By SVEA JONES
Beloit College is not your average campus. The hustle and bustle of a public school in the city is no match for the bubbly and populated community space of our small private college. One could say that we are spoiled to be able to be within walking distance of things on campus, but others find there may not be anything to do. Out here, sometimes you have to get creative to make your own fun. Here are the top picks of activities that won’t break the bank or kill your tank.
IN TOWN:
- Angela’s Attic
Located at 1020 Gardner St., this quonset is packed full of so many goodies that they provide food and drinks to satiate you through your three-hour trek to sort through everything. Vendors and displays change, making this one of my prime sources for Christmas gifts. If you’re an antique slob, this is the place for you. Be sustainable freaks, Walmart is not your friend.
- Downtown Beloit
The downtown Beloit strip can be a lovely outdoor excursion! There are shops like Bushel & Peck’s, known for their cafe, homemade soups, sauces, and pickled assortments, as well as their bookstore and other knick knacks like pig-shaped soap or a kitchen rag that has a few too many curse words on it for it to be funny. There are also places like The Rogue Bookshop, or Chiq & Unique, which has a formal dress corner that is to die for, and right now they’re only $10.
- Farmers Market
Located in the streets of downtown Beloit between May-October from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. or November-April 9 a.m.-12 p.m., the farmers’ market is a great place to find community and support local businesses. The opportunity for fresh veggies, fruits, pastries, cheese, and more is mouthwatering. Come with a budget because it’s easy to get carried away; it’s like going to the grocery store hungry.
CAMPUS:
- Campus event flyers
ALWAYS look at flyers on campus, especially if you have taken the oath not to be on social media ever again and are too busy to look at your email. It’s time to open your eyes to the new world of club and organization events. So much is always happening at once, but they have a purpose of making campus just a little more exciting. Plus, you get to meet new people and make friends. This message is for you, freshman >:(
- Maker Lab
Located in CELEB at 437 E Grand Ave. in downtown Beloit, the lab is the perfect place to make your most outrageous ideas come to life. You can make silly pins, shirts, a wood-engraved box for your vibrator, who knows? The possibilities are endless, and it could be a fun group activity for gift exchanges.
- Powerhouse or Boathouse
There are rentals in both, for God’s sake! Gear Shack is a club that provides rentable gear to students for free. Located below the main floor, they now have a storefront that is open on occasion, so you can have a look at what they provide. They also have a form that you can fill out. The items range from roller blades, lawn games, sports implements, camping gear, hammocks, etc. The possibilities are endless.
On top of that, if you go to the main desk on the main floor of the Powerhouse. You can rent out bikes/cruisers for the day. You could go anywhere! Just be careful of stray mayo packets on the sidewalk. The last time I went on a bike ride, that shit squirted all over my pants and shoes.
Lastly, you can go just down the street to The Buccaneer Boathouse at 1870 S Riverside Dr., maybe on a cruiser or a nice 30-minute stroll in the park, to the location where you can rent canoes and kayaks to travel along the river!
Featured image: Betty Cavicchia’28
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