By: Madelynn Lockwood, Features Editor
Now that we are into the thick of the semester, it’s time to loosen up, find some fun off campus and break that monotonous school routine. So here are some of the newest and most fun things that you can do to get off campus this coming week!
You have to be under a rock if you haven’t heard about Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” movie. This is the highly anticipated movie version of her live show by the same name. It premieres next Friday, Oct. 13, at most theaters worldwide — that includes Buffalo! The closest theater showing “The Eras Tour” is the AMC Market Arcade 8 on Washington Street, which is only 2.5 miles from campus. This theater is just steps off of the metro, which makes it most accessible for students without cars on campus. This movie will allow those who weren’t successful in “The Great [Ticketmaster] War” to see, arguably, the greatest live performance of our generation.
With fall peeking around the corner, it is the best time to indulge all your autumnal dreams. The Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence, NY has some of the coolest activities for adults and kids alike. Every weekend of the fall season leading up to Halloween weekend, the farm hosts a different festival, featuring Pumpkin Olympics (Oct. 7–9), Dinosaurs in the Corn Maze (Oct. 14 and 15), BBQ competition (Oct. 21 and 22) and many others. They have a petting zoo, pumpkin and apple cannons, a magic show, fresh baked goods, a haunted hayride, a corn maze (which you can sign up to have dinosaurs chase you through!) and every other fall-themed activity you could possibly think of.
It is incredibly easy to spend an entire day at this massive pumpkin farm, and just one day might not even be enough! Weekend festivals have the most to do and most attractions open, so my best recommendation is to head out on a weekend during early October to see the most. Admission is $15 on the weekend and free on weekdays.
There’s no time like fall to enjoy the cooler climate and gorgeous reds and oranges that Buffalo is known for. Forest Lawn Cemetery is right across Main Street: Forest Lawn has famous residents, tours available and plenty of winding roads that will help you reconnect with nature and simplicity without ever leaving the city. This is perfect for those living on campus without cars. Another outdoor option is Chestnut Ridge Park in Orchard Park, NY. This 1151-acre park provides safe access to the outdoors year round with activities specific to each season. It is about a 20-minute drive from Canisius and is perfect for those who want to spend the day at their own pace, exploring trails or even just sitting under a pavilion. Finally, Knox Farm State Park is the furthest option on this list, being about a 30-minute drive from campus but still well worth the trip. It is roughly 633 acres with about six of them being dedicated to a large dog park. This is another great area to check out if you are interested in seeing some really happy pups, taking in some great scenery or for checking out the ponds and wetlands before they freeze over for the winter.
The hope is that you all are able to take some time for yourself and unwind from the stress of the academic career that is ramping up far too quickly. If you decide to check out any of these spots or events, share your experience with us @thecanisiusgriffin on Instagram.