Lawrence Activities

From their website: 

The Basil Leaf is a small and unique locally owned cafe that offers fresh and affordable made from scratch cuisine.

Cost: $$

616 West 9th Street

Sunday-Thursday | 4:00-9:00pm

Friday-Saturday | 4:00-10:00pm

From their website:

The Burger Stand got its start in an Irish pub kitchen in 2009, since relocating to the Casbah at 803 Massachusetts in historic Downtown Lawrence and expanding to Topeka in 2011, The Burger Stand has a large menu of gourmet burgers, hawt doggz, a large vegetarian menu and so many sides (fries galore!) and a free sauce bar. Our bar menus specialize in classic, American cocktails as well as carefully curated craft beers on tap and over 100 bottles.

Cost: $$

803 Massachusetts Street

Tuesday-Sunday | 11:00am-10:00pm

From their website:

Culinaria is the creation of long-time Lawrence residents, Aaron and Regan Pillar, opening as a catering company in 2009 and transforming into a weekend restaurant in the fall of 2017. Located in one of east Lawrence’s most historic buildings, Culinaria features made-from-scratch, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, delicious wines and both classic and craft cocktails.

Reopened April 15, 2021, Culinaria features a large, outdoor area for patio dining along with indoor dining and curbside take-out.

Cost: $$

512 East 9th Street

Thursday-Saturday | 3:30-9:00pm

Looking for a place for great burgers and better wings? Henry T’s has got you covered! With locations in both Lawrence and Topeka, both restaurants offer many TV’s with all the sports packages so you can watch your favorite team while enjoying great food and great beer.

Cost: $$

3520 West 6th Street

Sunday | 11:30am-6:30pm

Monday-Thursday | 4:00-8:30pm

Friday-Saturday | 11:30am-9:30pm

From their Facebook page:

Specializing in our house-made all-natural sausages, Leeway Frank’s offers high quality comfort food made with local ingredients!

Lee Meisel was raised on his family’s certified Angus cattle ranch in Sioux County, North Dakota. Schooled in old-world style butchery, sausage making and meat preparation methodology, Lee brought his trade to Lawrence, Kansas in 2005.

After obtaining a Business degree from Haskell Indian Nations University, Lee spent several years as the in-house butcher for 715 Restaurant in downtown Lawrence before opening Leeway Franks in 2015 and neighboring establishment, Leeway Butcher, in 2018.

Leeway Franks is committed to providing Lawrence and the surrounding community with the highest quality sausage and prepared meats while sourcing our meats, cheeses, breads, and seasonal produce from local farmers and purveyors.

Cost: $

935 Iowa Street, No. 7

Tuesday-Saturday | 11:00am-8:00pm

Once you eat at Seb’s you’ll be planning all your trips around the three days this restaurant is open! This unique restaurant combines dumplings with flavors of all kinds of cultures – Beef Mole Enchilada Dumplings, Chilli Willy Dumplings, Beef & Broccoli Dumplings, and more! With other offerings like fried chicken fried rice, an eclectic range of soups, and a fried chicken dish to die for this is a restaurant you don’t want to miss! 

Cost: $$

2210 Iowa Street

Thursday | 11:30am-7:30pm

Friday | 11:30am-9:00pm

Saturday | 11:00am-9:00pm

From their website:

Since 1991 Papa Keno’s has been hand crafting their east coast-style pizza and huge signature slices as they strive to bring the absolute highest quality to their customers in everything they do. That is why they make their dough daily and source locally grown fresh ingredients whenever possible. Their menu offers more than just their famous slices, they also offer an amazing variety of specialty pizzas, Sicilian Pizza, Calzones, sandwiches on fresh baked bread, fresh salads, our amazing sides like their pesto formagio dip, and their tomato garlic cream cheese dip with fresh baked breadsticks and a great selection of beers, wine, and other beverages to wet the whistle.

Cost: $

837 Massachusetts Street

Sunday-Thursday | 11:00am-9:00pm

Friday-Saturday | 11:00am-10:00pm

From their website:

The Rusty Taco comes from their founder, Rusty Fenton, who along with his wife Denise and partner Steve Dunn opened the first Rusty Taco in Dallax, TX in 2010. But the story starts well before that time…

Rusty loved to eat, and he loved to travel – and one love often led to the other. That was the case on the day he and his wife were coming in from a day of fishing in Acapulco, Mexico. Rusty spotted two women selling tacos on the street. From the first bite of that fish ceviche taco, he was hooked. Rusty’s commitment to making everything fresh and by hand inspires the Lawrence location daily, but his “little taco stand” is more than just a place to eat and drink. He always wanted it to be a place where everyone would feel welcome. That’s why Rusty Taco makes it all with love – from their warm chips to their ice-cold margaritas – so no matter who you are, if you’re hungry, you’re in the right place.

Cost: $

945 Massachusetts Street

Sunday | 10:00am-10:00pm

Monday-Wednesday | 10:00-12:00am

Thursday-Saturday | 10:00am-Late

Open since 2009 this award winning, locally owned and operated American Italian restaurant features inspired handmade food, inventive cocktails, and an extensive wine list. It’s truly difficult to describe just how good this place is!

Cost: $$$

715 Massachusetts Street

Tuesday-Wednesday | 3:00-9:00pm

Thursday-Saturday | 3:00-10:00pm

From their website:

The love of Lawrence, of brewing beer, and of good food translated into a passion for hometown hospitality in our founders. Opening a brewery and restaurant in the heart of Downtown Lawrence was a merging of family ideals, passion, experience, and timing.

Kathryn and her father Bill are Lawrence originals. Kathryn graduated from Lawrence High in 1981, received her BA in Marketing in 1985, finished her Law Degree in 1991, and earned her MBA in 2002 – all from KU. Kathryn has been a practicing attorney for 27 years, and she has a unique palate for craft beer. She can pick a winning recipe better than anyone we know.

Bill graduated in 1962 from KU with a degree in Chemistry, and he retired in Lawrence in 1995. He and his wife Becky live in East Lawrence and are avid supporters of all things Lawrence. Bill is a member of the Lawrence Kiwanis Club and the New Generation Society, as well as a season ticket holder at the Lied Center and former member of the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra, where he played violin. Bill loves craft beer and frequents breweries in Lawrence.

Cost: $$

623 Massachusetts Street

Sunday-Thursday | 11:00am-10:00pm

Friday-Saturday | 11:00am-11:00pm

Crescent Moon Winery Tasting Room offers a wide variety of wines that will appeal to a range of tastes, from dry to sweet. Their vineyard, located on the outskirts of Lawrence, grows white grapes for Riesling, Vignoles, Seyval Blanc, Chardonel, Edelweiss, and Gruner Veltliner. The red grapes they grow are Cabernet Franc, St Croix, Noiret, Norton and Chambourcin.

Cost: $$

732 Massachusetts Street

Thursday-Saturday | 12:00-6:00pm

Sunday | 12:00-5:00pm

(psst…visit their winery and stroll through their vineyards at 15930 246th Street – open Saturday and Sunday 12:00-5:00pm!)

In 1989, Free State Brewing Company became the first legal brewery in Kansas in over 100 years. Since opening the doors at our Mass Street HQ, we’ve been working day in and day out to be a haven for beer lovers, where good beer and good food can inspire lively conversations and memorable experiences.

Cost: $

636 Massachusetts Street

Monday-Saturday | 11:00am-9:00pm

Sunday | 11:30am-9:00pm

Thursday – Saturday | Bar Service until 10:00pm

From their Facebook:

John Brown’s Underground is a cocktail palace in beautiful downtown Lawrence, located on 7th between Mass and New Hampshire.

Sometimes celebrated as a freedom fighter and sometimes vilified as a madman and murderer, there was an inarguable intensity and commitment to abolitionist John Brown’s beliefs. “Old Osawatomie Brown” was captured and executed in 1859, but his spirit lives on here at 7 E 7th Street in our passion for craft cocktails and the hospitality experience.

Cost: $$

7 East 7th Street

Wednesday-Saturday | 5:00pm – Late

From their website:

Peach Madl opened the doors of The Sandbar in 1989. Located in beautiful downtown Lawrence, Kansas, and inspired by the free-spirited lifestyle of Key West and the music of Jimmy Buffett, the Sandbar is a tiny oasis for people from all walks of life. From University of Kansas students and returning alumni to local business people and tourists, the Sandbar’s tiki-bar atmosphere has something for everyone.

Enjoy one of our specialty tropical drinks like the Bahama Mama, the drink that started it all, or our best-selling Shark Attack, complete with a toy shark and blood. (Don’t worry, it’s just grenadine!) All of our concoctions are served with toys and beats. In fact, we’re still proud of our reader-voted award back in 2007, “Best Drink Trinket,” from Pitch Weekly, a Kansas City-area entertainment publication.

Our watering hole is small, but we proudly claim the best jukebox in Lawrence. A nostalgic mix of dance and party music entertains our customers, who are often found dancing on the bar alongside our staff to favorites like “Car Wash” and “Shake Your Tailfeathers.” The famous Indoor Hurricane attraction was added in 2002. The campy show blows through every night at 10pm and features a mix of wind, rain, and lightning; mermaids dancing on the bar; a video starring Sandbar friends and family (and sometimes a famous face or two).

The Sandbar has been voted as a Best Bar in Lawrence and managing partner and longtime bartender David Johanning has been voted Best Bartender in Lawrence since 2012 in the Best of Lawrence contest. The Sandbar offers an escape from everyday life – a place where you can kick back and relax with your favorite drink, chat with the bartenders and make new friends, dance or hang out on our outdoor patio.

Cost: $

17th East 8th Street

Sunday-Friday | 5:00pm-2:00am

Saturday | 1:00pm-2:00am

Looking for a place to catch the next KU game? 23rd Street Brewery is the place to be! Offering a wide variety of craft beer, great food, and amazing atmosphere, this restaurant and brewery is a great place to visit after a full day of professional development!

Cost: $$

3512 Clinton Parkway

Sunday-Thursday | 11:30am-9:00pm

Friday-Saturday | 11:30am-10:00pm

From their website:

The Booth Family Hall of Athletics is a 19,335-square-foot museum adjacent to the east side of Allen Fieldhouse. This facility opened in January 2006 and was expanded in 2009 and 2015. It is open year-round, allowing Jayhawk fans everywhere to experience the history and tradition of Kansas Athletics. The Hall honors KU’s historic athletics programs, its coaches and student-athletes, past and present.

In 2009, the Hall of Athletics took on a new look as part of a $7.9 million renovation to Allen Fieldhouse. This expansion opened up the east side of the concourse and added several interactive exhibits, a basketball championship trophy case, a new reception desk and allowed space to rearrange the existing exhibits, allowing for better traffic flow. The flooring in the new area is terrazzo, matching the existing Hall of Athletics, and new accent lighting was provided in the exhibit area. A new door system was added to allow better control and definition of the Hall of Athletics on non-game days.

The Booth Family Hall of Athletics underwent another renovation in 2015 which expanded the Hall of Athletics experience. New exhibits celebrate the legendary career of iconic KU basketball coach Phog Allen and his relationship with Naismith. The second-floor northeast concourse of Allen Fieldhouse serves as a corridor leading to the DeBruce Center and an exhibit that highlights Naismith’s contributions to KU and the world through basketball, fitness, and character.

Cost: FREE

1651 Naismith Drive

Monday-Saturday | 10:00am-5:00pm

From their website:

When Dr. James Naismith’s Original Rules of “Basket Ball” went up for auction in 2010 at Sotheby’s auction house in New York City, KU alumnus David Booth was determined to bring them home to the University of Kansas. KU is where Naismith lived for over half his life, where he saw the game of basketball mature into one of the most popular international sports, where he died and was laid to rest.

Rather than displaying the original rules in the Booth Hall of Athletics in Allen Fieldhouse, the decision was made to create a new facility – one that would serve not only as a shrine to the rules, but as a gathering place for the extended KU community. Paul DeBruce gave the lead gift for the 22-million dollar facility, and Kansas City-based architectural firm Gould Evans took on the project.

Cost: FREE

1647 Naismith Drive

Monday-Saturday | 10:00am-5:00pm

From their website:

The KU Natural History Museum is home to four floors of public exhibits including the historic Panorama; live snakes and insects; vertebrate and invertebrate fossils; parasites and microbes; and the flora and fauna of the Great Plains. The museum provides content-rich, hands-on informal science learning for school groups in grades K-12. These programs have reached more than 40,000 participants over the past decade. The museum also offers a wide range of public programs and events.

Cost: $

1345 Jayhawk Blvd.

Tuesday-Saturday | 9:00am-5:00pm

Sunday | 12:00-4:00pm

From their website: 

With a diverse collection of more than 47,000 art objects and works of cultural significants, the Spencer is the only comprehensive art museum in the state of Kansas and serves more than 10,000 visitors annually.

The Museum’s vision is to present its collection as a living archive that motivates object-centered research and teaching, creative work, and transformative public dialogue. The Spencer facilitates arts engagement and research through exhibitions, artist commissions and residencies, conferences, film screenings, musical and dramatic performances, artist- and scholar-led lectures, children’s art activities, and community arts and culture festivals.

The Spencer Museum of Art is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and participates in the Association of Art Museum Directors.

Cost: FREE

1301 Mississippi Street

Tuesday-Wednesday | 10:00am-5:00pm

Thursday | 10:00am-8:00pm

Friday | 10:00am-5:00pm

Saturday-Sunday | 12:00-5:00pm

From their website:

Lawrence is a community proud of its past. And the Watkins – where exhibits, activities, and interactive experiences reveal unique, historic, and sometimes unexpected stories – is the place to discover why.

Since 1975, the Watkins Museum of History, housed in the iconic 1888 Watkins Land Mortgage and National Bank Building in downtown Lawrence, has provided programs and public events, educational resources and activities, and changing exhibits that explore the heritage of Douglas County and connect the past with issues that affect our communities today. The Watkins is rich in resources to help researchers uncover their family history or learn more about the place where they live.

Cost: FREE

1047 Massachusetts Street

Tuesday-Saturday | 10:00am-4:00pm

From their Facebook:

Au Marche is proud to stock European food and bath-and-beauty items that are not easily found in most American grocery stores. They cater to people who are looking for a taste of their homeland or for a sentimental reminder of a favorite trip abroad.

Cost: $$

931 Massachusetts Street

Monday-Saturday | 10:00am-5:30pm

Sunday | 12:30-4:30pm

From their website:

Childhood friends and devoted Anglophiles, Sally Helm and Susie Pryor, opened Brits in a small side-street in the historic downtown shopping area of Lawrence, Kansas in the summer of 1995. Sally had just returned from a “life-changing” trip to England. She wanted to bring back and surround herself with a taste of the things she loved so much in the UK. Susie was working on a master’s degree in business at the time, so they teamed up and Brits was born. The biggest challenge getting started was convincing friends, family, and, of course, the bankers that it was a good idea.

Clearly it was a great idea, as Brits is still thriving. They’ve outgrown two locations now, and have been in their current location since 2003!

Cost: $$

929 Massachusetts Street

Monday-Saturday | 10:00am-5:30pm

Sunday | 12:30-4:30pm

From their website:

Located in historic downtown Lawrence, The Dusty Bookshelf has a happy spot at 708 Mass just down the street from local theater/music venue Liberty Hall and local brewery Free State, and across the street from the Eldridge Hotel (of Quantrill-fame). The store has been a beloved spot for cat and book lovers alike for over 20 years. We’ve loved our cats and have been lucky enough to have had four of them since opening in 1996 – Cleo, Maxine, sweet Alice, and Dinah-Mite. The community of Lawrence has made the store into a space filled with many diverse titles and genres, so there is a book for every reader within these walls! Kids are invited to play and read in the childrens’ room and loitering is encouraged, as the store is scattered with nooks to squeeze into and comfy chairs to lounge in. In addition to a beautiful collection of gently used books, we also offer scarce and collectible works, stickers, buttons, postcards, t-shirts, tote bags, vintage pulp, comics, and an old creaky typewriter to leave secret messages on.

Cost: $

708 Massachusetts Street

Monday-Thursday | 10:00am-8:00pm

Friday-Saturday | 10:00am-10:00pm

Sunday | 12:00-6:00pm

From their website:

Earthbound is a place where you can be true to yourself and come as you are. The store is a community of free spirits, curious souls, and adventurous nomads. It began back in 1994 by Steve and Suzana Gordon as a humble rock and mineral shop.

Earthbound is an ever-changing collection of unique finds, ranging from bohemian fashion to eclectic gifts and home decor.

Cost: $$

916 Massachusetts Street

Monday-Saturday | 11:00am-7:00pm

Sunday | 12:00-6:00pm

When you walk into a Glik’s store, we want you to feel like it’s an extension of your closet complete with a few friends on standby to help you find an outfit that will make you feel amazing.

Glik stores are a product of communities, managers, staff, and amazing customers. Each store location has been personally chosen by a member of the Glik family. And the design of the store is specifically curated to fit each location with manager and staff insights that guide the company as they fill their stores with brands and styles specific to the community. The signs above the doors may all say “Glik’s,” but the people inside those doors make it a truly unique experience.

Cost: $$

717 Massachusetts Street

Monday-Thursday | 10:00am-6:30pm

Friday-Saturday | 10:00am-7:00pm

Sunday | 12:00-4:00pm

From their website:

Rally House is a specialty sports store that prides itself in its ability to offer an expansive selection of apparel, gifts, home decor and other types of merchandise while representing local NCAA, NFL, NBA, MLB, NFL, and MLS teams. Rally House also carries local novelties and regional-inspired items such as apparel, accessories, gifts, food, and so much more. They enjoy bringing stylish sports apparel and unique gifts to cities and states where fans reside, work and root for their favorite teams.

Cost: $$

921 Massachusetts Street

Monday-Saturday | 10:00am-9:00pm

Sunday | 10:00am-6:00pm

The Lawrence Antique Mall, located in the heart of downtown Lawrence features three floors of vintage, antique, and unique items from over 75 local dealers.

Cost: $

830 Massachusetts Street

Monday-Saturday | 10:00am-6:00pm

Sunday | 1:00-5:00pm

Love Garden Sounds provides vinyl record sales, CD sales, tapes sales, and stereo equipment sales to the Lawrence area. They buy, sell, and trade LPs, CDs, Tapes, and Stereo equipment!

Cost: $$

822 Massachusetts Street

Monday-Saturday | 10:00am-8:00pm

Sunday | 11:00am-7:00pm

From their website:

The Phoenix Gallery began over 20 years ago as a result of the talent and vision of several artisans. With such a diverse collection of functional and decorative pieces; exquisite pottery, blown glass, woodwork, sculpture, textiles, jewelry, and much more, the Phoenix Gallery is the perfect place to find gifts for life’s events. Let their knowledgable staff help in finding just the right gift for you, a loved one, or for any number of occasions, whether it be a wedding, birthday, holiday, new home, anniversary, etc.

Cost: $$

825 Massachusetts Street

Monday-Saturday | 9:30am-8:00pm

Sunday | 11:00am-6:00pm

From their website:

The Raven Bookstore was founded in 1987 as a mystery-specialty store, and it retains a strong mystery section to this day with additional specialties in fiction, poetry, current events, and environmental writing. Once one of several bookstores in Downtown Lawrence, the Raven survived a difficult period across the street from a Borders superstore and now is Lawrence’s new general-interest bookstore.

In recent years, the Raven has become known for online small business advocacy through viral tweets, various media appearances, and a growing collection of activist zines. They are proud to partner with many arts organizations in Lawrence, including Lawrence Public Library, Lawrence Arts Center, The Commons, Haskell Indian Nations University, the Watkins Museum of History, and many more. The raven is a founding partner in the Paper Plains Literary Festival.

Cost: $$

809 Massachusetts Street

Monday-Saturday | 9:00am-8:00pm

Sunday | 12:00-5:00pm

An eclectic jewelry and gift store, where you can find something for everyone in your life!

Cost: $

805 Massachusetts Street

Monday-Saturday | 10:00am-8:00pm

Sunday | 11:00am-6:00pm

From their website:

Swanson’s is a mercantile for the unexpected. They specialize in men and women’s fashion for those who want to set trends and turn heads. Their rotating inventory of home decorations and gifts from around the world is sure to please. Stop by for a look around this Downtown Lawrence institution of style!

Cost: $$

700 Massachusetts Street

Monday-Saturday | 11:00am-4:00pm

From their website:

Waxman Candles originated from a $5 hobby kit ordered by owner Bob Werts while a student at Dodge City Community College in 1969. After his move to Lawrence in 1970 and locating at 7 W 14th Street, Bob received an order from a cosmetics company for 120,000 1 1/2″ ball candles. The project took six months and 750 rubber molds made using paper cups, ping pong balls and golf tees. Bob made no monetary profit but he did gain the knowledge that he could make LOTS of candles.

An order for 20,000 filled canisters from the same cosmetics took only 20 days and resulted in sufficient profit to relocate and expand the business to 1405 Massachusetts Street. From 1975 through 1979 Bob created and operated a wholesale division. He traveled to all major US markets taking orders from gift, souvenir, and florist shops then returned to Lawrence to make and deliver the orders with the equivalent of 10 full time employees.

In 1996 Bob was approached by Steven Traxler, a former KU student body president, with a proposal for a candle store in Chicago. Steve’s enthusiasm and promotional skills combined with Bob’s knowledge of candle making resulted in a partnership and Waxman Candles Chicago LLC was born. All three of Bob’s children worked at the Lawrence store part time during high school and throughout college. Upon graduation in December 2009 his daughter became involved with more aspects of the business. His middle son also joined the business upon graduation in December 2013. Since August 2013, his youngest son is the current manager of the Chicago location. His wife joined Waxman Lawrence in 2014 after retiring from her 39 year career in a different vocation.

After 50 years, with the valuable support of numerous past and present staff at both locations, this family business continues to produce superb quality 100% handmade candles. It’s a guarantee that after you experience the performance of a Waxman Candle you will agree that most other candles…just can’t hold a flame.

Cost: $$

609 Massachusetts Street

Monday-Saturday | 10:00am-5:00pm

Sunday | 12:00-5:00pm

From their website:

Since 1857 Weaver’s proudly operates as an independent, full-line department store at 901 Massachusetts Street in historic downtown Lawrence, Kansas.

Our brick and mortar remains a shopping a buying experience treasured by the community and visitors alike. Shop all four floors – 20,000 square feet – for the item you need at the price point you want.

Established in 1857, Weaver’s has served Lawrence, Eastern Kansas, and the University of Kansas (established 1865) with an unwavering commitment to their customers.

Cost: $$

901 Massachusetts Street

Monday-Saturday | 10:00am-6:00pm

Sunday | 11:00-4:00pm

From their website:

Breakout is proud to be a part of the Lawrence community. They are located on Massachusetts Street in the heart of downtown Lawrence. Their job is to be a source of fun, challenge, and great memories for the entire Lawrence community – students, locals, and visitors of all ages.

Escape rooms have grown in popularity across the United States in recent years, and we’re certain that if you join us for a game, you’ll see why. Escape rooms challenge you to think quickly, solve puzzles and riddles, and execute a strategy to “beat the game” and solve your way out of the room. There are four fun and unique rooms – a challenge to suit every taste. 

(psst…you must call ahead to schedule your breakout session!)

Cost: $$

727 Massachusetts Street

Sunday-Thursday | 12:00-9:00pm (Monday by reservation only)

Friday | 12:00-10:30pm

Saturday | 10:00am-10:30pm

From their website:

Liberty Hall is a locally owned and operated historic theater in downtown Lawrence, Kansas. Comprised of a concert hall, video store, coffee house, and independent cinema.

Liberty Hall as we know it today has hosted a variety of live events ranging from Willie Nelson to Wu Tang Clan, in an intimate setting with a state of the art concert hall sound system. Liberty Hall has been voted Lawrence’s Best Music Venue for three years straight. It has acted as a community-meeting house since 1856, and hosts regular screenings and lectures that promote culture and civility in Lawrence, KS.

Liberty Hall Video is located directly on the corner of 7th and Massachusetts Street and boasts an enormous collection of DVD, VHS, and Blu-ray titles for rent. Liberty Hall Video has a friendly and knowledgable staff, and prices that cannot be beat. Enjoy two-for-one rentals every day, or sign-up for the Uranium Option: unlimited rentals with no late fees for just a small monthly charge.

La Prima Tazza is a European style coffee house that serves the best in Fair Trade coffee and specialty drinks on Massachusetts Street. It is home to the most experienced and lovable baristas in downtown Lawrence. La Prima Tazza has been voted Best Coffee in Lawrence for three years straight, and is the perfect place to work on your latest project, chat with a friend, or to contemplate life’s biggest questions over a hot brew. Starbucks wishes it was La Prima Tazza!

Liberty Hall Cinema shows the latest in first-run independent, foreign, and art house films on two screens. Liberty Hall Cinema also offers monthly creative special screenings of classic and soon-to-be-classic films on the big screen. We offer a traditional movie theater concession stand with the addition of beer, wine, and cocktails.

Cost: $$

644 Massachusetts Street

Daily | 2:00-8:00pm

(psst…times may differ for La Prima Tazza and Liberty Hall Video)

From their website:

A guest once said that RPG is the most relevant cultural hub in Lawrence, and they take pride in that. Their goal is to provide a place where everyone – their staff, their guests, and their community – feels welcome, accepted and comfortable just…being.

Board games are a concept people are rarely divided on. Everyone can find something to enjoy and they can offer opportunities to build bridges across cultural, societal, and economical lines. No matter your background or lifestyle you know how to play Checkers, Connect Four, or Guess Who. With over 1,000 board games to chose from at RPG, there is something for everyone.

Cost: $$

724 Massachusetts Street

Tuesday-Wednesday | 4:00-9:00pm

Thursday-Friday | 4:00-11:00pm

Saturday | 12:00-11:00pm

Sunday | 12:00-9:00pm

Sunfire Ceramics is a locally owned pottery painting and glass fusing studio and shop where you make your own gifts, art, and jewelry. It’s also a great place to host a group or party!

They offer creative fun for all ages, in an inspiring and relaxing atmosphere. Their activities are open studio so you can paint pottery or fuse glass anytime they are open. Their friendly staff will help guide you while you create your works. Stencils, stamps, idea books, and lots of painted examples are available for inspiration!

Cost: $$

1003 New Hampshire Street

Wednesday-Thursday | 10:00am-6:00pm

Friday | 12:00-8:00pm

Saturday | 10:00am-8:00pm

Sunday | 10:00am-6:00pm

From their website:

Located just inside the Oread hotel’s main lobby, the Bird Dog Bar offers burgers, steaks, seafood, appetizers, and desserts. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Enjoy a variety of memorable dishes for a variety of budgets. The Bird Dog Bar features ten 50-inch flat-screen televisions, a spacious bar, plenty of comfortable tables, and an opening onto an outdoor terrace looking toward the north gate of the KU campus. Dog names and their stories await guests at each table.

Cost: $$

1200 Oread Avenue

Wednesday-Thursday | 11:00am-10:00pm

Friday | 11:00am-12:00am

Saturday | 7:00am-12:00am

Sunday | 7:00am-10:00pm

From their website:

Clinton Marina was originally built in 1980 and was located on the Corps of Engineers property in the Bloomington area, on the south shore of the reservoir. The marina was relocated to its current location, on the State Park shoreline, in 1986. Since then, it was sometimes referred to as “Clinton State Park Marina.”

Clinton Marina is family owned and operated, and strives to have a welcoming atmosphere for the community as a whole.

1329 E 800 Road

Tuesday-Saturday | 9:00am-5:00pm

Sunday | 10:00am-5:00pm

From their website:

The Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center provides the good old-fashioned atmosphere of a traditional neighborhood pool with all the fun and excitement of a first-class water park.

After a major renovation in 1995, the Outdoor Aquatic Center now boosts two water slides, zero-depth children’s area, diving well, interactive play features including fountains, spray mushrooms, and water buckets, and a 50-meter competition area. The fun and convenience extend out of the water as well, with shaded lounge areas, ample deck space, adjoining grass playground, and a full-line cafe style concessions area.

The Outdoor Aquatic Center is also host to numerous aquatic camps and swimming lesson programs.

Cost: $

727 Kentucky Street

Monday-Friday | 1:00-7:30pm

Saturday-Sunday | 1:00-6:00pm

From their website:

The Lawrence Rotary Arboretum was conceived in 2003 and dedicated in 2005 as a Rotary centennial project. Three, local rotary clubs, Lawrence Rotary Club, the Jayhawk Breakfast Rotary Club and the Central Rotary Club came to together for the centennial celebration of the Rotary International with a donation for a waterfront gazebo. The idea was conceived to create an arboretum with new trees, identification markers, and two different gardens. One garden is a WaterWise demonstration garden for educating citizen, which feature native pollinator plants. A second garden is a certified Monarch Watch Waystation, which provides habitat to butterflies. Additional projects, such as a performance stage, bike path rest station, and Westar Pergola were completed by local scout troops and other volunteer groups.

An inventory of trees was developed through the department’s use of TreeWorks mapping, using GIS to develop an ESRI story board, resulting in the creation of an electronic, interactice and self-guided tree tour of the Lawrence Rotary Arboretum.

The park has a wonderful view of the arboretum, pergola, garden and pond. A small stage is near the gazebo, as well as a small stream with cascading waterfalls A pavilion was added in 2019.

5100 W. 27th Street

Daily | 7:00am-10:00pm

From their website:

Prairie Park Nature Center in 1999 as a 100-acre nature preserve on the east side of Lawrence. The preserve incorporates wetlands, woodlands, and prairie habitats and a five acre lake.

Visitors may see a wide variety of native Kansas wildlife on the property including beavers, deer, bobcats, and birds of prey.

The nature center preserve and education building are operated by the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department and funded by City of Lawrence sales tax revenue.

Prairie Park offers walking trails for bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts as well as educational programs to the public, schools and local groups.

The education building features natural habitat dioramas, displays and live animals, including. alive bird of prey collection with eagles, owls, hawks and falcons.

The nature center conducts a wide variety of environmental and recreation programs for the public, schools, scouts, adults, and other groups

2730 Harper Street

Tuesday-Saturday | 9:00am-5:00pm

Sunday | 1:00-4:00pm

From their website:

Located in the Lawrence, Perry-Lecompton, and Topeka area, Up a Creek is dedicated to providing you with memorable water outings. Whether it’s an afternoon or all day float or an overnight campout on a sandbar, when you paddle with Up a Creek “if you have a bad time, it’s your own fault!”

No one location – contact them on their website!

Saturday-Sunday | 8:00am-4:00pm

Find all things spiritual here at The Crystal Cottage. From crystals, to tarot cards, to even candles! Local owner is also listed on etsy so if you find a product you just can’t live without you can always order more and have it shipped to you wherever you go!

8 W. 9th Street

Tuesday-Sunday | 8:00am-8:00pm

From their website:

Many buildings in Lawrence have a long history, but few have a haunted pedigree to match the Eldridge Hotel. Ghost hunters, reporters, and guests have all felt the ghostly welcome of Col. Eldridge. Whether it’s the crackling of a water bottle in the middle of the night, the air conditioner randomly turning on, or watching your bags shake out of nowhere, we’ve seen and heard it all. His favorite spot in the hotel is room 506.

The Eldridge Hotel was featured on A&E’s Biography Channel’s hit show My Ghost Story. Some say the historic hotel is haunted. Watch the video and hear true and unbelievable stories of the paranormal as told by the people who lived through them – and actually captured their hauntings on tape. These harrowing eye-witness accounts of the unexplainable are transformed into more than tales with terrifying visual evidence. You’ll have no choice but to believe your eyes!

701 Massachusetts Street

Bar & Grill Hours

Monday-Wednesday | 11:00am-9:00pm

Thursday | 11:00am-10:00pm

Friday-Saturday | 7:00am-10:00pm

Sunday | 7:00am-9:00pm

(psst…the bar hours may differ…check out their menus and learn more on their website!)

Merchants is a distinctly Midwestern gastropub sourcing local items for their fun and flexible menu. All are welcome to eat and drink well with 30 craft beers on tap, handcrafted cocktails, and approachable wine. Dietary restrictions are gladly accommodated.

Originally a bank, Merchants offers some true Lawrence charm in it’s own unique way. Need to freshen up in the bathroom? Take a trip into the old bank vault! Is it possible that some of the banks old patrons or tellers still visit?

Cost: $$

746 Massachusetts Street

Wednesday-Friday | 11:00am-10:00pm

Saturday-Sunday | 10:00am-10:00pm

From their website:

Third-Eye Sadie’s is a new incarnation of Village Witch, still housed at the old “Village Witch” shop in North Lawrence.

They offer an amazing selection of Essential and perfume oils, magickal and hoodoo kits and supplies, in-house oil and incense blends, quality gemstones, gorgeous jewelry, books, candles, and much, much more.

Their emphasis is on global spirituality, local and in-house creations, and a deep consciousness of the diverse community they serve.

311 N. 2nd Street

Tuesday-Thursday | 1:00-6:00pm

Friday-Sunday | 1:00-7:00pm

From their website:

Wakeful Seed was inspired by the thought of a seed within us all. A seed that represents higher consciousness and your birth right to achieve greater peace, understanding, and happiness. Through life practices and desire practitioner Evelyn Tormos believes we can help the seed grow, and as it does, so does our view of ourselves and the world around us. Through love, patience, and stillness, we have the potential to find the light and thrive. The opportunity to truly wake up, is here for the taking. The best you is the most authentic you, the most authentic you is the you that believes in your power. The best you is the you before you believed what others thought you should be.

4840 Bob Billings Parkway

Monday-Thursday | 4:00-7:00pm

Friday | 11:00am-7:00pm

Saturday | 12:00-6:00pm

Sunday | 11:00am-7:00pm

Looking for more spiritual places you can visit? Explore Lawrence has collected a few other locations you can visit! Click the link below to find out more!