It may seem like everyone is heading to a tropical paradise for spring break, but that is simply not the case. Many students from WCU will be staying local for their week off and they will have little escape from the winter weather or icy conditions. Before you get too upset, realize that there are plenty of fun things to do even if you’re not lounging around in a bathing suit. First, take a look at the city of Philadelphia. There are hundreds of great activities that are going on in the upcoming week and the location makes this trip very affordable. Whether you go for just one day or stay for the weekend, Philadelphia is a city that is sure to please. If you’re in the mood for some fresh air, take a stroll down South Street or walk along Penn’s Landing. For all the art fans, the Philadelphia Art Musuem is presenting a special exhibition by the famous master of design Gaetano Pesce. This is his first museum exhibition in the US in nearly a decade (www.philamuseum.org).
If you’re interested in the life and times of one of Philly’s most famous statesmen, consider checking out one of the many events for Ben Franklin’s 300th birthday. The National Constitution Center is presenting “Ben Franklin: In Search of a Better World” and many local businesses are giving special discounts in honor of the celebration. Many hotels are offering lower rates for either one or two night accommodations as well. To get more info about any of these activities, check out www.gophila.com.
Atlantic City is another option for those who want to get away without traveling too far. For people who like to gamble, there are plenty of casinos offering everything from slots to blackjack tables. Non-gamblers will still enjoy the wide variety of shops, restaurants and nightlife that keep Atlantic City alive well into the night. The Quarter at the Tropicana offers dining choices such as PF Chang’s, The Palm, Carmine’s, The Sound of Philadelphia, Cuba Libre and Hooters. Whether you’re going to gamble or just enjoy the scenery, Atlantic City has something for everyone.
Another choice is to visit friends from other schools. There are plenty of universities that have their spring break at a different time than West Chester. If you have friends that already had their break, why not stop in for a visit? With the time constraints of attending classes, it is often difficult to make the trek to visit our friends at different schools. This is a perfect opportunity to take that road trip through Pennsylvania or even into another state. Just make sure you call your friend first and make sure they can make the time to entertain a visitor.
Several Philadelphia sports teams are in the middle of their seasons so this is a great week to head down to a game. The 76ers play on March 14 at 7 p.m. and the Flyers will be at home on March 11 at 2 p.m. If these tickets are out of your price range, consider attending a Philadelphia Phantoms game. This AHL team will be playing at the Wachovia Center on both the 15 and 17 of March. With tickets starting at $14, there is no excuse for missing out on the excitement.
If you’ve been looking for a way to donate your time and energy to others, why not use your spring break to do it? There is no better time than now to help those in need. Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers to work at several locations throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This organization builds a house about every 26 minutes and has sheltered over 1 million people throughout the world according to www.habitat.org. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that brings homeowners and volunteers together to build homes. All projects are completed under the supervision of trained contractors so everyone involved can remain safe. For more information on how to get involved visit their website www.habitat.org.
As you can see, there are plenty of choices for fun activities over spring break. You don’t have to have tickets and reservations in an exotic location to enjoy this mid-winter tradition. Spring break is about relaxing and refueling for the final half of the semester and it is only as good as you make it. Have fun and be creative because spring break only comes once a year.