Spring semester bucket list
Springtime is approaching, bringing new opportunities for adventure and time with friends. Here are a few winter and spring activities and places to add to your bucket list this semester.
Although cold weather still lingers, students can find plenty of ways to stay cozy on campus as the season begins to change. Simple on-campus activities to enjoy include:
Grabbing hot cocoa with a friend
Making s’mores by the fire on the dining hall patio
Hosting a movie night with a warm bowl of soup
Scrapbooking or making vision boards
For students looking to head off campus while still staying local, here are three spots to check out:
Inklings Bookshop and Café (266 Broad St. NW)
Inklings offers a space to read while enjoying tea and hot chocolate. The bookstore is open Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Gardner’s Market (266 Broad St. NW)
The family-owned shop offers sandwiches, lemonade, breakfast items and lunch options. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Farmhouse Cleveland (2260 Harrison Pike)
Farmhouse Cleveland serves cheese sticks, wraps, burgers and other homestyle favorites in a vintage-themed setting. Operating hours are Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
As temperatures rise, students looking to spend more time in nature this semester can explore several options in Cleveland and around the Ocoee area:
Cleveland Greenway
The Cleveland Greenway is a 3.94 mile paved route that runs along Mouse Creek, offering scenic views, picnic tables and a trail for biking and walking. The greenway is open daily from 6 a.m.-11 p.m.
Benton Falls
Benton Falls is a trail measuring 1.5 miles each way and houses picnic tables along the route as well as a cascade waterfall. The trail is open 24 hours.
Goforth Creek Trailhead
Located outside the Ocoee area in the Cherokee National Forest, Goforth Creek Trailhead offers a 2 to 3 mile round-trip hike featuring multiple waterfalls and cascades throughout the trail. The area is open 24 hours.
Chilhowee Recreation Area
Chilhowee Recreation Area is open for biking, hiking and camping, offering more than 25 miles of trails and scenic waterfall views. The area is open during daylight hours.
Spring calls for road trips, flower picking, and of course, more coffee. Chattanooga and Dayton offer itineraries packed with seasonal experiences:
Chattanooga Market
The Chattanooga Market will open for the season on April 25 and 26. The market features food trucks, fresh produce, local crafts and live music. Throughout the summer, the market is open Sundays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Lorenzen Flower Farm
Tulip season begins in March at Lorenzen Flower Farm in Dayton, Tennessee. Visitors can take a short road trip to Dayton and create their own bouquets of colorful tulips. The season runs from mid-March to mid-April.
Plant Bar Coffee and Tea (202 Manufacturers Road, Suite B.)
Plant Bar Coffee and Tea in Chattanooga offers organic herbal drinks, plant-based coffee and boba. The café is open Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
From campus hangouts to nearby road trips, spring in Tennessee offers plenty of ways for students to explore and make the most of the semester this season.
