Ways to Fill Your Free Time at Northland College In Ashland, Wisconsin

1. If you are looking to mingle with classmates and locals, the go-to joint any night of the week is South Shore Brewery and the Deep Water Grille (“the Deep”), which share space in the same building on Main Street in Ashland. There is no better place to drink a small batch, hoppy-as-Hell craft beer and order a gluten-free pizza. Events of the intellectual sort are hosted, such as guest scientific speakers, and many gather here to watch sporting events on TV during hockey and football season. Either way, you won’t leave hungry, sober, or unhappy!

2. Are you a slave to the groove? One of the best venues I have had the pleasure of getting down in is a short distance from Northland’s campus, down a dusty road between Washburn and Bayfield, the neighboring towns. Big Top Chautauqua is a large canvas tent which has housed everyone from local folk bands to Peter Frampton, Keb Mo, Trampled by Turtles, Charlie Parr, and Elephant Revival. There is nothing quite like listening to bluegrass and having a crisp view of the night sky in between sets. If the scene is quiet there, Stage North in Washburn is likely to be attracting locals for a jam band, film viewing, or open mic night! Be sure to allow time to swing through this quaint town for a local treat at CoCo’s Artisan Bread Bakery and Coffee Shop.

3. The American Diner has a place in all brunch-lovers’ hearts. Be prepared to fall into a deep love with breakfast all over again at Delta Diner. This hidden gem’s slogan is “Far Away, Near Perfect,” which is the most honest thing I have heard all week. Backcountry roads will lead you through Chequamegon National Forest until you suddenly stumble upon this restaurant, somehow thriving in the middle of nowhere. It is worth the drive, with a menu featuring local bacon with fresh veggie omelets (I have broken my vegetarian ways over said bacon), old school chocolate shakes, and mascarpone-stuffed French toast, just to name a few highlights. This roadside diner is not to be missed.

4. Need an escape from the North Woods? If your innermost self is screaming for some city slickin’, Duluth, Minn., is only an hour away and a grand place to venture. Check out the Electric Fetus for some hippy digs and used records. Fitger’s Brewhouse is the local brewery, Burrito Union is what’s for lunch, and you’d be a fool to not check out the upcoming shows at Clyde Iron Works, an old warehouse in West Duluth turned music venue and art gallery. I could really go on and on about the possibilities for taste bud bliss in this city (Chester Creek Café, Duluth Grill, Northern Waters Smokehaus, Tycoon’s, Pizza Luce): foodie heaven. Of course, there is the typical college-town club scene, as well. It might be a good idea to visit during the Annual Homegrown Musical Festival, run by the community and featuring more than 200 musical acts. Not to mention, the scenery around Duluth is drop-dead beautiful. Bob Dylan used to frequent Duluth’s Lake Superior shores for inspiration. Duluth truly has a place in my heart.

5. Leaving campus, however, is not necessary when looking for a bit of excitement. Northland does a great job of keeping students busy on the weekends by hosting a variety of events. The themed dorms, such as the Music House, host open mic nights and music documentary viewings almost weekly. The monthly Coffeehaus Concert series is a two- or three-band lineup for free on campus. There is also the once a year Folk Festival and an event on October 28^th called “Queeb,” a reckless celebration based on a folktale about alumnus Floyd E. Queeb, and this event was always the highlight of my year. However, if your dancing shoes need a break, I was also always drawn to the lectures at the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute on campus, where you can listen in on traditional storytellers and poets or talks on climate change or indigenous cultures. No worries; boredom is not a viable option on this campus!

Carmen G. Ruvie is a 2013 graduate of Northland College with a degree in Sustainable Community Development. She currently bounces around on permaculture farms with hopes of creating regenerative change on this planet while simultaneously using every minute of free time following around Grateful Dead cover bands. The good life indeed.