Summer on campus can seem a bit monotonous, especially if your friends are all on co-op or back home and away from the city. You wake up, go to classes, and do homework--it's like any other semester, only with nicer weather and shorter lines for Rebecca's. However, if this is your daily routine, even on weekends, you're missing out on the incredible (and cheap!) offerings that Boston provides during the summer. Here are some budget-friendly adventures for your free time that are more exciting than sitting on Centennial all day.
1. Go on a Scavenger Hunt
Whether you create your own list of items to find or use one of the many that exist online already, a scavenger hunt is a fantastic way to vent all of your competitiveness while exploring Boston even further. You could even have a Dogspotting-inspired scavenger hunt, where participants compete to find the most unique, cutest and friendliest dogs in the city.
2. Visit a Museum
By now, most of us know that the Museum of Fine Arts offers free admission to students at many New England schools, including Northeastern. However, there are other places worth visiting besides the MFA, and while they can normally be quite pricy, the Boston Public Library offers passes to library card holders for many attractions around Boston. From the New England Aquarium (through the end of June) to the Museum of Science, there are free and discounted passes available upon reservation.
3. Volunteer
Okay, so maybe you won't offer to take your sister's place in a televised death match conducted by a corrupt government, but you can still make a difference in the lives of others and cure the doldrums in the process. The Northeastern Center for Community Service's website can help connect you to community partners who could use your volunteer services in this time when most students are away from the city.
4. Catch a Free Flick
When Netflix in the dorm room just won't cut it, there are plenty of places around Boston to watch a movie without having to pay a ridiculous amount for a ticket. From Assembly Row to the Pru to the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade, free movies are being projected all throughout the summer. Grab a blanket, pick a prime spot and enjoy a free movie in the great outdoors.
5. Get Physical
Working out may not be everyone's definition of fun, but there are plenty of diverse opportunities to stay in shape for free that don't involve the gym. There are free classes at the Greenway throughout the summer, and many places offer free trial sessions before committing to a membership. And, if you're feeling like indulging in ice cream to beat the heat, at least you can argue that you've earned it, especially if you've done everything else on the list.
Go forth and explore!
