Located so close to Boston, Tufts have given me the chance to explore a range of activities and attractions over my two and a half years. Here are the ones I’ve visited this semester.
Name: Somerville Dog Festival
Distance from the Campus Center: 1 mile
Rating: 7/10
For my first excursion of the year I went to the Somerville Dog Festival, a doggy-meet-up in a local baseball field. Somerville residents brought their dogs to compete in contests, play agility games, and get pet. 7/10 for the representation of every dog breed but the infeasibility of petting them all.
Name: Shelburne Farms
Distance from the Campus Center: 22.9 miles
Rating: 8/10
Shelburne Farms is an orchard I visited for my birthday. My family and I picked apples and drank cider, and then said hi to all of the farm animals. This isn’t the only orchard near Tufts, but it may be the only orchard with a donkey you can pet. 8/10 for ~fall vibes~.
Name: The Huntington Theatre Company at the BU Theatre
Distance from the Campus Center: 9 miles
Rating: 10/10
I saw “Sunday in the Park With George” at the Huntington with a cast and crew that were all Broadway veterans. The theatre itself was gorgeous, the tech of the show was impressive, and overall it reminded me of a New York production. Except the Huntington has a student discount of $30 tickets, flat rate. 10/10 for the great show and great price.
Name: The Middlesex Fells
Distance from the Campus Center: 4.9 miles
Rating: 8/10
The Fells is a beautiful nature reservation that surrounds Spot Pond. I went on a chilly autumn day right after a rainfall, which illuminated the bright colors of the leaves. It’s a beautiful and peaceful getaway that’s close enough to campus to visit every once in a while. 8/10 for the smell of rain but lack of sunshine.
Name: The Wilbur
Distance from the Campus Center: 8.1 miles
Rating: 10/10
Tufts University Social Collective (TUSC) was cool enough to sell $5 tickets for Hasan Minhaj’s Homecoming King show in Boston, which included transportation. The show itself was incredible – easily one of the best, if not the best, comedy show I’ve seen, including Netflix specials. The venue is a really beautiful old theatre and sees big names all year. 10/10 for the price, the people, the show, the night.
Name: The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Distance from the Campus Center: 9 miles
Rating: n/a
I’ve actually been to the MFA four times this semester, which is why I find it hard to rate. While there’s always been a free shuttle to the MFA from Tufts, it now is running even more frequently with Tufts’ acquisition of the museum school. Tickets are free for Tufts students, and even despite going to the museum well over a dozen times in my years here I still have so much to explore. It’s a great resource for art lovers, and its surrounding neighborhood (essentially, the Northeastern campus) a beautiful getaway if you’re looking for a new study spot.