As the cicadas serenade the DU community into fall quarter, the familiar signs of a new year hang in the air. Eager students move into their new houses and dorms, everyone rushes to the mountains to hike the last trails of the summer and the freshman bombard High Street in clouds of Juul smoke as they tirelessly search for the next best house party. If you’re not familiar with all the events, outdoors, and activities that DU and Denver offer their residents, it’s easy to become stuck in a cycle of fake addresses to parties you don’t really want to attend. As an introduction to DU, here are some of the best of campus’ and Denver’s wonders.
If you missed the DU club fair during orientation week, make sure to browse all the student organizations on campus. Associations like the Alpine Club, Outdoor Photography Club, and the DU Backpacking Club plan outdoor adventures for great prices. Plenty of acapella groups, tango and swing dancing organizations, and even a Harry Potter club are also available for more niche interests. Whether you want to work with DU Medical Brigades on a service trip to a country abroad, participate in debate and mock trial, get together with various political and religious organizations, or join The Clarion, DU provides a vast array of opportunity.
The university’s student alliances also present a fantastic means to socialize and connect with students of similar cultural background, race, or ethnicity. The Black Student Alliance, Asian Student Alliance, Latino Student Alliance, Muslim Student Association, Native Student Alliance, Hillel and countless other organizations are a great space for fun and connection.
Sorority and Fraternity rushing have already taken place for the Fall Quarter, but many Greek life organizations are open to take on new members in the Winter and Spring. Make sure to keep your eyes open if you have any interest in joining either a traditional sorority/fraternity or a business/religious/interest based group.
Outside of campus, Denver’s local concert venues host a wealth of hit musical artists. For Fall Quarter, check out:
Maggie Rodgers @ The Mission Ballroom, Monday Sept. 23
Zara Larsson @ The Gothic Theatre, Tuesday Sept. 24
Toro y Moi @ The Ogden, Thursday Sept. 26
Lewis Capaldi @ The Ogden, Tuesday Oct. 1
Clairo @ Summit Music Hall, Saturday Oct. 5
Mac Demarco @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Sunday Oct. 6
Tyler, the Creator @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Monday Oct. 7
Vampire Weekend @ Red Rocks Amphitheater, Oct. 8-9
Lizzo @ The Fillmore Auditorium, Oct. 15-16
BJ the Chicago Kid @ The Marquis Theatre, Wednesday Oct. 22
Denver’s cityscape also houses various museums to explore. The Denver Art Museum offers enticing permanent exhibits as well as rotating specialties such as the expansive Claude Monet showcase opening to the public on Oct. 20. Also, check out the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Make sure to bring your DU ID card when you go to receive a student discount on tickets.
If you like to get outdoors, head to the mountains and hike before the snow falls! Try places like Golden and Boulder for when you don’t have all day; both are a shorter drive from campus and boast beautiful terrain. For a taller adventure, hike one of Colorado’s 14ers before the winter and the opportunity runs out until next summer. Mt. Bierstadt and Torreys Peak are closer summits to campus. Or, aside from strict hiking, try out the Garden of the Gods park in Colorado Springs, Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins, or even the Great Sand Dunes National Park.
Amazing spots to eat are located all around campus like the original Chipotle, Snarf’s, Illegal Pete’s, Pete’s University Cafe, and all the other restaurants on Evans Avenue and University Boulevard. La Belle Rosette and Kaladi Coffee are also great coffee shops right off campus.
Though this city offers so much excitement, it is normal to feel stressed at the start of a busy school year. If you would like to talk to one of the university’s counselors, The Health and Counseling Center offers counseling, group therapy, and Center for Advocacy, Prevention, and Empowerment (CAPE) services at any time by phone or by appointment.
Make sure to also follow DUPB on instagram at @dupb1 for updates on all the exciting food truck, movie night, concert, festival and student life events on campus in the future.
This year, don’t waste your time at classically bad DU parties – go out and see what the city has to offer.
