Days and Nights Around NC State

When you are a student at one of the largest schools in North Carolina, you make your own fun. As a recent grad, I can tell you that the Wolf Pack are excellent fans, love hanging with friends, and big on eating out. Although the campus is big, there are few places that we all have in common.

If you had to look for anyone start in the "Brickyard." The brickyard, as it is fondly called, is the outside area between the library, the atrium, and the math building. The area is completely covered in bricks, hence the name. It's where everyone hangs out or at least comes through once a day. The place where the fraternities are sororities have their jump-offs; the new pledges run naked; the clubs and organizations build their habitat homes; and, sidewalk preachers give their messages. On a big campus, you can easily meet a new person everyday, but you have a good chance of seeing someone you know in the brickyard.

When you are in the mood to coffee, you head over to Cup of Joes on Western Blvd, right across the street from main campus. Apart of the new and improved Mission Valley Shopping Center, Cup of Joes has been a favored hangout among students for years. With a great location, in between the main movie theater and the Record Exchange, this coffee shop is often filled with study groups, first dates, and or just friends. There is an outside area for smokers and the inside has tables as well as comfortable chairs and couches. The wireless access has only increased the traffic. But wait until you taste the coffee. The specialty coffee of Cup of Joes makes Starbucks seem small. I am a big fan of the Turtle Mocha, and they serve food. The sandwiches are a little expensive, but definitely worth it.

Do you need a beer or a laugh? If you said yes to either, than you should head over to Charlie Goodnights. About a mile from campus, Charlie Goodnights is the premier comedy club in Raleigh, North Carolina. Although the Charlie's stage has been graced by the likes of Dave Chappelle, Jay Leno, Bill Bellamy, and many, many others. As you enter the comedy club, you see the wall of comedy legends that have come and left their mark. However, it's the amateur nights that are big with students. Commonly known as Fajita Margarita, night, Wednesdays at Charlies are set-aside for anyone who wants to give stand-up comedy a try. And just to make a few laughs more accessible to the average broke college student, Charlie's mangers have been known to give students a discount or let them in for free. Yet, for most student's it the Underground that's more popular. The Underground is a bar beneath the comedy club. Most people stop in to catch a beer before the show, but for most students the music and prices make the Underground a great hangout all on it's own.

No one parties like the Greeks. If you are looking for an all out student party, then you are going to Fraternity Court. Fraternity Court is the area of campus dedicated to Fraternity and Sorority Houses. Frat Court is home to some of the biggest parties and best rushes. But generally you have to pledge before you can party.

NC State University is great school and there are other places that you may find students. Yet these are the most popular among students, alumni, and those who are still students at heart.