Hidden Treasures at Exeter

Finding your way around Exeter can be tough at first. From trying to distinguish between all the brick buildings, figuring out what your favorite restaurant is or getting lost walking back to campus from a study trip to Me & Ollie’s, missteps are bound to be made along the way. To offer some help, here’s a handy guide to some of Exeter’s hidden treasures. Rogan’s Bakery and RestaurantIf you don’t want to face your classmates the Sunday morning after Back in Black or Elm Street’s omelette bar is unexpectedly out of order, Rogan’s offers a perfect brunch alternative. A stocky concrete building just across the street from Las Olas, the Mexican restaurant Exonians swear by and frequent, Rogan’s is the quintessential town diner. Nostalgic posters for fourteen cent brownies and nineteen cent eclairs line the walls, and the booths are full of students out with their visiting parents or sleepy friends. Rogan’s cooks up everything a hungry teenager could want, and contains a bakery full of sweet treats in the other half of the building. So take a break from the hustle and bustle of campus and have a seat in this cozy restaurant. Davis Center Lending LibraryThe Davis Center houses the dance studio and the Exeter Exchange, the Academy’s own second hand store. And, although the Class of 1945 Library is the largest secondary school library in the world and architecturally acclaimed, a lovely second lending library is held within the Davis Center. Small and snug but packed with every kind of book, it’s the perfect hideout. Sneak in on a rainy day and curl up with a book – maybe even one you don’t have to read for English class. Good Karma CaféDon’t be frightened by the meatless menu. The Good Karma Café, a two-story haven nestled near the Exeter train station, is a homey spot with yummy food to boot. The vegan restaurant recently added some vegetarian options, and Good Karma doesn’t need real cheese to make their nachos delicious. Who knows what the vegan “cheeze” is made of, but it does the trick. Along with the raw chocolate truffles, you can catch a guided meditation or some live music. Or, for those new Exonians who still feel weird seeing teachers outside of class, hide out upstairs on a comfy couch, vegan burger in hand. Powder HouseThe town of Exeter has a long, rich history, and evidence of it is scattered down every street and woven into every road. The Powder House, across the river from campus, was built in 1771 and stored some of the powder captured at Fort William and Mary in 1774, thought to be the first openly hostile act of the American Revolution. But you don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy the beautiful walk along the Exeter River to the Powder House and through the New Hampshire wilderness. Take a breather, take a walk, and take a seat on the bench nearby. Check out the lovely view and forget about your math homework for a little while. But don’t forget about check-in. Swasey Farmers’ MarketSwasey Parkway isn’t just home to the crew team’s talked about and talked about and talked about runs. Every Thursday, from 2:15 to 6:00 pm, May 2nd through October 31st, a slew of local vendors gather to sell their wares. If you’re lucky enough to have an afternoon format free, take a stroll with a cup of White Heron tea and Anderson’s Mini Maples maple candy. And if you’re feeling fancy, pick up a bunch of freshly cut flowers to brighten up your dorm room. The farmers’ market is a great place to buy a birthday present for your bestie, grab a snack before funneling into dhall with the rest of the school, or to enjoy the crisp New England autumn air between history papers. Gilman ParkTucked across a spindly bridge behind the track is Gilman Park, affectionately known as “that place with the canons.” The park holds a baseball field and a basketball court, surrounded by woods. Nab an ice cream cone from dhall and make sure not to get lost on your way, or do, and have a different kind of afternoon.