Eight Boston Experiences Every BU First-Year Should Try
Terrier Starter Kit | Part Two: A Guide to Boston: Eight Places to Start
From Fenway Park and Beacon Hill to North End cannoli and Charles River sunsets, these essential Boston outings will help new Terriers explore beyond Comm Ave.
Boston is a vibrant collection of neighborhoods, and BU students are lucky to have so many within reach. Going to school in a city comes with plenty of perks, but with endless restaurants, historic landmarks, shops, and things to do, exploring Boston for the first time can also feel a little daunting. To help incoming Terriers get started, we’ve narrowed down eight must-have Boston experiences that will help you explore beyond campus, discover some of the city’s most iconic spots, and start feeling like a local Bostonian.
1. Go to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park
No BU student’s Boston experience is complete without a trip to Fenway Park. Located just steps from campus, the historic ballpark has been home to the Boston Red Sox since it opened in 1912. It’s the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball, and its age and location have given it plenty of distinctive features that make a game here unlike one at any other stadium. The most famous is the Green Monster, the 37-foot wall in left field that can change a simple fly ball into an important play.
Fenway is not just for baseball: in the summer, the park also hosts big-name artists like Hozier, Lana Del Rey, and Noah Kahan. Spend a full day at Fenway by eating nearby before the game. Try Tasty Burger for a classic burger and fries, or go to Time Out Market for many food choices if you are with friends. If you don’t get tickets, you can still see the park with a behind-the-scenes tour that visits the Green Monster seats, press box, and other famous parts of the stadium.
Whether you’re watching the Sox from the stands, taking a tour, or catching a concert, Fenway is a quintessential Boston experience, and one every Terrier should have at least once.
2. Take a photo on Acorn Street in Beacon Hill
When it comes to classic Boston photo spots, few places are more well-known than Acorn Street. Hidden in Beacon Hill, the narrow street has cobblestone sidewalks and lovely Victorian buildings, making you feel like you’ve stepped back into 19th-century Boston.
The street’s history is as charming as how it looks. It was once home to skilled workers and craftsmen, and Acorn Street still has its original cobblestones, called “cobs,” laid down hundreds of years ago. Today, it is Beacon Hill’s most photographed spot and was named one of the “71 Most Beautiful Streets in the World” by Architectural Digest in 2024.
Grab your friends, take the obligatory group photo, and then spend some time exploring the rest of Beacon Hill. Walk along Charles Street, browse the neighborhood’s boutiques and antique shops, or stop by the original Cheers at 84 Beacon St. for a drink or bite to eat. The neighborhood is also right next to Boston Common, so you can easily turn your photo stop into an afternoon exploring some of Boston’s most historic streets.
3. Have dinner in the North End + get cannoli at Mike’s Pastry
Boston’s North End is a must for any BU student looking to experience the city’s culinary and cultural history. Often called Boston’s “Little Italy,” the one-square-mile neighborhood has been home to generations of immigrant communities and remains one of the city’s most popular destinations for food, history, and festivals. With more than 100 restaurants, cafés, and bakeries packed into its narrow streets, there’s no shortage of places to explore.
Start your night with dinner at an Italian restaurant like Giacomo’s, a longtime North End favorite known for its pasta and seafood. Then, walk down Hanover Street toward Mike’s Pastry, a North End institution that has been serving sweets since 1946. Famous for its oversized, overstuffed cannoli, Mike’s makes its pastries on-site and offers the classic Italian dessert in several flavors.
Be prepared for a line and remember that Mike’s accepts cash only. Since seating inside is limited, take your cannoli to go and continue exploring the neighborhood. You can walk a portion of the Freedom Trail, stop at the Paul Revere House or Old North Church, or head toward the waterfront and stroll along the Harborwalk.
4. Spend an afternoon on Newbury Street
What Fifth Avenue is to New York, Michigan Avenue is to Chicago, and Rodeo Drive is to Beverly Hills, Newbury Street is to Boston. Stretching eight blocks through the Back Bay, the famous street is lined with beautiful buildings and a varied mix of luxury brands and more affordable favorites.
But you don’t need a big shopping budget to enjoy Newbury. Browse stores like Chanel, Ganni, Cartier, Newbury Comics, and Uniqlo, or check out the street’s bookstores, art galleries, secondhand shops, and cafés. When you’re ready for a break, grab a coffee at Tatte Bakery & Cafe or sit down for a meal at one of the neighborhood’s many restaurants.
If you want to treat yourself, try French brasserie La Voile at 261 Newbury St. For seafood and oysters, go just off Newbury to Select Oyster Bar. And if you visit during Open Newbury, you can enjoy the famous street without cars as it becomes a pedestrian-only area on Sundays.
5. Have an Allston night out
Everyone in and around Boston University has their own unique connection to Allston: a Saturday morning brunch at Lulu’s, that first apartment on Ashford Street, or that table or chair you rescued from the sidewalk during the September move-in/move-out event known as Allston Christmas. For many BU students, the neighborhood becomes part of the college experience itself.
Start your night with dinner at The Avenue, a longtime student favorite, or explore Allston’s enormous selection of international food. For a group dinner, try Shabu-Zen, where you can build your own hot pot meal together.
Then, catch a show at Roadrunner, the 3,500-capacity music venue described as the largest general-admission indoor music venue in New England. Or simply wander down Brighton Avenue and Harvard Avenue, stopping for drinks, food, and dessert along the way.
The point of an Allston night isn’t necessarily to have a perfectly planned itinerary. It’s to experience the neighborhood’s eclectic mix of food, music, art, and students, and to make a night you’ll remember long after graduation.
6. Watch the sunset along the Charles River Esplanade
One of the best things about being a BU student is having the Charles River right outside your door. When the weather is warm, grab a blanket, pick up some food or coffee, and head toward the river with your friends to watch the sun go down over Boston.
Make it a picnic with takeout from a nearby restaurant, or simply bring your favorite coffee and find a spot along the water. You can walk or bike along the Esplanade, watch the boats pass by, or settle in as the skyline begins to light up.
It’s simple, free, and quintessentially Boston. Whether you’re sitting along the water after class, taking a walk, or watching the skyline change as evening begins, a Charles River sunset is the kind of small college memory you’ll probably miss once you graduate.
7. Saturday brunch in Coolidge Corner
Just beyond campus, Coolidge Corner is a simple place to visit for a Saturday morning away from Comm Ave. One of Brookline’s two main shopping areas, the neighborhood has drawn shoppers and diners for over 150 years and today offers a varied mix of restaurants, Jewish delis, coffee shops, small stores, and historic places.
Getting there is part of the fun. Coolidge Corner is a short walk from campus or a quick ride on the Green Line’s C branch. Get off near the unique clock tower of the S.S. Pierce Building and begin your morning with brunch at Zaftigs Delicatessen, a popular place for Jewish deli classics, pancakes, eggs, and other filling breakfast favorites.
After brunch, take some time to explore the neighborhood. Look through the local shops, get a coffee, or watch a movie at the old Coolidge Corner Theatre. It’s an easy way to leave campus without going far and a great Saturday tradition when you want a break from Comm Ave.
8. Explore Harvard Square: Comedy and Rooftop Burritos
Take the T across the river and spend an afternoon exploring Harvard Square, one of Cambridge’s most well-known neighborhoods. With history going back to 1630, the Square mixes centuries of past with a lively college-town feel. Walk through Harvard Yard, check out the independent shops and bookstores along Brattle Street, and enjoy the street performers and activity near the MBTA station.
When you’re ready to eat, go to Felipe’s Taqueria for tacos, burritos, and freshly made margaritas. After ordering, bring your food upstairs to Felipe’s rooftop patio, where you can enjoy your tacos and drinks with friends while soaking up the lively Harvard Square vibe. Then, keep the night going with a comedy show at The Comedy Studio or see a performance at The Sinclair, a popular live music spot just steps from the Square. Whether you spend the afternoon exploring or make it a full night out, Harvard Square is an easy way to see a different side of Boston beyond BU’s campus.
From Fenway Park to the Charles River, some of Boston’s best experiences are just a short T ride, walk, or bike ride from campus. While eight experiences can’t possibly capture everything the city has to offer, they’re a great place to start. So grab your friends, hop on the Green Line, and venture beyond Comm Ave! You never know which neighborhood, restaurant, or hidden gem might become your new favorite. After all, being a BU student means having an entire city to explore right outside your door.