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Boston College is just a short T-ride away from the heart of the city. Student’s can take the Green Line on Boston’s metro system known simply as, the “T”. A number of different lines go into the city from BC including: the B Line (located on Commonwealth Avenue across from St. Ignatius Church), the C Line (located in the heart of Cleveland Circle, accessible by the BC shuttle bus) or the fastest of the lines, the D line, which is also accessible via BC shuttle at the Reservoir T stop. Areas of Boston Named for the bay that used to occupy the land in the 1700’s (it later filled in due to an expanding city), the Back Bay is known for its lavish apartments, historic buildings, and views of the famous Charles River. This posh area includes everything from great shopping to good eats. Located in the Back Bay is famous, Newbury Street, Boston’s own version of fifth Avenue. Sporting swanky boutiques, designer names, and an assortment of eclectic outdoor cafes and restaurants, Newbury Street is known for its virtual catwalk appeal; a place for people to see and be seen. The Copley/Prudential Mall known as the “City under Glass”, due to its expansive glass ceilings, is also located in the Back Bay. Housing such upscale stores as Barney’s, Versace, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany’s Jewelers, the Copley/Prudential Mall is a must with any avid shopper. While there, take a ride up to the top of the Prudential Center which features a “Skywalk” which provides a bird’s eye view of the entire city at a reasonable price. T-Stop: Copley (Green Line). Located in the Back Bay, Copley Square is truly the very heart of Boston, marked by a flurry of year round activities, including ice sculptors in the winter and musical performances in the summer. Adjacent to the square is Boston’s Tallest Skyscraper, The Hancock Tower. Designed by I.M Pei, the Hancock tower stands as a jewel of modern architecture, reflecting old world charm in its modern mirrored glass. The most prominent building in this area is Trinity Church. Founded in 1773, Trinity Church is considered to be one of the finest examples of early American architecture in the country. Across from Trinity Church is the Boston Public Library. The BPL is the country’s oldest municipal Library. Inside is a multitude of original murals painted by famous Boston artist John Singer Sargent which can be viewed free of charge. Behind Copley Square you might notice a familiar looking building. With its large marble plaza, 500 Boylston is the home to fictional law firm Crane, Poole, & Schmidt from the hit television show, Boston Legal. T-Stop: Copley (Green Line). This historic building and shopping area play host to a variety of indoor and outdoor shops, restaurants, historical sites, a Holocaust memorial, and vibrant night life, especially during the summer months. Located by the waterfront, many of its restaurants serve native flare including fresh fish, New England clam chowder, saltwater taffy, and Boston baked beans. T-Stop: Government Center (Green/Blue Line). Boston’s own “Little Italy”, the North End is considered to be the most European-influenced section of Boston. Home to many Italian immigrants and their descendants, the North End includes many Italian restaurants and bakeries such as Mike’s Pastries, famous for its rich canolis and fresh-baked breads. Be sure to visit the original Pizzeria Regina, known for its signature recipe for brick-oven pizza. T-Stop: Short walk from both North Station and Haymarket stops (Green Line). This wealthy neighborhood is known for its federal-style row houses and cobblestone streets. Throughout its history many wealthy socialites have lived in this area which overlooks the Boston Commons, including 2004 Presidential candidate John Kerry and his wife Teresa Heinz Kerry. The local bar Bull & Finch which became famous as the setting for the Emmy-award winning show, Cheers, is located here on Beacon Street. The State House’s gold dome, rises up to the original height of the hill before part of the hill’s dirt was used to fill in the Back Bay. Tours are given daily and visitors are allowed to check out both House and Senate Chambers. But the real treat is being able to see the famous Sacred Cod which, after a tremulous past, rests safely above the Speaker’s chair. T-Stop: Charles MGH stop (Red line) or a short walk down Charles Street from the Arlington stop (Green line). This area of Boston is known for its swanky boutiques and artsy feel. It is home to The Boston Ballet, The Boston Center for the Arts, and SOWA (South of Washington Street, a gallery district modeled after NYC’s SoHo). The South End is the largest attached Victorian bow-front neighborhood in the country. It is also the original home of Boston College before it moved to Chestnut Hill in the early 20th century. Union Park, also located in the South End off of Tremont Street, exhibits traditional brick sidewalks, working fountains, and architecture characteristic to Boston. T-Stop: Copley Stop (Green Line), walk down Dartmouth Street. Boston’s own smaller version of NYC’s Chinatown, this area has gone through great changed over the past two decades and has developed into one of the most vibrant and increasingly affluent parts of the city. Once home to Irish, Italian, and Syrian immigrants, Chinatown was later settled by Chinese immigrants in the early 19th Century. Today, this area is not only occupied by Chinese immigrants and their descendents, but large Vietnamese and Cambodian populations as well. Chinatown is a great place to shop for exotic fresh market goods and dine-out on fantastic Asian cuisine. T-Stop: Chinatown Stop (Orange line).
CITY SITES Fenway Park: Cheer on the 2004 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox at one of the oldest and most historic ballparks in America. T-Stop: Fenway (D line) or Kenmore stops (Green line). Museum of Fine Arts: A world-renowned art museum featuring modern and classic art as well as circulating exhibits from around the globe. Free admission with your BC ID. T-Stop: B, C, or D of Green Line to Kenmore, switch to E Line of Green, take to MFA stop. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: This museum’s founder and name sake was an eccentric Boston socialite who donated her home and extensive art collection to the public after her death. T-Stop: Heath Street Stop (“E” Green line). Freedom Trail: This self-guided walking-tour winds through-out various areas of Boston, marked by a red brick path, that are of historical significance. Sites include: Paul Revere’s house, site of the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea-Party Ship, Bunker Hill, the Burial ground of famous children’s author, Mother Goose, and of course, Old Iron Sides. T-Stop: Park Street (Green Line)-The Freedom Trail foundation is located at 147 Tremont Street. Duck Tours: A fun and interesting way to see the city for the first time, duck tours take place on renovated WWII amphibious landing vehicles known as “DUCKS”, which allow for city views both on land and by sea. T-Stop: Ducks depart next to Shaw’s Grocery Store and are a short walk from the Hynes Convention Center T-Stop (Green Line). Boston Public Garden/Boston Common: The first public botanical garden in the US, the Boston Public Garden is home to the city’s famous swan boats, as well as the sculptural tribute to the children’s classic, Make Way for Ducklings (which takes place in the garden’s lagoon). Located at the end of Newbury Street, the Public Garden and Boston Commons are always filled with sunbathers and picnic baskets on any warm spring or hot summer day. T-Stop: Arlington (Green Line). John F. Kennedy Library: Presidential library and museum of the United States’ 35th President, Born in nearby Brookline, to many locals JFK was “Massachusetts’ son”. The library itself boasts several recreations of items and places important to JFK’s term as President, including a life-size replica of the Oval Office as it appeared during his presidency. T-Stop: Kenmore Stop (Green line) take #8 bus from stop across street. The Esplanade/Charles River Basin: With great views of both the city of Boston and Cambridge (located just across the Charles River); the Esplanade is the perfect location for any outdoor activity. The Hatch shell, located on the Esplanade, is home to a variety of free concerts, the most famous being the Boston Pop’s annual 4th of July concert, which is free to the public. The “Head of the Charles”, a college crew race on the river is also a popular event that occurs in April. T-Stop: Charles/MGH Stop (Red Line).
EXCURSIONS OUTSIDE THE CITY If you’re interested in expanding your horizons outside the city, there are several popular spots:
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