Lawrence Things to Do: Soccer, Nature, Fireworks, and More
Lawrence, Indiana, is a small, thriving community nestled in the northeast section of Indianapolis, the state capital of Indiana. This town is home to a huge number of Lawrence attractions, special events, and fun activities, all held together by the strong spirit of community and family that pervades most things to do in Lawrence. Though Lawrence is virtually a part of the Indianapolis metro area, the town doesn’t rely on the Circle City for entertainment; residents of Lawrence make their own fun.
One of the best things about Lawrence is the great state of its parks and recreation department. There are eleven different Lawrence parks, each of them with its own amenities, facilities, and Lawrence things to do. Parks like Alexander Park, Explorer Park, and Lee Road Park offer playgrounds, picnicking areas, open grassy spaces, and walking trails. Lawrence Community Park is the main spot for Lawrence events; this park holds Bingo tournaments, classes, card games, senior activities, a baseball diamond, and more. Other Lawrence parks facilities like the Waggin’ Tails Bark Park and the Sterrett Center offer more specialized activities; Waggin’ Tails is an Indianapolis bark park that has a membership of over 400 dog owners, and the Sterrett Center is a meeting and event hall for the Lawrence public.
But the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department wouldn’t be the vast reservoir of Lawrence things to do that it is without a few key sports based facilities. Facilities like the Football Complex, home of the Lawrence Junior Football League, and Soccer Park, a popular site for soccer and rugby, concentrate on specific Lawrence sports and are open to the public. But top among these specialized parks is the Lawrence Soccer Complex, a facility that’s famous throughout Indiana as the place to play soccer.
This massive complex houses 21 soccer fields and enough parking to fit 1,000 rabid fans. It is the home field of a number of Indianapolis high schools, including Bishop Chatard High School, Cathedral Pride High School, and Lawrence Central High School; in addition, it has been the host for many large tournaments, including the 1987 Pan Am Games, the 2001 Youth Soccer United States National Championships, and, more recently, the 2007-2008 U.S. Club Regional D Championship. Watching a game at the Lawrence Soccer Complex is an excellent thing to do in Lawrence for any Indianapolis sports fan.
| Video of a soccer game at the Lawrence Soccer Complex in Lawrence, Indiana |
Speaking of parks, Lawrence also borders the massive, 1,700 acre Fort Harrison State Park, one of several Indiana state parks. Fort Harrison State Park is perfect in any season: in the summer, come for the startling greenery and the abundance of wildlife, and in winter the park is the site of many great opportunities for ice fishing, sledding, and winter games. Full of amenities, including shelter houses, walking trails, fishing hot spots, historical museums and monuments, the Saddle Barn for horse lovers, and a sledding hill, a visit to Fort Harrison State Park one of the coolest things to do in Lawrence for any nature lover.
| Video depicting the beauty of Fort Harrison State Park near Lawrence, Indiana |
In addition to the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department, the town also throws a number of fun Lawrence events that make for exciting things to do during certain times of the year. No small town is complete without a stupendous 4th of July celebration, and the community of Lawrence is no different. The Lawrence 4th Fest is a full on entertainment extravaganza that features some of the best festivities you’ll find in the region. This celebration of our country’s independence includes a stunning fireworks display over downtown Lawrence, live Indianapolis music, vendors from Lawrence businesses lining the streets, and last year’s event even featured a special guest appearance by the Indiana Ice.
Another fun event for Lawrence children is the Lawrence Community Day, the town’s official kickoff to fall. Taking place in September, the Lawrence Community Day fills Community Park with all sorts of entertaining Lawrence things to do. A Chili Cook-Off simmers throughout the entire celebration, and the park grounds take on a carnival like atmosphere. Last year, Radio Disney made an appearance, and participants in Community Day could climb a massive rock wall, soak town celebrities in the Dunk Tank, and take part in some innocent destruction at the Car Smash, all for free. The Lawrence Community Day is a festive Lawrence thing to do for the whole family.
Of course, the stable of attractions in Lawrence doesn’t neglect the most classic thing to do of them all: Lawrence restaurants. Though not on the same scale as Indianapolis restaurants, Lawrence restaurants do a good job of showcasing a variety of different cuisines with prices that suit several different wallet sizes. Some of the best Lawrence restaurants include Ma Ma’s House Restaurant, which offers delicious Korean fare at reasonable prices, Hisago Restaurant, a top place to get California Rolls and other sushi favorites, and Bando Restaurant, a pan-Asian eatery where you can choose from a number of different dishes. In addition to these well known Lawrence restaurants, the town has the usual dearth of fast food joints, greasy spoon diners, and feel good eateries. Grab a bite to eat at one of these establishments and see why dinner out is one of the top things to do in Lawrence.
Since Lawrence is nestled right in the heart of Indianapolis, residents seeking a few more thrills than the town has to offer can simply drive a few minutes to downtown Indianapolis. Once there, all the bountiful things to do in Indianapolis open up to Lawrence residents. The pulsing energy of Indianapolis nightlife, the breadth of ideals, aesthetics, and grace of the Indianapolis performing arts scene, and the colorful variety of the six Indianapolis cultural districts are all within incredibly easy reach of Lawrence, hence a visit to the bright lights of Indy is one of the most popular things to do in Lawrence.
Residents of Lawrence, Indiana have it pretty good. Located incredibly close to the heart of Indianapolis, Monument Circle, the town benefits from a metropolitan atmosphere while still retaining the look and feel of a small town. The Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department is expansive and meets a variety of needs, from those of the most competitive soccer player to those of the most contemplative nature lover. The community is also close to Fort Harrison State Park, one of the most majestic Indiana parks and site of many historical landmarks. Lawrence events and Lawrence restaurants are both good things to do in this thriving community, and Indianapolis attractions are only a short drive away. With all these activities, things to do in Lawrence certainly aren’t that hard to come by.
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