We all know that Butler is far from the best place to be this time of year – it’s crowded, it’s stressful, and you can smell the stink of desperation from halfway across campus. So why not get out? You could go to Avery or LeFrak, attempt studying in bed (a tactic with mixed results) or you could step up your game and walk a few blocks downtown to a location that might not have any Columbia students at all. To help you out, we’ve compiled ten suggestions for off-campus study spots.

1. Filicori Zecchini – corner of 95th St. and Broadway

Coffee cup aesthetic

Features free wifi and modern, quiet, slightly weird music. It’s got a good ambiance, and you can loiter without penalty.

2. Barnes & Noble – corner of 82nd St. and Broadway

Soon, your backpack too could have this luxury view!

A bit of a further walk, but absolutely worth it for the large second floor windowsills. The proximity to the kids’ section is close, though – perhaps not the ideal location for those who need quiet when studying.

3. Plowshare’s Coffee – Broadway, between 104th and 105th St.

If this guy can think Deep Thoughts, so can we

Great coffee, great pastries, and great seating. Look out onto the street for inspiration when stuck on your paper.

4. Straus Park – between 106th and 107th St.s, Broadway and West End Ave.

Maybe better when it isn’t raining?

A tiny park for tiny bursts of motivation. (More easily accessible than Riverside or Central Park, and with a higher ratio of benches per square feet.)

5. Earth Cafe

It’s so … homey

Serves coffee, fresh (if a little expensive) food, and dessert, in a chill atmosphere marked by quiet, instrumental music. No free wifi, though – bring reading.

6. Manchester Diner

Those booths look so comfy

If you go to a diner during off-peak areas, you can often linger much longer than the amount of time it takes to bring your food. Manchester is one of your closest options for this route, but by far not your only option.

7. Riverside Park – Cherry Walk

These rocks may be less comfortable than Butler armchairs, but you don’t have to fight for them

Riverside Park is full of cool nooks and crannies – if you walk around for a few minutes, you’ll be sure to find a nice bench near the riverbank, perfect for reading or getting inspiration. One of our favorite parts of the park is Cherry Walk, a pathway connecting the trails near Columbia to West Harlem Piers.

These last three suggestions are a bit further – in running distance, perhaps.

8. Le Pain Quotidien – 70 West 40th St., near Bryant Park

Look at all this table space

A cafe with good food and huge tables – plenty of space to spread out your stuff! And the breakfast is pretty good.

9. Bibble and Sip

An earl gray muffin?!

A cool cafe featuring free wifi, cool food, and great music. The seating is limited and it can get crowded – try going at off-peak hours, or having your friend stake out a seat for you. (Like Butler, except the food is worth paying for.)

10. The Metropolitan Museum of Art – 83rd St. and 5th Ave.

The outside of the Met (may occasionally feature cool street performers)

Take advantage of your CU student ID privileges and get some reading done in the Met. Every time you start to grow bored, get up and wander around until you find a new place to sit. (We especially recommend the Astor Chinese Garden Court on the second floor.)

Almost all photos via Bwog Staff (Le Pain Quotidien via TripAdvisor)