Carleton College
- Local Atmosphere

Quiet Town, but Super Charming and Welcoming

Northfield offers a small handful of restaurants, an AMAZING coffee shop (and a couple other ones too if you actually need quiet), two excellent pubs, and a Dominoes Pizza open until 2 a.m. It doesn't sound like much, but the atmosphere of the town is so welcoming, happy, and relaxed. And the Jesse James Day festival in September will absolutely win your heart. If you need more and have access to a car, the Twin Cities are 45 minutes away.

The Charm Can Fade..

Northfield is small and quaint. There aren't a ton of options for non-Carleton sponsored recreation in town, but there are nice cafes to hang out in and get off campus a bit. Townies are generally very friendly, and seem to prefer Carls to the Oles across the river. It's a very good thing the Twin Cities aren't too far - it's quite nice to have a car and head up occasionally when Northfield seems a little too tiny.

Small Town Feel

There are some good restaurants and coffee shops, and the public library is nice. Most things worth going to are within walking distance. Frankly, though, Carleton recognizes the fact that Northfield is a small rural town and provides enough activities that there is little reason to go into town. The Twin Cities are definitely accessible if you can find time to go there.