Where do I go from here?

Where do I go from here?

STAFF WRITER, ASHLEY SILVEY

Planted near the center of a developing Greenville metropolitan area, North Greenville University students are provided ample opportunity to discover and experience the hidden gems rooted all around the local area. Even with limited budgets and constricted time frames, the upcountry offers many different adventures — all we must do is go and enjoy them.

For the weekends when we are desperate to escape the demands of school and the monotonous routines of daily life, you should step out of Tigerville and into the excitement that is all around us.

1) Blue Ridge Parkway  

Although the Parkway consists of miles of scenic views, those who wish to experience the beauty do not have to drive far to reach an access point. Near Asheville, North Carolina it is possible to enter onto the Parkway and continue all the way to Virginia if so desired.

Seeing the Parkway in a foliage of various colored leaves during the fall is a free, enjoyable activity for those who appreciate the outdoors. Along the Parkway there are many attractions, including Chimney Rock, that can be enjoyed from outside of a vehicle.

2) Atlanta Beltline

Only two hours from NGU, Atlanta is a fun, but often disregarded, city to visit. Although it may be more of a pricey choice, there are plenty of things to do in the city other than going to Turner Field.

Made of 22 miles of unused railroad track, the Atlanta Beltline is a great way to experience the inner city of Atlanta without breaking the bank. The Beltline is free to the public and is a place where people may either exercise or simply walk and enjoy all of the creative artwork and restaurants that line the tracks.

3) The Big Mo

Although the season is only until November, this drive-in movie theater offers both inexpensive fun and a trip back in time. The Monetta Drive-In Theatre features current movies and is only $8 per adult ticket.

Located near Columbia, S.C., The Big Mo is a bit of a drive but offers a new atmosphere for avid movie-goers to experience.

4) Gaffney Premium Outlets

Just because your budget may be limited doesn’t mean you can’t have fun window shopping. The outlets have 75 shops to choose from, all of which range from clothing to gifts and specialty items as well as food.

Set near the amusement park Carowinds and the Biltmore House, the transition from shopping to riding roller-coasters or exploring a historic home is simple. The outlets offer a lot of shops to choose from and allows for a change from the typical Haywood Mall.

5) Downtown Greenville

As cliché as this might seem, I believe we all too often forget that we are just outside of a blossoming city that has so much to offer. From coffee shops like Methodical to entertainment like the new Greenville hockey team, the Swamp Rabbits, downtown Greenville is a pleasantly diverse place to spend the weekend.

Greenville is a developing urban center where visitors can choose to find amusement both indoors and outdoors. The city always has special events for the public to attend and very rarely will it cost more than the pleasure it gives.