Culture & Lifestyle - EDC of Lawrence & Douglas County
There’s no place like home — and that’s especially true when your home is Lawrence, Kansas.
Lawrence is young, diverse, rich in both culture and history. The town exists because of education, boasts a highly intelligent population, with a passionate emphasis on the arts.
The city of Lawrence embraces that image and exudes a unique brand of small town atmosphere mixed in with a hip vibe, plus a cultural richness unheard of it a town its size.
An eclectic collection of dining options in Lawrence’s historic downtown indulges appetites of both locals and visitors alike. Shopping is a delightful adventure of perusing locally-owned stores, shops, and boutiques to fit a variety of needs and tastes. You’ll always find what you’re looking for in Lawrence.
Arts
The arts are a part of daily life in Lawrence and both residents and visitors will find options to fit every artistic taste.
Much of the region’s rich culture can be found in the city of Lawrence, named by the National Endowment for the Arts as a top city with the largest percentage of professional artists in the workforce.
The public-private partnership that is the Lawrence Arts Center keeps artistic adventures alive, while ensureing that the opportunity for bold cultural experiences are widespread and accessible. One-of-a-kind venues such as the Lied Center for the Performing Arts and the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics contribute to the area’s cultural offerings.
In historic downtown Lawrence, century-old Liberty Hall provides an intimate setting for independent films, live music, and myriad events.
For those wanting more, Kansas City’s vast options in the area of visual and performing arts are just a short drive away, including the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, which is home to the Kansas City Ballet, the Lyric Opera, the Kansas City Symphony and other innovative programming.
Parks & Recreation
Everybody has a definition of recreation. In the Lawrence area, there’s something for everyone. The region is full of wide-open spaces to find solace or adventure.
Lawrence alone is home to 54 parks, including two off leash dog parks, four aquatic centers, four recreation center, an award-winning public golf course, and an abundance of adult sports leagues.
The newly built Sports Pavilion Lawrence at Rock Chalk Park brings activity to a new level in Lawrence. The 180,000 square-foot facility includes indoor and outdoor tracks, courts for basketball, volleyball, and tennis, plus cardio equipment and weights. All that is FREE for Lawrence and Douglas County residents.
Miles of hiking and biking trails and paths helped earn the city recognition from the League of American Bicyclists as a top “Bicycle-Friendly Town.”
KU Sports
Lawrence is the capital of Jayhawk Country. University of Kansas Athletics have been part of the university, alumni and community culture for generations.
Kansas Athletics has 16 intercollegiate programs. University athletes compete at the NCAA Division I level as members of the Big 12 Conference. Over the years, KU teams have won 13 national championships, including five in men’s basketball and the 2013 NCAA National Championship in women’s outdoor track and field.
The Jayhawk men’s basketball program has won or shared an NCAA record of 58 conference championships since the University joined its first conference in 1907.
With 212 consecutive sellouts of KU’s Allen Fieldhouse, it’s obvious that KU men’s basketball is a must-see event.
But the Jayhawks are not just known for excellence in basketball. World-class student athletes are abundant throughout the University’s athletics program. One point of pride is KU sprinter, Diamond Dixon’s gold medal achievement for Team USA in the 2012 Olympic Games.