Even though we never entered the discovery center we took a very long walk around the wetlands. What a beautiful place to visit. We spent hours watching the many birds including Great Egrets, Little Blue Herons, Night Herons, Indigo Buntings etc. The wild flowers were amazing. Saw several snakes as well. There are several blinds available for watching and photographing the wild life. Can't wait to go again.

This is just outside Lawrence on the south side and is bounded on the south by the Wakarusa River. The center is an expansive earth-contact building with educational contents in classrooms and a nice mid-sized meeting/educational room. The real draw is outside in the hundreds of acres of wetlands. There are several marked trails, the longest being over two miles. There is a one hundred yard boardwalk between some ponds near the center. The hiking paths are chat base or plain dirt and all are level, easy walking. There is a concrete walk along the north side next to the highway (K-10 bypass) that is connected to the walk/ride-around-Lawrence sidewalk, so you can bike there from almost anywhere in town. There are many varieties of birds and plants to be viewed and land to explore. There is also a parking lot next to the Wakarusa River south of the Discovery Center. An interesting fact that they may not tell you is that the Wakarusa River was created by the furthest southern progression of the glaciers during the Ice Age (the Pleistocene Era geologically; the Paleolithic Era archaeologically). The Wakarusa was created around 12,000 years ago by the melting of the southernmost expanse of the glaciers, as was the larger Kansas River a few miles to the north.

The Discovery Center is a great place to begin your visit to the wetlands. It was very cold the day I went, so people were inside taking note of all the birds visiting the feeders and raptors hunting in the wetlands. Very friendly people and a nice little gift shop. There are extensive trails through the wetlands to explore.

Took my great nephew and two of his friends here. The boys loved it. The displays are well done with not a lot of reading which appeals to youngsters. The view to the south is amazing. They have binoculars and telescopes for bird watching. There is also a small out building where you can go watch the habitat a bit closer and hear the marvelous sounds. A wide boardwaly takes you out over the wetlands allowing you to look down into the water and find other surprises like lizzards, frogs, toads as well as numerous interesting insects. The variety plants in the water are also a delight. A small picnic area is a perfect plance to bring sandwiches and enjoy the peace and quiet. I could see myself sitting there on a lunch hour or on a break from errands and shopping. A great haven right in town.

Very good pit stop on long bike rides. Fill water bottles with cold water and use the restroom! Take a minute to watch the birds.