Lawrence, Kansas: Day Trip Tips
Lawrence is home to the University of Kansas and famous “Mass Street,” where shoppers love to browse for antiques, clothes, toys, candles, books and European groceries.
Massachusetts Street:
Details: Massachusetts (Mass Street) in Downtown Lawrence is a bustling shopping district with unique restaurants and stores.
What you'll Find: Historic Massachusetts Street features unique shops, galleries, boutiques, and restaurants ranging from pizzerias to ethnic cuisine. Family highlights include The Toy Store, specializing in educational toys (936 Massachusetts Street), The Raven Bookstore, specializing in mysteries (8 E 7th St), Syla's and Maddy's Homemade Ice Cream (1014 Massachusetts).
Prairie Park Nature Center:
Details: 2730 Harper St. Lawrence, KS 785.832.7980.
Why we Love it: This is our family's favorite Kansas Nature Center (though our list of faves in Missouri is long, this one has the best collection of animals and exhibits in Kansas). You'll find fantastic animal exhibits including reptiles (iguanas, alligators, snakes and more!), amphibians (several species of frogs and toads), birds (including native birds of prey) and mammals. The hands-on center for preschoolers features nature puppets, puzzles, and hands-on activities. The park includes grassland, forest, and lake with trails for walking and exploring.
Pendleton's Country Market and U-Pick Farm:
Details: 1446 E. 1850 Rd. Lawrence, KS 785.843.1409
Why I recommend it: Pendleton's Country Market sells fresh produce and plants, and it's another great U-Pick stop (in season). On our visit, they were selling u-pick peas and promised u-pick tomatoes later in the week. Watch the Pendleton's website to see what is in season.
The KU Natural History Museum:
Details: Dyche Hall 1345 Jayhawk Blvd. Lawrence, KS 785.864.4450 www.Nhm.Ku.edu
Why I recommend it: The four-floor museum is filled with fascinating exhibits and artifacts. Children love the enormous panorama of animals and plants. One of the highlights of the museum is Bug Town, an interactive area where kids explore what it is like to be an insect. The kids love the fish aquariums, snake cages, and animals, but one of the most famous features of the museum is the extensive collection of fossils, including the Mosasaur, the largest known lizard to have lived.
Dining in Lawrence:
Lawrence boasts many eclectic restaurants, check out this great Lawrence Dining Guide to find the favorites for your family. On our visit to Lawrence, we opted to head over to "Mass Street" after berry picking where we enjoyed brunch at Einstein Bros. Bagels, but this was just one of many restaurants to choose from in the district... and one perk to dining in a college town is the affordability of the local lunch spots.