Now that my colleagues and I are nearing the end of our busy season, we’re all beginning to look forward to the ways we can spend “free time,” which seems to all but disappear in the winter months when you work in college admissions. The great thing is, when we do have free time, we live in a place that is full of possible adventures. The Greater Boston Area has so much to do, for the outdoorsman, the foodie, the artist, the history buff… and since you might be considering going to school in Boston, I figured you might be interested in hearing some highlights! I asked my colleagues what they love to do in the city – both to get us excited for newfound free time, and to get you excited about the possibility of living in this vibrant place. Here’s what I heard:
“My favorite place to spend time in the city is Boston Common because it can be used for so many things: it’s great for a nice stroll to people watch; it has softball fields and tennis courts for my old athletic self; it's close to the State House for the political junkies; and it offers an outdoor ice skating rink in the winter, tulips in the spring, and Shakespeare in the park during the summer.”
-Eddie Pickett
“Boston is such a cultural hub and I love catching productions by local theatre companies or Broadway tours that come into town! If you like to laugh, catching a show at Improv Boston in Central Square is also a must.”
-Matt Alander
“The USS Constitution is the single most exciting historical landmark in Boston. I also can’t wait to get back to running on the Minuteman path – it’s a nature and art filled path right in the middle of a city. What could be better?”
-Patrick Gladstone
“I love when the Somerville Theater does a 40mm Film Festival showing classic films (like 2001: A Space Odyssey) in their original state!”
-Hayden Lizotte
“My favorite things to do in Boston? Celtics Games! Red Sox games! Running around the Mystic Lakes!”
-Tom Esponnette
“I have recently started going to book talks in the Boston area. Usually the event itself is free and you just buy the book (which is often signed). This past winter, I saw Anna Kendrick speak (she really is as funny in person as she is in the movies), and just purchased tickets to see Elizabeth Warren!”
-Jaime Morgen
“My all-time favorite thing is to go to Ebisuya, it’s a small Japanese grocery store in Medford (just a short bus ride from Tufts). Sushi, snacks and weekend ramen!”
-Sayaka Smith
“I love going to Brooklyn Boulders! It's technically just a rock climbing gym but for me it's my workout, my friends, my escape, and my second home. But I’m also looking forward to upcoming events around Somerville - I'm a sucker for HONK!, the activist marching band street festival in early October. It's amazing music and a really fun way to spend your weekend!”
-Yulia Korovikov
As for me, I have a list going. First of all, I can’t wait for Porchfest 2017 – it’s an event in Somerville that features local bands playing on their front porches. Walk anywhere in the city and you’ll hear incredible music. I’m also looking forward to checking out the small but adorable Make Way for Ducklings exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts (with my mom, of course), and the World of Wearable Art exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum.
We're open to other suggestions, too - if you're from the area, any recommendations as we look forward to spring in the city?
Feature image from malone545 on Flickr