Many people believe there is nothing to do around Wise, VA. However, there I will argue that there are plenty of things to do in Wise County, whether you believe it or not.

Are you seven hours away from home and missing Starbucks? Well, there is a coffee shop located on Main Street called the Ugly Mug. The Ugly Mug is a local business, and there are so many benefits to buying locally. The Ugly Mug costs a little bit less than Starbucks, but produces the same quality of drink. The Ugly Mug is also more personal than the typical Starbucks location. My personal favorite drink was a custom order– Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate. It was great, the shop was spacious, and the people were friendly. If you're missing your white chocolate mocha extra hot, I bet they could make it.

If coffee shops do not interest you, then maybe movies do. There is a movie theater located in Norton behind the Dairy Queen. If you are from outside of southwest Virginia, I would bet if you went to the movie theater, your ticket would be close to $12.50. The Norton Cinema costs half of that price before 6 p.m. After the matinee hours, the tickets are still only $8.25. If that isn’t affordable enough for you, then all day, every Tuesday, the price is only $5.25. That is a great deal for seeing a new movie! As an added bonus, the drinks and popcorn are reasonably priced.

However, if you’re like me, most of the time, you only have about $20 to your name. That’s okay! There are a couple of things you are able to do for free, such as hiking. There are more hiking trails in Southwest Virginia than I can name. One of my favorite places to hike is Little Stony Falls, which is about 15 miles from campus, and you can hike as long as you want. The first fall is not far from the parking lot, and if you wanted to hike further, there is a series of three waterfalls. By the time I get to the third fall, I’m pretty worn out and ready to turn around.

Another great place to hike is The Devil's Bathtub, which has become a popular site this year. The Devil's Bathtub is located in Duffield, Virginia. It is sometimes overcrowded, but if you can get a parking spot, it's a beautiful hike. It's about two miles to the actual “bathtub” and two miles back. Bear Rock is another option, especially for those who are not interested in a long hike. I would estimate the hike to be between a quarter mile and a half mile.

The Town of Wise often hosts events at the Big Glades, which are also free! They have movie nights, and sometimes, they even bring in bands. You can check their website for a list of events or you can look at the display screen outside of the Big Glades for the events going on. The Big Glades are even walking distance from the College.

Many local restaurants would love to host college nights, with discounts and a friendly environment. Starting after the first home football game, El Castillo will be honoring a 10 percent discount on Monday nights to create a College Night atmosphere. Other restaurants, such as Dari-Barn, offer a 10 percent discount every day.

If you don't have money or a car, then there is something happening on campus that you can be a part of. Intramurals host events frequently, and you can make new friends by participating. The Student Activities Board also brings comedians, musicians, and many other free events to campus for the students.

Most of the time, there is something you can do outside of your residence hall room, and if there isn’t, then you can always get a ball or Frisbee and start a game on the lawn.

It’s easy to stay in your room and watch Netflix, but there is so much more you can be doing to make your college experience better!