As students, we definitely take Grey Towers Castle for granted. Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and as a U.S. National Historic Landmark, the Castle is a great place to hang out. Are you musically inclined? Enter the Castle and enchant the entire building by playing on its grand piano. Take artsy pictures of the Castle’s immaculate architecture both inside and outside the building. My personal favorite Castle spots include the Mirror Room and the Greenhouse Room.
The relaxation room on the garden-level of Heinz Hall, where Arcadia University’s Counseling Services is located, provides all students who would like to chill out and clear their minds a safe space to relax. Additional amenities include a massage chair, aromatherapy, and comfy chairs to help you deal with the crazy moments that each semester throws at us.
Downtown Glenside is amazing, yet many students do not think to check it out. Most importantly, there are awesome spots to de-stress and treat yourself.
Looking for a nice meal with a quaint ambiance? The Glenside Pub is the restaurant for you. It offers discounts to any Arcadia student who walks in with a Knight Card!
If you like video games like me, stepping into Game Junkie is heaven. Take your pick of video games, including vintage Nintendo systems. A life-size Mario replica greets you when you pass the store.
Looking for cheap and cute antiques to spice up your dorm? Head on over to Sweet Magnolia Antique Shop.
If you're ballin’ on a budget, check out Apollo Pizza for dinner and Dreams Ice Cream Factory for dessert. Both Apollo and Dreams deliver to campus.
Dreams was voted one of the best ice cream shops in all of Montgomery County for 2016 by Yelp.
(They are famous for their ice cream doughnut, a personal favorite.)
Yes, downtown Glenside has an art gallery, and it’s pretty awesome. Established in 2016, Moody Jones Gallery specializes in contemporary art.
In general, Glenside is super artsy. Pose with your friends outside the Lewis Paint Shop, and your Instagram followers will be asking where you took such great pictures.
If you feel like getting a little further from Glenside, the following are some of my favorite places to travel to with friends. Fall is the perfect time to explore the Wissahickon Valley Park. As the leaves begin to change, maybe your mindset about the outdoors will change too (for the better, of course).
The Wissahickon trails have waterfalls and even a covered bridge. Go out and get some exercise!
Feel like moving further away? Hop on a train— conveniently located in Downtown Glenside across from many of the amazing stores I mentioned— and head into Philadelphia.
The possibilities in Philly are endless, but one of my favorite places to visit is the Liberty Bell museum. If you feel like exploring the heart and soul of Philadelphia’s rich history, make sure to check out the Bell, located inside a mini-museum where you can read all about its history. It is conveniently located across from Independence Hall. I cannot believe it took until my Junior Year for me to finally take a “Liberty Bell Selfie.”
Feel like living on the edge? Take a tour of Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia’s former prison which housed Al Capone and other famous jailbirds. I’ll stick to the day tours, but night tour options— included the infamous haunted house— are also available.
Want to embrace your artsy side? To visit a place where glass bottles and bicycle tires make for one of the coolest urban gardens in America? Look no further than Magic Gardens. Students only pay $8, and the pictures you take inside the Magic Gardens are priceless.
