Lawrence is the sixth largest city in Kansas and you can find it just 40 miles west of Kansas City. The University of Kansas calls Lawrence home, and you can bet that the city is abuzz when the Jayhawks play their home basketball and football games. The University of Kansas men's basketball team has won twelve national championships, and while the football team doesn't boast as many trophies, it's well on its way to becoming a Big 12 Conference powerhouse. Catching some exciting sporting events is just one option when it comes to things to do on a Lawrence vacation, and should you take to downtown streets like Massachusetts Street, a healthy array of shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars await you. Lawrence Kansas boasts what is arguably one of the best music scenes in the country, so including a concert in your Lawrence travel is up for consideration as well.

As is true of most college towns, Lawrence Kansas offers quite a lot in the way of cultural attractions. The Spencer Museum of Art, which can be found on the University of Kansas campus, is just one of the city's museums that you might consider visiting. It's the most comprehensive art museum in the state and one of the top ten college art museums in the entire country. That's saying quite a bit. After checking out the renowned international collection at the Spencer Museum of Art, you might check out the downtown Lawrence Arts Center, which among other things, offers a gallery that showcases the talents of both local and international artists.

Art is everywhere to be found in Lawrence Kansas, and the city's performing arts venues consistently turn out quality productions that can add some extra depth to your trip. If you really enjoy the arts, you can always look to plan your Lawrence vacation around the Lawrence ArtWalk. Many local galleries, some of which are not usually open to visitors, put their finest work on display during this annual event, so you can tour gallery after gallery for a look and maybe even end up taking something home with you.

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The University of Kansas campus boasts a number of museums that are worth checking out, so you might stick around after you take in the exhibits at the Spencer Museum of Art. The KU Natural History Museum is among the other featured university museums, and it is housed in the impressive Dyche Hall building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic places. The previously mentioned Lawrence Arts Center is another quality museum on campus, as is the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, which offers exhibits that focus on the life and career of one of the state's most politically prolific native sons. Dole was born in the small city of Russell, which is about an hour's drive west of Salina.

Between downtown Lawrence and the University of Kansas campus, there are enough attractions to keep you busy for days on end. When you're not hanging out and enjoying the downtown attractions in Lawrence or seeing what the university has to offer, you can head to Clinton Lake to go fishing, swimming, or boating, or you can consider hitting one of the area golf courses. Clinton Lake is only three miles southwest of town, and in addition to a large lake, it also features trails for hiking and mountain biking. Boat rentals are available at the Lake Clinton Marina. Should you be looking to tee it up during your Lawrence vacation, the Alvamar Golf Club is among the best local courses. In fact, Golf Digest ranks the course at Alvamar as one of the top 75 public golf courses in the country. Should you be interested in branching further out of the immediate area when making your Lawrence travel plans, there are a bunch of side trips that are recommended.

Topeka is just a 20 minute drive away and among its attractions figures the Kansas State Capitol building. Head northeast from Lawrence, and you can visit the Ameilia Earhart Birthplace Museum in Atchison. There are plenty of things to see and do in eastern Kansas, and enjoying the attractions in Lawrence is just one of them. Plan your Lawrence vacation today, and see for yourself just how much Lawrence travel has to offer. There are an array of Lawrence hotels to choose from, and since most are well-priced, the city can make for an excellent area travel base.