You’ve heard it a million times by now – Boston is a college town. There are more than 60 colleges and universities in this city, meaning over 250,000 students. Face it, Boston has great food, an awesome party scene, and so many things to do; I think we can all agree that the Beantown is a pretty great place to live. Because we live in such a bustling, busy place, it’s inevitable that friends and family will want to spend a day or two in the city – here’s just a few fun areas of Boston to take visitors!
Settled conveniently between the major college areas of Boston, in Back Bay, Newbury Street is a great place to stroll with your friends. Ogle at Burberry jackets and Coach purses, wander into used bookstores, and grab some froyo – it’s got it all. Not to mention DC Cupcakes has a branch on the street! Newbury Street has everything from comic stores to Starbucks to designer brands, so you can always find something to do.
Little Italy is just a 20-minute walk from Emerson (and boy is it worth it when you get to Mike’s Pastry). The North End is home to a number of great pubs and Italian restaurants, not to mention the bakeries. In fact, Bova Bakery down in Little Italy is a great place to grab a late-night snack, as they’re open 24 hours. Even better, grab your dinner and head five minutes over to the Boston Harbor to sit by the water and watch the boats. The North End is a great place to walk around in the evening, sit by the fountains, and munch on a cannoli.
Faneuil Hall, a favorite of both tourists and locals, is settled in the heart of Boston. With tons of shops, restaurants, and stands, you’ll never get bored. Not only does the market include a bunch of modern day stores and shops, but there’s a huge historical element to it as well. Check out the main buildings for pastries, pretzels, burgers – and almost every other food. And take a look at the upper level for some historical information.
Who doesn’t want to feel like a little kid again? Get tickets to the aquarium or even whale watching for a day with your friends and family. Check out everything from dolphins to jellyfish to penguins – plus the visiting exhibits like Mischief the sea lion! The aquarium also hosts a number of interesting and educational IMAX features that are always fun to see. Not to mention the New England Aquarium is nestled right in the Boston Harbor, a beautiful part of the city with a number of cafes and restaurants.
The Public Garden/Boston Common
These are some of the prettiest parts of Boston, and they’re the best places to go if you want to forget about the busy pace of the city and just relax in nature. Take a friend or two to walk through the common – you can watch Emerson students practice Quidditch, grab a hot dog, or visit the frog pond (it’s frozen for ice skating in the winter!). The Public Garden is just across the street. You can see the statues and read up on its history, watch musical performers, or just sit by the pond and enjoy the nature. Both parks are beautiful spots to spend an afternoon.