As a Grinnell student, you'll start the day in your dorm room. From there, you'll take your first steps out into the larger Grinnell community—and beyond.
Free concerts, readings, workshops, and performances;
Grinnell College brings a wide range of artistic and cultural activities to campus every week. On any given day, night, or weekend, you may enjoy a breakdancing workshop or a concert from your favorite musician. Recent performances include Kurt Elling, The Mountain Goats, Funkadesi, Jandek, The Blow, Spoon, Andrew Bird, Ghostface Killah, Le Tigre, Cake, Gomez, Dar Williams, the Prazak String Quartet, Herbie Hancock (a Grinnell alumnus), the Bolshoi Ballet, the Afro-Cuban All Stars, the Ailey II dance troupe, Urban Bushwomen, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and Joan Baez. Check out Grinnell Concerts!
Speakers, lectures, symposia
Campus is buzzing with intellectual activity, including speakers that deliver public lectures on everything from foreign policy to health care reform. The Rosenfield Program is particularly well-known for its public affairs symposia, and Writers @ Grinnell consistently brings renowned authors to campus for public readings.
Student groups
One of the best ways to meet new people in college! Grinnell has over 100 student groups, ranging from the serious to the silly. Groups meet daily, weekly, or monthly. If you don't see a group you like on the list, make one!
Athletics
Whether you're an athlete or spectator, the 18 Pioneer teams offer great entertainment every weekend. Sports include baseball, football, basketball, soccer, golf, swimming, tennis, track, softball, and volleyball. Visit Athletics for more.
Intramural sports
If you're as serious about athletics as you are about having fun, you may be interested in joining a club or intramural sport. Popular sports include Ultimate Frisbee, water polo, and even kickball!
Fine dining
The Marketplace, Grinnell's dining hall, serves made-to-order meals in an exquisite facility. At every dinner, students have the option of freshly cooked pizza, pasta, stir-fry, or deli-style sandwiches, as well as vegan and religious choices. Grinnell Dining is committed to the local foods movement, bringing in fresh foods from local farms.
Study!
There are tons of great study spaces at Grinnell. Enjoy the resources and near-silence of Burling Library, Kistle Science Library, or the Creative Computing Lab. Study spaces that double as hang-out spots are the Laurel Leaf Lounge, the Spencer Grille, and plenty of nooks in the Rosenfield Center, as well as the Stonewall Resource Center, Bob's Underground Cafe, and the numerous wireless-equipped dorm lounges.
Party!
Almost every weekend, the College throws free parties in the Harris Center. Sponsored and DJed by various student groups, annual favorites include Disco, Fetish, Rave, and Mary B. James (cross-dressing competition named for James Cottage, a residence hall on south campus).
Religious life
Grinnell sustains communities from every major religious denomination: various sects of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Paganism. For more information, visit the Chaplain's Office and for information on specific groups, visit Spiritual Groups.
Work out
Keep that student body in good condition by using Grinnell's brand-new Athletic and Fitness Center. Tons of great workout equipment, TVs, and a sound system make Grinnell's community strong!
Movies at the Strand
The recently restored Strand Theatre on Main Street shows three films at a time. Nestled in the heart of downtown Grinnell, the theatre is a great stop-off after dinner at Lonnski's Pub & Deli and before coffee and ice cream at Grinnell Coffee Company.
Fun spots to hang out
Bring some homework or just some reading and grab a cup of coffee at Saints Rest or Grinnell Coffee Company. Order a sandwich or a beer and enjoy good company at Lonnski's Pub and Deli. Assemble a team and join in the fun at the Bowladrome. Curl up for an afternoon at the Stewart Library. Spend a night on the town at Rabbitt's, the Down Under Pub, or State Street Bar.
Farmers' Market
When the weather is warm, you can buy the very freshest produce from local farmers. Every Thursday and Saturday, they crowd 4th Avenue with stalls full of ripe veggies, fresh-baked breads, homemade pastries, and local wine tasting. Afterwards, enjoy Jazz in the Park as the entire community pulls up lawn chairs to listen to local musicians.
Shopping
A variety of local business cater to the town's needs. Clothes, shoes, groceries, books, coffee, furniture, bikes, arts-and-crafts supplies and more (four pizza parlors!) can be purchased in town. The local Super Wal-Mart also serves the needs of the community. See Community Resources for more information on local businesses.
Des Moines
The capitol of Iowa, this city is only 45 minutes from Grinnell. Students enjoy traveling to Des Moines for lectures at Drake University, shopping at the many stores and Jordan Creek Mall, as well as the wide range of restaurants.
Iowa City
The quintessential Big 10 college town, Iowa City is a popular getaway for Grinnell students. Prairie Lights bookstore and the highly respected Iowa Writers' Workshop are a hub of intellectual activity. Coral Ridge Mall and tons of shops make for a fun afternoon.