After a long semester of papers, projects and tests, college students nationwide need a long relaxing break at home. Instead of sitting around on the couch all day, there are activities and trips they can participate in over winter break. Whether a person wants to head to a warm, sunny beach or a snowy mountain, there are options for everyone. One does not necessarily need a lot of cash to go take a trip, although it does help.
A road trip to New York City is an easy task for any group of friends. All that is needed is a car and some gas money.
New York City during the holidays is a sight that any person must see at least once during their lifetime. Some of the sights include: the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, department stores window displays, the American Museum of Natural History’s origami holiday tree, the Cathedral of St. John and the lights at the Empire State Building. Ice Skating at Central Park is also a time-honored tradition in the Big Apple.
If one is not looking for a holiday-themed activity, many local ski resorts hold specials for college students during the month of December. Skiing, tubing and boarding are favorites of college students at these resorts. Big Boulder and Jack Frost, Blue Mountain, Bear Creek and Camelback are a few hours away, and a relatively cheap way of spending the day doing something different.
A good idea for football fans is to travel to a road game of his/her favorite team. Whether rooting for the Eagles, Steelers or Giants, a person can travel to numerous places throughout the month of December. Spending the weekend on Bourbon Street and taking in the nightlife throughout the weekend, then rooting for the Eagles against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday morning sure sounds like a great time. One can do this the weekend of Dec. 21 in New Orleans, La., for a few hundred dollars.
Atlantic City is great for a day trip, being only an hour and an half from West Chester University’s campus. Atlantic City offers many things to its visitors. The outlet stores in the heart of the city offer shopping for the fashion inclined. Polo, American Eagle, Nike and Coach are some of the many fine outlets.
There are many nightclubs in the area as well. Mur Mur in the trendy Borgata Spa and Casino, The 40/40 Club and the Providence at the Tropicana Casino are some of the most popular clubs in Atlantic City. Harrah’s Casino recently opened The Pool in their casino. The Pool is a lavish inside paradise enclosed by a 90-foot tall dome.
If drinking and the club scene is not for someone, s/he can hang out and try his/her luck at some of the casinos around town. Many casinos have shows every weekend featuring some of the most popular figures in entertainment. Some upcoming shows include Fergie, The Roots and Dashboard Confessional.
Just remember: when a college student goes home for break, his/her parents have gotten used to him/her being out of the house for the past few months. They will not want them hanging around the house all day.
So gather some friends, and plan a trip for your winter break. Try one of the places mentioned above that you have never been to and spend the day, a weekend or even a full week in a different place than the favorite spot in the living room in front of the television.
Craig Gould is a fourth-year student majoring in communication studies with a minor in journalism. He can be reached at CG576796@wcupa.edu.