F&M Stories

The Most Cozy Campus Spots

We asked students to share their favorite cozy campus spaces. From local cafes to academic lounge areas, see where students find respite from the cold days and long nights of winter.

Diplomatic Cafe

1. Diplomatic Café

Centrally located in F&M's historic Distler House, the Diplomatic Café is the top campus spot for coffee and conversation.

 

Bonchek College House

2. College House fireplaces

Did you know every F&M College House has a great room and fireplace? While not quite as enchanted as Hogwarts, these College House hearths are nothing short of magical. 

Joseph International Center

3. Joseph International Center (JIC)

The colorful cushions, global decor and light-filled lobby of the JIC invite visitors to sit and linger. Home to weekly coffee hours, this space offers a "home away from home" for international students. All are welcome.

 

 

Jazz Night at Phillips

4. Phillips Museum of Art

Cozy isn't always about couches. Enjoy a change of scenery at The Phillips Museum with jazz nights, artist talks, meditation sessions and other immersive experiences available to students and visitors. 

Writers House

5. The Writers House

Curl up with your favorite novel at the Philadelphia Alumni Writers House. The space's surplus of books and signature sage-green cushions invite students to stop, read and reflect. Look closely, and you'll spot the names of famous authors adorning the ceiling trim.

 

The chemistry lounge in Hackman Physical Sciences Laboratories offers respite from the rigors of lab work.

6. Chem Lounge

Every scientist needs a break from beakers and microscopes. The chemistry lounge in Hackman Physical Sciences Laboratories offers respite from the rigors of lab work. After all, you can't spell "cozy" without cobalt (Co), Z boson (Z), and yttrium, right?

Mean Cup

7. Mean Cup

Just a quarter-mile from campus, Mean Cup is a perennial favorite among students, professors and Lancaster locals. The cafe's modern, industrial vibe provides the perfect spot for both studying and socializing. Enjoy distinctive house-blend coffee flavors that vary daily. 

Prince Street Cafe

8. Prince Street Cafe

This brick-walled, rustic coffee shop is a favorite downtown spot for students. Order house-blend coffee, soup and sandwiches and take in decor from local artists. Located a mile from campus, Prince Street Cafe is a stone's throw from two historic landmarks, the Fulton Theatre and Central Market.

 

Related Articles

September 29, 2025

Students Make Waves as Susquehanna River Watchdogs

Roselyn Ovalles ’26 and Grace Uwezukwe ’26 spent the summer monitoring the Susquehanna River and its many local tributaries as interns with the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association.

September 26, 2025

Experience Lancaster: A Historical City with an Eye on the Future

Are you ready to see why Lancaster is such a great place to live and learn? While you’re here for a Fall Open House, we encourage you to step off campus, explore Lancaster, and start imagining your life as a Diplomat in the city that could be your new home away from home.

September 22, 2025

True Blue Weekend Celebrates Traditions Old & New

More than 2,000 students, parents and alumni filled campus Sept. 19-21 for True Blue Weekend. Find your favorite photos from the weekend.