Great Opportunities Exist for Students to Get to Know Scranton this Fall
Getting to Know Scranton
As the fall semester gets underway, this new academic year is already unique in many ways with the new safety measures in place to keep everyone safe. Although this year is different, there are still many ways that University of Scranton students can have fun and explore and enjoy the Scranton area.
10th Annual Downtown Scavenger Hunt
One of the hallmarks of back to school for University of Scranton students is the annual downtown Scavenger Hunt event, now in its 10th year. This year, the event is still on with some new modifications. Among the updates to this year’s event is a new registration system online by visiting www.surveymonkey.com/r/Hunt2020 or by scanning QR codes on posters located across campus. This year’s event also requires all students to wear masks, maintain 6 feet social distancing, and to keep teams to 2 students, roommate preferred. This year’s hunt is entirely outdoors, with Iggy posters in business windows featuring QR codes that students can scan for clues, instead of paper clues as in past years.
The Scavenger Hunt has also added two additional grand prizes for the Photo Contests. University students can explore the downtown to find historical monuments and downtown murals and then submit their photos to community@scranton.edu. A second photo contest will award a grand prize the most creative photo submitted during the course of the event. Students can follow The Office of Community Relations on Facebook @uscrantoncommunity & on Instagram and Twitter@uofscommunity for additional clues, contests, and prizes during the course of the weekend.
Outdoor Recreation
Students looking to take a break from coursework and the city can easily find many natural outdoor spaces to explore located within a short distance from campus. One favorite outdoor location is Nay Aug Park, which is easily accessible on foot or bike from campus heading up Mulberry Street. Nay Aug Park is the largest park in the City of Scranton featuring several walking trails and a pedestrian footbridge to allow visitors to cross over the Roaring Brook.
Another great natural escape close to campus is the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail with 70 miles of paved trail that crosses over 30 communities and includes the D&H Rail-Trail. From downtown Scranton, outdoor enthusiasts can enter the trail either at the 7th Avenue Trailhead, two blocks southwest of Lackawanna Avenue, or at the Olive Street Trailhead, located on Olive Street one block down from the intersection with Providence Road. For trail maps and additional information, please visit https://lhva.org/HeritageTrail.php.
A short drive, or if you are extra energetic run, from campus is the Lake Scranton Walking Trail. This 3.57-mile asphalt trail is a favorite of local runners training for races. This beautiful outdoor trial is a circular loop around Lake Scranton. Now that the nights are turning cooler, the beautiful fall foliage will soon begin and visitor can enjoy taking the beautiful vistas from around the lake. There is free parking just up the hill from the intersection of Moosic Street and Lake Scranton Road.
Downtown Dining
Scranton and the surrounding area is also famous for its many options for foodies and our downtown restaurant businesses offer a variety of outdoor dining options and takeout. You can enjoy a classic NY style slice from DaVini Pizza, delicious deli favorites from Abe’s Kosher Deli, grab a coffee at Northern Lights Espresso Bar or Adezzo, comfort food at Paradise Soulfood & Sweets, delicious grill and Mediterranean favorites from The Garden Mediterranean Café, and so much more. One thing is for certain, downtown Scranton has something for everyone. Many downtown businesses also offer 10% off to students that show their Royal Card. To learn more about the downtown discount program visit the Office of Community Relations website at scranton.edu/about/community-relations/downtown-info-discounts.shtml.
