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.
1. Diplomatic Café
Centrally located in F&M's historic Distler House, the Diplomatic Café is the top campus spot for coffee and conversation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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
March 31, 2025
Early Decision Day Gives Glimpse of Campus
Go behind the scenes during Early Decision Day, a March 28 event celebrating students who identified F&M as their top choice when considering college applications.
March 27, 2025
Make the Most of Your Spring Visit to F&M
When you become an F&M Diplomat, your college experience will extend beyond our campus and into the vibrant city of Lancaster. If you’re planning a visit to campus this spring, add a stop at one of our favorite spots and get a glimpse of what it’s like to call Lancaster home.
March 20, 2025
Students Help Plan Emerging Writers Festival
Meet the students behind the Emerging Writers Festival, slated April 2 to 4. The collaborative effort between students and faculty champions the work of rising writers early in their careers.