This is a lovely and very accessible nature area just minutes from both downtown and commercial Lawrence. Caty loves that the wetlands remind her of her time on the Zumwalt Prairie in Oregon. Depending on the weather, the water can make walks pretty chilly, so bring an extra layer. Fun fact: we took some of our engagement photos here!

We have lots of big feelings about how great it is that KU has its own art museum right on campus. The Spencer's collection is easily digestible in a single visit and has a rotating exhibition on the first floor. The building also houses the History of Art department, where Wyatt has taken a few courses. Make sure to check out the disco-ball wolf, which you can see from outside!

Downtown Lawrence is centered around Massachusetts ("Mass") Street. We frequent this area A LOT, whether it's for picking up another book or grabbing coffee and bagels. Here are some of our favorite establishments.

SHOP

-Raven Bookstore (new books; resident cat Dashiell)

-The Dusty Bookshelf (used books; resident cat Dinah)

-Game Nut (all things games and comic books)

-Wonder Fair (paper goods and endless little things you didn't realize you needed; resident cat Dave)

-Sarah's Fabrics (sewing goods and endless patterned cottons)

-Wild Man Vintage (vintage clothes)

MONCH

-Cellar Door Cafe (coffee and bagels)

-Sunflower Cafe (coffee and... bikes?)

-Great Blue Heron (coffee and... fishing??)

-Encore Cafe (Asian fusion with a focus on Chinese food)

-The Mad Greek (really tasty Greek food and not-so-great Italian food)

-Free State Brewery (oldest brewery in the Midwest; Germanic menu)

-John Brown Underground AKA JBU (cocktail bar with prohibition-vibes; rotating art piece of a menu)

We joined the Trivedi Wine Club in late 2023 after discovering there was a winery just 10 minutes away from our apartment! The owner and staff are always welcoming and ready to offer suggestions, and we highly suggest sitting outside.

If you feel like venturing beyond Lawrence, the Nelson-Atkins in Kansas City hosts an encyclopedic art collection. As can be expected, we've visited this museum quite a few times. Be prepared if you ask Wyatt about the Etruscan labels... or lack thereof. Fun fact: we got engaged in front of the statue of Guanyin in one of the East Asian rooms (G1).