Lawrence

Lawrence is fun-loving, a bit bohemian, and full of great things to do and see, eat and drink, discover and learn. This college town is fresh and fun with its famously distinctive main street, a vibrant art and entertainment scene and live music, combined with great food and unique shopping. Home to the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University, Lawrence has a fascinating pre-Civil War history, museums, galleries and sports.

Lawrence is located in the northeast Kansas, approximately 40 miles west of Kansas City, Missouri and 25 miles east of Topeka, and is the county seat of Douglas County with a population of around 91,000. Lawrence sits between the Kansas (or Kaw) River and the Wakarusa River with an elevation of 866 feet. Lawrence is a doubly-blessed college town with not one, but two. The University of Kansas was founded 1866 and Haskell Indian Nations University was founded in 1884.

They have a fascinating history. The town was established in 1854 by the New England Emigrant Aid Company with a political agenda – to shift the balance of power toward anti-slavery, so Kansas would enter the United States as a free state rather than a slave state.

Lawrence became a focal point of that debate and the Bleeding Kansas era that followed, including the Wakarusa War, the sacking of Lawrence and the Quantrill Raid that resulted in the burning of Lawrence and the massacre of over 200 men and boys. Watkins Community Museum and the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area help to tell the tale.

Today Lawrence hosts a vibrant art scene and is known for its live music venues. The pedestrian-friendly main street, Massachusetts Street, is named for the home state of the founders, but known to the locals as Mass Street. It’s been called “the best destination in Kansas.” There you will find unique shops and art galleries, locally owned restaurants, breweries, coffee houses and, of course, music.

There are also plenty of outdoor activities in this bicycle-friendly town. They have more than 50 public parks and trails, with South Park’s gazebo as the summer setting for free public concerts. The universities offer additional sites of interest for academics, sports fans, historians and visitors.

Key Attractions

University of Kansas

Spencer Art Museum, Natural History Museum, Dole Institute of Politics, Booth Family Hall of Athletics and KU sporting events

Historic Downtown Lawrence

Massachusetts Street is the focal point of uniquely-Lawrence dining, shopping, entertainment and a fiery pre-Civil War history

Arts, Culture, History

Lawrence Arts Center, Lied Center for Performing Arts, Final Fridays Gallery Walks, Lawrence Downtown and Warehouse Arts Districts, Theatre Lawrence, Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area, Watkins Museum of History

Haskell University Cultural Center, Commencement and Powwow

Outdoor Recreation Sports Pavilion Lawrence, Clinton Lake, Prairie Park Nature Center, Burroughs Creek Trail, more than 50 public parks with hiking and biking trails

Hotels In Lawrence

The Eldridge Hotel, Lawrence

Lawrence KANSAS View Hotel

Suggested Itineraries

Fly Drive & Multi-Centre

Oklahoma and Kansas from Yesteryear to Today

Make Enquiry View Itinerary

Fly Drive & Multi-Centre

Cowboy Days & Indian Ways

Make Enquiry View Itinerary

Escorted Tour

Route 66 (Chicago-Albuquerque) - Guided Motorcycle Tour

Make Enquiry View Itinerary

Escorted Tour

Kansas Destinations

Dodge City

Salina

Wichita, Cottonwood Falls & Hutchinson

Kansas City & Overland Park

Private Consultations

We appreciate that you all lead busy lives so we are happy to chat through your holiday plans either by telephone or email or, we would happily arrange a face-to-face meeting in our private office suite here in Leeds or in your home or office at a time/date convenient to you. We could also set up a video-meeting if that's your preference. A tailored holiday itinerary to suit your requirements can be complex so face-to-face discussions are often advantageous.

Superior Deluxe	Among the finest the world has to offer, hotels in this category are exclusive, lavish and indulgent. Needless to say, you will enjoy the highest service levels, superb accommodation and outstanding facilities and public areas.
Deluxe	This will be an outstanding hotel, offering many of the features of Superior Deluxe, though on a scale which will be a little less grand.
Moderate Deluxe	This will be a Deluxe standard property, although some of the accommodation and public areas may offer a less pronounced degree of luxury. In other instances, the hotel may be a famous name with a well-established reputation.
Superior First Class	More often than not, this will be a superior modern hotel or an older property which is exceptionally well maintained. All offer very comfortable and well-furnished accommodation and public areas.
First Class	A dependable and comfortable hotel with standardised rooms. These are the ideal choice for travellers who don not require deluxe facilities or special services.
Moderate First Class	Essentially a First Class hotel with comfortable but sometimes simple accommodations. Public areas may be limited but generally provides all the essentials a guest requires.
Superior Tourist Class
Tourist Class
Dude Ranch
Resort Ranch
Working Ranch

Superior Deluxe

Among the finest the world has to offer, hotels in this category are exclusive, lavish and indulgent. Needless to say, you will enjoy the highest service levels, superb accommodation and outstanding facilities and public areas.

Deluxe

This will be an outstanding hotel, offering many of the features of Superior Deluxe, though on a scale which will be a little less grand.

Moderate Deluxe

This will be a Deluxe standard property, although some of the accommodation and public areas may offer a less pronounced degree of luxury. In other instances, the hotel may be a famous name with a well-established reputation.

Superior First Class

More often than not, this will be a superior modern hotel or an older property which is exceptionally well maintained. All offer very comfortable and well-furnished accommodation and public areas.

First Class

A dependable and comfortable hotel with standardised rooms. These are the ideal choice for travellers who don not require deluxe facilities or special services.

Moderate First Class

Essentially a First Class hotel with comfortable but sometimes simple accommodations. Public areas may be limited but generally provides all the essentials a guest requires.

Superior Tourist Class

Tourist Class

Dude Ranch

Resort Ranch

Working Ranch