Evanston makes unwinding easy. For as much as Northwestern students like to hit the books and spend our time with student groups, there’s always an excuse to take a break just off campus. I’ve got friends who take frozen custard breaks at Andy’s and friends who take advantage of the Tuesday half-off student tickets at the movie theater every week, but my favorite way to unwind in Evanston is to take to the great (suburban) outdoors.

I love running in Evanston, especially when the weather gets nice. The only Baha’i Temple in North America is just over one mile north of campus, and is a complete vision of serenity. Once you arrive, walking through the gardens is gorgeous enough to make me forget that my legs are kind of hurting a lot. Running to a place so tranquil and beautiful makes for a great break from my normal schedule, and the shorter distance was perfect for me when I was just getting into running.

Now, when I’m looking for a longer break, I’ll run along Lakeside Field and follow the path that traces the Eastern edge of campus. That path is usually busy with other runners — good for those of us who need a little extra motivation to keep pace — and continues along Lake Michigan into Chicago through Rogers Park. Getting to look out over the glittering lake while running is truly a treat, and the changing scenery makes all of my runs easier! When you’re surrounded by other students all day every day, it’s also really nice to see families and people taking advantage of the public tennis courts and parks. Taking a running break in Evanston is the best way to unwind and clear your mind. All you need is a good pair of shoes!

–Ava Wallace