College can be scary for everyone at first. Everything is so new. New classes, new people and a new place to call home. Enjoy this itinerary created to help you get around and get to know the best places Brookings has to offer.
Stay Caffeinated
Some of the most popular places in Brookings are the coffee Shops. Your favorite spot to sit and study won’t take long to find. Here are a few local options to explore.
Kool Beans Coffee and Roasterie is located in the oldest building in downtown Brookings. They offer a wide variety of coffee and tea beverages, kombucha on-tap from Scobi Kombucha (Hot Springs, SD), as well as fresh-baked goods from Cottleston Bakery (Brookings, SD). Kool Beans has large bay windows and comfy seating to create a space where you can get your work done.
Fan Favorite: Brown Sugar Cinnamon Latte – Made with real brown sugar and cinnamon instead of syrups for this popular drink.
Cottonwood Coffee and Cottonwood Bistro are two mocha minded shops the locals like to visit. Coffee lovers can find anything here from handcrafted drinks to a lunch and dinner menu which boasts a wide variety of sandwiches, soups, and other fresh options. Cottonwood Coffee has a big back room to host group projects with lots of outlets to make sure you don’t ever run out of power. The Bistro has the perfect outdoor patio to get your homework done outside.
Fan Favorite: Try their “Brew of the Day” – They usually brew a light, dark and decaf option
Choco Latte specializes in handcrafted drinks, homemade candies and fudge for every occasion. Cozy up next to the fireplace with your favorite drink and let the relaxation take over. With more than a dozen different kinds of fudge and tasty caramels, your treat of the day is covered at Choco Latte. Located right off the interstate, this coffee shop is just as convenient as it is comfy. If you are in a rush, get your favorite drink through the drive-thru.
Fan Favorite: Black and White Mocha – Enjoy this hot or cold either way it will be delicious.
Get Off Campus
You could stay busy with everything there is to do on campus, but what about exploring anything past the Coughlin Campanile?
The Brookings Cinema 8 Movie Theatre is your destination to catch the latest flick. This cinema features eight theatres, expanded concessions and luxury reclining seats. Call the Movie Hotline at 605-692-4412 to hear what is currently playing.
Local Tip: Go to the movies on Tuesdays every movie is $5.
Get out of your comfort zone at the Brookings County Outdoor Adventure Center (BCOAC). The facility boasts an Olympic-sized archery range and a 12-lane gun range with an automatic retrieval system. If you may be thinking “This sounds fun, but I do not own any of the proper equipment.” Do not worry the BCOAC has rental options for both the archery and gun range.
Experience bowling like never before at The Lane’s. They offer 26 alleys and 10 devoted to Spark bowling. With modernized systems you can customize your game to play however you want. You won’t go hungry or thirsty here either. Strikerz serves a full food menu to help you relax and enjoy the full bowling experience.
Local Tip: On Mondays 9 pm-close, is all you can bowl for $5. They are also always coming up with new events and specials so pay attention to their social media pages.
Bring your new friends to Tee’d Off Golf Simulators. Whether you want to perfect your golf swing or take your chance at zombie dodgeball they have a variety of games to keep you entertained for hours.
Local Bites
Brookings is home to so many fun local places to catch a bite to eat. Here are some great picks to satisfy your cravings throughout the day.
Start your morning at Cook’s Kitchen. This quaint breakfast joint in downtown Brookings has been serving ooey gooey cinnamon rolls for years. A staple in the community, Cook’s Kitchen offers simple breakfast and lunch items, made to order. Be sure to come with an appetite, the Cook’s Cakes are the size of your face and the sides will take an extra plate.
For lunch, head to La Cantina to experience authentic Mexican food. Keep it simple or go wild with genuine dishes like Chile Relleno, enchiladas, huevos rancheros and much more! When it is nice outside, take a step onto their relaxing patio furnished with umbrellas and outdoor lighting.
Once it’s supper time, you have to experience downtown Brookings. Mind your P’s and Q’s and head to Pints and Quarts for a burger you won’t forget. A local favorite is the Juicy Lucy, this 1/2 lb. burger is stuffed with jalapeños and cheddar cheese. It is hard to leave any other way than happy when you receive a free mini cupcake with every meal.
Check out our listings here for a full list of places to eat.
