Ruby Hull
Follow the map for a great staycation.
For a magical spring break, a journey to a far-off land is not always necessary, live out your fairytale in Lawrence with this all-encompassing guide to our little corner of the world.
With a perfectly moderate forecast, this spring break is the perfect opportunity to get outside and explore some of Lawrence’s natural features. Lawrence boasts a welcoming community for outdoor fun and adventure opportunities. The Lawrence Loop is a paved multi-use path stretching over 20 miles around Lawrence. Runners, walkers, and cyclists take to this path daily, and you can too. This urban greenway is an accessible opportunity for outdoor exercise. Additionally, check out the Lawrence River Trail. It’s a forested single-track trail over nine miles, perfect for walking, running, and intro-level mountain biking. You’re sure to see an array of woodland wildlife around each trail curve.
If you’re willing to make the drive, the Lawrence Field Station is a great hidden gem to check out. Its around five miles of public trails secluded from the city, complete with interpretive signs describing the surrounding nature. It’s also a great spot to watch the sunset; a short, paved nature trail leads to an open space overlooking the city. Just outside the city limits lies Clinton state park, a prime camping and outdoor adventure location surrounding Lawrence’s own reservoir. Check out over 22 miles of trails, hundreds of camp spots, easy water access, and countless picnic areas. It’s a great destination that’ll keep you in the sunshine all day long.
If you aren’t interested in the outdoors, Lawrence offers some great indoor activities. From museums to breakout rooms, there is no lack of fun in town. On KU campus, explore animal and human history at the Natural History Museum, open everyday except Mondays. Also on campus is the Spencer Art Museum, showing an exhibit titled “Bold Women,” until Jul. 6. The Spencer is also only closed on Mondays.
If you’re looking for something a little more interactive, stop by the Watkins Museum of History on Mass. St. Watkins offers an array artifacts from Douglas County history. For physical indoor activities, head over to Climb Lawrence and purchase a day pass for $20 to rock climb. On the west side of town, there’s Sports Pavilion Lawrence, an indoor sports facility where you can walk the indoor track, use exercise equipment and play basketball or volleyball with friends. On the more intellectual side, there is Breakout Lawrence, the escape room downtown. On Thursdays (Mar 20), they have student night, where students who attend any school show a valid student id and it becomes $20 per person.
While you’re downtown, spend some time with the dancers of the Lawrence Arts Center. “Alice in Wonderland,” a multidisciplinary dance performance that presents the classic Lewis Carroll story with styles from ballet to Irish step dance, opens Friday, Mar 14 and continues with a matinee and evening show the following day. The next weekend, support more local performers at Theatre Lawrence’s off-broadway comedy “Chicken and Biscuits.”
Luckily enough, Saint Patrick’s Day falls on Monday of spring break, and will boast Lawrence’s iconic parade for the 38th consecutive year. Post-parade Liberty Hall will be screening 1993 comedy-horror “The Leprechaun.” For the perfect ‘dinner and a movie’ lineup, check out one of many nearby restaurants, but make sure to secure a reservation on this buzzing holiday evening, and of course to wear green.