Boston Summer Bucket List

WAHOOOO IT’S ALMOST SUMMERTIME! Time to say goodbye to textbooks and hello to flip flops and sun rays. Here’s my Boston Summer 2011 Bucket List, full of things to keep you entertained around the city while you’re not busy lounging.

The annual Boston Chowderfest is an all-you-can-eat buffet of, you guessed it, clam chowdah! For only 12 dollars, sample New England chowder from the city’s BEST restaurants. It’s also a competition between restaurants in the area for the best soup. The event is on July 3rd in a gated area on City Hall Plaza.

Get cheap tickets to Red Sox Games for as low as 10 bucks each on http://www.stubhub.com. Yeah, you’ll be in the bleacher seats, but it’s not the seat that’s important at Fenway Park- it’s the exciting environment. If you’re willing to shell out more dough, you can get infield grandstand tickets for 30-50 dollars each. Bring a glove- you could catch a home run ball!

Each year hundreds of thousands of people come from all over the country to the banks of the Charles River to celebrate America’s birthday. The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is an epic fireworks show over the harbor on July 4th. There’s even a concert during the fireworks display. Another great things about this event: it’s FREE!
Interactive exhibits, ongoing entertainment, organic cuisine, and environmentally-friendly fashion. These are all things you can experience at GreenFest, taking place August 18-20 at the Boston City Hall Plaza. Join GreenFest in celebrating the many ways we can create a better world by greening our communities.

The Extreme Sailing Series is a unique and exciting event for Boston, and is not to be missed! Experience Boston’s waterfront where there will be up to eight international multi-hull sailboat races a day, followed by a brief awards ceremony. Races are daily from 2-6pm, June 30th- July 4th.

Abomination, death, and catastrophe… What better way to spend an evening in Boston? The Dark Side of Boston is a tour through the mysterious, dark side of Boston’s historical past. Based on TRUE events! Tours are 12 dollars per person and take place at 6:00pm on Friday and Saturday nights.

Showing at the Charles Playhouse, The Blue Man Group is an out-of-the box multi-sensory theatrical journey that features three bald and blue characters… What more could you ask for? You’ll be entertained from the top or your head to the tips of your toes! BMG tickets are pricey, but student rush can be purchased an hour before the show for 38 bucks each.

You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream! The Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl is an all-you-can-eat ice cream bonanza. Come pig out on ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet from nine leading ice cream companies. The event will be June 7- June 9 from 12-8pm each day. All donations go towards the Jimmy Fund for cancer research and care.

10 Free Things to do in Boston

Just ‘cuz we’re broke college students doesn’t mean we can’t have fun in the city! Here’s a list of 10 totally free, enjoyable things to do around Boston.

1. Climb the Bunker Hill Monument

 “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” Check out the site of the first major battle of the American Revolution. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even trek up 294 stairs to the top of the monument for unparalleled views of Boston!

2. Explore the Public Art Walk

Feeling artsy? Featuring both historic and contemporary art installations, this walk includes tons of diverse Boston neighborhoods: Back Bay, Beacon Hill, the Financial District and the North End.

3. Tour the Samuel Adams Brewery

The Sam Adams brewery in Jamaica Plain gives free tours where you get to see first-hand how their beer is brewed. There is a free beer tasting afterwards (for those of us over 21!) and you even get to keep the 7 oz. tasting glass.

4. Visit the Museum of Fine Arts

Grab a dose of culture! Containing over 450,000 works of art, the MFA is one of the most comprehensive collections in America. Free admission to the Museum for all undergraduate students and discounts on Museum Shop purchases upon presentation of a college photo ID.

5. Walk the Freedom Trail

Follow the red brick road! Get a real taste of history and trek the 2.5 mile Freedom Trail on a self-guided tour. There are 16 legendary stops along the way, including Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere’s house, and the Old North Church.

6. Visit the Coit Observatory

See the stars clearly above the city for the first time! The Coit Observatory at Boston University offers free stargazing Wednesday nights after 7:30pm, pending clear skies. Also great for a romantic date.

7. Stroll through the Boston Public Garden

There isn’t a more beautiful place to spend time in Boston this summer. The garden is a relaxing place to bring a book and read, throw a frisbee with friends, or just chill with the ducks and turtles.

8. Watch Civil War Re-enactments

What more do I need to say? Epic battles will be taking place the weekend closest to July 18, held at the Robert Gould Shaw and 54th Regiment Memorial on the Common. Souvenir flasks available on location.

9. Tour Harvard

Tour the oldest university in America. Learn about the university’s history, architecture, programs and myths. When you’re finished, wander around the dynamic offerings of Harvard Square, where you can find tons of fun street performances and awesome food!

10. Walk along the Charles River

If you’re in Boston on a day when it’s warm, spend some time walking along the Charles River. It’s a great way to get some exercise, fresh air, and see the city from a different perspective. Highly recommended!