Moving to Boston for graduate school has been an absolute joy, and exploring a new city has been an incredible adventure! While I am sure there are tons of gems I am missing, please enjoy my unranked, but heartfelt Boston Top Ten list!
Glasser Coffee Co.
I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but I am a tea enthusiast. Some of my favorite tea creations I’ve enjoyed in Boston have come from Glasser Coffee Co., home of the rose matcha latte. Glasser is located on Washington Street, not far from the CSTM. A gem on the Brighton side of town!
The T
In my opinion, all great Boston adventures begin on the T, Boston’s subway system. I very well may be the green line’s biggest fan. There is really nothing quite like popping in a pair of headphones and staring out the windows on a jaunt towards downtown. The T can take you all around Boston for a small price and big city vibes.
Newbury Street
Newbury Street is the historical shopping street in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston. While I rarely buy anything on Newbury Street, I love to stroll down it, especially on an Open Newbury day. Open Newbury takes place on select Sundays during the warmer months of the year. The street is shut off to car traffic while street vendors, street performers, and Sunday strollers flock the road. It is a lively and lovely way to experience a fun part of the city!
Boston Public Library Central Branch
Boston is home to an impressive library system with over 23 million items across its collection. My favorite branch of the library has to be the Central Branch, which takes up an entire city block in Copley Square. The library is huge and includes a beautiful, peaceful courtyard which is my preferred study spot when the weather is warm enough for it. The library is more than a public service, it is a beautiful, artistic, architectural landmark for the city of Boston, and holds an even more special place in my heart.
MFA
One way to take advantage of being a student in Boston is through student discounts. For example, Boston College students get into the Boston Museum of Fine Arts for free! Pop over to the museum to get absolutely lost in art. I have never attempted a map at this museum, I just wander through the art until I loop back to somewhere that looks familiar. From Monet to Van Gogh, experience art in person at the MFA!
Museum of Science
The Boston Museum of Science is an interactive gem on the Charles River. Highlights include the Arctic Adventure, Cosmic Light, and Colossal Fossils exhibits. My personal favorite has to be the Lightning Show in the Theater of Electricity. Reconnect with your inner child and learn something new with a visit to the Museum of Science!
Brookline Booksmith
A top ten list of mine would be incomplete without a bookstore and Brookline Booksmith is my favorite bookstore in the Boston area. I am particularly fond of venturing to the bottom of the store to search through the used book basement, and perusing the stickers and other trinkets by the registers.
New England Aquarium
Anyone who knows me knows that I love aquariums! The New England Aquarium does not disappoint with lots of sea creatures to see. I am a huge fan of stingrays so of course the stingray touch exhibit at the entrance of the aquarium is my favorite, but the sea lion rescues have to be a close second. If you catch them at the right time, you may get to see them training with the New England Aquarium staff. Located right on the harbor, the New England Aquarium is a great afternoon outing!
Modern Pastry
A trip to the North End, Boston’s historically Italian neighborhood, is never complete without a cannoli run, but where you choose to get your cannoli will put you on a side of a longstanding argument: Mike’s or Modern? I will firmly and proudly say that I am team Modern Pastry. While Mike’s Pastry has flavors galore, you cannot beat the crunch of a fresh cannoli shell from Modern Pastry. Hand-filled to order is the way to go.
Boston Public Garden
Even though this is not a ranked list, the Boston Public Garden takes the number 1 spot as my favorite place in Boston. I will never say no to a stroll around the pond in good weather, watching the ducks, and swan boats float along. My required stop in the Public Garden is at the Make Way for Ducklings statue, which I lovingly refer to as “The Ducks.” The Ducks are inspired by the beloved children’s book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, a childhood favorite of mine. The Ducks are an important stop for me as they remind me of the importance of getting in touch with my childlike sense of wonder, and encourage me to experience that wonder in God’s creation all around me.