LU's Neighborhood

Lawrence University is at the center of Appleton, with parks, restaurants, shops, two museums, a performing arts center, and a public library within easy walking distance.

Lawrentians are active in the community. They volunteer at schools, animal shelters, the Boys & Girls Club, and many other community sites. You'll find them at the downtown farmer's market and at the many restaurants near campus. Conservatory students perform at area venues, and student athletes adopt service projects in the Appleton area.

Appleton Downtown, Inc. is a great source to read about upcoming events. You'll find updated lists of restaurants, shops, and hotels, as well as maps of walking tours.

Want to cook for yourself? You can pick up grocery items at Jacob's Market, about 5 blocks north of campus. Walgreen's, a drug store, offers many household and convenience items and is located about 15 blocks west of campus (there are coffee shops, subs and pizza places to keep you fortified along the way).

Stepping out into the natural world is an important way to maintain well-being, and Appleton and the surrounding area offer many opportunities.

Just steps away is the Fox River trail. The Fox Trot Trail passes through the campus. City Park, Peabody Park, Jones Park, and Pierce Park are nearby. For more trail information, view the Appleton Parks and Recreation trail map.

Appleton is in Outagamie County, and the county park system include Plamann Park and Mosquito Hill. High Cliff State Park is just a 20-minute drive from campus.

Appleton is served by the Valley Transit bus service, with buses operating Monday-Saturday. There is a bus stop near the Seeley G. Mudd Library, along College Avenue.

Several taxi companies serve the area, and you'll also be able to connect with Uber and Lyft drivers.

A Greyhound bus station is located downtown. Bus travel between Appleton-Milwaukee-Chicago is possible via Amtrak Thruway.

On campus, there's a car-share program allowing you to rent a car for a specified day and time. More information is available here.

Our fellow Appletonians have some great traditions, such as a Flag Day Parade in June (it's the biggest Flag Day parade in the country), the Mile of Music festival in August (some performances are on LU stages), a holiday parade in late fall, an Octoberfest celebration in September (why not?), and a Saturday morning farm market. See a list of community events here.

Appleton is home to  the Acre of Art, community-sponsored sculptures in the downtown and riverfront districts. The Trout Museum of Art offers exhibitions and classes. Art on the Town is a series of warm-weather events downtown.,

On the Lawrence campus, the Wriston Art Center Galleries feature several exhibitions a year. Lawrence students organize a pop-up art gallery each May in a downtown storefront. Lawrence's art collection contains about 5,000 item, and the campus is home to a host of sculptures, including African sculptures on the land bridge leading to Memorial Hall, a piece named "One Rabbit Two' near Briggs Hall, and others.