While spending the entirety of your time on campus staring at the wall is definitely the height of entertainment for some, going out and experiencing the big wide world isn’t the worst thing ever. When that that time comes gravitate towards these three activities: community events, the Peabody Essex Museum, and the Marblehead-Salem Rail trail. All three offer their own range of benefits and disadvantages however the thing they all have in common is they are a ton of fun!
Campus organizations like LASO, MSA, and UAT regularly host community events on campus that are rarely ever a drag because of active student presence. Events range from panels of notable speakers to themed parties all exquisitely planned and executed by the student body. Events serve as on campus gathering points and are attended by various peers and faculty all interested in the current offering. As a result these are an excellent place to network and connect with individuals aligned with your visions and interests. The final significant point is the free food offered at these events, need I say more?
The Peabody Essex Museum is an excellent stop in downtown Salem for any students seeking a unique experience for the flat cost of free ninety -nine. The museum is actually one of the oldest continuously running museums in the United States and is also ranked within the top 20 museums in the country. The museum hosts a vast collection of art and manuscripts, many still unknown to the public, and is currently in the middle of yet another expansion of it’s presentation space. The PEM offers a series of revolving exhibits as well as the Yin Yu Tang house; an entire 19th century Chinese home disassembled at the original village in China and reassembled in Salem as a permanent exhibit. The Yin Yu Tang house is actually the only example of Chinese vernacular architecture in North America.
The Marblehead-Salem Rail trail is my personal favorite of the trifecta and perfect for any student seeking respite from the stressors of everyday campus life. Walking down the bike path is serenity and especially when you reach further down absolutely beautiful surrounded by trees and nature. The trail is 4 miles long, though you don’t need to walk it all, and a part of the East Coast Greenway. The trail runs through the Wyman Woods Conservation area and a curious adventurer could walk straight to the waters edge and take in the sights before turning back and heading to campus.
