Welcome to the beautiful city of Boston! Whether you’ve moved here from halfway across the world or from only a few T stops away (in my case), you picked the perfect place to spend the next four or five years. From free concerts, to fabulous shopping, to the unbeatable clam chowder, Boston has anything and everything a college student could want. Here’s just a few of the many places you’ll want to check out in the first few weeks of school – before the cold sets in:
Prudential Center
Seeing as the Pru is literally right next store to Northeastern, there’s no excuse not to go visit. The shopping and food are great but the best part is the view; sit by the Pool of Reflection and admire the beautiful architecture of the Christian Science buildings by day, then when night rolls around take a trip to the Top of the Hub and get the most breath-taking view of the city imaginable.
Newbury Street
If you feel like treating yourself to an upscale shopping spree, check out the many retail stores and salons on Newbury Street, and don’t forget to pop into Newbury Comics for some cool posters!
Theater District
In the mood for dinner and a show? The Boston Opera House is performing The Lion King until the end of the month and the Paramount Theater has some awesome plays running like my personal favorite King Lear.
New England Aquarium
If you’ve got time to kill on a Saturday afternoon, check out the New England Aquarium down by the wharf! It has hundreds of awesome exhibits with really cool animals, including the cutest penguins you’ll ever see in Massachusetts.
North End
If you haven’t tried a cannoli at Mike’s Pastries, you haven’t lived. The North End is home to some of the finest Italian cuisine in the country, and some of the most colorful people in Boston. Whether you want a romantic candlelit dinner at Mamma Maria’s or a slice of pizza from Regina’s or Ernesto’s, you’ll definitely be back for more.
Fenway Park/TD Garden
Sorry for all you Yankees or Habs fans that go to Northeastern; you’re on our turf now. Whether you’re a sports junkie or don’t even know what a Bruin is (it’s a brown bear), don’t pass up on the opportunity to be a part of the greatest sports nation in the US. Whether we win or lose, any Bruins, Red Soxs, or Celtics game you go to is going to be a blast. Even if you don’t get a chance to catch a game, take a tour of Fenway Park and check out the awesome restaurants right by the park.
Museum of Bad Art
That’s right, a whole museum dedicated to bad art. Art so bad it’s almost masterpieces. Definitely a must-see.
Museum of Fine Arts
Once again, seeing that the MFA is about ten feet from most people’s dorms, there’s no excuse not to go. From colonial to modern art, beautiful watercolors to marble sculptures, and the free admission for Northeastern students, this should be at the top of your list for places to visit.
Museum of Science
Every college student in Boston has to go to the MOS at least once in their time here. You get to learn about electricity and illusions and gravity while running around and playing on see-saws like a kid. The MOS has a College Night for college kids to get in for free this Friday September 26th, it’s the perfect time to go! Also if you get the chance, go behind the building around sunset; the view of the Charles River is the greatest one you’ll get in the city.
The Commons
Whether it’s spring, summer, fall or winter, Boston Commons is the perfect place to go whenever you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy your own secret garden. You could wander into a free concert or Shakespeare in the Park. Check out the Swan Boats and the foliage before it gets too chilly out; once winter hits and ice skating season starts, go to Frog Pond and get $3 unlimited ice skating with your college ID!
Boston Public Library
If you’re bored with staring at the same wall over and over again in Snell, switch up your studying ambiance and head down to the Boston Public Library, just down the street from the Pru. It’s a perfect place to get some quiet studying time, and if you’re lucky you might see a wedding in progress!
Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market
No matter what day it is, there’s always something to do at Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. Check out the street performers, enjoy the shopping, maybe take a haunted tour of Boston for Halloween. Or take your friends to Dick’s Last resort, a restaurant where the waiters treat you ke dirt and you’ll get the most colorful service you could imagine.
Isabella Gardner Museum
The Isabella Gardner Museum is one of Boston’s secret treasures. The landscape itself could be considered one of their greatest exhibits. Home to beautiful Venetian art, it was originally the home of Isabella Gardner, who turned it into a museum and kept everything the way it was upon her death. If your name is Isabella, you get free admissions!
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Need to unwind after a stressful week of classes/co-op? Enjoy some classical music at the Boston Symphony Orchestra. If you’re a big music buff, you can buy a college card and go to shows for free! And don’t forget to check out the Boston Pops around the holidays, one of the most famous orchestras in the country.
Chinatown
Want the best dim sum around? Check out the Winsor Dim Sum Cafe in Chinatown. It is definitely some of the best Chinese food I’ve ever had, and with Dim Sum-styled restaurants you get to try a little bit of everything; I highly recommend pork buns and any kind of dumpling.
Harvard Square
If you want to feel wicked smaht for the day, throw on your Harvard sweatshirt and take a to visit the oldest college in the U.S. There’s plenty of shopping (the world’s only Curious George store is right across from the T) and lots of good places to eat like the Border Cafe, Fire and Ice, and Kaju Tofu House. Or you can just go chill and listen to live music in the courtyard next to Wagamama’s, either way it’s a great way to spend the day!