Category: Chloe H.

By Chloe Huang

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or looking for new places to explore, Boston has something for everyone! With so much to see and do, planning the perfect weekend can often feel a bit overwhelming. Luckily, this weekend itinerary will help you make the
most of your time in Boston, whether you’re visiting friends, touring BU, or simply looking for a fun weekend getaway.

Day 1: Saturday

Morning: Start with a Walk Along the Esplanade
Kick off your weekend with an amazing view of Boston along the Charles River Esplanade. My best tip would be to start on the BU side, using the roads behind Bay State to cross over, and then walk over to Cambridge and grab a bite at Flour (their avocado toast is life-changing). With beautiful waterfront views, plenty of green space, and a glimpse of the Boston skyline, it’s the perfect place to get some fresh air and take a few photos.

Late Lunch: Discover the North End
After a long walk, take the T’s Red Line over to North End. Known for its amazing Italian restaurants, bakeries, and charming narrow streets, this neighborhood is the perfect place to stop for a late lunch. Grab some pasta, explore the local shops, and save room for a sweet treat from one of the many bakeries. Pro Tip: take your sweet treat and sit at the swinging chairs!

Afternoon: Shop Along Newbury Street
Now it might be considered a tourist trap, but head over to Newbury Street for some shopping. While there are definitely loads of popular clothing brands, there’s also a bunch of small boutique stores selling the cutest trinkets!

Evening: Dinner at Dalia
After a day of sightseeing, head to Dalia in South Boston for an early dinner. This Spanish-inspired restaurant has the most beautiful interior and is perfect for sharing plates with friends while catching up. It’s a great opportunity to rest after a busy day, grab a drink and some tapas, and prepare for your next activity.

Late Night: Catch a Concert at MGM Music Hall
Such an underrated activity, but go to a last-minute concert near Fenway Park. Tickets are always super cheap on websites like Stubhub on the day of the concert, so end your Saturday with live music!

Day 2: Sunday

Late Morning: Brunch at Café Landwer
After a busy day on Saturday, let yourself sleep in a little before heading to Café
Landwer for brunch (I recommend the South location for peaceful vibes). Try the
shakshuka or eggs benedict, and definitely make sure to get their crispy potatoes on the side!

Afternoon: Explore Seaport
Next, spend a few hours exploring Boston’s Seaport District. Known for its modern architecture, waterfront walkways, and trendy restaurants, the neighborhood has a very different feel of Boston compared to the historic North End. Walk along the harbor, browse local shops, and take some photos with the water and city skyline in the background (Fan Pier Park has the best sunset views).

Dinner: Grab Udon at Yume
While Seaport does have a Yume Ga Arakura location (and you can definitely go there on a time crunch), my best advice would actually be to head over to their Cambridge location. Although there are varying opinions, I’d say that the Cambridge location does things way better. The best bowl there by far is their Spicy Cold Niku, but leave some room for dessert!

Afternoon: Finish with Berryline
After finishing your udon, walk around 20 minutes to Berryline to treat yourself to the world’s best frozen yogurt. Customize your cup with your favorite toppings (my go-to order is the micro original with their homemade mochi and strawberries) for a sweet ending to your Boston adventure!

By Chloe Huang

Fall Season: Fall in Boston is essentially your excuse to romanticize life like you’re in Gilmore Girls. Crisp air, fashionable peacoats, and walking through the city, hopping from one cafe to another. Since it’s the start of the academic year, take this season slow and treat yourself to a peaceful start of your journey at Boston University! 

1. Walk along Beacon Hill
2. Salem day trip during Halloween time
3. Apple picking in North Shore 
4. Thrift shopping in Cambridge 
5. Cozy dinner in the North End

Winter Season: As someone from California, I won’t lie… Boston winters are pretty rough. But just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you should be stuck in your dorm all day. Winter in Boston is all about finding ways to explore the city (preferably indoors), whether that’s festive spots or even embracing the cold at areas like Snowport. This season’s itinerary is designed to make winter feel less intimidating and way more manageable.

1. Ice skate on Frog Pond
2. Visit Snowport in Seaport
3. Warm up with some hot pot (Shu Da Xia is right on BU Campus)
4. See a ballet at Citizens Opera House
5. Romanticize life at Boston Public Library 

Spring Season: Congratulations, you’ve survived winter! Spring in Boston just hits different because it feels like you’ve genuinely earned it. After months of cold, the city finally thaws, and suddenly everyone’s outside again. The weather is just right, not too hot and not too cold. This is the perfect season for walking everywhere, spontaneous plans, and enjoying the city without freezing or sweating.

1. Visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
2. Walk the Esplanade when the cherry blossoms bloom
3. Visit the Public Garden & take pics 
4. Browse SoWa Open Market when it reopens
5. Have a picnic on Boston Common
   

Summer Season: Although most students go home or travel somewhere else, Boston summers are too good to waste. With sunshine, longer days, and warmer weather, it’s the perfect time to be outside as much as possible—because we all know what comes next. If you’re here in Boston for summer classes or internships, this is your perfect chance to enjoy the city and soak up the sun without the usual craze of students.

1. Go to the Revere Beach
2. Day trip to Cape Cod
3. Walk around Seaport at golden hour
4. Get a refreshing treat at JP Licks
5. Go to a Red Sox Game at Fenway

By Chloe Huang

Desperately in need of a comforting Asian meal, but not sure where to start? Navigating college life in a new city can be tough, but finding a restaurant doesn’t have to be. In this blog, we’ll be listing the top 10 Asian restaurants around Boston to satisfy your cravings! 

1. Naksan Korean BBQ (1414 Commonwealth Avenue) 

Starting this list off with a bang, Naksan is the perfect place for authentic Korean barbecue. They serve an amazing variety of banchan, from perfectly fermented kimchi to marinated celery, and the staff cooks all the meat for you (perfect for any college students whose cooking experience stops at instant ramen). 

2. Cicada Coffee Bar (106 Prospect Street) 

Vietnamese cafe by day, and aesthetic restaurant by night! From 8am to 3pm, Cicada serves your classic brunch items with a Vietnamese twist. However, starting at 5pm, the beautifully-decorated cafe dims its lights and turns into a reservation-only restaurant serving elegant takes on Vietnamese dishes. 

3. Mahaniyom (236 Washington Street) 

Mahaniyom is a tapas-style restaurant serving delicious plates of pad thai, crab fried rice, and much more. Located in Brookline, it’s an easy 15 minute T ride from Boston University. Tables fill up quickly, so make sure to reserve in advance! 

4. Kenzoku Mazesoba (506 Park Drive) 

Continuing with another fan favorite, Kenzoku Mazesoba specializes in brothless ramen noodles with flavorful toppings. Among the most popular dishes, their Tan Tan Mazesoba is my personal favorite! Additionally, this restaurant serves great portions at an affordable price, and it’s located extremely close to Boston University’s South Campus. 

5. Mala Town (194 Harvard Avenue) 

Located in Allston (an extremely student-populated neighborhood, Mala Town is also a popular destination amongst BU students looking for an affordable and comforting bowl

of mala hot pot. You’re able to select your own variety of ingredients, and for a pro tip, load up on the light food and reduce the amount of heavy food to save money! 

6. Spring Shabu Shabu (304 Western Avenue) 

As a hot pot connoisseur myself, Spring Shabu Shabu is one of the best places to go for hot pot around the Boston area. They have a massive selection of vegetables and other additions for you to grab yourself (perfect for those who want to try everything without breaking the bank).  

7. Merai (14 Harvard Street) 

Although Merai is on the more expensive side, it’s a great chic, upscale restaurant perfect for a date night. They have an extremely creative take on Thai-inspired dishes, from their yukhoe to tom yum pasta.  

8. Tora Japanese Restaurant (20B Tyler Street) 

Although it’s a bit pricier than a quick sushi spot, Tora is known for their beautifully crafted donburi bowls that are a perfect “treat yourself” meal. Located in the heart of Chinatown, their interior cozy vibe offers a much more intimate feel than other sushi restaurants in Boston. 

9. Mountain House (89 Brighton Avenue) 

With lots of shareable plates, Mountain House is a great casual and lively place to go with friends after a late-night study session. This restaurant is famous for their authentic Sichuan-style dishes, especially spicy dry pot and grilled skewers. 

10.Yume Ga Arukara (70 Pier 4 Boulevard) 

Last but certainly not least, Yume Ga Arakara is my personal favorite to get good quality udon! While there is another chain located in Cambridge, the location in Seaport is a great way to explore more of Boston’s views. I would recommend their Signature Cold Niku Udon for a perfect, refreshing bite.