What lies off campus is no longer a mystery. Fairfield, Trumbull, Bridgeport and other surrounding towns offer entertainment and activities to fulfill a student's yearning for a change of pace.

To start, there are many shopping outlets close by. The Westfield Shopping Center, located just two minutes off campus, is easily accessible via car or shuttle.

The Trumbull Mall, as it is more commonly known by, has a variety of stores ranging from Abercrombie and Fitch to Circuit City, as well as salons and an extensive food court.

"I love the mall," said Stephanie Ciccone, sophmore, Oldbridge, N.J. "It's small so you know your way around and they have all my favorite stores."

The downtown Fairfield shopping district offers an alternative atmosphere than the Trumbull mall with its outside shopping, adding to the ambiant feel of Fiarfield. And with stores such as Victoria's Secret, Borders, Banana Republic and Chico's, the downtown scene offers SHU students the perfect mid-day get away.

Downtown Fairfield is not only available for shopping but also offers free concerts at the Gazebo and many bars and clubs.

"It's something different and is a great way to get away from the norm," said Maria Valdivieso, senior, Elizabeth, N.J. "OBar gives you a chance to meet more of the older crowd around SHU."

OBar is a martini bar with a Disc Jockey Saturday and Sunday nights and is 21 and over.

The Fairfield beaches, also located downtown, offer a different venue to get together with friends. With temperatures slowly beginning to drop, this may not be the most obvious hang out spot but the beaches certainly offer a change of pace

"It's always nice to hang out at the beach with friends and play Frisbee, the shuttle doesn't take you there but you can drive yourself," said Daniel Kardos, Junior, Mechanicsburg, Penn.

Normally the shuttle doesn't make trips to Fairfield beach but on Saturday, September 16th, departures from campus will begin at 12pm and follow in intervals of two hours. Pick-ups coordinate with departures at thirty minutes past the hour.

If you happen to be a student without the means to get to downtown Fairfield for a night out, there are many options much closer to home. Ruby Tuesday's, located in the Trumbull mall is one alternative as well as Bennigans, located just outside. Ruby Tuesday's and Bennigans not only offer an accessible way to get off campus for a meal with friends but they are stocked with full bars as well.

Happy hour at Bennigans and Ruby Tuesdays offers a convenient and inexpensive alternative to packed clubs and bars elsewhere. As always you must be 21 and older to drink at either of these establishments.

Getting off campus isn't as hard as it seems. For freshman looking to explore, but are worried about the lack of transportation, remember that the shuttle is always an option.

The shuttle, which is free transportation for all students, runs everyday. It has designated stops and runs on a pre-determined schedule and departs from Public Safety on main campus every hour, on the hour. There are three main routes; the Transit Route, Park Avenue Route and the Service Route.

The shuttle will also provide transportation to Millford for home ice hockey games during the season. Departures will take place one hour prior to the start of each game.

Another service the shuttle well begin providing on Saturdays, in October and November, are trips to downtown New Haven and Clinton Crossing Outlets.

Sacred Heart University is surrounded by many great places to hang out. Whether looking for a movie theatre, a club or bar, or just a unique restaurant, there are plenty of options worth taking time to explore.