Cheap, free, thrifty — all words college students can appreciate. So when looking for inexpensive ways to spend not-so-lazy summer days, look no further than downtown. Laura White and Helen DearManaging Editor and Design Co-Editor

Stop to smell the roses at the Raleigh Rose Garden

Tucked away behind the Raleigh Little Theatre, a mere two blocks from Hillsborough Street, the Rose Garden is a quiet retreat that could seem out of place just blocks away from the hustle and bustle of campus.

Jamie Wolfe, sophomore in graphic design, said she enjoys visiting the Rose Garden just for that reason.

“It was an unexpected beauty in Raleigh so close to campus,” she said. “It was nice because someone was giving away free flowers to us, and they smelled wonderful.”

The garden features rows of roses and a small fish pond, with picnic tables and benches scattered about. Also, a short distance away, up a wooden staircase and across a street, is a small park and playground, complete with a swingset.

“It was so nice to relax there, and perhaps bring a date to,” Wolfe said. “It was a really good conversation spot, and it was very romantic.”

Embrace your nerdy side at one of Raleigh’s museums

Whether one is a history buff, nature ace or art connoisseur, Raleigh museums offer a wide range of options for spending a day brushing up on one’s field of choice. And the kicker — entrance to the N.C. Museum of Art, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences and N.C. Museum of History is absolutely free.

Lauren Blumenshine, junior in communication and Stephanie Weiss, junior in textile and apparel management, both volunteer in the N.C. Museum of Natural Science’s Living Conservatory, which is a dry tropical forest. There are butterflies flitting about the room, live turtles, snakes and spiders visitors to the conservatory can view safely, and there is even a live sloth.

“It’s interesting. The little kids get pretty excited. It’s nice to see that,” Blumenshine said.

The two students are roommates, and plan on volunteering once a week throughout the summer.

“We just thought it would be something exciting to do through the summer,” Weiss said.

Both students said there wasn’t too much training involved — there was information they had to read up on, but that it wasn’t difficult and they said the museum “pretty much welcomes all volunteers.”

Blumenshine said the museum is a great way for college students to spend the day.

“It’s probably something you haven’t done since you were little,” she said.”

Take the train through Pullen Park

Literally right across the street from campus, Pullen Park holds a plethora of ways to spend a lazy summer day. There is a playground with swingsets, monkey bars and slides, and ample green space for frisbee, football or just lounging around. There are paths for nature walks around the manmade lake and, for a small fee, one can ride the 1911 Dentzel Carousel, the pedal boats or the miniature train that circles the park.

Lauren Boynton, sophomore in art and design, said she enjoys Pullen Park because of its variety.

“You can enjoy nature. You can also play on the playground and go on the swings,” she said. “My favorite part is the carousel, even though you have to pay.”

Boynton said she thinks the park is a great place for college students to go hang out and get away from work and school. And while there are often smaller children there, Boynton said she didn’t think it was a problem.

“It’s very peaceful, and a good place to escape to,” she said. “I’ve only been once when there were a lot of kids were there — they were having a birthday party. I didn’t find them annoying, I thought they were cute.”