Coming to Boston to start college in the middle of a pandemic was scary. Aside from being worried about my own health, I was worried about having nothing to do. But coming to the city changed my mind completely. Boston is an area full of great restaurants, activities, and destinations to explore that are all affordable for college students. Here are some ideas as of what to do in the city as a student in the middle of a pandemic:

BlueBikes:

BlueBikes (or City Bikes) are the best way to get a breath of fresh air and workout. Rent a bike whether it is to go to class because you don’t feel like walking or want to avoid traffic, or to just go for a ride along the Charles River. My favorite route would have to be the one that goes from the Boston University campus all the way to the heart of Boston alongside the river. There are plenty of spots around the city where you can rent a bike, find the most convenient one here! P.S. it is cost effective, but make sure you bring some wipes or hand sanitizer to stay safe!

Go To A Museum:

I love going to all kinds of museums and I was really happy when they started opening in Boston. The most recent one I have visited and recommend is The Institute of Contemporary Art (see picture above!). It is right next to the water and it has incredible views! Other favorites include: the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Steward Gardner Museum, and the Museum of Science. Museums are a great way for college students to go out and spend a day with their friends or by themselves while learning something new. Most of the museums around Boston offer discounts for college students and they are COVID safe!

Get outside more!

Boston is a great city for walking, specially with the nice spring weather we are having. Go out and enjoy the good temperatures and get some Vitamin D. It is essential for students’ mental healths to take some time off the books and computers and get outside. Whether it is walking thru Newbury street just window shopping, or taking a walk at Boston Common, there are plenty of places you can go to enjoy a few hours of sunlight. I would also recommend enjoying a picnic with your friends or even by yourself! What a better activity than this where you won’t spend any money or be at risk?

Go out to eat!

Boston has many options for great food. Whatever the cuisine of your choice is, Boston probably has at least one restaurant. During the pandemic, most restaurants only deliver or offer dining reduced to half capacity. All the restaurants I have been to in the city have made me feel safe and I have had no concerns about COVID while dining. That being said, if you still don’t feel comfortable to eat out, most of these restaurants offer delivery and you can try the delicious food right from the comfort of your couch. As a student, this has helped a lot because I can order food from my favorites and eat while I work on my homework. Some of my current favorite places that are affordable include: Cafe Landwer, by Chloe (pictured), Saloniki, sweetgreen, Tatte Bakery, CAVA, and Flour. Some places in the North End can also be pretty affordable. 

Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Also known as Quincy Market is a great place to go on the weekend to enjoy some delicious food and explore the different stands the market has to offer. Merchants have been very friendly every time I have visited it, which makes me want to continue going! The market is very clean and despite some of the shops being closed due to the current situation, there are a great number of shops open that you can enjoy. Despite this, I usually don’t go because it can be quite overpriced and it is very hard to control yourself once you see everything it has to offer!