This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Valdosta chapter.
Once you have seen the front lawn of VSU you are sold, and immediately you know this is where you want to go to school! The front lawn looks like the perfect hangout spot; there are palm trees everywhere on campus, and Florida is right down the highway! It’s perfect! However, entering as a freshmen you may not know a lot about the city of Valdosta itself, and you soon learn it can get kind of boring. Valdosta may not be the most jumping city, but here are a few things to do that you probably didn’t know about!
Jac’s Bowling Lanes
406 Connell Road, Valdosta, Georgia
Get a group of friends together and bowling can be so much fun! Open Monday through Sunday, Jac’s Bowling Lanes has 26 AMF bowling lanes! It also includes a snack and sports bar, so you have to visit!
Wild Adventures
3766 Old Clyattville Rd, Valdosta, GA 31601
Wild Adventures has a little bit of everything! The theme park integrates animals, including a petting zoo and safari train. It just opened its water park for the summer so now is the perfect time to go! VSU students even get one free night in the park to ourselves every year, so no excuses. You have to go at least once!
Vapor Lounge
607 Baytree Rd Building F Valdosta, Ga 31602
Fairly new to Valdosta, Vapor Lounge is the perfect chill environment to hang out and smoke hookah! Right down the street from campus, Vapor Lounge is open from Thursday through Sunday. VSU students get 10% off with your student ID!
Steel Magnolias Restuarant
132 N Patterson St Valdosta, Ga 31601
Another place not too far from campus, Steel Magnolias is not your average Valdosta restaurant for one simple reason: it has a rooftop bar and dining area! The roof overlooks beautiful downtown Valdosta, and is perfect during sunset. They serve urban southern cuisine and will not disappoint. Whether you go for a date night or a girls night out, you’ll almost forget you’re in Valdosta.
Thrifting
Numerous places
Valdosta may not have many big name stores to shop, but they make up for it with thrift stores! As a struggling college student, thrifting is the best way to save money and find vintage fashion. Valdosta has a Goodwill, Plato’s Closet, Salvation Army, Salvage, and many others sprinkled around the city. You’re bound to go out and find a steal on something!
The Theatre Guild (‘Dosta Playhouse)
122 N Ashley St Valdosta, Ga 31601
Celebrating 25 years of business, Valdosta’s historical theatre is still runnnig shows today. Premiering everyone’s favorite plays like Charolette’s Web and To Kill a Mockingbird, the playhouse has had major success. Just for the experience alone, you have to visit and catch a show!
Grand Bay
4661 Knights Academy Road Valdosta, GA 31605
The 13,000 acre swamp is a must-see right here in Valdosta. It has beautiful scenery and atmosphere. Visiting the site includes 1/2 mile boardwalk and a 54 foot tower as well as an education center. Georgia is full of these wildlife locations, but here you have one in your backyard. If you find yourself with nothing to do on a nice day, try visiting Grand Bay!