Emerson College is located right in the heart of downtown Boston, meaning there are plenty of places to explore whenever you aren’t doing schoolwork! Deciding where to go may be a daunting task, as there can seem to be too many options, but here are 8 fun places to go with your friends that are near Emerson.
Emerson’s campus is right on top of the Boston Common, making it the perfect spot to go hang out with friends. No matter the season, there is always something fun to do in the Common!
In the spring and summer, it’s the perfect place to head out with a picnic blanket and some snacks. There’s always street performers playing music and plenty of people if you enjoy people watching. There are plenty of food vendors as well if you want something to snack on.
In the winter, although it may be cold, the Common has lots of fun things to see and do. They offer ice skating at the frog pond which is the perfect thing to do with friends once the weather gets chilly! They also have their annual tree lighting ceremony in December where people from around the city come to look at the gorgeous Christmas lights that illuminate the Common.
Emerson students love sitting out in the common doing homework or just walking around with friends. It’s the perfect place to be if you want a moment to escape the busy city life surrounding you.
Another place that is right down the road from Emerson is the Boston Public Garden. In the spring and summer, it is a great place to enjoy the weather and breathe in some fresh air.
The gorgeous flower beds planted all around make the perfect Instagram pictures, plus they smell so fresh! Emerson students love spending time in the Garden to forget about the stress of school life.
The pond in the Boston Public Garden is also a great place to sit. The ducks and swans are so fun to watch, especially if you are an animal lover. You and your friends can even take a ride on the swan boats if you feel like doing something more than sitting on the benches.
Located just past the Boston Public Garden is the iconic Newbury Street. The best way to describe Newbury Street is 8 blocks of pure fun! It’s the perfect place for Emerson students to go wander, no matter the time of year.
There are so many salons, boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and so much more! It’s definitely a popular tourist spot, so it may be crowded depending on when you and your friends decide to go.
If you love shopping you should definitely check out Brandy Melville, Francesca’s, or Nordstrom Rack. Of course there are also lots of luxury boutiques to shop at too, like Dolce and Gabbana, Lululemon, and Tiffany and Co.! Definitely watch your wallet if you decide to shop there, we all know how hard it is to resist gorgeous clothes and jewelry.
As far as food goes, Newbury street is perfect to grab a quick bite or have a nice sit down meal. A popular place that Emerson students love is J.P. Licks. It’s the perfect place to take your friends to grab some ice cream or coffee. Not only is is super delicious, but it’s a great excuse to walk down Newbury Street.
On the other side of the Boston Common lays the beautiful Beacon Hill neighborhood. Exploring the beautiful cobblestone streets is a must-d0, especially in the fall. Although it is a largely residential area, there are lots of boutiques and shops to explore with your friends, too.
Emerson students love going Trick-or-Treating on Halloween in Beacon Hill because the decorations and candy are unbeatable. The gorgeous brownstone houses and falling leaves make it the perfect place to spend a cool fall day.
Beacon Hill is also super historical! The Massachusetts State House resides within the neighborhood and is the perfect place to visit with your history buff friends. The large gold domed roof and huge steps make for some awesome Instagram pictures. The Black Heritage Trail is also located in Beacon Hill and includes historic stops like the Charles Street Meeting House and the Museum of African American History.
Whether you like beautiful sights or great history, Beacon Hill is the perfect place for Emerson students to go explore.
Not too far from Emerson’s campus is the Boston favorite Faneuil Hall. Located right on the Boston Harbor, this is a hub for tourists. There are so many great places to eat and explore, as well as shop.
Sephora, American Eagle, and Victorias Secret are just a few stores where you can get your shop on. There’s also lots of cute kiosks selling magnets, jewelry, scarves, or tee-shirts to commemorate your trip.
A great place to grab food at Faneuil Hall is Cheers! If you’re familiar with the classic TV show, you and your friends will definitely enjoy a good meal at the restaurant. If you are more in the mood for snack food or a sweet treat, stop by the Ghirardelli chocolate shop. They have candy, milkshakes, and ice cream which is basically everything you need!
Not too far from Faneuil Hall is the Boston Harbour, which is the prefect place to relax and reflect on a long day. You can look out and watch the planes taking off from Logan Airport, or admire all the beautiful boats docked there. Sunsets on the harbor are definitely worth the walk, especially in the late summer.
If you and your Emerson friends are sports fans, Fenway Park is the place to be! Catching a Red Sox game is a must-do if you are in Boston, and Fenway is only a train ride away from Emerson’s campus.
No matter if it’s early fall or late spring, you and your friends will definitely have a blast at Fenway cheering on the Red Sox. Not only is there good food and great sports, it’s also the perfect place to get a taste of what Boston really has to offer. If you’re new to the city, Fenway Park can really show you what it’s like to be a Bostonian and how passionate everyone is about their city.
Since you and your friends are Emerson students, you get access to the Red Sox student ticket offer, where you can purchase game tickets for only $9! This is a great way to enjoy a baseball game and get off campus without breaking the bank.
If art is more your thing, than you are in luck because Boston is filled with so many museums and galleries for you to check out. Not too far from Emerson is the Museum of Fine Arts, and it’s the perfect place to spend a rainy day.
As an Emerson student, you get in for absolutely free with your student ID! The MFA has art from all across the globe including the Americas, Asia, Africa, and ancient times. No matter what your taste is, there’s definitely art that will interest you.
They also have seasonal exhibits that rotate every few months. They do have limited tickets, so get there early if you want to check it out. You could spend all day looking at the art at the MFA so definitely grab some friends and ride the train for a few minutes to enjoy some great stuff.
One last place that is a go-to for Emerson students is the Prudential Center! This is arguably the best shopping mall within Boston or at-least the closest to campus.
There are so many stores to explore including Kate Spade, vineyard vines, and the Apple Store.
You can also buy tickets for a classic Duck Tour or Old Town Trolley ride. These are a must-do if you are new to the city and the rides take you right through Emerson’s campus. You and your friends can learn all the history of Boston and enjoy a great day out on the town.
There’s also the Skywalk Observatory which gives you the best view of the city. On the 50th floor of the Prudential Tower you get a full 360-degree view of the city and on a clear day you can see up to 100 miles away!
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