So you’ve moved into your dorm room. Now what? Ashland may be a small town, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything to do. Why not go out and explore any of these local recommendations?

1. Grandpa’s Cheesebarn

Visit Grandpa’s Cheesebarn to find a wide variety of cheeses, meats, dips, and other snacks to purchase. The barn is situated at 668 US-250, which is right next to Fin Feather Fur Outfitters. Don’t forget to stop into the cheesebarn’s sister store, Sweeties Jumbo Chocolates, before you leave to pick up their handmade desserts!

2. Athletic events

Sporting events happen year-round and are an exciting way to cheer on fellow Eagles. With all of the Division II sports AU offers, games are regularly taking place during all seasons. As an added plus, student tickets are usually offered at a discount.

3. Downtown Ashland

Downtown Ashland can be found just up Claremont Ave. and has plenty of shops explore that are within walking distance of campus. The stores are diverse, ranging from a record shop and a tattoo parlor, to restaurants and clothing boutiques.

4. Richland Mall

If downtown doesn’t satisfy your shopping fix, be sure to check out the Richland Mall. The shopping center is about a half-hour drive from campus in Ontario, OH. There are many businesses to explore, such as popular retailers and fast food chains.

5. CAB events

The Campus Activities Board, or CAB, organizes events that happen around campus throughout the school year. Events like movie nights, comedians, and grocery bingo are organized and typically free to students. CAB also coordinates larger events like Spring Fest.

6. Use your student discount

Student’s EagleCards don’t only serve as a means to access buildings and dining services, but will grant you discounts if you use it at certain businesses around the city. Stores like McDonald’s, Applebee’s, and Eva’s Treats and many others offer discounts.

7. Honey Haven Farm

Honey Haven Farm is a local business in Ashland. Through Sept. 8 it hosts a farmer’s market with fresh produce until their fall festival begins on Sept. 30. The Fall Festival has a corn maze, horse-drawn wagon rides, a pumpkin patch, and many other seasonal activities.

8. Freer Field

Freer Field is an Ashland City park that’s less than a half-mile south of campus. It has a spacious, grassy area surrounded by a paved path leading into the woods where there are hiking trails. Freer Field is a solid choice if you’re looking for a place to run, walk, need a large space, or want to look at the stars.

9. Ohio State Reformatory

What once was a notorious prison, has been restored. The Ohio State Reformatory, also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, is a supposedly haunted building and has been used as a set in music videos and films such as The Shawshank Redemption. The reformatory is less than 30 minutes from campus and offers a variety of tours to the public for people who might be interested in the historic elements, ghostly encounters, or film history that the building has to offer. If you’re brave enough, take a tour of this infamous site!

10. Coburn Art Gallery

Ashland University is home to the Coburn Art Gallery. It’s located inside of the Center for the Arts building (CFA). The gallery is free and open to the public, but many of the works inside are available for purchase. Visual art exhibitions regularly take place during the school year and often feature the work of many university students, faculty, and that of other contemporary artists. The first exhibition to be held this semester is called Obsolescence and opens on Aug. 31 at 4:30 p.m. in CFA.

11. Bowling

If bowling is right up your alley, stop by Luray Lanes. The bowling alley is a local business and can be found at 647 E Main St. in Ashland. CAB has organized it so the business offers free bowling to AU students one Thursday out of every month, so be sure to take advantage of those dates and bring your AU I.D.!

12. Audubon Preserve

Another park in Ashland is the Audubon Wetlands Preserve, which can be found at 1379 Township Road. 743. There are hiking trails and plenty of plants and animals so see. Some science classes even take trips there to study the wildlife. If you’re interested in hunting, the park allows for deer archery during certain months.

13. Volunteering

AU offers students many opportunities to give back to the community through the student organization AU G.I.V.S. Participants have the opportunity to walk dogs at the local animal shelter, participate in Ashland County’s largest food drive, build a home with Habitat for Humanity, and much more.