The semester is winding down. Classes have been selected, rooming assignments have been given, club elections have taken place, summer jobs are (hopefully) lined up, and finals are right around the corner. How can we enjoy our last few days as freshmen? What can we do to end the year on a high note? Here is a list of all the cool places you can go to with your friends before the year is out. The weather finally permits us to spend the day outside, so it’s time to take advantage. Sure, you may say you need to spend the day studying, but honestly, you and I both know that all you will be doing is hanging out and going on Facebook. Make the day memorable instead! Plus, you can study at night when you get back or during downtime in the day, depending on the time you go on your excursion.
1. Take the loop to Princeton… And eat!
The weather is getting nicer and it’s very pleasant to walk outside. Traverse Princeton’s streets, enjoy the little shops and eateries, and go to the Princeton Record Exchange. The Record Exchange has used CDs, records, tapes, and movies for a relatively lower price than what you would find at an FYE. It has music throughout the 20th century. Always wanted a Beatles vinyl? You can find it at the Princeton Record Exchange.
Once you get some good music, go to one of the many popular restaurants. Teresa’s Caffé is an inexpensive, cute place tucked into Palmer Square. You can get a delicious brick oven pizza, pasta dish, or salad. There is an array of pizza toppings available including a delicious full-fledged salad or a prosciutto and lemon zest-topped pie called “perfetta.” They have wonderful salads as well, like the farrautto, which has spinach, apples, toasted pine nuts, gorgonzola cheese and dressed in balsamic vinaigrette.
If you’re looking for a meal that will keep you full for hours to avoid Eickhoff, the Witherspoon Grill is great. Their steak and potatoes are mouthwatering. They have wonderful seafood dishes and salads as well. However, this restaurant is a bit pricey. On the far end of town, there is the Blue Point Grill. This restaurant may be hard to reach, but the delicious seafood is definitely worth the walk. The lobster bisque is creamy with chunks of lobster in a large bowl. The seafood paiea is jammed packed with mussels, shrimp, and other seafood. Just make sure you give yourself a nice amount of walking time and a map before heading over.
Then, of course, there is good, old Panera. It’s affordable and always tasty with its sandwiches, paninis, soups, salads, and “you-pick-two” option. If you have never tried a Panera dessert — which I would hope you have — try the cookies, they are usually soft in the middle and all-around delicious. For other dessert options, head to Twist, which is a make-your-own frozen yogurt sundae establishment, or House of Cupcakes, which supposedly has the best cupcakes around. Halo Pub has decent ice cream, though I personally would not say it is the best, but that’s just me. Godiva is next to the park if you need your chocolate fix. There are other restaurants, small cafes, and dessert places, too— these are just my suggestions!
After you are stuffed and satisfied, walk around Princeton’s campus. Look at the architecture and hey, why not pretend you go to the school? After all, Princeton was once named The College of New Jersey. Check out the university’s elaborate bookstore or head back into town once you’ve walked the campus. There is a giant bookstore you can go to on Nassau Street as well as popular shops, such as J. Crew located near the park. You can discover, and eat, a lot in Princeton. Definitely take advantage of the loop bus, especially on Tuesday nights. One time, my friends and I went on a Tuesday and we were the only people on the bus. This was great because we arrived in Princeton 15 minutes after our departure from TCNJ. Friday night and Saturday day/night are great options too, but the ride will take longer as there are more people on the bus. Saturday is a particularly good day to go because the loop bus runs longer, into the night, allowing more time to spend a relaxing day in adorable Princeton.
2. Take the Train to Philly
There is a lot to do in Philly, from scouring the streets to going into all the cool shops. Check out South Street for its restaurants and shops. There is an interesting mix of people, from businessmen to punk rock teenagers so people watching is a must, even if you do it unintentionally. Away from South Street, go to the two famous rival cheesesteak establishments, Geno’s Steaks and Pat’s King of Steaks, for authentic, delicious cheesesteaks. See which cheeseteak YOU think is better, but make sure to use proper cheesesteak-ordering etiquette.
For great shopping at your favorite stores like Urban Outfitters and H&M, venture over to Rittenhouse Square in central Philadelphia. Relax in the historic park, which is one of William Penn and Thomas Holme’s original planned open-space parks, before your shopping spree. The park is beautiful in springtime, the weather providing a great opportunity for lying in the grass.
If you like history, check out Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and the U.S. mint in Society Hill. This affluent area is a charming neighborhood, great for walking around. Restaurants are scattered about the area, including the beloved chain Cosi. Similar to Panera, Cosi is sort of like a fast food café with scrumptious, salty flat bread and fresh salads and sandwiches. It’s great on the go and has comparable prices to Panera with a more extensive menu. Some argue that Cosi is better than Panera.
Make sure to walk the waterfront of the Delaware River at Penn’s Landing. Look out onto scenic New Jersey and get lemonade at one of the many beverage stands. You can even take the ferry over to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden.
I’m not from the Philadelphia area so I’m sure there are other attractions and restaurants to go to. My advice? Grab a friend who lives around Philadelphia and have them show you around! My friend Ryan did this for my group of friends.
3. Take the train to the beach!
Point Pleasant, Belmar, Seaside. Choose any shore town and take the train over for a day in the sand. It may still be a little too cold to go into the water, but you can still hang out on the beach with your friends. Sunbathe and play beach games with your friends. Going to the beach also provides a perfect opportunity for taking end-of-the-year pictures with friends. Grab a milkshake from Wawa and eat at Surf Taco (if it’s open yet). Walk the boardwalk and play some boardwalk games as well. If you go to Seaside, play the cheap arcade games and try to find the Jersey Shore house.
There is a lot to do in these areas and many others. These places are just my suggestions because they are within an hour from campus. Your entire day and night are not shot due to travel by going to these places. Other towns you can visit include funky New Hope and Lambertville with their fun, artsy shops and cafes. If you’re willing to take the almost two hour train ride, New York is always an option. Another option you have is to take advantage of CUB’s end of the year bus trips to Six Flags and New York, which is a free trip after you put down a $5 deposit. It’s springtime and finals have not quite started yet. Take a day out of the weekend, or a free day during the week, grab some friends, and go on an adventure! It is the end of freshman year. Enjoy it!