Lawrence can be explored through a variety of themes: natural areas on the one hand, and museums, art and the performing arts on the other. As you plan your visit, consider whether biodiversity, collections, historic sites or a cultural program will shape your stay. Each of these interests has specific offerings to explore.
Natural Areas and Trails
Prairie Park Nature Center is located in a 100-acre nature preserve on the east side of Lawrence. The center’s name is therefore associated with a specifically named preserve, whose size is also given. At Baker University Wetlands, 278 bird species, 98 other vertebrate species and 487 plant species have been recorded. The operator may update these species counts. They also show that the survey is not limited to birds, but includes other vertebrate species and plants as well.
Lawrence Parks, Recreation and Culture maintains more than 70 miles of biking, walking and/or hiking trails, spread across 37 separate trails. This offers a different connection with nature than the two sites named above: the focus here is a municipal trail network with a range of listed uses. If you’d like to include a specific route in your plans, choose one based on the activity you’re looking for.
Museums and Collections
The KU Natural History Museum in historic Dyche Hall features the famous Panorama, a living paleo garden, exhibits on Kansas wildlife, interactive displays and fossils. Its subjects range from fossils and wildlife to living plants and interactive formats. This lets you explore natural history from several different perspectives.
Admission to the Spencer Museum of Art is free for everyone; tickets are not required. The Haskell Cultural Center and Museum offers another perspective: its art collection includes works by Indigenous American artists and Haskell University students. These collection details provide different starting points for a museum visit—from artworks by a range of creators to natural history and fossils.
Historic Sites in Lawrence
The city’s built history is also easy to pinpoint. The 600 to 1200 blocks of Mass Street are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of Lawrence’s historic district. Most buildings in these blocks were constructed between 1856 and 1953. The listing and construction dates offer two different points of reference: the listing identifies the status of the blocks, while the dates place the construction of most buildings in time.
The South Park is also part of the city’s history, having been a part of Lawrence since the city’s earliest days. While Mass Street can be placed in context through its register listing and specific construction dates, the park reflects a longstanding connection with the city’s history.
Art, Classes and Performing Arts Programs
The Lawrence Arts Center offers more than 750 classes each year across all disciplines, presents 25 gallery exhibitions and stages more than 50 dance, theater and film productions. These annual figures may change with the program. The three formats offer different ways to experience art and culture in Lawrence: through classes, exhibitions or productions.
The Lied Center of Kansas gives students and community members the opportunity to experience and engage with performing arts by internationally acclaimed artists. Its “Beyond the Stage” program includes master classes, talks and presentations. It provides opportunities to connect with and learn from outstanding artists, including internationally acclaimed musicians, dancers, actors and filmmakers. For specific dates, check current announcements, as program details may change.
Free parking is available in the Lied Center of Kansas parking lot during events. This parking option is available during event times. If you’re planning a visit, you can check the current visitor information along with the event date.
Discover more destinations: Baldwin City
For the broader travel overview: Douglas County.
