Joanna Adduci

Editor of Features

As the summer comes to an end and students crawl back to campus, the boroughs of Manhattan offer an abundance of free activities and fresh dining options for St. John’s students. Spend a warm Sunday afternoon at Washington Square Park, easily accessible from the
local subway station. Want to stay close to campus? Visit the Museum of the Moving Image, located right here in, Queens.
Looking for something delicious for dinner? Visit Trattoria 35, a fantastic Italian restaurant nestled at the end of Bell blvd., offering everything from brick oven pizza to old fashioned spaghetti and meatballs. The transition from home, wherever that may be, can be a positive one for students. Take advantage of the surrounding area for an entertaining and enjoyable fall semester.
Let’s face it, leaving home cooked meals for dining hall grub isn’t easy. Take a leisurely stroll off campus and explore the local eateries. Anything from Italian to Vietnamese is easily available. On Union tpke, Sabatino’s Restaurant and Acquista Trattoria take the spotlight for cheap, quality eats. Tasty pizza, paninis, and salads are great options for students looking for something particular. If you have some time and a form of transportation, take a ride down Bell blvd. and choose from a surplus of dining options. Pub food, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Italian and Greek only list a few choices students will encounter as they enter a more eccentric area of Queens.
Take the boulevard all the way to the end and you will end up at Trattoria 35, a necessary culinary experience for all students. As soon as you enter, you’re treated like family. Warm focaccia, topped with olive oil and the perfect amount of roasted tomato, begins the meal, followed by an exuberant accumulation of appetizers and entree options. The friendly waitstaff will list the specials, most of which take a fresh spin on various pastas and meats. End the meal with a cannoli or slice of chocolate mousse, and wait in anticipation for your next visit to this cozy eatery.
Enjoy the warm weather while it lasts, and spend an afternoon at the Brooklyn Bridge Park, filled with obscure foliage and a view that will last a lifetime. Walk the bridge with friends, grab a slice of authentic New York pizza and soak up the sun.
If you’re headed to Manhattan, Washington Square Park is the ultimate daytime destination. Greenery, loads of activities, picnic areas- it’s a must! If the weather isn’t on your side, take advantage of the museums in the area. The Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria offers free admission fridays from 4-8 p.m. It’s eclectic collaboration of artwork is astounding, and a great experience for students. In Manhattan, the International Center of Photography offers free admission on Fridays from 5-8 p.m., and provides a great date night with distinct collections of photographers’ work.  Having some fun is a key component of a good college experience. On weekends, students can head to “300NY,” a modern bowling alley/lounge in Chelsea, where 32 lanes are surrounded by big screen TVs, lounge chairs, and an entertaining ambiance. If you’re midtown, visit Bowlmor Lanes, which offers $24/per person unlimited bowling and shoes.Maybe you’re in the mood for a good cup of coffee and some great conversation. Abraco in the East Village offers various international beverages, seasonal frittatas, and is known for its house roasted beans. Family-owned Cafe Pedlar in Brooklyn makes waves with their
espresso based beverages and delectable homemade German and Austrian desserts. From good pizza, to a long stroll in
Washington Square Park, students can take advantage of the warm weather before the pristine foliage transforms into mere remains, draping Manhattan in
shades of crimson and gold.