Looking for a good meal, something a little different from the cafeteria? Most colleges, even small rural ones, have grown up around a town or spawned one, as businesses opened to keep students supplied with books, pizza, beer and coffee. Being a college student means shopping and eating on a budget.

The growing interest of colleges and universities in their surrounding communities has caused many to realize that a building boom of dormitories, student centers and libraries isn’t enough. Students don’t want an “ivory tower” experience; they want to be part of broader communities that offer commerce, culture and cuisine.

Many communities offer several restaurants, coffee houses and bars and breweries. The local coffee shops are a great place to go to escape for an afternoon whether it’s on the weekend or after classes. If you have work to get done give yourself a change of scenery from the campus library and take your laptop down to the local coffee shop which usually offers free wireless while you enjoy your coffee.

Some college towns have a thriving local music scene, a wide variety of clubs and bars, and multicultural dance clubs. Cities like Miami, which is known for its crazy parties, but those, are mostly associated with South Beach. It’s not all about South Beach, and a lot of the college kids in town can tell you that. Remember, not everyone has the cash to party in clubs and lounges with the social elite, which is why they’ve staked their claim in Coconut Grove, the one area in Miami that’s definitely known as college turf. Filled with bars and restaurants, which bring in the young-adults by the droves, this one spot is where you’ll find many of the top college bars.

Whether you feel like going for a few drinks or dancing all night, it’s worth it to check out the local scenery.