Visitor’s Guide
Guide to Local Transportation
The best way to get around Boston may be on foot (we are known for our traffic) but we also recommend using the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), more commonly known as the “T.” The Green B Line runs through our campus, on Commonwealth Avenue, and is an easy and inexpensive way to navigate the city. For a complete guide to using the subway system, including fare information and a map, please visit the MBTA website. If you are navigating campus, you might also consider using the BU Shuttle Bus. For bus stops and the schedule, please visit the website. You may also consider renting a Blue Bike which are available at locations throughout the campus and around the city. A Blue Bike costs $2.95 for a 30-minute rental period. For more information, please visit the Blue Bike website.
Area Hotels
Hyatt Regency Boston/Cambridge, 0.2 miles from campus
Residence Inn by Marriott, 0.4 miles from campus
Beacon Inn, 0.5 miles from campus
Fenway Luxury Suites by Sonder, 0.5 miles from campus
Hotel Commonwealth, 0.5 miles from campus
The Verb Hotel, 0.6 miles from campus
Doubletree Suites Boston Cambridge, 0.8 miles from campus
- Boston University rate automatically provided by using the link above.
The Eliot Hotel, 0.9 miles from campus
Hilton Boston Backbay, 1.1 miles from campus
Sheraton Boston Hotel, 1.1 miles from campus
The Lenox Hotel, 1.3 miles from campus
Hilton Garden Inn Boston/Brookline, 1.3 miles from campus
- For the BU rate reference: Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Boston Brookline, MA; Company Name: Boston University
Boston Marriott Copley Place, 1.4 miles from campus
Iris Hotel Boston, 1.7 miles from campus
- Use code “UNIFLEX” for 20% discount for all students and families
Beacon Hill Hotel, 2 miles from campus
Hilton Boston Park Plaza, 2.4 miles from campus
- Boston University rate automatically provided by using the link above.
Homewood Suites Boston Brookline Longwood Medical, 2.7 miles from campus
Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill 2.7 miles from campus
Cambria Boston Downtown Seaport, 4.8 miles
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Watertown Boston, 5.9 miles from campus
The Westin Copley Place Boston 2.3 miles from campus
- Special rate: 15% off the best available fare at the time of booking
The Liberty Hotel 2.1 miles from campus
A Taste of the Neighborhood: Dean B’s Favorite BU-Area Restaurants
When you’re visiting your student at BU, you’ll quickly discover that our campus sits in the heart of one of Boston’s most vibrant dining scenes. I’m excited to share a few of my personal favorites—restaurants run by friends who’ve become true pillars of our community.
First, let me tell you about John and Pam Beale, the heart and soul behind Cornwall’s, a fantastic English pub right in Kenmore Square. This remarkable couple has been working in the square for over 50 years, and their dedication to both Boston University and the city of Boston is truly extraordinary. Cornwall’s isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a gathering place where the warmth of genuine hospitality meets authentic English fare.
Just steps away, you’ll find what we affectionately call “Harkerville” – Garrett Harker’s trio of exceptional establishments: Eastern Standard, Standard Italian, and Equal Measure. Perfectly positioned between BU’s South Campus, Kenmore Square, and Fenway Park, these restaurants have become integral to the fabric of our neighborhood. Garrett’s commitment to culinary excellence and community spirit makes each venue a destination worth experiencing.
And don’t miss Audubon Bar, where owner Jay Bellao and Chef Sergio Salas are redefining what bar food can be. Their creative approach to casual dining has made Audubon a favorite among students, faculty, and neighborhood regulars alike.
Here’s a tip: when you visit any of these spots, tell them Dean B sent you. In fact, you might just run into me there – I’m a big fan of all three destinations.
Of course, these are just a few highlights from our fantastic foodie scene. And don’t sleep on our own BU Dining Options – they’re all pretty awesome as well!
Also on my foodie list:
TsuruTonTan Udon Noodle Brasserie
Beyond the Classroom: Christy’s Guide to Boston’s Hidden Gems
If you love a good mystery, like I do, let me recommend a visit to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. In 1990, thieves stole $500 million worth of art, from the museum, that has never been recovered. Watch This is a Robbery: The World’s Biggest Art Heist on Netflix—then head over to this intimate, palazzo-style museum (just a short walk from campus) to see if you can spot the empty frames still hanging on the walls where the stolen works once resided. There’s something hauntingly beautiful about those vacant spaces, each one telling its own story of loss and mystery.
After exploring the Gardner’s enchanting courtyard and remaining treasures, take a diagonal stroll across the street to the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA). From Monet to mummies, and everything in between, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy at the MFA! The breadth of their collection is staggering—you could easily spend an entire afternoon wandering from contemporary installations to classical sculptures.
Pro tip—your BU student has free admission to these museums with their student ID—yet another perk of being part of the BU family.
Later on, hop on the Green Line to Copley Square and discover one of the city’s true architectural gems: the Boston Public Library (BPL). This isn’t just any library—it’s a masterpiece of art and design, with stunning murals, a breathtaking central courtyard, and reading rooms that feel more like cathedrals than study spaces. And here’s a fun bit of trivia: do you know which BU alum and NHL star chose this magnificent venue for their wedding? Click here to find out!
I hope you fall in love with this city as much as I have. I’ve called Boston home for a long time now, and these are just a few suggestions out of a long list of favorites!
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum