After living in Boston for a while, you may find yourself getting bored with the places in the city that once thrilled and excited you. The New England Aquarium? Not so interesting the 20th time you've visited that year. Fenway Park? Not worth the traffic and hordes of tourists unless you're a hardcore fan and you can afford tickets. What do you do when you've exhausted all of your go-to spots in the city you call home? I've put together a list of seven lesser-known spots in Boston that you can easily access on the T and are affordable on a college budget. Most importantly, all of these places are somewhere where you can spend either a few hours or an entire day, depending on your schedule, and still have a good time.
1. The Kendall Square Rooftop Garden
Located just off of the Kendall Square/MIT Red Line stop, this hidden gem is pretty accessible. Hidden on the roof of a parking garage, this lush community garden is a great place to go if you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life for a while. The garden features a ping pong table, corn hole, and a book collection to provide entertainment while you relax in the garden and take in the beautiful sights. It's the perfect place to study for your big exam, or to write that big paper you've been putting off for weeks.
2. The USS Constitution Museum
Located in the Charlestown Navy Yard, the USS Constitution, the oldest ship in the American Fleet, is permanently docked next to a museum where you can learn about what life was like on the ship. Entrance to the museum is by donation, and you can also tour the ship itself, which I highly suggest you do if they are offering a tour when you're there. This is one of the few historical sites that appeals to both adults and children.
3. The Museum of Bad Art
The Museum of Bad Art is a collection of 600 pieces of horrible art, displayed in three museums in the Boston area, 50-70 pieces at a time. Currently, the Museum of Bad Art is in the basement of the Somerville Theatre, the lobby of Brookline Interactive Group, and the New England Wildlife Center (which is not easily accessible by public transportation). Admission to the museums in the Brookline Interactive Group and the New England Wildlife Center is free. You must either purchase a ticket to a movie or concert at the Somerville Theatre, or request a free pass from Info@MuseumOfBadArt.org to enter the Somerville Theatre museum.
4. The Lawn On D
By now, you've probably at least seen pictures of people on the light-up swings at The Lawn On D. But did you know that they also have outdoor games, like bocce, ping-pong, cornhole, and Jenga? They also have a full concession menu, including grill items, wraps, deli sandwiches, salads, snacks, and drinks. There are also free special events offered, featuring live music.
5. The Mapparium
The Mapparium is a world-famous, three-story, stained-glass globe in the middle of the Mary Baker Eddy Library. You can only see the Mapparium on a tour, which runs every 20 minutes from Tuesday through Sunday, 10:20 a.m to 4:00 p.m. General admission is $6.
6. Escape the Room
Escape the Room is an interactive game that looks like any other room, but is actually a puzzle. You and your friends, family, or coworkers have to work together to find the hidden objects, figure out the clues, and solve the puzzles in order to "Escape the Room." You have 60 minutes to complete the task, and it's a great team building exercise.
7. Boston University Observatory
Boston University holds a free public open night in their observatory every Wednesday night, weather permitting. They provide telescopes and binoculars to allow people to see the sky in ways they would not otherwise be able to. In the fall and winter, the event starts at 7:30 p.m and lasts about an hour. You can call 617-353-2630 to confirm that the program is running on a given Wednesday night, or follow @BUObservatory on Twitter.
