Seven Places to Visit on Campus Before You Graduate
Do you miss getting a pastry after class at Bernie’s? Do you want to start working out but don’t want to pay for a gym membership? Or do you want to get out and stretch your legs in the sun? Next time you have an hour or so between classes, start exploring our campus! You might just find your new favorite place to have fun. Get out of your usual spot, grab a friend and explore these seven places!
Arboretum
The top hidden gem at South, the Arboretum is located next to the north parking lot adjacent to the Seattle Chinese Garden and the Landscape Horticulture building. It is truly the most beautiful and peaceful place on campus. If you’re tired of studying in the library and need some fresh air, this is the place to go. It may be a long walk, but it is worth it. There are lots of paths you can take and each path leads to a different, unique garden. There are over fifteen gardens; including the rose, tropical, rock, native, conifer and sensory gardens. The sensory garden is especially interesting because each corner has a different sense like textual, edible, fragrant and tactile. There is also a gazebo that has views overlooking the Seattle Chinese Garden and the Seattle skyline.
“The Arboretum is a nice place to go in-between classes to stretch your legs and clear your head.” –Celeste Wilson, A.S. Biology
Pastry Lab Kiosk
The Pastry Lab Kiosk is a little hidden, but you know you’re close when you can smell delicious sweets. If you’re walking from the Brockey Center to Rainier Hall it’s on the right in the Pastry Lab. Once the door opens you’re hit with an immediate smell of goodness. They have all kinds of pastries from the basics like cookies and lemon bars, to more gourmet sweets like palmiers and napoleon slices. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and prices are affordable. You have to get there earlier to get the best-selling croissants because they sell out quick!
Café Alki
Looking for a different lunch experience? Café Alki is located to the left of the cafeteria and has a green awning above the door. You pay and order before you sit which makes the whole dining process easy and quick. It is casual dining in a bistro setting. The best seller this quarter is the bistro burger for $6.50. The menu varies, but most entrees are around six dollars in price. They also have desserts provided by the Pastry & Baking Arts Program. Café Alki is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.
Alhadeff Grill
The Alhadeff Grill has more of an upscale vibe compared to Café Alki. It is located right next to the cafeteria and is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. Alhadeff Grill offers French American cuisine, and the best seller is the grilled sirloin steak for $8.95. Most entrees cost between seven and nine dollars. They also serve desserts made daily by the Pastry & Baking Arts Program. Four to five times a quarter they offer a Connoisseur Luncheon, but you must pay in advanced and make a reservation. The Connoisseur Luncheon consists of a three course meal (appetizer, entrée, and dessert) and is paired with wine.
Fitness Center and Weight Room
It seems like everyone knows there is a fitness center and weight room here at South, but are unsure of where it is located. As you walk from the Brockey Center towards Rainier Hall, make a right turn before you hit the Pastry Lab and you will start to see signs for the Fitness Center. The center gives students a chance to work out and stay active. There is a variety of exercise equipment from treadmills, elliptical machines, bikes, yoga balls, leg press, hip abductors, kettlebells, and dumbbells that range from 2 to 100 pounds! The Fitness Center is free, students just need to know their student ID number. It is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
“We like to go in between classes to work out because it’s close, and all of the machines are brand new.” –South students Florans Torres & Ayled Chavez
Art Gallery
Looking for a little inspiration? The Art Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is located in the Brockey Center, to the right of the bookstore. Here you can find art of all kinds, provided by students, faculty, staff and community members. There are new art shows twice a quarter, and some shows exclusively feature student artwork. This month’s art show is called “Reaction,” and has pieces which express student, faculty, and staff feelings toward the current political climate. The last day to stop by and see the show is April 28. Occasionally, the Art Gallery is a part of a West Seattle community nighttime art walk. The Art Gallery is a great place to pop in and enjoy art or just to sit and get some homework done in a peaceful and quiet environment.
Game Room
If you need a break from studying, this is the place to go. Whether you need somewhere to go in between classes or just need some fun. The game room has activities like ping pong, video games, chess, pool, and also sports equipment that you can check out. The game room has a good atmosphere to have fun and relax. You’ll find it across from the bookstore in the Jerry Brockey Student Center