In an Oracle-conducted survey of 266 students, 51 percent of South students said they have visited unique places downtown. Multiple students went to places such as Wicker Park, Navy Pier and Greek Town.
Senior Max Sendor saw the play “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind” downtown and says that he enjoyed taking part in such a unique activity.
“It was 30 short plays in 60 minutes,” Sendor said. “It was through Paradox. I liked it in comparison to shopping because I [was] more entertained […] I enjoy doing interesting things downtown.”
Similarly, sophomore Krista Lee went downtown to see Cloud Gate, also known as “The Bean”, with her family.
“I recently just moved here so it was the first time I got to go downtown, and it was amazing,” Lee said. “I had a ton of fun running around with my cousins.”
According to the same Oracle-conducted survey, students have also visited the Bean. Lee believes it is a better alternative to shopping.
“I’m not really the kind of person that will shop until you drop, so I [thought] that I would like visiting Cloud Gate instead,” Lee said.
However, many students do think shopping is the best activity to do downtown. Senior Erin Mincer went thrift shopping in the city and explained that thrift shops are much different than the ones on Michigan Avenue.
“To me [thrift stores] seem […] relaxed, and you have to search for what you want instead of having a sales person run and find it for you,” Mincer stated.
Although Mincer enjoyed thrift shopping, she said it was still a challenge.
“I will be the first one to admit that thrift shopping is actually really difficult,” Mincer said. “It was frustrating because I thought I’d be able to walk into any thrift store and immediately find amazing clothes.”
According to Mincer, she relishes in the challenge and the hunt.
“I think thrift shopping is less about buying clothes and more about going on a small adventure and seeing what you can find,” Mincer said. “Finding amazing clothes can be hard, but to me it’s the challenge and experience that really matter.”
Senior Maura Scott would rather spend her time downtown away from shopping. She attended a comedy play with friends from another school and South senior Michelle Rolf.
“I do prefer [seeing a comedy] to the regular shopping downtown because its a lot more relaxed, and you get more for your money,” Scott said. “The tickets were only 5 dollars, which was really cheap for the quality of the comedians.”
South students also have also partaken in unique downtown experiences such as ice-skating at Millenium Park, Lollapalooza and the Gay Pride parade.
