Things To Do

Although Edwardsville is a small town, SIUE students are finding big ways to enjoy their college years! Staying active is important for students. Some favorite pastimes include bowling, playing pool, and rain or shine you’ll always catch students serving up a game of sand volleyball on the courts! Clubs like the Heart Association and Go Greek are just a couple offered on campus and a great way to stay in touch with your fellow peers. Several clubs also throw cool events throughout the year like concerts, cookouts, and free massages after those long exam weeks. Like most college campuses, playing sports and rooting on your school’s teams is also a fun way to participate. SIUE also has one of the largest campuses in the state as far as land goes, and there are numerous walking and hiking trails. Be sure to take a stroll through The Gardens on campus.

Head off-campus and enjoy what Edwardsville has to offer! Beyond dining and shopping, students can catch at flick at the Wildey Theater or soak up the scenery at the Watershed Nature Center. If you’re a history buff, be sure to visit the Benjamin Stephenson House and the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site. The city of St. Louis is only a thirty-minute drive from campus, so gather up some friends and hit the city for a Cardinals game or take a visit to the Gateway Arch.

Highlights include:

Strolling through The Gardens at SIUE
Catching a movie at the Wildey Theater
Visit the Lewis and Clark Historic Site
Road trip to St. Louis

Dining/Bars

Taking a break from studies and catching up with friends is a necessary way to relieve some stress after all that homework and studying, and what better way to do it than filling up your belly with some delicious food and drinks! Edwardsville has no shortage of restaurants and bars, so whatever you’re in the mood for, you can find it around town! Be sure to check out some of these favored spots.

Best Restaurants:

Cleveland-Heath

Dewey’s Pizza

Doc’s Smokehouse

Wang Gang Asian Eats

Peel Wood Fired Pizza

Best Bars:

54th Street Grill & Bar

Foundry Public House

Stagger Inn

Edison’s Entertainment Complex

Global Brew Tap House & Lounge

Outdoors/Recreation

The Campus Recreation Center is a very popular spot for students to engage in numerous activities together. Several intramural and club sports are offered on campus, from ultimate frisbee to disc golf to Quidditch and everything in between. At rec center, students also have access to the many indoor and outdoor fields, a swimming pool, fitness facilities where you can participate in group workouts, and even a rock climbing wall!

The SIUE campus and surrounding areas have several scenic hiking and biking trails, including the Madison County Trails. When the weather is nice, heading to the Cougar Lake Recreation Area is a must! Here, you can swim, fish, boat, and take in the local wildlife. The Delyte Trail will take you right there, and you can even stop at The Gardens at SIUE on the way.