Downtown Lawrence Travel Guide

Lawrence

Aerial View of Lawrence, Kansas and its State University
Aerial View of Lawrence, Kansas and its State University
Wow is all I can say about this gorgeous view. It's perfect for... Well, just about anything really. Great for pictures!
Dusk looking out over the valley below Mount Oread. Nothing beats wandering this scenic campus to the sound of the carillon bells which sound every quarter hour. On Wednesday evening and Sunday afternoons faculty or students perform on the instrument. Wander the green space around Potters Lake during a concert for a truly magical experience. The campanile is a WWII memorial, so be sure to check out the structure itself too.
Free state brewery is the microbrewery for Kansas University, the Jay hawks. There you can get samplers, 5 oz glasses, of their brews. I tried the IPA and the lager... and then the wheat and another style lager. It's a great place at night. Went during the week, so it was a little more chill then weekends. Good beer though, but good luck finding it outside Lawrence. You can go back if you ask nicely to their tanks.

Popular places to visit

Indoor swimming pool with bright lighting and spectator stands showcasing a competitive event in a modern facility

Indoor Aquatic Center

Bring the family to Indoor Aquatic Center and enjoy some excitement at this theme park in Lawrence. Experience the area's live music or attend a sporting event.

Indoor Aquatic Center
Can you see the deer?

Overlook Park

After visiting Overlook Park, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Lawrence. Experience the area's live music and entertainment venues.

Overlook Park

Lawrence Arts Center

You can spend time browsing the exhibits at Lawrence Arts Center in Lawrence. Experience the area's live music or attend a sporting event.

Lawrence Arts Center

Massachusetts Street

After visiting Massachusetts Street, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Lawrence.

Massachusetts Street

Watkins Community Museum of History

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Watkins Community Museum of History in Lawrence. Experience the area's live music and theatre scene.

Watkins Community Museum of History

Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area Exhibit

You can spend time browsing the exhibits at Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area Exhibit during your trip to Lawrence. Experience the area's live music or attend a sporting event.

Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area Exhibit

Things to do

An EpicUniversity Hunt: Soaring and Strolling Around Lawrence

An EpicUniversity Hunt: Soaring and Strolling Around Lawrence

฿466
per adult
An EpicUniversity Hunt: Soaring and Strolling Around Lawrence
See all activities in Lawrence

Top hotels in Downtown Lawrence

Springhill Suites by Marriott Lawrence

Springhill Suites by Marriott Lawrence

3 out of 5
1 Riverfront Plz Lawrence KS
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿3,376 per night from 13 Feb to 14 Feb
฿3,376
฿3,961 total
13 Feb - 14 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lawrence. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (732 reviews)
The staff was exceptional!

Reviewed on 6 Feb 2026

Springhill Suites by Marriott Lawrence
TownePlace Suites Lawrence Downtown

TownePlace Suites Lawrence Downtown

3 out of 5
900 New Hampshire Street Lawrence KS
The price is ฿3,657 per night from 24 Feb to 25 Feb
฿3,657
฿4,292 total
24 Feb - 25 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lawrence. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (575 reviews)
Excellent stay! friendly and professional staff, perfect location. Beautiful facility, very clean! Wonderful rooms! Will definitely come again!

Reviewed on 1 Feb 2026

TownePlace Suites Lawrence Downtown
StoneHill Lawrence, Trademark Collection by Wyndham

StoneHill Lawrence, Trademark Collection by Wyndham

3 out of 5
6101 Rock Chalk Dr Lawrence KS
The price is ฿2,546 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
฿2,546
฿2,988 total
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lawrence. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,260 reviews)
Clean room, quiet, friendly and helpful staff!

Reviewed on 3 Feb 2026

StoneHill Lawrence, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Lawrence

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Lawrence

3 out of 5
2176 East 23rd St Lawrence KS
The price is ฿2,921 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
฿2,921
฿3,428 total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lawrence. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
Hot water was intermittent and carpet needed cleaning.

Reviewed on 2 Feb 2026

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Lawrence
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lawrence

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lawrence

4 out of 5
200 Mcdonald Dr Lawrence KS
The price is ฿2,559 per night from 15 Feb to 16 Feb
฿2,559
฿3,003 total
15 Feb - 16 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lawrence. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Yes

Reviewed on 1 Feb 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lawrence
The Oread Lawrence, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

The Oread Lawrence, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

3.5 out of 5
1200 Oread Ave Lawrence KS
The price is ฿4,004 per night from 25 Feb to 26 Feb
฿4,004
฿4,738 total
25 Feb - 26 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Lawrence. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
Neat place. Staff was great. Location excellent!

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2026

The Oread Lawrence, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
See all 187 properties in Downtown Lawrence
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Lawrence

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Old West Lawrence

Old West Lawrence is noteworthy for its live music, and you can plan an outing to Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center and David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium while you're in town.

Old West Lawrence
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East Lawrence

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in East Lawrence and surrounding area, you can visit Lawrence Arts Center and Theatre Lawrence.

East Lawrence
Strong Hall at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas on a Sunny Day

Oread

While visiting Oread, you might make a stop by sights like South Park Wading Pool and Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area Exhibit.

Oread
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Hillcrest

While Hillcrest isn't home to many top sights, David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and Allen Fieldhouse are some notable places to visit nearby.

Hillcrest
Buildings of Downtown Lawrence in Douglas County, Kansas

Brook Creek

Brook Creek might not have many top sights, but Theatre Lawrence and Lawrence Arts Center are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Brook Creek
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University Place

While University Place may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Booth Family Hall of Athletics and Allen Fieldhouse.

University Place

Downtown Lawrence Travel Guide