Lawrence Marion Indiana - Top Sights 

• Lawrence Sights – a slightly sloping city guide
• Lawrence Sights & Attractions
• - Lawrence Town Square
• - Lawrence Community Center
• - Lawrence Public Library
• - Lawrence Skate Park
• - Lawrence Brewing Company
• - Lawrence Farmers Market
• - Lawrence Attractions
• Other special sights in the vicinity of Lawrence, Indiana
• - Indy-Speedway
• - White River State Park
• - Indianapolis Zoo
• - Conner Prairie
• - Fort Harrison State Park
• - Newfields
• - Canal Walk
• - Indianapolis Cultural Trail
• Conclusion
• - Lawrence Attractions

Lawrence Sights – a slightly sloping city guide

Honestly, before you enter the “Great City” Lawrence crashes, you should know that it was founded in 1820 as a small border village to serve the growing trade between Indianapolis and the Ohio River. The railway came in 1850 and suddenly made the town look like a hub for travellers – a bit like a crowded railway station, only that the trains were still whistling steam locomotives. Today, you can still feel the old flair in the brick buildings, which bravely resist the modern supermarkets.

I have reached the city by train – a short transition to Indianapolis and already the train rolls to Lawrence, no stress, no car park chaos. If you prefer to come by car, take the I‐69, then Exit 115, and you are in a few minutes in the heart of the city, where the main street is spited from small cafes to a surprisingly lively art scene.

A walk through the city centre is the highlight for me: The old brick buildings are home to hip boutiques today, and I don’t understand the hype around the “Lawrence Kunstviertel” but the small galleries next to the historic town hall are just fantastic. And yes, if you are Lawrence Attractions search, don't forget the old cemetery on the outskirts of the city – there weathered gravestones tell more story than any museum.

Lawrence Sights & Attractions

So, next time you drive over the highway to Indiana and flash the sign “Lawrence”, let’s go first Lawrence Town Square stop – this is my personal favorite place because it is so damn authentic that you almost feel the city has never got out of 19. century adopted. The old brick buildings around the square still smell like cement and history, and the small café on the corner serves the best coffee I have ever found in a place that is not overrun by tourists. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then parking becomes a little adventure because people here celebrate the weekend just as the students from Bloomington.

A short walk further (and yes, this is no coincidence that I mention this) leads you to Lawrence Community Center. I took part in a yoga course that was led by a woman who seemed to know more about Zen than about the proper execution of the sun-gloss pots – a real culture shock, but the sauna afterwards was really great. The swimming pool is small, but the water is always clear, and the gym has enough equipment to deal with you without feeling like in a gym. When you arrive by bike, there is a free bike stand right in front of the entrance – a small bonus I always like to mention.

Now a place I almost always look over, because I am too much attached to the “Hipster feeling”: Lawrence Public Library. The building is modern, almost too modern for my preference for sticky shelves, but the selection of local authors is impressive. I found a book about the history of the city that I then read in the park next to the river – yes, this is my way of combining culture and nature. Wi-Fi is free and fast enough to write a few emails if you suddenly feel productive.

If you want to get some fresh air, go to Lawrence Skate Park. I have to admit, I'm not a skater, but watching the kids who practice their tricks there has something calming. The park is located directly on the East Fork of the White River, so you can take a short walk along the river bank after the jumps are looked at. This is also the place where I first a freshly tapped IPA from the Lawrence Brewing Company have tried – no joke, the beer was so good that I almost forgot that I wanted to take a short stop.

And then there is what I like to call the “secret jewel”: the Lawrence Farmers Market. On Saturdays, when the stands are placed on the square, it smells like fresh vegetables, honey and occasionally something I don't want to name, but definitely homemade. I bought a homemade jam bread there that made me happy all day. The market is small, so parking is no problem again – a few free places right next to the square, and you are in the middle of the happening.

If you're asking yourself what else you can see in Lawrence, just look at the Lawrence Attractions that I have listed here – this is enough to fill a weekend without feeling like a crowded amusement park. I mean, this is the beauty of this city: it has enough charm to tie you up, but not so much hustle that you feel you're just another face in the crowd. And if you still have time, take a look at the small museum in the old post, which exhibits some old photos and artefacts from the founding period – a perfect place to round off the whole with a last sip of coffee before you get back to the highway.

Other special sights in the vicinity of Lawrence, Indiana

I must confess that I was the first time I was Indy-Speedway looked from the street, thought it was just a huge parking lot for the neighbors – until I heard that the “Indy 500” is being driven out here every year. The smell of burnt rubber is still in the air when you pass the race track, and this is kind of intoxicating. Parking is usually a children's game as long as you don't show up there on Saturday night after the race – then the field turns into a labyrinth of vans and fans who don't find their barbecue pliers anymore.

A short trip after White River State Park feels like landing in the middle of Indianapolis without feeling the city noise. The river swells gently and I saw more ducks there than I can count in my whole life. The park houses the Indianapolis Zoo, where I lost myself in a giraffe feeding and almost a selfie shot with one of the animals – but the animal was less enthusiastic about my photo look. For walkers there are numerous paths, and parking is free at most entrances, apart from weekends when the families with strollers block the paths.

A bit further east Conner Prairie, a living history museum that is more than just old furniture and dusty documents. I took part in a demonstration where a real 19-century farm was refurbished – that was a real crunch because I suddenly felt stuck in a time machine. Admission is not cheap, but the experience you get there justifies the price. And yes, parking is a bit tight there, so better get early if you don't want to drive in circles.

If you are looking for a place where you can unpack your hiking shoes and enjoy nature in full, then it is Fort Harrison State Park That's right. I spent a few hours on the trail there, while a few joggers loudly slept their playlist over the speakers – that was almost like finding a gym in the forest. The lake in the park is ideal for fishing, and the parking is almost always a Klack, thanks to the generous lots pitches, except for the hot summer days when the families with picnic blankets flood the terrain.

A little culture? Then look at this Newfields the former Indianapolis Museum of Art. I was there because I thought there were only a few old paintings, but the site stretches over several hectares with sculptures, gardens and a small café, which serves surprisingly good espresso. The entrance to the museum is free, but the special exhibitions cost extra – this is the only thing that has a bit of annoyed me, because I felt that the museum puts a bit too much on “art for art lovers”. Parking is always available on the main building, but it can be done on Saturdays when the school classes come.

A short walk along the Canal Walk lets you feel the heart of Indianapolis without falling into the hustle of downtown. I rented a small boat there and I paddled a few kilometers upstream while I tried to see the city from a different perspective. The waterfront is lined with cafes and art installations, and parking is free at most entrances – only the tourist buses sometimes block the entrance when they just drop off their group.

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail connects all these points, and I used it several times to cycle from one place to another. The trail is well-developed, has enough signage and always offers small surprises, such as pop-up artworks or local food trucks that suddenly appear. The best thing about it: you can park your bike almost everywhere, and parking for the bike is usually free as long as you don't park in a heavily frequented zone like the Monument Circle.

Conclusion

So, if you're next time near Lawrence, Lawrence Township, Marion, Indiana, don't forget that the environment has more to offer than just the city itself. From fast racing tracks to green oases to cultural highlights – there are enough Lawrence Attractionsto inspire every traveler even if he remains a bit cynical.