Creative Commons

Whether students remaining in Evansville for Spring Break forgot to ask off of work, don’t have the funds for a getaway or just did not make plans in time they may be better off.

While some students are returning home for the break, many others are planning their vacations to the traditional spots down south to escape to the beaches as the weather warms up. Students staying on campus have opportunities to utilize their time off, and that is not only referring to taking advantage of the lack of crowds in the REC or the shorter lines at Starbucks.

Students remaining on campus can make the most of their break by exploring the hidden gems in Evansville and surrounding areas. Evansville is full of experiences that should not be missed by any student, especially students native to Evansville. The list of possibilities is extensive.

Head downtown to go to the Evansville Art Museum where you can watch “Back to the Moon For Good” in the Koch Immersive Theater. While there, it is worth a walk up Main Street where you can eat at Peephole Bar and Grill for a burger or Cafe Arazu Mediterranean Grill. Nearby there is a historic Greyhound Bus Station newly remodeled to fit Bru Burger.

A cat cafe is located at 226 Main St, where the cats awaiting adoption from the Vanderburgh Humane Society are kept. At the cafe, people can get coffee, play with the cats and even adopt them. Students who prefer dogs can spend the day at Vanderburgh Humane Society on 400 Millner Industrial Dr.

From downtown, follow SE 2nd Street south to arrive at Haynie’s Corner Center of Evansville’s art district. The art district houses the old Alhambra Theater and several of the cities art galleries. Across from the early 19th century, First Presbyterian Church is Penny Lane Coffeehouse, where students can get a coffee, listen to music and read the books they have provided there.

Students with a love for music can tour Franklin Street. Live Bands play at Lamascos and PG Cafe and Gallery. Authentic German food is served on Franklin Street at Gerst Haus.

Students without transportation can access Burdette Park trails where there are cabin rentals and hiking trails. Following along the river will lead to the Greenway, with walking paths that run from the downtown riverfront passing the scenic Ohio Street Bridge for a view of the river, a hidden skate park, Garvin Park and ends at Heidelbach canoe launch point for Pigeon Creek.

Nature Explorers can take a 20-minute drive to get to Audubon State Park in Henderson, a 30-minute drive to New Harmony; home to sightseeing like the roofless church, the cathedral labyrinth, and New Harmony State Park. An Hour and a half away is Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest. Travelers to Shawnee can experience rock climbing, waterfalls, gigantic rock formations, hours of hiking, horseback riding and caverns.

While students who remain on campus may earn less of a tan than the students who traveled for vacation, they may have just a good experience, have saved a bit of money and hopefully will be able to remember all of it.