The University Daily Kansan
Monday, July 8, 2013
Page 17
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Some of your friends might be jetting off to the beach while you're stuck in summer classes. However, that doesn't mean you have to be bored at home every weekend during your summer in Lawrence. Here are a few stay-cation ideas guaranteed to make your summer a little more exciting.
ENJOYING THE OUTDOORS:
- Who needs the beach when you've got a lake right in your own backyard? Clinton State Park, just four miles southwest of Lawrence, is the perfect spot for outdoor activities. There is a 25-mile hiking/biking trail, a 1-mile self-guided nature trail, an archery range, a swim beach, sand volleyball, a mountain bike skills course, a nine-hole disc golf course, a 3-acre trout pond, and plenty of great fishing areas.
For $5 a day for parking, you can enjoy all of these activities. If you like to spend a weekend outdoors, you can camp for $7 per day, or spend an extra $2 for amp service. Clinton Lake is located at 798 N.
1415 Rd. Call the Park Office at 785-
842-8562 for more information.
- If you're in the Kansas City area, Shawnee Mission Park at 79th Street and Renner Road in Shawnee offers a 120-acre lake, which is perfect for boating, fishing and sail boarding.
There is also an archery range, a 53-acre off-leash dog park, a disc golf course, and plenty of trails for mountain biking and horseback riding.
Shawnee Mission Park is also home to Theatre in the Park. the outdoor theater with shows throughout the summer.
- Loose Park, 5200 Wornall Rd., in Kansas City, Mo., is one of Kansas City's most popular parks and it boasts an extensive history. Loose Park was the site of the Battle of Westport, a battle that took place during the Civil War. Loose Park is home to Kansas City's municipal rose garden, which holds more than 4,000 roses of nearly 150 varieties in more than 1.5 acres.
COUNTRY CLUB PLAZA
Loose Park has plenty of picnic areas for enjoying a summer day.
- If you're looking for a more relaxing weekend, a night at the Country Club Plaza is right up your alley.
Located just under an hour from downtown Lawrence, the County Club Plaza offers fine dining shopping, beautiful architecture, fun nightlife and excellent people watching.
Some of the upscale shopping includes stores like H&M, Burberry, Tiffany & Co., Michael Kors, Sperry Top-Sider, Express and a two-story Forever 21.
With a large variety of upscale dining, the Plaza is a perfect place for a date. Brio Tuscan Grille is one of Kansas City's best Italian restaurants, and with decent prices for a delicious meal, you're guaranteed to impress your date with your frugality and taste in food.
Other eateries worth visiting include Jack Stack Barbecue, Fogo De Chao — a Brazilian steakhouse, Kona Grill, and Buca de Pepo, a family-style Italian restaurant. If you're looking to stay overnight, a
hotel room on the Plaza will cost you a minimum of $150 per night.
DAY TRIP TO TOPEKA
Our state's capital is home to the Brown v. Board of Education Natural Historic Site, the Kansas Museum of History, the Kansas State Capitol Building and beautiful Gage Park.
The Kansas Museum of History is $6 for admission, but the rest of the aforementioned are free. If you are interested in history, government, or are just looking for something to do that won't cost you an arm and a leg, a day trip to Topeka will not disappoint.
THRILLS THAT CHILL
- Kansas City is home to several attractions that will spice up any dull summer day. Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun offer roller coasters and water rides that are perfect for a hot day. If you buy your tickets online in advance, one adult single day ticket is $38.99, and this gets you into both parks. Parking is $15.
- An adult ticket to the Kansas
City Zoo is $11.50, and parking is free, meaning for less than $12 you can spend hour after hour watching polar bears Nikita and Berlin play around and belly-flop into their pool.
- If you're looking for water with flare, Schlitterbahn is home to several water rides and attractions. The park is centered around the lazy river, meaning that once you want to go to a ride, you can just float your way there.
Schlitterbahn just recently added a zip line that takes you up 100 feet and then sends you soaring across the park. Schlitterbahn boasts the largest wave ride in the world at 1,800 feet and waves up to 4 feet high. Schlitterbahn is located at 1709 N.98 St. in Kansas City.
An all-day general admission ticket will cost you $36.99, but you can save $3 if you purchase your ticket online.
A ticket purchased for admission into the water park after 3 p.m. is $26.99
Edited by Allison Kohn
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