What to do

Downtown Lawrence A farmers market, festivals, historic sites and dozens of independently owned shops easily fill a weekend visit. (785) 842-3883; downtownlawrence.com [1]

Spencer Museum of Art At KU, visitors can take a new cell phone tour of the lovely galleries. See reviews and ratings. [2] (785) 864-4710; spencerart.ku.edu [3]

Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics A 29-foot stained-glass window graces the institute in Lawrence. See reviews and ratings. [4] (785) 864-4900; doleinstitute.org [5]

Where to eat

23rd Street Brewery Order comfort foods, such as wings and pizza, and one of nine handcrafted beers, or try hazelnut-crusted goat cheese salad. (785) 856-2337; brew23.com  [6]

715 Restaurant Handmade pastas, pork processed in-house and 100 wines satisfy in a hip, see-and-be-seen setting. The simple spinach-ricotta ravioli is as tasty as the bold rabbit ravioli. See reviews and ratings. [7] (785) 856-7150; 715mass.com [8]

Free State Brewing Company The pub’s name acknowledges the aspirations of the town’s abolitionist settlers. Try the Wheat State Golden. See reviews and ratings. [9] (785) 843-4555; freestatebrewing.com  [10]

Genovese Choose from wood-fired rotisserie meats, pizza and pasta in a historic downtown building. (785) 842-0300; genoveseitalian.com [11]

Teller’s Restaurant Housed in a former bank, Teller’s treats kids to grown-up dishes such as grilled salmon. (785) 843-4111; tellerslawrence.com [12]

Where to stay

The Oread The KU campus spot boasts gracious accommodations and on-site fine-dining and pizza places. From $149. See reviews and ratings. [13] (785) 843-1200; theoread.com [14]

The Eldridge This luxe hotel boasts luxurious rooms, the Ten restaurant and The Jayhawker bar, which serves more than 35 kinds of martinis. From $159. See reviews and ratings. [15] (800) 527-0909; eldridgehotel.com [16]

For information: Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau (785) 856-3040; visitlawrence.com [17]