Take advantage of a quieter Newark with these 11 activities while UD students are at home

Now that the University of Delaware is on winter break for the next few weeks and Blue Hens are out of town, this means there’s more space to enjoy your favorite Newark activities without all of the hustle and bustle.

After fall semester classes and final exams at the University of Delaware ended in mid-December, most students journeyed home for the holidays, where they will remain until the start of spring semester on Feb. 5.

While some Blue Hens will return to campus early for the start of winter session on Jan. 3, Newark won’t be nearly as crowded this month as it is during the regular academic year.

If the flock of college students swarming the city deterred you from any Newark explorations over the last few months, now is your chance to use the academic off-season to make up for lost time.

Here’s a list of Newark fun you can get into this winter:

Lace up your ice skates

Nothing screams winter fun more than an afternoon of ice skating, and lucky for you, the Fred Rust Ice Arena on South College Avenue is ready to welcome you with open doors (and warm hot chocolate).

The arena offers public skating sessions throughout the season, with January’s public hours typically between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Ice skaters can enjoy black light sequences, colorful laser beams and image projections that move around the ice.

Select dates offer nighttime skating sessions between 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., along with sessions featuring fun extras like free carnival games, a juggler performance, free sand art and Frozen-themed skating with visits from Elsa and Olaf.

Admission is $10 per person for ages 7 and older, $6 for ages 6 and younger and free for UD students. Night skating sessions are $5. Skate rental is $4. Want to throw a birthday party at the arena? They offer that, too.

Sing your heart out

Maybe you’ve been cooped up in the house for too long during these cold days as of late. Or perhaps you really love belting your favorite pop hits or rage-singing those breakup songs.

Whatever type of singing you’re in the mood for (and for whatever reason), Hsiang K is a karaoke bar located in the Newark Park N’ Shop that offers private rooms for all your karaoke needs.

Rooms can be booked based on group size and feature black lights and other decorations to make you feel like the pop star you always dreamed of being.

Plus, the extensive spirits selection and food menu filled with Chinese cuisine make this place an all-inclusive hit for a night out.

Explore UD

Maybe you’re a Newark transplant who still has yet to uncover all the University of Delaware hot spots and hidden gems. Or maybe you’re a Blue Hen through and through just looking to relive some college memories.

Whatever your reason may be, a walk through the University of Delaware’s campus is always an eventful excursion.

On the school’s main campus, you’ll find most of the school’s historic lecture and residence halls, student centers and Blue Hen landmarks like the Magnolia Circle water fountain, the “Wings of Thought” book sculpture and The Green.

On the northern stretch of campus, you’ll see large residence halls, the pedestrian bridge, Old College, a museum and Greek organization houses. You may even stumble across a recreational soccer game on the Independence Turf on Laird Campus.

On the southern portion of campus, you’ll find most of the buildings belonging to the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, STAR campus, sports building like the Bob Carpenter Center and the Whitney Athletic Center, UDairy Creamery and the Botanic Gardens.

If you’re a football fan, check out Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium where NFL players Joe Flacco, of the Cleveland Browns, and Bilal Nichols, of the Las Vegas Raiders, once donned blue and gold and played for the university.

While this already seems like an exhaustive to-do list, there’s plenty more to discover on your own. Instead of spoiling the surprise and inevitable Blue Hen lore you’ll encounter, we’ll leave you to it.

Dine out on Main Street

Newark’s Main Street isn’t overflowing with people and cars when school is in session for no reason.

From casual eateries to fancy brunch and dinner spots to bars to let loose and belt your heart out, this little strip of businesses has it all.

Grab breakfast at The Peach Blossom Eatery, a slice of pizza for lunch from Grotto Pizza, Dinner at Hamilton’s on Main and dessert at Surreal Creamery. Oh, and don’t forget drinks at Deer Park Tavern or Klondike Kate’s!

If that doesn’t get your stomach growling, believe us when we say there’s much more to eat through.

Before you get too stuffed, make your way to the Barnes and Noble campus bookstore to stock up on Blue Hen merch or grab a book to read on The Green. National 5 & 10 is also a worthwhile shop for all your UD knick-knack and apparel needs.

Visit the Newark Reservoir

Every Delawarean knows the Small Wonder is very flat. Although the state isn’t home to any stunning mountain views, the Newark Reservoir offers a beautiful glimpse of the city that can’t be beaten.

Whether you’re gearing up for sunrise or winding down at sunset, the Reservoir’s backdrop of city landmarks and the water’s glassy surface is something you need to experience for yourself.

The 1.8-mile walking path offers a great outdoor workout option and the William M. Redd Jr. park by the parking lot is perfect for a trip with the kids.

Get a scoop from UDairy Creamery

Newark residents know the year-round joy of UDairy Creamery, the University of Delaware’s student-operated ice cream shop.

With campus crowds dwindled now, now is the perfect time to stop by for ice cream and bypass the typical long lines during the regular academic year.

Current seasonal flavors include Caramel Apple Crunch, Dirty Flirty Chai and Pumpkin Brown Butter Brownie, along with menu staples like Blissful Bing Cherry, Mint n’ Cookies and Nom Nom Nom. If you can’t try them all in one day or want to save some for later, pick up a gallon to take home before leaving.

UDairy also has ice cream sundae and ice cream sandwich kits, ice cream cakes and cheese for sale.

And if you’re wondering why we’re suggesting an ice cream trip as a winter activity, your first spoonful of UDairy will soon be explanation enough.

Test your wits

Need a fun group activity? Nothing says bonding with friends like locking yourself in a room together as you dig for clues and try to escape.

Channel your inner “Nancy Drew” to beat the clock and break free from the Axxiom Escape Rooms Newark, located adjacent to Newark Shopping Center.

Walk through the University of Delaware Botanic Gardens

The University of Delaware is home to botanical gardens and an arboretum located on the southern part of campus near UDairy Creamery.

The gardens are open to the public without charge and feature plenty of greenery, colorful flowers and some wildlife visitors, too.

Winter highlights to keep an eye out for include bloodtwig dogwood, lenten rose, winter sweet, winterberry holly, paperbush and more.

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Hike through White Clay Creek State Park

Newark may come across as a busy small city, but there are plenty of quiet nooks and peaceful nature spots to enjoy if that’s what you’re into.

From hiking to fishing to biking, and plenty of vegetation and wildlife in-between, it’s easy to spend a few hours getting lost in the winding trails of White Clay Creek.

Disc golf areas are available for a fun pitstop, or you can opt for a learning session at the Chambers House Nature Center. Want to meet others? White Clay offers various events for all ages, including an exploratory hiking series, full moon hot chocolate hikes and Girl Scout badge series.

Catch a movie

Nestled in Newark Shopping Center near the beginning of Main Street is Main Street Movies 5, a five-screen theater with reclining seats, a bar and snack kiosks.

December was a month filled with new movie releases, and January follows suit with “Night Swim,” “Mean Girls,” "The Beekeeper” and “The Book of Clarence” premiering soon.

Support Blue Hens winter sports

“And then we’ll fight! Fight! Fight! For Delaware, Fight for the Blue and Gold," ...

If the “UD Fight Song” doesn’t ring a bell, you’ve missed out on way too many Blue Hens sporting events.

With students on break, and the Cockpit student section down some Blue Hens, winter is the perfect time to head over to campus and support the University of Delaware’s winter sports teams, including the women’s and men’s basketball teams and the swimming & diving team.

Not only are the Blue Hens sure to put on a good show, but you’ll also be in store for apparel giveaways, halftime fun and appearances from school mascots YoUDee and Baby Blue.

Do you have a favorite Newark-area pastime that we missed? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at [email protected].  

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: What to do in Newark while college students are off campus on break