<p>i’m a transfer student new to penn this semester. i’m terribly sorry to make a comparison since apparently there’s some rivalry there, but i have a lot more experience with princeton university than i do here. the reason being that i grew up in the town, and now i have a sibling who attends there whom i frequently visit. </p>
<p>i didn’t apply to princeton, but one of the things i loved best about it was all its cozy little nooks. each of these little places would have its own distinctive charm, and would be museum-like with people and their doings. i mean things like the a capella choir in the alcoves, or the dark, musty little basement where they bake delicious free cookies at night and people play apples to apples. </p>
<p>now, except for that brief description i no longer wish to make any more reference to anywhere else. my question is, what are your favorite charms about penn? i know it’s open to the city, making it difficult to answer, but can you help me find such things to love?</p>
<p>The penn archaeology museum. the penn modern art museum. nice little reading gardens around van pelt library and the arts library. the quad of course. I’ve never been to Princeton, but I would guess that you are less likely to find quiet hidden nooks with nobody there- during the daytime its a bustling and active place - actually there is one- the middle of the engineering building has an open space with a man-made pond partially hidden behind a concrete wall :)</p>
<p>^ Great list. I’d especially recommend Fisher Fine Arts Library, and also add the Bio Pond and the lounges at the top of the 3 highrise dorms (Harnwell, Harrison, and Rodin–terrific views of the campus and Center City, assuming those lounges are still accessible). And regarding the Quad, be sure to check out the smaller, quieter courtyards in the extreme upper and lower portions.</p>
<p>And another place to check out: Kelly Writers House–a charming Victorian cottage with big, comfy couches, and a great kitchen with lots of cookie-baking! (Not to mention some fantastic literary events.)</p>
<p>^yes bio-pond and kelly writers are both definitely charming.</p>
<p>Another is a very lush area behind steinberg (wharton). There’s a cafe with large glass windows in steinberg overlooking it and is a great place to read quietly. The path is narrow and convoluted (steps, a fountain in the way) so the foot traffic isn’t much.</p>