Summer is almost over, but there’s still time to try new things! Here are just a few ideas to take advantage of the warm weather before it ends and cross off the last items from your bucket list.

Visit White Clay Creek State Park

Take a hike! Grab a few friends and visit the creek just down the road near North Campus. Here you can find the beautiful waterfalls, as well as different hiking trails to try out and perfect places to picnic.

Find some culture in Philly

The Philadelphia Museum of Art and Magic Gardens are both must-sees. Impressionism, sculpture and paintings coat the walls of the Fairmount museum chartered back in 1876. Tickets are $14 for college students with ID year-round, but you can pay what you wish any Friday night from 5 to 8:45 p.m. and on the first Sunday of the month. The Gardens on South Street showcase the largest mosaic art piece created by Isaiah Zagar. 

Cool off with some ice cream

UDairy has stepped up their game by introducing new menu items and reintroducing old favorites back onto their menu. Recently, Robin’s Triumphant Trifile hit the menu as vanilla pudding ice cream with yellow cake pieces and strawberry blueberry swirls. Their spot on Main Street also offers homemade grilled cheeses and “cownados” (ice cream blended with cold brew). Want a change of scenery? Try Woodside Farm Creamery in Hockessin, another Delaware staple, which serves ice cream and hosts special events all summer long with live music.

Take a brunch break at Grain

Grain has a big brunch menu, but two of our favorite dishes are the fried chicken and donuts with bacon sliders. They also serve a variety of fun summer drinks like the peach guava tea for all diners and mimosa pitchers for those 21 and over. 

Read five new books

Get lost in a new book. Here are a few recommendations for any genre:

• Fiction: “Black Cake” by Charmaine Wilkerson
  Coming to terms with their mother's death, two siblings discover unresolved feelings about their pasts and the mystery of how the family became estranged.
  
• Non-Fiction: “Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases” by Paul Holes
  This memoir from the detective who found the Golden State Killer will keep you on the edge of your seat.
  
• Romance: “Reminders of Him” by Colleen Hoover
  Kenna Rowan hoped to reunite with her daughter after serving in prison for five years. The local bar owner is the only one who hasn’t turned his back on her. Together, they form a connection through hardship and trust.
  
• Thriller: “The Paris Apartment” by Lucy Foley
  Looking for a fresh start, Jess asks to room with her half brother...only to show up to an empty apartment. What happened to him? And are his neighbors to blame?
  
• Historical Fiction: “The Things We Cannot Say” by Kelly Rimmer
  In 1942, Alina awaits the return of her fiancé Tomasz as the Nazis occupy Poland. In present day, Alice cares for her autistic son. This novel travels between two different times and two different women to tell a story of love and loss.

Get your caffeine fix at a new coffee shop

There are plenty of coffeehouses on and around campus for Blue Hens to try and everyone has their favorite—our top choice is Little Goat! Whether you like coffee or matcha, Little Goat has a wide variety of different homemade syrups, local coffee and unique combinations on their menu. 

Catch a Phillies game

Craving a dollar dog or crab fries? Pick a shady seat and enjoy a baseball game; Citizens Bank Park is just a short drive away from campus and the tickets come cheap for college students at $20. 

Go Ape zipline 

Looking for a new adventure? Go Ape offers multiple zip lining and climb courses over spectacular views. Not only is this a fun experience, but you learn a lot about teamwork, self dependability and facing your fears.

Watch the sunset at the reservoir 

Just up the road from campus is the Newark Reservoir. With a trail of 1.8 miles surrounding the water, you can look out above campus and witness some amazing sunsets. Bring dinner along to go for a nature-filled picnic or lace up your running shoes for a nice walk or run around the water.

This blog post is written by our Division of Student Life student intern Elliana Olivo.