If you find yourself on campus during spring break this year and are wondering what to do during your free time, let me provide you with some ideas! Simpson College and the city of Indianola have changed so much since I was a student. Despite this being a little town and college, this small corner of Iowa has a lot to offer!
If you have a car, the city of Des Moines is just 25 minutes away and offers a variety of activities.
The Blank Park Zoo has a menagerie of animals. Who says you’re too old for a trip to the zoo? It’s not every day you get to see a tiger.
There’s also the Des Moines Art Center, which is a great place to go if you’re looking for some culture. It’s also a great date idea!
If you desire to be educated, there is the Science Center and Living History Farms.
Not to mention Des Moines has many restaurants with delicious food.
If you don’t want to make the trip to a bigger city, there are plenty of parks and small towns to visit. The next county over holds one of Iowa’s few attractions, which is Madison County’s covered bridges. These bridges are rare and make for great photo aesthetics.
Though, let’s say you don’t have a mode of transportation and are confined to the campus or Indianola. If this is your situation, I suggest you visit some of the locations in town. Near the campus is a town square with a variety of stores.
There’s the Pageturners Bookstore if you’re looking for a good read, which recently reopened in a new location down the street. There are also locations such as fantastic restaurants, boutiques, and a glass store if you want to paint some ceramics! Outside of the square, you could visit the National Balloon Museum and Hall of Fame, or the Paramount 7 Movie Theater for a good movie. There are also locations such as the Warren County Historical Society and the Annett Nature Center and Park, along with so much more!
Now, if you want to stay on campus, Dunn Library offers a variety of books, puzzles, movies and games. There’s also Buxton Park if you’d like to enjoy some time outdoors. You could also work out at the gym to meet your fitness goals!
If you want to avoid people and do something in your room, you could binge shows or movies! There is a popular anime called “Jujutsu Kaisen,” which I definitely recommend. Or you could complete some homework to feel prepared for classes after break.
However, if you are done with homework, I suggest you pick up an indoor hobby. Take up origami and make throwing stars, so when your roommates and friends come back from break, you can ambush them. You could also make decorative cranes and butterflies. Another thing you can do is create a funny TikTok or Instagram video. There are also options such as learning a dance, drawing a picture, stargazing, watching a nature documentary or learning a magic trick to impress your friends.
Take it from a girl who has been confined to the same building for nearly a century. You can have fun on spring break if you seek it out, and hey, these days your friends are only a phone call away!
Sincerely,
Millie
