Best of Lawrence 2012: Outdoors

Best Event

Lawrence Busker Festival

Fire eaters! Sword swallowers! A woman who can rip a phone book in half!

Just a typical night at Lawrence’s annual Busker Festival, which draws dozens of off-the-wall acts for a weekend of curious and jaw-dropping performances. See why BuskerFest is the city’s new favorite.

Best Golf Course

Free State's Alex Green drives from the No. 6 tee box on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 during the Lawrence High Invitational at Alvamar Golf Course. At right is Lawrence High's Brett Van Blaricum.

Alvamar Public Golf Course

1800 Crossgate Drive, alvamar.com

Runners up

Eagle Bend Golf Course, 1250 E. 902 Road

Lawrence Country Club, 400 Country Club Terr.

Best View?

The Oread

1200 Oread Ave., theoread.com

Runners up

Clinton Lake

Wells Overlook Park

Best Park

South Park, Massachusetts and 12th streets

Runners up

Centennial Park, Ninth and Iowa streets

Clinton Park, 901 W. Fifth St.

Best Place for a Bike Ride

Clinton Lake

Runners up

Levee Trail

River Trail

Best Place for a Run

Kansas University campus

Runners up

Levee Trail

Clinton Lake