When it comes to finding things to do between classes or on the weekends you might think going into the city is the only option, but that’s not really the case! Instead, next week try taking a trip to Suburban Square. Located in Ardmore, just under 3 miles away from campus, you’ll find so many new places to both eat and shop. Don’t worry about having to spend a ton of money on getting there, eating there, or even shopping there because this is your official guide to navigating Suburban Square on a budget.
Getting There
When it comes to transportation you have 4 main options
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Drive:
Driving is totally free, if you have your own car. You can even take advantage of their free valet services to avoid pesky meters and the commute is only 7 minutes long.
Credit: Margaret Blanco -
Train:
Taking the train is a great option. You can grab $2 train tickets from the information desk in Campion. All you need to do is walk to Overbrook train station and hop on the Paoli/Thorndale line for the 27 minute ride to the Ardmore train station located directly next to Suburban Square.
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Bus:
If you’re more of a bus person, for only $2.50 you can catch the 44 on Overbrook Ave and 54th street for a 24 minute ride to a stop within Suburban Square itself.
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Uber:
Using the Uber app you can request a ride from campus to Suburban square. While Uber is on the pricier side for getting there, at around $11, if you are going with friends and splitting the price it brings the cost down quite a bit.
Our Pick: TRAIN
Eating There
There are a lot of awesome picks for grabbing a bite at Suburban Square, but depending on how much you want to spend they might not all be right for you. We’ve ranked them from least to most expensive so you can stress less and eat more.
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Robeks:
Robeks is a smoothie and juice bar. Grab a Mahalo Mango or South Pacific Squeeze for just a few dollars.
Credit: Margaret Blanco -
Farmer’s Market:
The Farmers market has everything from cupcakes to coffee. It is the best option for popping in a grabbing something small to go.
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Snap Pizza:
Snap Pizza is technically next door to Suburban Square, but with a create your own personal pizza option so close we couldn’t leave it out. A pizza plus a drink at Snap costs only $10-15 making it a reasonable option.
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Sweetgreen:
This earthy spot is like the Chipotle of salads. With pre made options or build your own salads and wraps, Sweetgreen is a fun and healthy option that will run you about $9-$15.
Credit: Margaret Blanco -
Ruby’s Diner:
Ruby’s Diner looks like it’s straight out of the 50s. They offer burgers, salads, seafood, and milkshakes. There is a little bit of everything here making it a great option for bigger groups. Ruby’s is slightly more expensive because it’s an eat in restaurant, but still has great food at less expensive diner prices!
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Not Your Average Joe’s:
This casual eat in restaurant has both indoor and roof deck seating. If you stick to an entree and drink your total will likely be under $25!
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Besito Mexican:
Besito offers traditional mexican cuisine. While this is the priciest option at Suburban Square, if you feel like splurging a little the food is well worth it. They have guac that is to die for and even make it fresh for you table-side.
Our Pick: SNAP PIZZA (located right behind Ardmore train station!)
Check out the map to see where our favorite spots are located! The regular bands of money are the cheaper options while the flying money is a little bit more expensive.
Shopping There
While Suburban Square might seem a little small at first, you’ll quickly realize just how many stores are actually there. Don’t get overwhelmed. We have broken down a few of the must hit shops from most affordable to the most expensive, and if you want to check out what else they offer you can head to their site. Many even offer a student discount if you flash your Hawk Card!
- Francesca’s: Francesca’s is a boutique style store with seemingly endless amounts of accessories. The prices are reasonable for tops and dresses, and they often run promotions on jewelry. They even accept student ID for a discount.
- Urban Outfitters: Urban Outfitters is the hipster hot spot of Suburban Square. The store’s industrial feel and on trend clothes make it a great place to shop. It can be a bit pricy for some items, but they have a large sale section where you can find some great deals.
- Sephora: Sephora is every makeup junkie’s heaven. They have a massive array of products, and while buying one thing at Sephora won’t be that expensive it seem impossible to leave without a haul of new beauty products.
- Madewell: Madewell is known for their denim as well as other timeless pieces like leather jackets, totes, and booties. This classic and chic look does not come cheap though. Madewell is best for those “treat yourself” kind of days where you just have to splurge on that new coat.
- Apple: The Apple store is a must if you want to try out any of their new products or even just ask one of the specialists a question about your newest device. Apple is the most expensive store featured, and because the new iphone will run you minimum $699 this might be a place to window shop and then add items to your Holiday wishlist.
Our Pick: Urban Outfitters
With this guide to Suburban Square on a Budget, you have all the insider tips to make the best of your next off campus adventure.
