For many it’s an opportunity to visit a part of Kansas that traces its roots to the Civil War. Others come for the music.

“I think downtown Lawrence, of course, offers visitors anywhere in the area a unique experience, and so that’s part of what I think draws people on a day trip to Lawrence,” said Judy Billings, director of the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Lawrence recently was nominated one of six area cities for the designation of the best day trip from Kansas City, Mo.

Also in the running are Atchison, Independence, Mo., Overland Park, Parkville, Mo., and Weston, Mo. Visitors to the Kansas City area can vote online through Tuesday as part of the first VisitKC.com Visitors Choice Awards, organized by the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association.

Kansas City area visitors nominated finalists for each category.

“I think what made (Lawrence) attractive to a lot of voters was its popular music scene, the arts scene there and the university appeal,” said Derek Klaus, a marketing and communications specialist with the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association.

Voting at the Web site – www.visitkc.com/visitorschoice – began Feb. 1. Several other categories are being contested, including favorite restaurant and favorite hotel. Anyone from the greater Kansas City area is prohibited from voting, Klaus said.

Winners in all categories will be announced May 22 at the Kansas City Convention Center.

Billings said her office focuses on encouraging visitors to travel and spend the night in Lawrence because of its economic advantages.

“But we’re certainly not going to turn our nose up at anybody who’s going to term us that way,” she said of being labeled a day-trip site.