Andrew Luo/ The Chronicle
The Marketplace
As the cornerstone of the freshman meal plan, the Marketplace is the one building first-years will spend the most time (apart from their respective dorms). For the first two weeks it will be socially permissible to sit with random strangers and introduce yourself. After, enjoy the rare experience of fifteen people all going to dinner from your dorm at the same time. At breakfast, go for Wallace’s world-famous omelettes. Dinner can be whatever you make it—sweet potato fries and pizza isn’t just good, it’s encouraged. Brunch on Sundays should be waffles with Duke stamped into them. Always the waffles.
Lily Library
Lily is the study center of east campus. For those who don’t want to make the trek to West Campus to Perkins or Bostock, Lily provides all the necessary elements to crank out that massive paper. Located conveniently on the main quad between Alspaugh and Giles, Lily has two large study rooms on the ground floor and the ornate Thomas Room (or Chinese Reading Room) on the second. It also hosts a huge selection of over 18,000 DVDs. Notorious for being tantalizingly close to the highly distracting dorms.
Duke Coffeehouse
Two words: hipster haven. The Coffeehouse is located above the Wellness Center in the building next to Epworth Dorm. Beyond providing inexpensive coffee, tea, milkshakes and goodies (on food points, FLEX and cash), the Coffeehouse books local and touring musicians from the genres rock, indie, alternative, punk, folk, hip-hop and more, free to DukeCard holders. Past shows include The Black Swans, Real Live Tigers, Mount Eerie, Bleeding Rainbow and Turbo Fruits.
Whole Foods
As the only real grocery store within walking distance of either campus, Whole Foods offers an overpriced source for provisions when the Marketplace gets old. The salad bar is as long as it is plentiful and has wide selections of upscale food and other grocery items. Try the macchiatos or fresh gelato sometime, or treat your friends to a gorgeous birthday cake.
The Oasis
The heavenly peace of The Oasis, located on the bottom floor Bell Tower dorm, is open for all students from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Sunday through Thursday. You can try to study in the automatic massaging lounge chairs, but there’s a good chance you’ll drift asleep before cracking a book. The space also features board games, qualified wellness staff available to consult and the sort of comfortable couches you would find in an upscale dentist’s waiting office. Free condoms run plentiful here.
Famous Hair
For the cautious who avoid Duke Haircutters and the frugal who pass by Wavelengths on 9th street, Famous Hair is famous for its proximity and affordable style. Next to Ben & Jerry’s on Broad Street—within close walking distance from East—you can eliminate your split ends and tackle a Vermonster all in one trip.
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