Coming to Boston for college during the pandemic, I worried about having nothing to do. Getting to know the city changed that. The harder question became how to get off campus without spending money every time I left the room.
If you’re deciding what to do in Boston as a college student, start with the benefits you already have. Your school may cover museum admission, a library card can supply your reading and entertainment, and a walk doesn’t need to end with a restaurant bill. Save the paid plans for something you really want to do.
Put your student ID to work at the museums
The Museum of Fine Arts offers free admission through its University Membership Program. Check your school’s listing carefully: eligibility can vary by degree level or program. Bring a valid ID to a ticket desk for same-day admission rather than assuming every student card qualifies.
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum charges $15 for college students with current ID, while participating university members can receive complimentary admission. Its admission page explains the options. Reserve ahead, especially if you’re arranging a visit with friends who may qualify for different tickets.
The Harvard Art Museums in Cambridge are free for everyone, with no Harvard affiliation required. That makes them a useful choice when you’re meeting friends from different schools. Check in at the visitor-services desk when you arrive. The museums normally open Tuesday through Sunday.
Make Thursday evening an ICA plan
The Institute of Contemporary Art was a favorite in my original student outings. Its waterfront setting and views were part of the appeal, as well as the chance to see the exhibitions. You can make a visit there without paying the regular student admission.
ICA Free Thursday Nights run from 5 to 9 p.m., and advance tickets are required. Book before setting out. At other times, students pay $15 unless they qualify through a university membership or another free-admission program. A student discount and a free ticket are different things, so check both.
Use Bluebikes for the trip you actually need
Bluebikes can connect an outing across Boston and Cambridge without bringing your own bike. Check the current pass and ride charges before unlocking one, including the extra charges for e-bikes and rides longer than your plan allows. A day pass doesn’t mean you can keep one bike all day without additional fees.
Look at your destination’s docking stations before leaving, and make sure your ride ends properly when you return the bike. Don’t rely on an old university-discount page, either. Harvard, for example, ended its university discount in July 2026. Check your own school’s current transportation benefits.
Get outside without buying anything
The Arnold Arboretum is free every day from sunrise to sunset. Its 281 acres give you options for a long walk, a short break or an afternoon spent looking at trees instead of a screen. Use the map to choose an entrance and route before you go; the grounds are large enough that “meet at the Arboretum” isn’t a very precise plan.
Closer to downtown, choose a section of the Charles River paths or walk through the Common and Public Garden. You don’t need to turn a break into a fitness goal. For more ideas, our free and cheap things to do in Boston article gives you other ways to leave campus on a small budget.
Make room for a meal out
Pick a neighborhood and a spending limit before opening a delivery app or booking a table. Lunch, a sandwich or a bakery stop can be the outing itself. Compare the actual menu prices, and include tax, any posted service charge and your tip in what you’re prepared to spend.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace can be a place to browse with visiting friends, but you don’t have to buy lunch at the first counter you see. Walk around, look at menus and decide together. Splitting up to order only works if everybody knows where you’re meeting afterward.
Get a library card beyond your campus
A Boston Public Library eCard is available to eligible Massachusetts residents, including people living here for most of the year while attending school. It gives access to electronic resources such as Libby. You’ll need a physical card to borrow physical books and other items.
For that card, visit a BPL location with the required identification and address documentation. Once you’re set up, you can borrow something that has nothing to do with your syllabus.
