Category: Michaela S.

“I want to go to Boston. Boston. Why? I want a real christmas. I wanna go ice skating…” 

The Holdovers, the 2023 Academy Award nomination for Best Picture, follows a cranky professor at a New England prep school who stays on campus to watch students who have nowhere to go for winter break. Throughout his time at the desolate school, the professor forms an unlikely bond with a troubled student, and the school’s head cook. The cook and professor decide to celebrate Christmas by bringing the student to Boston, for the climax of the movie. The movie reveals some unseen but beautiful spots in Boston, and here’s how to find them.

Brattle Book Shop:

Right in Downtown Crossing, Brattle Book Shop features an indoor selection of three floors full of vintage books, while their outdoor section full of $5-$1 clearance books is what they are most known for. I recently visited Brattle Book Shop, and loved their selection of vintage magazines, and the adorable space outside full of books.

Pleasant Cafe:

Found in Roslindale, Pleasant Cafe is a historical family run cafe most known for their neon signs and leather booth seats. My roommate (who grew up in Boston) has always loved this cafe and was so excited to see it in the movie. She instantly recognized it, and personally recommended their pizza.

Orpheum Theatre:

The Orpheum Theatre (previously the Boston Music Hall) is one of the oldest theaters in the United States, built in 1852. Old taxis were delivered outside the hall just for the movie, attempting to recreate the 1970s. The theater is still actively used today, and open to the public.

 

The Holdovers is just one of many movies set in Massachusetts, which showcases some otherwise unseen beautiful places to visit in Boston. I recommend watching some other Boston based movies and seeing what locations you can pick out!

 

Student 9’s
The Boston Red Sox have a college student ticket program known as the “Student 9s” where BU students can sign up for day-of $9 Red Sox Tickets. Day of the game, if enrolled in “Student 9s” you’ll receive a text at 10:00 am with a special code that unlocks the tickets, where you can purchase a maximum of 2 tickets per account. This is truly the best, and most cost-effective way to see Fenway Park.
Sign Up Here

The Coolidge Theater
The Coolidge Theater, a historical movie theater located right off the green line, offers a student discount Sundays through Thursdays for $3 off your ticket, with a valid student ID. (This is only applicable for regularly priced films, no special events).
Monthly Film Guide

Museums (MFA, Isabella Stewart Gardener, and ICA)
Boston has so many wonderful museums such as the Museum of Fine Arts, The Isabella Stewart Gardener, and The Institute of Contemporary Art. Both the MFA, and ICA are free with a valid student ID, and the Isabella Stewart Gardener is free with student ID and promo code BOSTUNIV.
Isabella Stewart Gardener
MFA
ICA

Amtrak
Boston University students come from far and wide to attend school here, and sometimes it can be expensive to go visit home, or even visit friends at neighboring schools. Luckily, Amtrak offers a 15% discount for any students between 17-24 years old, who book at least one day in advance.
Amtrak

Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Boston Symphony Orchestra offers discounted tickets to BU students who sign up for the BSO College Card. Once signed up for the card, certain shows will release tickets specifically for college card holders. Added note when signing up: avoid the “Watch Video” question that is asked when you are registering.
Link

Boston University has lots of options for spending your dining dollars on campus, whether it's the fast-foods you know and love or the (expensive) places in the George Sherman Union (GSU), it’s easy to lose track by the end of the semester. I’ve tried all of the Boston University food places so you don’t have to, and here's what's worth your dining dollars, and what's not. 

My Top Picks:

Greens & Grains:

An on campus dupe of Sweetgreen, that will be sure to give you the biggest salad you have ever seen in your life. Life changing in comparison to a dining hall salad. 10/10.

Saxby’s:

The experience at Saxby’s is the same as riding a roller coaster, you might need to wait for two hours, but that's worth it for 15 minutes of fun right? Honestly, they have a wait for a reason. The food and coffee is the best you’ll get on campus, but CDS is always packed and it misses the calm coffee house feel Pavement and Einsteins have. 9/10.

Raising Canes: 9/10

I had never tried Raising Canes before coming to BU, but now I can confidently say I’m hooked. I have made the trek through the green line closures, to West Campus just to have their chicken, and it is worth every penny you’ve got. The only issue I’ve ever had with Canes, is that GrubHub likes to lie to you, and say your order will be ready in 5-10 minutes, but on a busy night, it can take up to an hour. Don’t trust Grubhub, I recommend ordering in person. 9/10.

Domino’s:

Though I have only ordered Domino’s past 12am at night, it is the perfect midnight snack. They also have a great rewards system that gives free food every two-three orders. Nothing beats coming home from a late class to get some free Dominos dessert. 10/10.

Charles River Bread Company:

Consider this blog post my love letter to CRBC. Best sandwich I’ve ever had in my life. Short wait, only about 10 minutes, AND they have AMAZING cookies/deserts that change seasonally. CRBC is like Panera’s cooler, more niche sibling, that's everything Panera wants to be. CRBC I love you, and I will gladly give you all my dining dollars. 10/10.

There are many other places that accept dining dollars around campus such as:

• Charles River Bread Company (GSU)
• Greens and Grains (GSU)
• Rhett’s (GSU)
• Halal Shack (GSU)
• The Coop (GSU)
• Basho (Warren, GSU)
• City Convenience (Warren, Sleeper, GSU)
• Starbucks (Warren, Questrom, GSU)
• Subway (Warren)
• Raising Cane's (West)
• Buick Street Market (West)
• Dunkin Donuts (West)
• Breadwinners (Questrom)
• Einstein Bros. Bagels (CAS)
• Saxby’s (CDS)
• Domino’s (South)

Overall, BU has some truly great dining options if you want to avoid the dining halls, get a daily coffee, or just want a sweet treat. Feel free to spend your dollars on whatever your heart desires, and on the weekdays, lookout for me with my CRBC.