What’s on Tap for Senior Week 2018

Senior Week, sponsored by the Student Activities office, runs through Thursday, May 17.

Seniors—we made it. After four years of late nights in Mugar and snow-laden winters (and springs), we have reached the end of our time at Boston University. Commencement is right around the corner, and we’ll soon be bidding good-bye to a place we’ve learned to call home.

As we count down to graduation, let’s get ready to celebrate. Student Activities has put together a week chock-full of events both on- and off-campus, from a night gambling at Mohegan Sun Casino or dancing at Royale Nightclub to a takeover at Six Flags and a classic New England clambake. Best of all, ticket prices are lower than in previous years.

Commencement festivities kick off this Thursday, May 3, with the annual free Senior Breakfast hosted by the Dean of Students office—a tradition that dates back to the 1950s. President Robert Brown will announce this year’s honorary degree recipients and Commencement speaker, so you won’t want to miss it. Register for the breakfast here.

You can purchase tickets to all Senior Week events here, but buy them fast. Some events have limited availability, and some are already sold out. The deadline for purchasing tickets is Sunday, May 6, unless otherwise noted.

Check the BU Senior Week website for the latest announcements about ticket availability, weather-related cancellations, or possible changes in venue.

A special $75 Senior Week Package includes admission to the Lansdowne Takeover on May 13, the Royale Nightclub on May 14, the Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino trip on May 15, and the Lawn On D’s Clambake on May 17 (find event details under the dates below)—a savings of $40 over the cost of individual tickets for these events. 21+ only. 

Saturday, May 12: New England Experiences

Back by popular demand, this year’s Senior Week will once again feature trips to several popular nearby New England destinations.

Newport, Rhode Island, Adventures

Newport, R.I., may be nearly 400 years old, but it’s one of New England’s trendiest summer destinations. Join your classmates and take in the sea air aboard the Adirondack II, walk along the waterfront, or tour some of Newport’s opulent mansions, once home to several of America’s wealthiest families. The city has great restaurants, shops, museums, and beaches, so there’s something for everyone. BU will provide transportation from campus to Newport and back. This event is for BU seniors only.

Tickets for the Newport Adventures are $40 each. Choose between two ticket options: Adirondack II Private Sail or Explore Newport and Mansions on Your Own. Buses leave from Hinsdale Mall (corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Cummington Street) at 9 am and arrive in Newport at 11 am; buses depart Newport at 7:30 pm and return to BU at 10 pm.

Martha’s Vineyard Adventure

Don’t leave New England without visiting one of the most idyllic settings in Massachusetts: Martha’s Vineyard. This excursion offers a chance to tour the island by bike, shop at the local boutiques, sunbathe at the beach, or enjoy a fresh lobster roll at one of the island’s great restaurants. Maybe you’ll even catch a glimpse of a vacationing celebrity. Your ticket includes transportation to and from Woods Hole on Cape Cod, the ferry ride to and from the island (you will not receive an individual ferry ticket), and a discounted bike rental at Martha’s Bikes in Vineyard Haven. This event is for BU seniors only.

Tickets for the Martha’s Vineyard Adventure are $40 each. Buses depart from Babcock Street at 8 am. The ferry departs Woods Hole at 10:45 am. The return ferry leaves Vineyard Haven at 7:45 pm. Buses return to BU at 10 pm.

Provincetown Adventures

Provincetown on the tip of Cape Cod, is renowned for its galleries, restaurants, beaches, and people-watching. One of the oldest towns in New England, “P-town” is known for its diversity. Your ticket includes transportation to and from Provincetown and an hour-long guided dune jeep tour courtesy of Art’s Dune Tours. This event is for BU seniors only.

Tickets for the Provincetown Adventure are $40 each. Dune tours are available at 1 pm, 2:30 pm, or 4 pm. Buses leave BU from Marsh Plaza at 8 am and arrive in Provincetown at 10:45 am; buses will return to BU at 10 pm.

Six Flags New England Takeover

BU is taking over the oldest Six Flags park in the country for the day. Experience some of the most thrilling rides in New England, including the Superman, considered one of the best steel roller coasters in the world. Check out the new Gotham City–themed area featuring rides and attractions such as Harley Quinn Spinsanity and the Joker 4D Free Fly Coaster. Rides not your thing? No problem. You can play carnival games, have your photo taken with some Looney Tunes characters, or watch your friends stumble off the roller coasters.

Tickets are $40 each and include round-trip transportation to and from Six Flags and entry into the park; BU seniors may bring one guest for $65. Buses begin loading at 8:30 am from the GSU Plaza and the last bus departs at 9 am. Buses leave Six Flags starting at 6 pm with the final bus leaving at 7 pm, returning to BU at 9 pm.

Sunday, May 13: Boston Experiences

Explore Boston from one end of the city to the other. Below are local events that still have spaces available.

Fenway Park Tours

Go behind the scenes at Fenway Park, home of Boston’s beloved Red Sox. The tour offers fascinating tidbits about the myths, legends, and magic surrounding the iconic ballpark. See baseball’s oldest manual scoreboard or climb to the top of the Green Monster (at 37 feet, 2 inches, it’s the highest wall in baseball). This event is for BU seniors only.

Admission for Fenway Park tours is $10 per ticket. Tours are one hour long, at 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm, and begin at the official Red Sox Team Store at 19 Yawkey Way, Boston. Purchase tickets through Tuesday, May 8.

New England Aquarium

Spend the day visiting one of Boston’s most popular attractions, the award-winning New England Aquarium. You can hang out with the fur seals and their trainers, watch the adorable penguins get fed, stroke rays and sharks in the touch tank, and search for a sight of Myrtle the Green Sea Turtle in the four-story Giant Ocean Tank. Your discounted ticket allows you admission to the aquarium all day Sunday until 6 pm.

The New England Aquarium is at One Central Wharf, Boston. Find directions here. Visit any time on Sunday during normal hours, 9 am to 6 pm. Tickets are $15 and are available for sale through May 11.

Museum of Science

Classes may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn something new. Boston’s Museum of Science offers science-lovers a chance to navigate through a mirror maze in the Numbers in Nature exhibition, stand next to a 65-million-year-old Triceratops skeleton, or engage in some stargazing during a private BU showing in the planetarium. Your ticket is valid all day on Sunday until 5 pm, but is good only for the 3:30 pm private BU planetarium show. This event is for BU seniors only.

The Museum of Science is at One Science Park, Boston. Find directions here. Visit any time on Sunday during normal hours, 9 am to 5 pm. The private BU planetarium show is at 3:30 pm. Tickets are $15 and are available for sale through May 11.

Codzilla Thrill Boat Ride, Boston Harbor

Strap yourself in and hold on tight, because this is not a cruise for sitting back and relaxing. Codzilla, Boston Harbor Cruises’ “monstrously fun” speedboat, will take guests on a 40 mile-per-hour tour of Boston Harbor, with hairpin turns and 360-degree spins around the harbor. Be sure to secure all hats, scarves, and crates of English tea. This event is for BU seniors only.

The Codzilla Thrill Boat Ride departs from One Long Wharf, Boston, at noon. Please arrive 30 minutes early. The ride lasts approximately 40 minutes. Tickets are $20 and are available for sale through May 8. You can pick up your Codzilla tickets at the Student Activities business office one week prior to the tour.

Lansdowne Takeover

BU seniors are taking over the bars around Fenway Park. Ticketholders get access to free food and specials at these local establishments: Lansdowne Pub, Cask ‘n Flagon, Bill’s Bar, Loretta’s Last Call, Cheeky Monkey, and Game On! Your ticket includes an exclusive Senior Week T-shirt that will grant you access to all the bars. This event is for 21+ BU seniors only.

The Lansdowne Takeover is from 8 to 11 pm at the above locations in the Fenway. Tickets are $10 and are available for sale through May 11. Pick up your T-shirt from the Student Activities office at One University Rd. during the week leading up to the event.

Monday, May 14

Royale Nightclub

Get ready to dance the night away at one of Boston’s hottest clubs. Royale Nightclub is BU’s exclusively for the night, and with its elegant chandeliers, spiral staircases, and so much more, it’s a party you won’t want to miss. Wear your finest dancing duds. This event is for 21+ BU seniors only.

Royale Nightclub is at 279 Tremont St., Boston. Tickets are $20 and are available for sale through May 14. Doors open at 10 pm. Shuttle buses will run between Royale and the GSU from midnight to 1:30 am free of charge. If you stay longer, be prepared to take a cab, Uber, or Lyft to get home safely.

Tuesday, May 15

CAS Senior Cookout

CAS seniors will have a chance to be together one last time at this lunch at Dean Ann Cudd’s house. For $10 you’ll get two drink tickets (your choice of beer or wine), a full lunch, and an afternoon of entertainment, yard games, music, and more. There will be food trucks from Mei Mei, Roxy’s Grilled Cheese, and Hive. Plus, the first 300 guests will get a Class of 2018 blanket. Those who donate to the Class Gift will receive an extra drink ticket. The event is open to CAS seniors only.

The CAS Senior Cookout is at Dean Cudd’s residence, 25 Lenox St., Brookline, from noon to 2 pm. Tickets are $10 and include two drink tickets.

Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino

If you’re feeling lucky and want to try your hand at winning some money, join this annual trip to Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort in Uncasville, Conn. Enjoy a night of dancing, craps, and blackjack. Hit the slots, take your chances at a variety of table games, or break it down at the private party at the resort’s Avalon nightclub, reserved exclusively for BU for the night. Recharge at one of the resort’s numerous fine-dining restaurants, such as Michael Jordan’s Steak House and Todd English’s Tuscany. Entry starts at 8 pm. Seniors may bring one guest.

Tickets for the Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino trip, One Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville, Conn., are $40 for BU students. BU seniors may bring one guest for $50. Dress is trendy upscale. Buses board at the GSU at 4 pm and will return to campus at 2 am. This event is 21+.

Wednesday, May 16

Senior Prost at Harpoon Brewery

Student Activities is hosting an exclusive night for BU seniors at one of Boston’s most popular breweries. You can sample some of Harpoon’s famous beers while munching on a giant pretzel or two. You will be able to celebrate and reminisce with classmates. Your ticket includes your first beer and a giant pretzel. Additional beers will be available for sale. This exclusive event is for 21+ BU seniors only.

Tickets for the Senior Prost at Harpoon Brewery are $20. This event routinely sells out fast, so get your tickets while you can. Harpoon Brewery is at 306 Northern Ave., Boston. Doors open at 8 pm. Shuttle service back to BU begins at 10 pm.

Class of 2018 Harbor Cruise

Those who prefer to party aboard the high seas rather than on land can head down to the Seaport District to board the Provincetown II for the annual BU Senior Class Boston Harbor Cruise. There will be a live DJ, free food, a cash bar, and breathtaking views of the Boston skyline. Space is limited (it is a boat, after all), so buy your tickets soon. Hosted by the BU Alumni Association, this is an exclusive event for 2018 Class Gift donors, so make your gift here if you haven’t already.

The Class of 2018 Harbor Cruise departs from 200 Seaport Blvd., Boston, at 7 pm. Boarding begins at 6 pm and the boat returns to shore at 10 pm. Tickets are $25; buy them here.

Thursday, May 17

Lawn On D’s BU Clambake

Close out senior week with this exclusive BU party at Boston’s popular Lawn On D. Play yard games like bocce, cornhole, and Jenga, enjoy the giant swings, and feast on a classic New England clambake. The festivities kick off at 11 am, and there will even be a shuttle on campus to bring you downtown. This event is for BU seniors only.

Lawn On D, 20 D St., South Boston. The clambake runs from 11 am to 3:30 pm. Tickets are $50 and will be available for sale at the event. Buses to Lawn On D from BU begin at 10:45 am.

To stay up to date on graduation festivities, follow BU Senior Week at @saoBU on Twitter and the University’s official senior class website. Continue to check the Eventbrite page for any last-minute cancellations or additions.

Madeleine O’Keefe can be reached at mokeefe@bu.edu.