Oread - Lawrence, KS Area Guide

Settlers from New England founded Lawrence in 1854. Mount Oread was used as a lookout point and landmark since the promontory rises approximately 150 feet above the rest of the city.

William Quantrill used Oread as a base camp during a Civil War raid into Lawrence in August 1863. Kansas University was founded on the hill in 1886, and the institution became the focus of Oread from that point forward.

KU's Spencer Museum of Art houses more than 37,000 works of art from around the world, including from Maurice Duvalet and Walt Disney. The Watkins Museum of History houses several historical documents and artifacts from Douglas County's past.

The Lawrence Arts Center features physical art, performances, poetry readings, educational activities and special events. The Free State Festival marks a five-day film, art and music expo along the 9th Street cultural corridor that revolves around the ideals of Kansas.

Dozens of local restaurants, night spots and music venues surround the Oread neighborhood as part of a very active college lifestyle in this part of Lawrence. Most restaurants and nightlife venues sit along Massachusetts Street towards the eastern part of the neighborhood. Nearby music venues include Jackpot Saloon, Replay Lounge, Liberty Hall and the Granada Theater.

Head to the Genovese Italian Restaurant, located in historic downtown Lawrence, for delicious Italian fare such as lobster ravioli, gnocchi with slow-roasted pork ragu and spicy sausage pappardelle. A varied lunch menu includes many of the dinner options in addition to a BBQ pork sandwich on ciabatta bread. Breakfast is served from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday with choices such as eggs Benedict, waffles with honey and whipped cream or steak and egg skillets..

Pyramid Pizza caters to late-night college students by staying open until 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. Pyramid piles on freshly cut toppings such as mushrooms, onions and tomatoes. Try Bonez for an appetizer of breadsticks stuffed with provolone, mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Pepperoni sticks layer cheese and pepperoni on Pyramid's homemade dough. The cream cheese delight comes with a layer of cream cheese and then three toppings. Ranchilicious has ranch dressing, diced bacon, tomatoes, diced chicken and mozzarella for something totally different. If you can't handle an entire pizza, buy your favorites by the slice for a late-night snack.

Come to Ingredient Restaurant, alongside Five Bar and Tables, when you're looking for a chef-owned restaurant that wows customers with a wide variety of dishes and cuisine. Specialties of the house include make-your-own salads, pizzas and robust hamburgers. Choose all-vegetarian dishes or gluten-free choices for specific dietary needs. The Nightmare on Massachusetts Street hamburger contains a pound of beef split among three patties, beef steak tomatoes, two cheeses and tons of bacon with mayo. Make your own salad with six types of greens, 11 salad dressings and 19 other vegetables to build your own delight. Gourmet pizzas have a three-cheese blend with more than 20 toppings and five sauces from which to choose. The Mad Max pizza has smoked bacon, herb-grilled chicken and Alfredo sauce with three cheeses.

Bullwinkles Bar, affectionately known as The Bull, closes at 2 a.m. each night and opens three hours prior to all KU home games. Wednesday night specials include live music, while Tuesday is ladies night and Saturdays are reserved for game day. Make sure to pay homage to the huge moose bust on the wall that serves as the bar's mascot. Bullwinkles packs the place with college students and sports fans of all ages on the weekends.

Most residential streets have sidewalks for daylight walks with your significant other or with the kids. Bicycles work on side streets that have low traffic counts. Some major streets, such as Connecticut, Barker, 19th and 9th, have dedicated bike lanes. KU has bicycle paths throughout its huge campus.

Public spaces have plenty of parking spots. If your car breaks down, call one of a handful of taxi companies to give you a ride. Uber does not have options in this area. Take 9th Street west to U.S. Highway 59; that highway goes east and north to connect to I-70.

Buses from several routes of the Lawrence Transit System stop at the Kansas Union to take you around Lawrence, but the bus system does not take you to Kansas City. Amtrak trains go from Lawrence to Kansas City daily for a 1.5-hour trip.

South Park, Lawrence's oldest park, has something for everyone. Soak up a wading pool, sit in an historic gazebo, play on equipment for kids, view butterflies in the butterfly garden, and walk along trails for exercise. Bring your leashed dog for extra fun. Play basketball or tennis at Veterans Park, site of the city's old military training barracks. Stop and smell the roses at the city's lush rose garden.

South Park hosts several annual events. A free summer concert series happens at the William Kelly bandstand from May to July, Art in the Park occurs the first Sunday of May, and the Fall Arts and Crafts Festival takes place in early September each year.

Living in Oread costs about the same as it does in downtown Kansas City. Housing options are generally more expensive than Kansas City, but other services cost less. A one-bedroom apartment goes for $601 per month.

A pint of beer runs approximately $3 at local pubs and bars. A gallon of gasoline typically stays around 10 percent lower than the national average, and a day pass on the bus system costs $2.75. A one-way ticket to Kansas City via Amtrak costs $12 on the Southwest Chief line for a 90-minute commute in the morning.

A large retail area with restaurants, local boutiques and high-end stores surrounds the intersection of Massachusetts and 9th. Dillons, on Masschusetts and 19th, marks the closest grocery store to the neighborhood for your basic needs. The Lawrence Farmers Market, at 824 New Hampshire, provides locally grown produce Saturdays from April to November and Tuesdays from May to October.

Fortuity on Massachusetts specializes in game day boots for KU or K-State to go along with casual apparel for any occasion. Whether you need a new outfit for next semester or you have a hot date in two nights, Fortuity can find a style that's right for you. T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters and local gear give you a variety of choices.

The Eccentricity boutique gets new outfits daily from well-known, upscale designers; they stock handbags, perfumes and make-up kits you won't find in national, discount retailers. Add a lightweight scarf, earrings and a necklace to that floor-length dress you bought for a special occasion.