Tufts Blogs

Four Hidden Gems at Tufts

The library roof. The sunsets behind Carm. JP Licks. The prez lawn on a snow day or a spring day.

These, and many more, are all well-loved treasures of Tufts. But there are some spots on and around campus that are a little less-loved, but just as special in their own ways. During my three years so far, I’ve been able to uncover some hidden Tufts gems.

1. The Somerville Theatre

       To the untrained eye, The Somerville Theatre in the heart of Davis Square is just another place to watch a movie. But to the experienced movie-goer, it’s so much more. This theatre loves celebrating independent film, historic film, avant-garde film, documentary film, and more. While they’re always showing about 4 major releases (Deadpool was sold out for weeks) they’re also always showing a movie from the 40s, or hosting a local film festival, or showing a limited-release indie film. They have a massive theatre on the first floor where I’ve seen three movies on 35mm (The Breakfast Club, Vertigo, and V for Vendetta). It’s a unique and special theatre with very reasonable prices.

2. The Mugar Café

       I recently ran into a friend at Mugar who called this the “secret café” and was there to buy a “secret coffee.” Because it’s located in the Fletcher school it’s mostly frequented by grad students. But the café has a full wall of windows, making it one of the sunnier locations on campus, and has a more studious vibe than the other undergraduate coffee shops. While the Tower Café in Tisch is a popular meeting spot, Mugar Café is a great place to quietly get some work done for anyone that’s restless in a library.

3. Hotung, after 7pm

       Hotung in the morning is an entirely different world than Hotung at night. One of the main areas of the Campus Center, Hotung is bustling with people during normal business (class) hours. But at night, it clears out. The room’s two floors offer an abundance of empty seating areas, so it’s a great place to meet up with friends for a casual evening. And the best part is, colored lights automatically turn on at night, casting the room in a playful glow. It’s impossible to be tucked in a cozy corner of Hotung, bathed in a lavender light, and not feel a childlike giddiness.

4. The Swingset Behind Harleston

       While the entire playground behind the campus’ southernmost dorm is a great place to relax, there’s something special about a swingset. On a sunny day, it’s a perfect place to grab a book and get some class reading done while enjoying a nice breeze. At night, it feels like being a part of that Young Adult Movie you’ve always wanted to be in. The ironic misplacement of a children’s playground on a college campus gives it a special vibe by default.

Next time you’re looking to cross something off your Tufts Bucketlist (which yes, I have), try visiting these places!