Looking for weekend activities, ways to celebrate the Earth coming back to life or a way to spend time in between the last few weeks of school? Here are 30 things to do around the Lawrence and Kansas City areas to get your fix for springtime fun.

While flowers are in bloom, the Arboretum is a way to immerse yourself in nature and the season. Enjoy hiking trails, gardens, sculptures throughout the premises and an arts center. Admission to the Arboretum is $7, except on first Tuesdays, which is free.

Every Saturday morning from April to November, the Lawrence Farmer’s Market is held at 824 New Hampshire St. and offers local food and goods. With over 65 vendors, the market offers kombucha, flowers, woodwork and a variety of produce and meat. If you’re looking to shop locally but don’t know where to start, the Lawrence Farmer’s Market is a diverse place to start.

The grass is greener, the tulips have bloomed and campus is alive again. Take a walk across Jayhawk Boulevard or through Marvin Grove, whether you’re getting ready to graduate and want to soak it all in one last time or stay active after classes, to experience campus in all of its glory. Grab a friend and start walking!

Patio season is back! Many restaurants on Mass Street offer happy hours and patio seating . Try new drinks and appetizers while enjoying the warm weather.

Have you ever wondered what Lawrence looks like from an (almost) bird's-eye view? You can get close to it at the Wells Overlook Park just outside of Lawrence, which also provides a pointed-out panel of history and cities in the area. If you’re stressed about upcoming finals, come here to clear your mind.

Need to freshen up your living space? The River Market hosts several vendors selling bouquets and flower seeds. Whether you want to start your own garden or bring some cheer into your home, make a plan to stop here. It’s right outside downtown Kansas City and is within walking distance of various restaurants, coffee shops and the river itself.

Baseball has had increasing popularity on campus, so why not hop on the bandwagon and attend a game? Students get into the games for free and there is the occasional Dollar Dog Night, which is even more incentive to go. Don’t forget about softball! As the season wraps up soon, make sure to attend a game at Arrocha Ballpark!

Located in Olathe, the public park is filled with trails through the woods and fields. The park also offers a nature center at its entrance, where you can learn about local species and hosts early morning yoga classes until August 27, 2025.

A 30-minute drive from Lawrence, Smiley’s in Lenexa offers mini-golf and a driving range. Gather some friends and compete against each other in their 18-hole putt-putt course, taking on water obstacles, tunnels and bridges. Admission is $12.50 per person.

If you’re a cat person, you’ll love the Espresso Cat Cafe. Located on Mass St. and partnered with the Lawrence Humane Society, its residents are adoptable and want to meet you! If you’re looking for a new companion or want to try a new approach to the cafe experience, this is the place for you. A 30 minute session is $10.93.

I’ll die on the hill that kayaking is one of the best outdoor activities. It’s serene, a great arm workout, gets you some much-needed vitamin D and allows you to explore the water as close as you can get while staying dry. Head out to Clinton Lake with some friends (or by yourself if you need to clear your mind) and get out on the water. Kayaks are $16 to rent for the first hour, then $12 for every additional hour.

There’s nothing like pulling yourself out of the darkness of winter with a fun, feel-good movie to boost your spirit. Liberty Hall boasts a “vast and eclectic collection of DVDs and Blu-Rays” that are available to rent for $5 a week. I recommend “Mamma Mia!” for its sing-along songs and rampant optimism.

On April 28, Jungle House will host a free come-and-go workshop and discussion about all things plants. If you are attempting to grow some new plants for spring and are having trouble or don’t know where to start, this is a great option to get some insight from experts.

There’s no better way to kick off warm weather than ice cream! Sylas and Maddy’s is a staple of Lawrence and has the best ice cream in town (in my opinion). Get a scoop and hang out on Mass Street.

Bored with your go-to coffee order? Try a new floral syrup or a completely new beverage. Many coffee shops in the Lawrence and Kansas City areas run seasonal specials, so get try them before they’re gone.

From May 2 to 4, the Brookside Art Annual will be located on 63rd and Brookside Boulevard in the Brookside neighborhood of Kansas City. Bringing top artists from around the country to showcase their art, as well as holding various activities involving culinary, shopping and even more art. It’s Kansas City’s first outdoor art show of the year, so don’t miss it.

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America and I’ve gotten super into it. Last summer, after watching “Challengers,” I decided my competitive tennis days were behind me and I was ready to play an easier, low-stakes sport: pickleball. It’s easy to pick up and it gets competitive super fast. Get a team together and head to the local pickleball courts to get started.

A springtime favorite of my mom and I, the West Bottoms is the place to be once the weather begins to warm up. If you’re looking for a new trinket or want to get into vintage shopping , are looking for new spots to dine at or want to explore a new neighborhood of Kansas City, the West Bottoms is the perfect place to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Don’t want to head to Kansas City to visit an art museum? KU’s art museum is home to some incredible works of art and is currently displaying its “Bold Women” exhibition . Admission is always free and offers culturally diverse works, from paintings to sculptures to everyday objects used historically.

Located on Massachusetts Street, Ladybird Diner has a southwestern atmosphere, traditional diner food, outdoor seating and delicious pies. Open Wednesday through Sunday, stop in with some friends to try a new breakfast or lunch item, have a cup of coffee and debrief the weekend over Ladybird-provided trivia cards. Meals are priced from $10 to $20.

Final Fridays occur, like the name suggests, on the final Friday of each month in Lawrence. Walk around town and enjoy various artworks on Mass St., dances, activities and arts and culture events hosted by local businesses. It’s a way to explore the city and connect with your community while enjoying the nice weather!

Once the weather gets nicer, my friends and I always head to the sand volleyball courts on campus and compete against each other. Relieve your stress and get in a good laugh with friends as you dive in the sand for the ball, making sure your team holds a win over the rest of your friends.

Yoga is one of my favorite ways to relax while challenging my body to coordinate with my brain. If you need a way to unwind or are looking for a new way to exercise, try yoga. Classes range in price from $10 to $20.

To me, the beginning of spring calls for home-baked sweets to share with my friends. What’s more spring than strawberry shortcake? Bake with your roommates or by yourself; if you’re a first-time baker, let this be the time to see what you are capable of doing.

If you’re open to trekking through the museum with your picnic supplies to get to their front lawn, the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum in Kansas City offers shade, views of the shuttlecocks outside the front of the museum and overlooks the Country Club Plaza. After your picnic, you can explore the exhibits in the museum! Admission is free every day, though you’re required to check in before attending.

Located just off of Massachusetts Street, this garden was created in honor of Lawrence’s 10-year partnership with their sister city, Hiratsuka, Japan. The garden features various Japan-native plants as well as water and lighting features.

To me, nothing screams spring more than a strawberry matcha – combining the Earthy taste of matcha with the sweet taste of strawberry makes it the perfect spring drink! If you’re looking to pinch some pennies this spring or try your hand at more home cooking, this is a simple recipe to try out.

On April 26, Raven Book Store is celebrating Independent Bookstore Day! If you’re a consistent reader wanting to keep up with your reading goals or are picking up a new hobby, check out Raven Book Store during their business hours on that day! To celebrate, they’ll have exclusive books from the American Booksellers Association, the return of their branded mugs and a prize wheel!

On May 10, Heritage Park, located in Olathe, will host its annual Heritage Park Race! Participants can complete a 5K, 10K, 15K or half-marathon amongst the park’s scenery. Whether you’re a first-timer, a consistent runner or looking to set some fitness goals for yourself, this is an upcoming opportunity. Registration cost varies depending on the length of race participants register for.

This public park is home to fountains, tennis courts, a rose garden, a Japanese Garden and is even a historical Civil War site. With much to do and gorgeous views of the Plaza neighborhood, this park is perfect for many hours (or days) of spring activities.

Olivia Steele is a junior from Kansas City studying journalism and art history and has written for the arts and culture section since 2024. Music and writing are her two favorite things and her biggest dream is to travel the world as a documentary filmmaker or author.

This article was edited by Arts & Culture Editor Isabella Johnson. If the information in this article needs to be corrected, please contact . We want to hear from you!