Life in Boston
As someone who grew up in a suburb, I always knew I wanted to go to college in a city where there was always something new to see, try, and experience. One of my favorite parts about going to Northeastern is having the opportunity to explore the wonderful city of Boston. Being surrounded by such a vibrant environment has pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and truly make the most of my time in college.
Halfway through my freshman year, my friends and I began a mission to try a new place in Boston every other week. What started as a simple idea quickly turned into one of our favorite traditions. We love trying new restaurants, cafés, and dessert spots all over the city, and each outing feels like a small adventure. The wide variety of options throughout the city always makes choosing a place for dinner a fun but challenging task. Some of our favorite locations close to campus are Cluck and Smash, Pressed Café, Poke Station, El Jefe’s, and Crispy Dough Pizzeria. On weekends, we often take the green line off campus right from our Northeastern stop to explore restaurants in Chinatown, Seaport, and Brookline, which has allowed us to experience different cultures and cuisines right within the city.
While we have tried a wide variety of amazing restaurants, one of my favorite places to go is the North End for Italian food. As someone who grew up in an Italian household and loves a great plate of pasta, the restaurants in the North End never fail to impress me. Many of them serve handmade pasta with countless options, and every meal feels authentic and comforting. One of my favorites is Trattoria Il Panino for their fettuccine alfredo. Visiting the North End always reminds me of home while also allowing me to experience something new.
However, the best part of the North End is the desserts. At Northeastern, you will often hear a debate over which cannolis are better: Modern Pastry or Mike’s Pastry. The clear and correct answer is Modern Pastry. After many trips and taste tests, my friends and I stand firmly by this opinion. While Mike's Pastry has more options, the cannolis at Modern Pastry are hand-filled when you order! Some of our other favorite dessert locations include Chip City, Levain, and of course, the famous Scoop and Scootery. Scoop and Scootery serves extravagant pint-sized tubs of ice cream covered in endless toppings, and it has become our go-to spot for celebrations, late-night cravings, and stress relief after long weeks of classes.
In addition to all the food options, there are also countless fun activities throughout the city. Just a short walk away from campus is Newbury Street and the Prudential Center, which is filled with restaurants, stores, and boutiques. Whether we are window shopping, grabbing coffee, or simply walking and talking, it is one of our favorite places to spend a free afternoon. We also enjoy visiting Boston Common, walking along the Charles River, admiring the Christian Science Center, attending Red Sox games, and exploring seasonal events like holiday markets and outdoor concerts. Students can actually get $9 Red Sox tickets for certain games! One of our favorite annual events is Snowport, where a ton of different food vendors and shops come together to create a holiday market. It is so much fun to walk around and see all the different shops, and of course, get a hot chocolate. These experiences have helped me feel more connected to the city and have created some of my favorite college memories.
Upon touring Northeastern for the first time, I immediately fell in love with the university’s campus and community. Beyond that, I also fell in love with the city it is in. Boston has become more than just the place where I go to school; it feels like a second home. Through exploring its food, neighborhoods, and activities with my friends, I have grown more independent, adventurous, and confident. The city has shaped my college experience in ways I never expected, and I am grateful every day to call it home during my time at Northeastern.
