Activities for King's College and Wilkes University Students

With two colleges, three professional sports teams, and a thriving downtown area, Wilkes-Barre is improving to become a city that is more in touch with college students. There are now more restaurants, shopping options, and entertainment available than in the past.

The following is a sampler of what is available to students attending college in the area. If you want to know more, you can always go explore the town on your own or ask local residents about other favorite hangouts.

Added most recently was the Barnes and Noble college bookstore in downtown Wilkes-Barre; located next to Boscov's. On the top floor, it is like any other Barnes and Noble store with different sections of books and magazines and Starbucks Coffee refreshments. On the bottom floor, students who attend Kings' College and Wilkes University will be able to purchase their textbooks and other school supplies; including notebooks, binders, and writing tools.

The Wachovia Arena, which is a ten minute drive from both campuses, is home to two professional sports teams: the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League, and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers of the Arena Football2 League. If you're interested, you can purchase full or partial season tickets to both teams, or you can get individual tickets for you and some of your friends in advance.

The Arena has hosted several concerts; nationally known artists such as Martina McBride, Keith Urban, and the cast of each American Idol season have visited Wilkes-Barre and drawn faithful followers each year. The monster truck show Monster Jam makes a visit each March and the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus is a hit for all ages.

If you feel like driving a little further when April rolls around, you can take a half an hour ride to PNC Field; formerly known as Lackawanna County Stadium. After undergoing renovations, including adding more seating and installing a new grass surface, PNC Field is hosting the new Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Baseball fans can get tickets for $9.00 to see up and coming New York Yankees stars. You can also enjoy a meal in the adjacent Stadium Club restaurant before, during, or after the game.

Aside from the downtown Barnes and Noble, there are a few other major shopping options in Wilkes-Barre. The Wyoming Valley Mall has known chains such as JCPenney, FYE (For Your Entertainment), the GAP, Macy's, and Hot Topic. There is also a seven restaurant food court with options between Auntie Anne's soft pretzels, Orange Julius smoothies, McDonald's, Arby's, Subway, Dino's Pizza, and Chinese food.

Since the Arena opened in 1999, the nearby area, known as the Arena Hub Plaza has provided an endless amount of shopping choices for the locals. There is also a Barnes and Noble store up here. Other chains are in abundance as Old Navy, Best Buy, Eddie Bauer, and the Shoe Department just to name a few call the Arena Hub home. A Target department store and Super Wal-Mart are also nearby.

If you need a break from campus food, the area provides just that and then some. An Applebee's, Red Robin, Boston's the Gourmet Pizza, Uno Chicago Grill, Cracker Barrel, Olive Garden, Quizno's Subs, and the Outback Steakhouse all have great service and excellent food that is well worth your money.

Independent restaurants that are still worth trying are Grotto Pizza, which is a small chain that offers pasta specials, lunch specials, and hosts the weekly Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins radio show in the Skybar Sports Bar. La Tolteca provides Mexican food hot and fresh out of the pan, and Arena Bar and Grill has more than 50 beers on tap, a wide selection of martinis and other frozen alcoholic drinks, and a food menu from appetizers to desserts.

For moviegoers, there is no longer a need to go to Scranton to see a movie in style at the Cinemark. Last June, the R/C Movies 14 opened in downtown Wilkes-Barre. The new theatre features 14 screens, a Fandango ticket machine where you can purchase your tickets without waiting in line, an arcade, a party room, and concession stands. Each theatre also comes with stadium seating which you can adjust to watch a movie more comfortably.

There are other options for entertainment in the Wilkes-Barre area, but these are just some of the popular places preferred by the locals. No matter what you like to do, there is sure to be something that you can do with a few friends or family members. Hopefully, your four years in the area will be more enjoyable since you have found plenty to do on your leisure time.