Student Life

From a library with a resident gecko to a Philadelphia food hall, here are affordable places students can reach without a car.

Are you bored on campus but don’t know where to go or what to do? Neither did I when I first moved to a new state for college. Now, with over three years of experience exploring places off campus, I’ve compiled a list of inexpensive and interesting places students can reach by public transportation.

From museums to local libraries and historic Philadelphia food markets, adventures are plentiful and closer than you think.

Bucks County Free Library

Accessible by DART and train

The library offers free library cards to Delaware Valley University students. The card works at 18 libraries in the Bucks County district, and several branches offer free museum tickets. If you need a change of scenery for studying, this is a good option. There are study rooms available to rent and a variety of books, games, toys, magazines and DVDs to borrow. There is also an art vending machine, a penny press and a crested gecko named Gordy.

Mercer Museum

Accessible by DART and train

This museum is a six-story concrete castle that features crafts and trades of pre-Industrial America. Even if you are not a history fan, it is still an interesting site to see all the artifacts looking like they are suspended mid-air throughout the central court. It offers a student discount and is located right across the street from the Bucks County Free Library.

Doylestown Library has really cute musical instruments outside. They are handmade and really fun to play when you are having a bad day.

Caroline Smith, senior zoo science major

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

Accessible by train

This museum has a variety of exhibits that appeal to any nature enthusiast, including me, which is why I intern there. From dinosaurs to dioramas and live animals, the exhibitions change regularly, offering a new experience every visit. It’s a good spot for students looking for an educational and relaxing break from campus life, and student discounts are available. The academy is slated to close, so visit while you still can.

One of my favorite train trips is to visit Reading Terminal Market in Philly. It’s a food hall with a ton of amazing food vendors and shopping stalls.

Justin Brouse, director of student involvement

Shops for specific interests

Accessible by DART or train

Doylestown has a number of stores catering to things you didn’t know you wanted until you saw them.

• Wizarding Ways and More — the newest of the bunch, a fantasy and macabre store carrying Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Supernatural merchandise.
• Classic Games Revisited — video games and console accessories from the mid-1980s to today, plus gaming merchandise.
• Cyborg One — a pop culture store selling comics, manga, games, and anime and comic merchandise.
• Siren Records — vinyl, CDs and apparel across a variety of genres.

Busy Bee Toys is a small business, and it’s woman owned. The staff is really kind. What’s nice is it’s for all ages — there is something there for everyone.

Lex Feuchter, senior English major

Lilith’s Conservatory

Accessible by DART or train

This woman-owned plant store carries a wide selection of rare and hard-to-find plants. It also sells a small selection of bioactive enclosure materials for natural reptile care.

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As the semester progresses, getting off campus doesn’t need to feel intimidating or out of reach. With transportation options right on campus, taking a break from school life can be easy, affordable and refreshing. Whether it’s studying somewhere new, shopping at a local small business or just breaking your routine, these destinations are a reminder that there’s more to discover a short ride away. Sometimes all it takes to recharge is to hop on a bus or train and see where it leads.