For many of us students, college may be our first experience living alone. From buying groceries to finding budget-friendly coffee shops to study at, everything can feel a bit overwhelming at first–especially when you don’t have transportation while living at, or near, the Andrews University campus (where Uber is not a luxury). The Student Movement would like to assist anyone looking for places to go or things to do by introducing you to several spots within walking or biking distance from the campus that are great for hiking, eating, chilling, and meeting your daily needs in general.
Hiking/Biking:
Lemon Creek/Robert and Lillis Kingman Observatory
Near the Pathfinder building, you can find a trail where many people go for hikes or bike rides. It is a great place to witness the change of seasons as the flowers and plants bloom and fade. As you walk the trail, you will also find an observatory located at the top of the hill. They host two or three skywatches every month on Friday nights, so check out their schedules by searching “Robert and Lillis Kingman Observatory” on Andrews University’s website. They also list out the directions on the website, so check them if you are unsure how to visit the place by yourself. If you would rather walk the trail with a group of people, feel free to join the Biophilia Club’s nature walk in the fall semester. Not only would you be safe from getting lost, but you will also have Biology professors as your guides, enhancing your knowledge of Andrews University flora.
Andrews University Farm
If you need time off from studies or simply want to spend time interacting with or watching animals, Andrews University has a special spot reserved just for you. At the farm, you will get to sit down and relax on the pasture while enjoying the company of the animals over the fence. You will also often get the chance to pet the friendly goats who approach you. You can find the way to the farm next to the Smith Hall or Plant Service buildings. Remember to refrain from feeding the animals and only watch them eating their feed provided by their caretakers.
Places to Eat/Chill:
Baguette de France
For nearly 30 years, Baguette has served vegan and vegetarian (and omnivorian) sandwiches, soups, and salads. They have truly built their reputation through great taste and quality. In fact, they are so famous within the Adventist community that, last year, when Baguette had to close for a short while due to a car accident, even students from other Adventist Universities were talking about it.
If you have not tasted their food yet, I highly recommend you to give it a try this week.
Healthy Springs
While Baguette offers a great meal, Healthy Springs, located right behind the Baguette, offers nutritious and delicious desserts and drink options, including muffins, cinnamon rolls, cakes, shakes, and smoothies. They are open every day, and their weekday hours start at 7:00 am. This is a great breakfast option if you’re looking for one!
Revive Coffee
About 300 meters away from Healthy Springs, you can find this cozy coffee shop named Revive Coffee. Along with a lengthy list of coffee, smoothies, refreshers, and desserts at an affordable price, you can also find a space to study or work while charging your laptop. Another perk of this shop is that you can easily find a place to grab lunch or dinner when you are done studying. Multiple food chains like McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut are only a few steps away (literally) from Revive Coffee. In fact, Subway is next door to this coffee shop! So if you are looking for a place to spend a good amount of your afternoon with your stomach filled, Revive Coffee won’t fail you.
Groceries
Apple Valley
Apple Valley celebrated its centennial two years ago in 2019, and their products are a
display of why they have been able to maintain their stores for a remarkably long period of time. Here, you will not only find groceries selected to promote vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, but also a floral shop, cafe, and bakery. Also, the Dollar Store is located right next to the Apple Valley, so you will find most of your basic needs met when you visit there.
Harding’s
If Apple Valley was not enough, or if you were looking for a broader range of options,
visit Harding’s! It is farther away from campus than Apple Valley, but it will take only about fifteen minutes to bike from the dorms. Also, it is open every day, so you can always visit Harding’s instead of turning back sadly from Apple Valley when it closes on Fridays an hour before sunset.
Also, just around the corner, you can find a place called New Berrien Springs Oriental Supermarket to add some Asian flavor to your grocery items. Just be aware that this store is open only on Thursdays 3-7 PM, Fridays 11 AM-6 PM, and Sundays 11 AM-5 PM.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.