Bluffton University offers many on-campus activities for students as the new year starts. There are also many places that are off campus, right in town, that new students can check out. Here’s a list of places students who are curious about the Village of Bluffton might want to explore.
The Twisted Whisk
The Twisted Whisk Café is located at the corner of Cherry and Main streets in downtown Bluffton. Photo by Nicole Centofanti.
The Twisted Whisk is the coffee shop where students can go with friends or by themselves to do homework or hang out. It is located right on Main Street, and its hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They serve a variety of drinks and food items. Some of their menu items are coffee and non-coffee drinks, pastries, desserts, breakfast items, sandwiches and salads. The Twisted Whisk also offers a discount to Bluffton University students, faculty and staff.
The Shannon Theatre
Students who are in the mood to see a movie will want to see what’s playing at the Shannon Theatre, the local movie theatre. This is a one-screen movie theatre on Main Street that rotates between one and two movies at a time. From Aug. 24 through Aug. 30, the theatre will be showing “Skyscraper” at 7 and 9:30 p.m. daily. “Christopher Robin” will debut soon. The Shannon Theatre’s pricing is different based on when and what time students decide to go to the theatre. For 1:30 and 4 p.m. 2D matinees, tickets are $3, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. 2D tickets are $4 and 3D tickets are $6. Also, first-year students, should have received a movie voucher for one free movie at the Shannon Theatre.
Shirley’s Popcorn and the Shannon Theatre are next door to each other on Main Street. Photo by Nicole Centofanti
Shirley’s Popcorn
Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn is the popcorn store in town, and it’s also located on Main Street. They have 12 flavors of popcorn plus a flavor of the month. If you had a personal campus visit, you’ve likely tried the Bluffton University flavor. Shirley’s is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. First-year students received a $5 gift card and should to be sure to head over there.
Southgate Lanes
Southgate Lanes is the bowling alley in Bluffton. Students may go there with a club, team or just to spend time with friends. They are open every day of the week. They are open from 3 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays. Shoe rentals are available for $2. Southgate Lanes is located on North Dixie Highway (which is basically Main Street running south out of town).
As a bonus, students will want to visit the Bluffton Dari Freeze, affectionately called the Whippy Dip, before it closes for the season next week.
