5 Fun-Filled Ways to Get to Know Your College Town

By Amelia Woolard

As a high school student, you might have felt like you’d never see the day when you finally grabbed that diploma and bid “adieu” to your hometown. Seriously, after years of living in the same exact place, you were itching to break free of the usual people, places, and things you witnessed day in and day out. Not that there’s anything wrong with the place you grew up – it’s just that you’ve always known that there is a big, wide world out there, and you simply couldn’t wait to immerse yourself in it.

Now, the time has finally come for you to pack up your belongings and hit the road to a city that you can call your own – well, for the next four years, at least. Enrolling in college carries with it a lot of promise:  you’ll have new opportunities to make friends, engage in fun activities as an independent adult, and discover new educational possibilities and realms of knowledge. Oh, and did we mention the ability to live in a totally different zip code without having to put down long-term roots?

As the saying goes, “the world is your oyster,” and last we checked, there’s a whole new city at your feet ready to be explored! Your university experience will fly by, and the last thing you want is to realize upon graduation that you never visited your college town’s famous art museum or danced the night away at the local honky-tonk. So, get to it with these 5 ideas from uCribs, which will inspire you to leave no stone unturned while getting to know your new college town.

Allow public transportation to fuel your adventure.

Sure, everyone’s got rideshare apps on their smartphone these days, but simply catching an Uber won’t do much to familiarize you with your new surroundings. A way better option for organically experiencing your new town is to let public transportation lead the way. Think about it: your city’s public transit system involves an endless number of stops, all of which lead to places you’re fairly unfamiliar with or haven’t experienced at all. So, next time you have a free afternoon and an insatiable curiosity about your new zip code, simply hop on the next bus, streetcar, or subway and see where it takes you. Not only is taking public transportation ideal for finding new hotspots, but you’ll also have every ability to hop on and off at your leisure. So, go ahead and make your stop in front of that inviting thrift shop. There’s always another bus to catch later!

Pick up a local publication to see what’s happening.

Whether you’ve just moved to a rural college town or a bustling big city, you’re sure to find a few local publications distinct to the area in coffee shops, restaurants, and the like. Don’t hesitate to pick one up while you’re out and about—they’re usually free, anyway! These city-specific magazines, alternative newspapers, and other periodicals will cover everything from event listings to buzzworthy hotspots you need to check out. Skimming these articles will illuminate the inner workings of your new city and all the things that its inhabitants are talking about. Plus, most include a directory of entertainment venues, shops, and restaurants, so you’ll always have a complete listing of public spaces to explore on your weekends off.

Befriend a native to the area to show you the ropes.

Odds are, there are a few students enrolled in your college or university, who are native to your new locale and know all of its intricacies. From the city’s best study spots and hole-in-the-wall restaurants with ah-mazing Mexican food to outdoor parks with free workout equipment, finding a friend who’s spent the better part of their life in your college city or town is an excellent way to learn all about it from an insider’s perspective. If you befriend a native, you’ll always have someone to turn to for last-minute recommendations or feedback – like, where to go when your car needs an oil change ASAP, or whether that local music festival is worth the hype and the $100 ticket. Trust us, it’s helpful to have someone in your corner who knows the area like the back of their hand.

Look for any available volunteer opportunities.

We know – you’re probably already swamped with new assignments, introductory club meetings, and adjusting to freshman year in general. It’s true that college life can feel like living in a bubble – but the same can’t be said for the real world, honestly! So, if you’d really like to get to know your new college town, consider going straight to the heart of the community with a volunteer program that speaks to your interests. Whether you consider yourself an advocate for animals, enjoy spending time with the elderly, or fuel your love for food by serving hot meals to neighbors in need, there’s likely a volunteer program in your new location that can help you get up close and personal with your new surroundings and its people. Aside from giving you something to feel good about, volunteer programs will help you meet new friends and explore lesser-known parts of town.

Say “yes” to any opportunity that comes your way.

Think back on any fun, totally random experience you’ve ever had, and it’s extremely likely that you simply took a risk and said “yes” when you could have easily said “no.” From impromptu road trips to an evening of spontaneous concert-hopping, it always seems like the most memorable times come from an unstructured activity that wasn’t planned too in-depth. Why not adopt the same mindset during your first few weeks of college? You’ll be surprised where the universe will lead you, if you allow yourself to go with the flow. Just don’t throw all caution to the wind – you’ll still need to attend classes regularly and complete your assignments in a timely manner to make it through the next four years!

From delicious, regional restaurants to one-of-a-kind shops and Insta-worthy fall festivals, even the smallest of college towns will surprise you with their unique attractions, events, and activities. No matter where your interests lie, there are plenty of exciting aspects of your new zip code to discover– you just have to keep an open-mind! Whether you choose to spend an afternoon exploring local pitstops on the campus bus route, volunteering with a neighborhood organization, or simply getting to know a native of the area, there are plenty of fun ways to familiarize yourself with the place you’ll spend the next four years. So, what are you waiting for? Adventure awaits!

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