The Grinnell community has no borders. Everything from the curriculum to the day-to-day conversation in the residence halls is open-ended in context and consideration.
For those who want to add geographic dimension to that intellectual latitude, the cities of Des Moines and Iowa City are just an hour away, and one can be in Chicago, Minneapolis, or Kansas City in less than five hours. But for most students, the 120-acre campus and the town of Grinnell provide more than enough opportunities for exploration and entertainment.
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.