Venturing Off Campus

There are a million things to love about Carleton’s campus – from stargazing in the arb to walking past old brick buildings, there are always scenic views to appreciate. But sometimes you just want to get out and explore the world. In the past year, I’ve been to a bunch of places, both close to and far from Carleton’s campus, that really help me appreciate my new home state of Minnesota.

Downtown Northfield

Okay so this might not be THE MOST off-campus place you can go to, but downtown Northfield has so much to offer. Within a 15 minute walk, you can get açaí bowls, go to a farmers market or visit a ton of different vintage stores. On any given weekend, you can probably find me getting a meal or just enjoying the atmosphere of Northfield’s cute downtown. 

Pet Store

As a self-proclaimed pet lover, sometimes Carleton’s distance from my cats can be difficult. Last winter, though, my friend Ava and I found out that the pet store nearby has cats. We went on the bus and walked about 20 minutes to meet one of the cutest animals I’ve ever seen. Although this definitely was a trek, it was 100% worth it, and we got our kitty cuddles that tide us over for the rest of the term. It’s also a funny story to tell people when they ask why it took us the entire afternoon to meet a cat. 

Pumpkin Patch

Just last week, I dragged a group of my friends to Bridgestone Pumpkin Patch. We did need to drive there, but we were able to buy decorative gourds for our dorms, get lost in a corn maze and play corn hole all within 30 minutes. This was a great way to celebrate Northfield’s gorgeous fall, and venture a little ways out from Carleton’s campus. 

Mall of America 

If you’re feeling really adventurous, there are buses to the twin cities every weekend. During midterm break last spring, my friend Katie took me to the Mall of America for the first time. We spent the day shopping, eating amazing food and watching other people go on the rollercoasters (not because we were too scared to go on them or anything…). In my opinion, the Mall of America is a right of passage for any non-Minnesota native. 

There are a ton of other places to visit whether you’re in Northfield, the Twin Cities, or somewhere in between. Don’t be afraid to explore somewhere new every once in a while because you never know what adventure might be waiting for you!

Kate (she/her) is a sophomore from the Bay Area, California. She loves Carleton’s artsy community, and is involved in both the Theater and Dance department and Vocal Studies Program. Kate’s favorite places on campus are the practice rooms, either in Myers or the Weitz, where she is often making music with her friends. When not in class, you can find Kate either walking in the arb or forcing her friends to watch bad movies in a study room.