The Best Places to Hang Out at the University of Arizona

The one question that every college freshman never fails to ask about the place where they will be spending the next four years of their life is . . . where are all of the best places to hang out? While, over time, you will inevitably find your own personal nooks and crannies on campus, I have created a list consisting of a few of my favorite places to spend time at my alma mater, the University of Arizona, in order to give you an idea of just a few of the fabulous hangouts that this college has to offer its students.

Food and Drink

One of my favorite places to eat at the University of Arizona is IQ Fresh. Located in the food court of the Student Union Memorial Center, IQ Fresh offers a variety of amazingly tasty fresh food that is a nice alternative to the standard fast food fare. You have your choice of wraps, salads, and fruit smoothies. This is a great place to eat for both vegetarians and those who prefer something a little heartier. The best part of all, the majority of the items on the menu cost less than five dollars. I highly recommend that everyone try IQ Fresh at least once.

Coffee is an essential part of the college lifestyle. While there are numerous places to grab a beverage around campus, my personal favorite is a coffee stand called Common Grounds. Located in the middle of the Modern Languages building, Common Grounds is an excellent place to grab a quick coffee beverage between classes. In addition to regular coffee, they also sell blended and iced flavored coffee, teas, and smoothies. The frothed hot chocolate that Common Grounds offers is one of my favorite cold weather beverages. However, the best part of Common Grounds is the employees. Always friendly and happy to chat as they prepare your order, those who work at Common Grounds make it a place that you truly want to visit for your everyday coffee.

Entertainment

I am a huge fan of theatre and the University of Arizona is the home of the amazing Arizona Repertory Theatre. The majority of the plays that the students perform occur at the Marroney and Tornabene Theatres. The Fine Arts students perform plays ranging from classics to comedies. There really is something for everyone. While the tickets for the shows average out to about twenty dollars (with the student discount), the plays are well worth the money and they make for a fun evening.

Shopping

One of the best places to shop in between classes is University Boulevard. In addition to the various cafés and restaurants along this street, you will also find popular stores such as Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, and Ed Hardy. The University of Arizona Bookstore is also located on University Boulevard. The bookstore is the perfect place to buy, among many other items, U of A clothing, textbooks, general books, souvenirs, and even make-up.

Culture

One of my favorite places to see an art exhibit was actually introduced to me when I had to go there for a class assignment. This special place is the Center for Creative Photography. The Center for Creative Photography is the home of some of the most beautiful . . . you guessed it . . . photography. There is an array of photography outlining different periods in history and showcasing different photographic styles and methods. The center really is magnificent. The admission is free, the building is located directly on campus, and, overall, it makes for time well spent when you have a free hour or so.

Studying

The best place to study on campus is the Information Commons located in the Integrated Learning Center (ILC). Filled with over 250 desktop computers, the Information Commons is an excellent place to do research, work on a paper, or just take a break from your day and play on a computer. The Information Commons also has a large group study room filled with comfortable armchairs, tables and chairs, and plenty of outlets to plug in your laptop. There are even private group study rooms available. The Information Commons is the perfect place on campus to study alone, in a group, or to just relax between classes.

Important Resources

In this last section, I have included a few links to some resources that you might find very helpful during your time at the University of Arizona.

The first link connects you to a map of the campus so that you can find your way to all of the places that I outlined above.

http://iiewww.ccit.arizona.edu/uamap/campus-map_Jan-04.pdf

The second link connects you to a list of some of the clubs and organizations on campus. Getting involved in campus activities is one of the best ways to meet new people.

http://asua.arizona.edu/ASUASite/Downloads_files/clubslist0910.htm

The third link connects you to the University of Arizona's career website. This site will help you plan, find, and obtain the career that you would like to get after you graduate from the U of A. The site offers a number of unique resources that I encourage you to take advantage of during your time at the University of Arizona.

http://www.career.arizona.edu

I hope that you enjoy the list of places at the University of Arizona that I have outlined for you. Now I encourage you to explore the campus and find your own special spots at the place that you will be calling home for the next four years of your life.