With the school year beginning, there is much to be seen and done on campus. Before you become consumed in your studies, take some time to experience some of ASU’s sights and activities. With students coming from every part of the world, it’s not hard to become accustomed to the rich culture on campus. These campus hotspots let you see all the happenings and all the people (a lot of them) that make ASU notable.
1. Patriots Square Park in downtown Phoenix Need a place to grab a quick bite or in need of an outfit to wear to a special date on Friday night? Patriots Square Park is a quick light rail trip from the Downtown campus at Washington Street and Central Avenue. Students and urban dwellers can enjoy a range of shopping from the racks of Urban Outfitters to the extravagant jewelry displays of Charming Charlie’s. Closely located to bustling businesses, many professionals utilize the convenience of local food vendors and more popular eating hot spots like Jimmy John’s to escape the office scene.
2. University Bridge in Tempe A historic landmark on the Tempe campus, this high point gives you an overview of ongoing campus activity. Get the opportunity to see original campus locations like Palo Verde East and West and Manzanita Hall while also seeing the latest additions like the Fulton Center. Located over University Road, this prideful hotspot gives you the perfect line of sight to the campus hustle and bustle. See students leaving residential halls or walking to class at the Physical Science buildings.
3. Civic Space Park in downtown Phoenix A favorite among students to gather and interact between classes, the lush greenery of the park is envied by gawkers and the shaded space is great for relaxation. As home to nursing students and journalism students alike, this precious space serves as a meeting destination for all. Grab an iced coffee drink from the Fair Trafe café, which caters to advocates of healthy dining and consumption, and take a second to enjoy the scene. You won’t want to miss the beautiful architectural attraction, which is a metal coil structure twisted in abstract ways, hanging nervously above your head – just be careful where you step as you gaze to the skies.
4. Cady Fountain in Tempe Grab a refreshment at the Memorial Union and enjoy the sights of collegiate interaction at the intersection of Orange and Cady Malls. Students are always here rushing to classes, taking a break for lunch, or meeting up with friends. During the beginning of the semester, clubs and organizations like to boast about their events, and you can always find a dance group showing off their talents. Skateboarders like to ease their way through student traffic, and bikers tend to race through the crowds.
5. ASU Tempe Transit Center in Tempe Do you need a means of transportation or lack the wheels to get to where you need to be? The lightrail and buses are the answer and you can catch them at the Tempe Transit Center located next to Sun Devil Stadium. Purchase a lightrail or bus pass and travel to cross town locations. You can witness the business professionals boarding different buses as they make their way to work in the morning or watch as the station becomes overwhelmed by students heading home after a long day of classes.
Contact the reporter at asjohn10@asu.edu
