Bars, movies, shops, live concerts, restaurants, bowling, boating, intramurals – who would have thought all of these activities would be college-student attainable in 15 minutes driving time or less?
Although Baldwin City is a small college town, students may underestimate what it has to offer in terms of entertainment. In addition, Lawrence is less than 20 minutes away.
The weekend is an especially great time to experience the different types of leisure activities when a student is stuck in his room with nothing to do.
Some varsity student-athletes are busy on the weekends with games, tournaments or meets, like tennis player Michael Angarita, but many still make time for intramurals.
“So far, I’ve been playing in tournaments,” Angarita said. “(Sunday), I played intramurals with the tennis guys, and then I did homework.”
With varsity sports teams traveling to different states, student-athletes do not have as much free time as others on the weekends. Junior Scot Rogers said he mainly drinks and hangs out at his Kappa Sigma fraternity house.
“On the weekends, I’m at my house playing ping pong or pool with whoever comes over,” Rogers said.
Baldwin City and Lawrence have many bars students can choose from if one chooses to drink. Common bar names often heard around campus include The Salt Mine and The Lodge, both located in Baldwin City, and Abe and Jake’s Landing, 8 E. 6th St., and Liquid, 806 W. 24th St., in Lawrence, to name just a few.
A new addition to Lawrence is the Lebanese Hookah House, 730 Massachusetts St., for those into smoking hookahs.
Rogers has been to the Hookah House once before and enjoyed it.
“I’ll go back and check it out,” Rogers said.
For local entertainment, Espress Yourself coffee shop in Baldwin City offers live music every Friday from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m, and its full menu is offered during this time. Cordoba’s, a new Mexican restaurant, just opened up in Baldwin City. Mr. Goodcents, Pizza Hut and The Wooden Spoke are still available as sit-down eating establishments, in addition to several fast-food places.
Lawrence has any type of food a college student could ask for at a wide variety of restaurants, whether students are going out on a date or just need a quick meal.
Live music is also popular in Lawrence, as The Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St., and The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, hold concerts regularly.
Sophomore Kendra Morrison said she likes to stay in Baldwin City most weekends, spending time with her friends and only occasionally hangs out in Lawrence.
“Normally, I hang out with my friends around Baldwin,” Morrison said. “In Lawrence, I generally go out to eat or see a movie.”
Downtown Lawrence is a commonly visited shopping area, with popular stores including American Eagle Outfitters, The Buckle, Maurice’s, Gap and Abercrombie and Fitch. Starbucks is also in the midst of these shops for students to hang out and relax.
Camping at Clinton Lake and boating while the weather is still nice can also occupy free time on the weekends.
For the ‘Best in Lawrence’ and ‘Best in Baldwin,’ please click the links below.