If you never got around to making your own plans for spring break or if your plans fell through, don’t mope around the entire week. While sunny skies and wild nights can’t be guaranteed in Kansas, take time off to relax and do the things you’ve always wanted to do but never had the time.

Only in Lawrence

Lawrence is a small city with a laid-back, liberal personality. To experience the city’s character, take an afternoon walk around one of Lawrence’s 26 parks. I recommend strolling through either Watson Park on Eighth Street between Tennessee and Kentucky Streets, or South Park near 11th and Massachusetts Streets, because both have playground equipment and are popular among locals. Next, stroll along Massachusetts Street and slowly walk among the “honk for hemp” hippies, the men playing chess on the corner and the various musicians competing with the sounds of downtown traffic. See how many stores you can browse in an afternoon or check out the stores you’ve been too timid to go into such as Sacred Sword or Third Planet. For dinner, head to Kansas’ first legal brewery since 1881, Free State Brewing Company, 636 Massachusetts. Gregg Scott, Free State host and Lawrence resident suggests the artichoke dip or the Portobello-parmesan sandwich. And the beer at Free State can’t be beat. The Wheat State Golden tastes like a typical light beer while the dark Oatmeal Stout is favored by those who prefer Guinness, Scott says. Afterward, walk down the street a few steps and catch an indie flick at Liberty Hall, 642 Massachusetts.

Roughin’ It

Clinton Lake is right on the southwestern edge of Lawrence, though a lot of college students haven’t ventured out to see it. Woodridge Primitive Park, one of the lake’s seven campgrounds, is open year round. Gather up some friends and head out for a night under the stars. If you don’t have the right gear, the Student Recreation Fitness Center has an Outdoor Pursuits program that allows students to rent the necessary outdoor equipment. It provides tents, sleeping bags, gas stoves, canoes, lanterns and sleeping pads. You can choose between a two-person and a four-person tent ($6 to $12) and from a wide range of all-weather sleeping bags ($4 to $7). If you’re the only one around, rent the lantern, find a good book and have a night of quiet solitude at the campground.

Art in Kansas City

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St., Kansas City, Mo., and The Kemper Contemporary Museum of Art, 4420 Warwick Blvd., Kansas City, Mo., are two of the best art museums in Kansas City. The Nelson-Atkins Museum houses a large collection of art from around the world and different eras. Even if you haven’t taken art history you might recognize some works by Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, El Greco, Vincent Van Gogh, Peter Paul Rubens and Rembrandt. The outside lawn of the majestic marble building is sprinkled with four giant shuttlecocks (although two are currently being restored). These lawns contain four sculpture parks where you can picnic. Bring your lunch from home and sit on the grassy expanses in the midst of creations by Auguste Rodin, Pierre-Auguste Renior and modernist Isamu Noguchi.

If you’re less interested in European masters and more into contemporary works, head over to the Kemper Museum. Don’t let the 11-foot bronze spider outside scare you. Beyond the bleak concrete exterior, the museum showcases modern and contemporary works in all mediums from artists such as Dale Chihuly, William Wegman and Georgia O’Keefe.

Brewery Tour

When you think of Missouri and beer, you think Budweiser in St. Louis. But Boulevard Brewing Company, 2501 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, is Missouri’s second-largest producer of beer. And let’s face it, a Boulevard Wheat tastes better than a Bud Light. If you’ve ever contemplated how breweries produce a fine-tasting beer, reserve your spot soon on the Boulevard Brewery Tour by calling (816) 474-7095. Tour participants get a free sample of different beers such as Unfiltered Wheat, Pale Ale and Bully Porter. Seasonal brew such as Irish Ale, which is brewed especially for St. Patrick’s Day is also available for sampling says Julie Weeks, hospitality coordinator at the brewery.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk

March Madness is just starting to heat up, but you can already look ahead to summer baseball. Support the Jayhawks and catch any of the six home baseball games at Hoglund Ballpark, the University’s baseball stadium located adjacent to Allen Fieldhouse. The Big 12 Conference plays against past College World Series contender Nebraska on March 25, 26 and 27 is a sure bet. The women’s softball team also has three home games at Arrocha Ballpark, located adjacent to Allen Fieldhouse. The women face the always agressisive Texas Longhorns on March 25 and 26. During the games concessions are open and selling summertime ballpark favorites such as sunflower seeds and hot dogs. The best part is that the games are free.