Four places within driving distance of Lawrence, KS for you to get away.
While in law school, you’re bound to spend many weekends in Lawrence preparing for your next midterm or writing a brief. But to make sure I maintained a healthy balance of school AND life, I took several weekend getaways to relax, recharge and reward myself for all the work I’d done.
Here is a list of fun places I’ve gotten to visit during law school that are within a few hours of Lawrence and make for the perfect weekend getaway!
1. Westin Missouri (map and directions)
A one-hour drive north from Lawrence will take you to this small town with a lot to offer. Take a walk down Main Street for cute shops to browse, restaurants to dine, or tasting rooms to indulge. If the latter is more your speed, you can go straight to the source with visits to Holladay Distillery, McCormick Distilling Company, or Pirtle Winery, all of which offer samples of their products. For those still unconvinced, check out Green Dirt Farm, which offers delicious, handcrafted cheese and tours of the cheese-making process.
2. Hermann, Missouri (map and directions)
Located on the eastern side of Missouri (and a 3.5-hour drive from Lawrence), Hermann is the destination for all things wine. Relaxing days are easily found visiting any of the nine wineries in the area while gazing upon the picturesque backdrop of rolling hills and the Missouri River. The city’s German roots shine through with multiple restaurants offering traditional German fare of schnitzel and bratwurst. If you still have energy left, hop over to the famous Katy Trail for 240 miles of continuous bike trails.
3. Eureka Springs, Arkansas (map and directions)
Head four hours south to get to the heart of the Ozark Mountains and visit this fun and quirky town. Walk around downtown to experience a vibrant art scene replete with murals and shops. If outdoor adventure is what you seek, Eureka Springs has it in droves. You can mountain bike, cave dive (or merely take a walking tour), hike, bike, kayak, paddleboard, zipline, you name it! And once the sun has set, take a tour through the “most haunted hotel in America,” the Crescent Hotel.
4. Omaha, Nebraska (map and directions)
The largest city on this list, three hours north of Lawrence leads you to this city with a little bit of everything. Not only known for being home to one of the best zoos in the country and the NCAA College World Series, Omaha has amazing microbreweries, waterfront parks, and museums!
– Helen Phillips is a 3L KU Law Student Ambassador from Overland Park, Kansas