Rock Chalk, Real Kansas Whiskey
Lawrence is a college town with character — Massachusetts Street, Clinton Lake, the University of Kansas campus, and a food scene that punches above its weight. But when you're ready to leave the familiar blocks of downtown Lawrence and discover something new, Smoky Valley Distillery is 170 miles west in Marquette. It's a grain-to-glass distillery in a 1919 building, run by a Kansas family, making spirits you won't find on Mass Street.
Getting Here from Lawrence
Take I-70 W from Lawrence through Topeka, Junction City, and Abilene to Salina — about 145 miles of straightforward interstate. In Salina, exit onto KS-4 W and drive 25 miles through Lindsborg to Marquette. The drive takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes total.
The I-70 corridor between Lawrence and Salina passes through the Flint Hills — some of the best tallgrass prairie scenery in the country, especially in spring and fall. The final stretch on KS-4 takes you into the rolling Smoky Hills.
Nearest Retailers
Our spirits are stocked at two Salina locations along your I-70 route:
- Brook's Liquor — all 10 spirits, including our award-winning bourbons
- Cave Divers Liquor Store — complete vodka, bourbon, and whiskey lineup
Grab a bottle on the drive out or the drive back — both stores are just off the interstate.
The Lawrence-to-Marquette Road Trip
Lawrence visitors tend to enjoy two approaches:
The Day Trip:
- 8 AM: Coffee on Mass Street, then hit I-70 W
- 10:30 AM: Arrive in Marquette for a guided tour and tasting
- Noon: Lunch at a local Marquette spot
- 1 PM: Drive to Lindsborg (25 min) — explore the art galleries, Hemslojd Swedish gift shop, and the Red Barn Studio Museum
- 3 PM: Head east on I-70, stopping at Salina for provisions
- 6 PM: Back in Lawrence for dinner
The Weekend Trip:
- Friday: Drive out after class or work, check into Preston House (sleeps 11 — perfect for a group)
- Saturday Morning: Distillery tour, taste all 10 spirits
- Saturday Afternoon: Hike Mushroom Rock State Park (unique sandstone formations, 20 minutes from Marquette) or swim at Kanopolis Lake
- Saturday Evening: Live music at the distillery venue — our 140-seat space with a full stage
- Sunday: Leisurely drive back through Lindsborg and the Flint Hills
From Campus to Countryside
Lawrence has a vibrant local spirits scene, but nothing like what we offer. Our distillery is the only place in Kansas where you can taste Kernza Whiskey — made from a revolutionary perennial grain developed at The Land Institute in Salina, just down the road from our distillery. Pair that with our Bud & Dewey's wheated bourbon and Wild Plum Vodka, and you've got a tasting experience that beats any bar crawl on Mass Street.