Meadville is no cultural metropolis, but, in the midst of an agrarian land, there are local delights for everyone. First off, Meadville is old. Also, Meadville doesn't have "mead" in its name just for kicks and giggles ("mead" meaning "honey wine"); downtown bars are everywhere and very popular with students at night. At first glance, Meadville is nothing but a strip of fast food restaurants, a rundown movie theater, and a bowling alley. For many students, this either means that they have to find a way to entertain themselves, or they spend their weekends in despair (or in Erie). Erie is only a half-hour away and has about every store you could possibly think of, as well as clubs and a gigantic movie theater. If weather permits, there is also the lake.
Once you take the time to get to know Meadville, however, you come to realize how much there really is to do. There are many little independently-owned restaurants and shops that not only make up for the lack of big-name corporate businesses, but also give Meadville a kind of small-town charm. For nature lovers, there are several big parks where you can go bike riding, hiking, swimming, or camping. Meadville is not nearly as limited as it seems. The problem is that stores in Meadville are very spread out and not well advertised. With that in mind, students coming to Allegheny should take time to get to know the area. Drive around, and don’t be afraid to walk into little, obscure shops just to see what they’re all about. Ask people from Meadville about the restaurants they prefer. The sooner you discover the little secrets of the town, the sooner you will enjoy, or at least tolerate, living in Meadville.