Bald Eagle State Park

The Bald Eagle State Park spans 5,900 acres and is located in Howard, PA, 40 minutes from Bucknell. The park has a 1,730 acre lake, and a plethora of forests, fields, wetlands, and streams. There are 5 different hiking trails totaling 11 miles of trails. The difficulty of the trails vary so whether you are looking for an easy and relaxing hike or a more challenging one, you can find it here. For more information on the Bald Eagle State Park go to: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/baldeagle.aspx

Knoebels

Knoebels Amusement Resort is located in Elysburg, PA just 40 minutes from Bucknell. This park should be on everyone's Bucket List of things to do before graduating Bucknell. While it is not the biggest amusement park, it still makes for a fun day away from Bucknell. Knoebels is well known for its food and has won the Golden Ticket from Amusement Today magazine for the "Best Park Food" 11 years in a row.

Reptiland

Clyde Peeling's Reptiland is located in Allenwood, PA just 20 minutes from Bucknell. The zoo opened in 1964 and specializes in reptiles and amphibians. Reptiland is home to snakes including cobras, vipers, and pythons, alligators, tortoises, lizards, frogs, and much more. If you are lucky enough to be there during the animal's daily feeding you can catch a glimpse of their natural behaviors. For more information on Reptiland, go to www.reptiland.com/allenwood.html

The Wonderful World of Hershey

Hershey Pennsylvania is truly a town which everyone should visit at some point in their life. Driving through the town, you see the Hershey Kiss shaped lights and the still functioning Hershey Chocolate Factory. Hershey Pennsylvania is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes away from Bucknell and is home of Hersheypark, Hershey's Chocolate World, and the North American Wildlife Park, ZooAmerica.

Hersheypark has a wide variety of rides from kids and family rides to more thrilling rides. The park has 11 roller coasters and 9 water attractions including a giant wave pool and a lazy river. For information on current rates and hours go to http://www.hersheypark.com/.

Be sure to stop by Hershey's Chocolate World to purchase your favorite Hershey's products. Learn how Hershey's chocolate is made by hopping on the Chocolate Tour Ride. The tour begins in the tropical rain forest where cocoa beans grow. Learn about the processes which turn the beans into the wonderful chocolate we all know and love.

ZooAmerica is home to more than 200 animals and 75 species. Go to http://www.zooamerica.com/ to get a sneak peek at the animals at the zoo and for more information on prices and hours.

Beer Tasting at Local Brewery

If you are 21 and enjoy tasting new beers then take a short trip to the Selin's Grove Brewing Co. Located at 121 North Market St. Selinsgrove, PA 17870, S.G.B. is just 20 minutes outside Lewisburg and attracts people from all over the area. Currently the brewery is open Wednesday through Sunday opening at 11:30am and closing at 11pm Wednesday and Thursday, 12am Friday and Saturday, and 8pm on Sundays.

Year round beers at S.G.B. include: Captain Selin's Cream, Scottish, I.P.A., Stealth Belgian style Triple, White Horse Porter, & Shade Mountain Oatmeal Stout.

S.G.B.'s seasonal offerings include: Market Street Fest Lager, Wilder’s Hefe Weizen, Snake Drive Stout, Grizzley Stout, Kriek, Razzmerry, Pilsner, Mai-Bock, Dopple Bock, Saint Fillin's Barleywine style Ale, Soltice Dubbel, Hoppy Monk, Organic Baltic Porter, and Hop Nouveau.

Spend the Day in Baltimore

Baltimore is often overshadowed by New York City however it is an amazing city and is a great place to go for a day trip for even for a weekend. It takes approximately 2.5 hours to get to Baltimore from Bucknell and is well worth the trip! Spend the day in the inner harbor, shopping, eating, and exploring. The Baltimore Aquarium is situated directly in the inner harbor and includes an Australian wildlife exhibit, an ocean animal exhibit, and a spectacular dolphin show. If it is a sunny and warm day and you don't wish to be stuck inside, the Baltimore Zoo is just a short drive away and is one of my personal favorites!!

The inner harbor has a wide variety of great restaurants ranging from quick and cheap food to more expensive (but oh so delicious meals). Eat at the Cheesecake Factory or get a world famous Maryland Crab Cake at one of the many seafood restaurants along the water. Or if you want something less expensive, try Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries. There is something for everyone!

If you are going to make this trip, bring extra money to go shopping! There are a magnitude of shops along the water which include but are not limited to Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, Victoria's Secret, and Banana Republic.

Skydive Above the Poconos

If you are an adrenaline junkie like me, you absolutely have to try skydiving!! It is by far one of the coolest things you can do. There is a great place in Hazleton, PA, around an hour away from Bucknell where you can skydive above the Poconos. For those of you who have never done it or who know very little about it, it is completely safe! Unless you are certified or in the process of getting certified, you cannot go alone. For your first dive, you go tandem meaning that there is a professional strapped to your back who does all of the hard work for you. He or she makes sure you are safe and is the one who will pull the chute when it is time.

Depending the place you go skydiving, the height you jump from differs (varying from around 10,00 to 14,000 ft. above the ground). At this particular skydiving place, you jump from 10,000 ft. above the ground (2 miles up). You fall at approximately 125 miles per hour. The actual fall lasts about 60 seconds and then you parachute down to safety. This particular skydiving place charges $214 for your first tandem jump however if you have a student I.D., you get $10 off.

For more information on this adventure go to www.paskydive.com