Lawrence, Kansas
Veranda Country Inn
1431 N 1900 Road
Lawrence, KS 66044
785-841-1265
The Victorian Veranda Country Inn is on 1900 Road, about a mile North of I-70, Rte. 56 East Lawrence Exit. Directly across the street are fields and the UP Main Line. And was it busy! I counted 5 or more trains/hour many times. The current TRAINS magazine says that line carries 65 trains a day. The Inn has a wrap around porch and one can sit there and watch, or watch from a room, if you are on the East side, or walk a few hundred feet to the grade crossing. The Inn has 10 rooms, each with private bath. Rates are lower during the week, but all rates include a great country breakfast. Rates are about $80 per night midweek, $110 or so on weekends.
It is an easy drive from the Inn to the Midland Railway, about 15 miles. The location near I-70 makes it great as a cross-country stop-over as well. The Union Pacific Depot in Lawrence has been restored as the Welcome Center. Nearby Ottawa and Baldwin City also have restored depots.
Submitted by Bill Hakkarinen