A Much-Needed Getaway

Lawrence is an escape. Though only 30 minutes from Kansas City, there is something remarkably different about this small town with city flavor. Lawrence is the perfect getaway for anyone in need of a few days of romance and culture.

Downtown Lawrence is a haven for anyone interested in extraordinary shopping. Tree-lined Massachusetts Street, or Mass Street if you're a local, is charming and the stores you find there are not standard issue. Locally owned boutiques and galleries dot the way, offering everything from vintage and resale clothing to designer clothes and shoes as well as museum-quality artwork. There are restaurants and coffee shops to tempt any palette and on nice days diners can sit outside to soak up the downtown atmosphere that seems to embody Lawrence.

After an afternoon of shopping and perusing galleries, visitors to Lawrence have an array of options. Be treated to a relaxing massage at one of Lawrence's several day spas, or venture on to the University of Kansas campus for a spin around one of its four museums, including the Spencer Museum of Art, which is known as one of the top teaching museums in the nation. Evening entertainment at the university's Lied Center is a must-see also. The Lied Center, a $14.3 million, state-of-the-art performing arts center, hosts a variety of concerts, plays, dance performances and Broadway shows. And, Downtown Lawrence has a rich nightlife with many clubs featuring nightly live music.

Perhaps the most important aspect of a rejuvenating getaway is being able to leave the city for some peace and quiet at the end of the day. Lawrence's Circle S Ranch, a working guest ranch located a few minutes north of Downtown Lawrence, was recently voted by bedandbreakfast.com as one of the 12 most romantic inns in the United States. The lodge is the perfect seclusion after a long day. If the hustle and bustle of the university and downtown Lawrence are in order, checkout the Halcyon House Bed and Breakfast. The B&B is located in a restored home a few blocks from both.