Life at Keene State College

At Keene State College, students can enjoy numerous fun activities both on and off-campus! A favorite is attending all of the big celebrations throughout the year like the Hootie Fall Sports Welcome, Winter Celebration and Spring Carnival. These themed events provide students with food, carnival games, rides, crafts and much more! Hanging out for a night of games or catching a comedy show at the Night Owl Cafe is also favored by Keene students. Join clubs or attending sports games is pretty popular and there’s nothing like a Keene Owls game versus the rival Plymouth Panthers!

Things to do In Keene, NH

Heading off-campus, and literally just steps off, students will hang out on Main Street (which is rumored to be widest Main Street in America) and browse the shops, grab some food, or get a drink. Keene students make it a fun challenge to hit each of the places located on Main Street at least one each throughout your college years. Every April the city of Keene plays host to the Monadnock International Film Festival which takes over the town. Screens are set up around the city and on campus showing a variety of films from around the world. Take some time to become with nature, Keene is just a few minutes drive from the most climbed mountain in the United States, Mount Monadnock. Enjoy the trails or hike the summit to enjoy a beautiful sunrise or sunset.

Highlights include:

Attend an Owls sporting event
Catch a movie during Monadnock International Film Festival
Complete the Main Street Challenge
Hike Mount Monadnock

Bars & Restaurants Near Keene State

Students at Keene in need of a food-filled study break or weekend drink, or two have a bunch of places to go around town! From popular “go-to” spots on and around Main Street and everything in between, we’ve got you covered with our picks for Keene restaurants and bars to keep you going throughout the week!

Best Restaurants:

Luca’s Mediterranean Cafe
Papagallos Restaurant
Thai Garden
Jim Eddie’s
Odelay Taqueria

Best Bars:

Lab’n Lager
Elm City Brewing Company
Twenty One Bar & Grill
The Pour House
Kilkenny Pub

Outdoor Recreation In Keene, NH

As part of each student’s tuition fees, your Keene State Recreation Center and Spaulding Gym membership is free! So whether you’re into swimming, club sports like soccer or ice hockey, or you’re looking to try a group fitness class like Zumba this is the spot to go and it’s right on campus. On campus there is a beautiful arboretum, consider taking a tour or renting a Green Bike from the Mason Library and going for a beautiful ride around the campus or down to the rail trails. For any running enthusiasts, sign up for the Clarence DeMar Marathon, a Boston Marathon qualifying race named after a past Keene State faculty member, held annually each fall. If running isn’t your thing go cheer on your peers or volunteer at the event!