The Bucket List: 10 Things to do before the Cold, Cold Death of Winter Sets In

Legend goes that you’re not a true Harvardian till you’ve paid homage to this Holy Trinity:

1. Relieve yourself on the shining bronze foot of John Harvard in the Yard.
2. Have the chutzpah to run Primal Scream, preferably in the winter.
3. Hook up deep in the stacks of Widener. We can’t guarantee no one will hear, though.

Sounds easier to accomplish than a problem set, right?

That’s why Freeze dares you to take the challenge of completing our own list of things to do before the cold death of winter sets in. Ready? Set? Go!

1. 2am on a Saturday night at the Kong

A staple in the square since 1954, a late night trek to the Kong is a tradition for generations of Harvardians. Famous for its scallion pancakes, rowdy crowds that require the presence of Cambridge’s finest, and greasy pseudo-Chinese food capable of breaking the fast of even the most devout dieters, there is no doubt that Hong Kong is the place to migrate after the parties die down.

2. Museum Row

What do a giant prehistoric whale skeleton, world-renowned glass flowers, ancient Middle-Eastern relics, and a priceless Van Gough have in common? Not only are they all located within blocks of one another, but also can be accessed for free, with a valid Harvard I.D.

3. Classes at the MAC

Your intellect already gets enough of a workout every Thursday night with your Ec10 problem set, so isn’t it time to start worrying about your physical fitness too? The MAC is your first stop to your determined back-to-school workout regimen. Start is by signing up for one of the multitudes of classes they offer, from kickboxing to yoga. Top-notch classes like these usually ring up a hefty bill in the real world, so be thankful for that magic little Harvard ID card you carry around that gets you in for nothing!

4. Leaving the Harvard Bubble

One of the most daring things you can do around Harvard Square is dare to leave it… at least for the afternoon. Yes, it may be hard to fathom, but there is a world outside of the little Harvard Square bubble you’ve nested in. For a change from generic HUDS grub, check out the multitudes of restaurants in Porter Square or muster the courage to jump on the T and travel to Chinatown or the North End in Boston proper.

5. Cambridge Commons

Located just a hop and a skip away from the Science Center, Cambridge Commons has a worse reputation than it actually deserves. Besides ample greenery for morning runs or a lazy afternoon picnic, the park also boasts the spot where Washington supposedly took command of the American troops. Commemorate the rich history of Cambridge and your bygone childhood by grabbing your mitt and bat for some timeless American baseball while the weather still permits.

6. Campus Tours

It’s a well-established tradition to bash on the endless invasion of tourists to our never-tranquil campus, but dare you to turncoat and join them for a day? Disguise yourself as a visitor by throwing a camera around your neck and infiltrate a campus tour and try to reignite the sense of wonder you felt your first time on campus. With more than 350 years and counting, you will likely learn a thing or two about the rich history that is Harvard. The Admissions Office offers tours every weekday and some Saturdays, starting from Agassiz House, and you can always check out Harvard Unofficial Tours, starting from Harvard Square.

7. Mt. Auburn Cemetery

Located just a walk or bus ride up the Charles, Mt. Auburn Cemetery is a national landmark known both for its magnificent scenery and a to-die-for resident roster boasting Boston’s old elite dynasties. In addition to being known for the spot of romantic walks, the view of Boston at the top of the highest tower on the grounds is breathtaking and well worth the hike.

8. The Garment District

With Halloween and invites to some of Harvard’s most notorious costume parties just around the corner, it’s high time you paid a visit to the Garment District in Cambridge. Besides being one of the best vintage and used clothes store in the area, it also houses one of the most diverse and best picks of costumes and props you could hope for, sure to put that puny selection at CVS to shame.

9. Sunrise on the Charles

Oh, the Charles. Upperclassmen fight for rooms with a view of it, dreamy romantics host picnics next to it, and hardcore athletes race along it. On one of those long, long nights or early, early mornings, head to one of the many bridges decorating the river and take the time to enjoy watching the sun rise from the depths of the gray ripples of water. Take in as much as much of the moment as you can, because it’ll have to last you through the long, dark Bostonian winters when sunlight seems but a sweet memory.

10. Underground Tunnels of Adams

Rumors of vampires and cockroaches aside, the underground tunnels connecting Adams House are the premier place to go for the most random and fascinating collection of murals found around Cambridge, and that’s really saying something. Every year, lucky seniors are given their own panel to paint and leave their immortal mark on Harvard. Of particular interest is one mural with a complementing list of things to do before graduating from Harvard.