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View of Glenside Avenue Easton Road intersection

Mid-Semester Stress Busters

Sixth week evaluations are a distant memory and, at this point, most of us just want the semester to be over already. Even though school can be rough, it is important to try to make the most of your free time by enjoying yourself on and around campus as much as you can.

A lot of people tend to overlook the town of Glenside. I’ve heard students say that Glenside does not offer much to do, and that is just not true. Here are some awesome places at Arcadia and around Glenside that I love to visit during my free time (which is slowly getting smaller, unfortunately).

De-Stressing On and Around Campus
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.

Small group of students posing for the camera on Grey Towers staircase outside.

De-Stressing On and Around Campus
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.

A sign leading to the Counseling Service Office.

De-Stressing On and Around Campus
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.

A street light banner showing Downtown Glenside.

De-Stressing On and Around Campus
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!

The Glenside Pub location.

De-Stressing On and Around Campus
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.

The store window of a sell-trade-repair store with a view of Nintendo Mario statue.

De-Stressing On and Around Campus
Looking for cheap and cute antiques to spice up your dorm? Head on over to Sweet Magnolia Antique Shop.

The interior view of an antique or thrift store.

De-Stressing On and Around Campus
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.

The Apollo Pizza building.

De-Stressing On and Around Campus
Dreams was voted one of the best ice cream shops in all of Montgomery County for 2016 by Yelp.

Quaint ice cream shop.

De-Stressing On and Around Campus
(They are famous for their ice cream doughnut, a personal favorite.)

A bagel-like desert with blue frosting.

De-Stressing On and Around Campus
Yes, downtown Glenside has an art gallery, and it’s pretty awesome. Established in 2016, Moody Jones Gallery specializes in contemporary art.

The entrance of an art gallery with pieces of artwork at the door.

De-Stressing On and Around Campus
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.

A wall mural in Glenside showing an antique Mooneys Moving & Storage truck.

De-Stressing On and Around Campus
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).

A person walking through a wooden covered bridge.

De-Stressing On and Around Campus
The Wissahickon trails have waterfalls and even a covered bridge. Go out and get some exercise!

A park view with small waterfall during the autumn season.

De-Stressing On and Around Campus
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.

Outbound Trains staircase leading to the train-station.

De-Stressing On and Around Campus
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.”

A group of Arcadia students at the Liberty Bell.

De-Stressing On and Around Campus
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.

Underground tunnel with chipped off walls.

De-Stressing On and Around Campus
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.

A student sitting at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens.

Small group of students posing for the camera on Grey Towers staircase outside.
A sign leading to the Counseling Service Office.
A street light banner showing Downtown Glenside.
The Glenside Pub location.
The store window of a sell-trade-repair store with a view of Nintendo Mario statue.
The interior view of an antique or thrift store.
The Apollo Pizza building.
Quaint ice cream shop.
A bagel-like desert with blue frosting.
The entrance of an art gallery with pieces of artwork at the door.
A wall mural in Glenside showing an antique Mooneys Moving & Storage truck.
A person walking through a wooden covered bridge.
A park view with small waterfall during the autumn season.
Outbound Trains staircase leading to the train-station.
A group of Arcadia students at the Liberty Bell.
Underground tunnel with chipped off walls.
A student sitting at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens.

We are all in the same boat when it comes to class. Instead of stressing and isolating yourself in your room, get up, get out, and get moving. Glenside is an amazing place, and I am so happy to call the greater Philadelphia area my “new” home. 

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