser dinner with chicken and sides.
- Lawrence Old Settlers' Day August Celebrates the city's founding with a parade and family activities.
- Haskell Indian Nations University Spring Powwow April A traditional gathering with dance, music, and crafts.
- Lawrence Jazz Festival September Live jazz performances across the city.
- Lecompton Territorial Days June Reenactments and community events in Lecompton.
Landmarks with a story
- Lecompton Constitution Hall Where the pro-slavery constitution was drafted during Bleeding Kansas.
- Haskell Indian Nations University A Native American university with a rich cultural heritage.
- Eldridge Hotel Rebuilt after Quantrill's Raid, a symbol of resilience.
- Old West Lawrence Historic District Victorian-era homes and tree-lined streets.
- Baker University The oldest university in Kansas, founded in 1858.
Food traditions
- Maple Leaf Festival treats During the Maple Leaf Festival in Baldwin City, locals enjoy maple-flavored pastries and candies.
- Eudora Chicken Dinner The Eudora Community Chicken Dinner is a yearly tradition where the whole town gathers for a fried chicken meal.
- Farm-to-table dining Lawrence has a strong farm-to-table movement, with many restaurants sourcing from local farms.
- Tailgating with sunflower seeds At Jayhawks games, fans often snack on sunflower seeds, a nod to Kansas's sunflower state nickname.
- Coffee culture Lawrence's independent coffee shops are a staple, with locals gathering for study sessions and conversations.
Music and arts
- Indie rock scene Lawrence has a thriving indie music community, with bands like The Get Up Kids and The Anniversary emerging from it.
- Lawrence Arts Center A hub for visual and performing arts, offering classes and exhibitions.
- Haskell's Native American arts The university preserves and showcases Native American crafts and traditions.
- Historic limestone architecture The Oread neighborhood features many limestone buildings, a distinctive Kansas style.
A little history
- 1854 Lawrence founded by anti-slavery settlers from New England.
- 1863 Quantrill's Raid destroys much of the town.
- 1865 University of Kansas established.
- 1884 Haskell Institute (now Haskell Indian Nations University) founded.
- 1950s Lawrence played a role in the Civil Rights Movement, with sit-ins at local businesses.
Rivalries
- KU vs Kansas State The Sunflower Showdown in basketball and football.
- KU vs Missouri The Border War, historically intense in basketball.
- Game day Midnight Madness
- Game day Rock Chalk chant
- Outdoors Cycling the Lawrence Loop
- Outdoors Fishing in the Kansas River
- With kids Lawrence Public Library storytime
- With kids South Park playground
People in Lawrence speak with a general Midwestern accent, but the university brings a mix of accents. Common phrases include 'Rock Chalk' as a cheer, 'Mass Street' for Massachusetts Street, and 'KU' for the university.
Only here
- The Rock Chalk Jayhawk chant originated at KU and is unique to Lawrence.
- Lawrence is home to the only remaining building of the Free State movement? Not sure.
- The Oread neighborhood is the highest point in Lawrence, offering panoramic views.
- Lawrence has a dedicated bike boulevard network, making it a bike-friendly city.
New here? A few tips
- Learn the Rock Chalk chant before attending a Jayhawks game.
- Get used to the wind and the changing seasons.
- Take advantage of the bike lanes and the Lawrence Loop.
- Explore the historic downtown on Mass Street.
- Check out the local music scene at venues on Mass Street.
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Part of Kansas City area
Nearby
Every areaTopekaKansasHeart of the prairie, home of the capitol.OttawaKansasSunflower country, warm hearts.Kansas CityMissouriSmoky barbecue, fountains, and a roar that shakes the stadium.AtchisonKansasWhere the river bends and history takes flight.St. JosephMissouriWhere the river meets the wild west.EmporiaKansasWhere the prairie meets the sky.ManhattanKansasWhere the Flint Hills meet the purple pride.WarrensburgMissouriWhere the prairie meets the sky
Lawrence, KS. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.