Hey everyone!
As the summer is winding down, I thought it would be fitting to write about great, inexpensive activities to do around Boston. My roommate and I have been trying to make the most of the city since we’re leaving so soon, so here are my top weekend activities so far:
- Picnic on the Charles Esplanade (extra awesome if it’s at sunset!)
My friend and I did exactly that a few weeks ago. After work, we met up at the Prudential Center, on Boylston. We picked up some food from Eatly (I think our sandwiches turned out to be less than $10) and headed down to the Esplanade. We ultimately settled down on a bench on the brink of the Charles. We ate dinner, chatted about our days, and watched kayakers, rowers, canoers on the Charles while the sun slowly went down! I highly recommend going in the evening/early sunset as it can get quite warm during the day.
- Explore Boston’s Seaport District
I completely forgot how awesome the Seaport District is. Just from the website description, I’m sure anyone would want to visit: “nestled between Boston’s beautiful waterfront and the historic Fort Point district, lies a vibrant and bustling neighborhood with a unique appeal. A synergistic community of artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs, Seaport has forged a culture all its own. The atmosphere in Boston Seaport is steeped in history but imbued with a creative, youthful energy.” Couldn’t have put it better myself.
On a balmy Saturday morning, my roommate and I headed to the Seaport District from Northeastern. It was a pleasant walk, and we found ourselves in front of the Institute of Contemporary Art (also known as the ICA). The ICA isn’t free, but if you plan your visit correctly, it can end up cheaper than regular price. On Thursday nights, they allow visitors to pay what you can, and with a Wellesley ID, there is a college student discount – so tickets become $10. The ICA is really neat…it’s pretty much unlike any art museum I’ve been to. They also have this cool, seasonal place in East Boston called the Watershed, where they put on different exhibitions. The Watershed is a “15,000-square-foot, formerly condemned space into a vast and welcoming venue to see and experience large-scale art.” Included in your ticket admission is a free ten minute ferry ride from the ICA to the Watershed! When we went, there was a video installation about the impact of global warming.
On the ferry over to the Watershed
- Next up: Revere Beach
I had never taken the Blue Line before this adventure, but my roommate and I really wanted to go to Revere Beach. So, on the same day we went to the ICA, we hopped on the Blue Line and headed over! Revere Beach was incredible. The 2019 Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival was on the same day, and it was so cool to see the sculptures. The atmosphere was amazing: food trucks, lots of people walking around and admiring the sandcastles, and best of all: live music! It definitely was an afternoon well spent. The Festival was free, so the only cost was the T ride up! Below are some of the sandcastles we saw.
- Take a stroll around Castle Island!
Looking outward to Boston Harbor from Castle Island
My last recommendation to visit is Castle Island! It’s a peninsula located in South Boston. On Castle Island, you can find a beach, Fort Independence, and many locals taking a stroll around the vicinity. It also offers views of the area around it – including the Boston Harbor Islands and airplanes taking off from and landing at Logan!
Enjoy the adventures,
Shreya