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Ideas for Advising Activities by Category
This page provides a comprehensive list of places to visit and things to do with your advising group. Many activities are free or inexpensive. As long as you plan in advance, you can find many creative activities that are walking distance or accessble by public transportation.
Historical Sites
Free:
- Boston African-American National Historic Site
Open: Monday-Saturday
History of Boston's 19th-century African-American community on Beacon Hill. See the African Meeting House and walk the Black Heritage Trail. Tour is around 1.5 hours and mostly outdoors.
Accessible by MBTA.
- Fanueil Hall Market Place
Open: Daily
Includes tutdoor entertainment, shopping & inexpensive eateries
Located within a block of three T-Stops.
Inexpensive:
- Freedom Trail
Open: Daily
Guide walking 90 minute tours of historical sites are designed for individuals, groups, team-building and schools. Tours depart from Faneuil Hall and Boston Common. Self-guided tours occur at your own pace and are Free.
- National Park Service
Offers walking tours of historical sites including Adams National Historic Site, John F. Kennedy Birthplace, Longfellow and National Historic Site.
- Paul Revere House
Cost: $3 students
Open: Open at various times; see web site for details.
Oldest house in Boston, once owned by you know who.
Museums
Free:
- Commonwealth Museum
Open: Monday–Friday
Exhibits based on the collections of the state archives, from George Washington to the Big Dig. On Columbia Point, near the JFK Museum.
- Davis Museum and Cultural Center
Art exhibitions at Wellesley College. Located in Wellesley approximately 15-20 minutes drive from campus.
- Harvard Botanical Museum
Open: Monday- Friday
Must make arrangements in advance: (617) 495-2365
- Longyear Museum
Open: Daily except Tuesdays
Dedicated to the life of Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science. Located in Chestnut Hill.
- McMullen Museum of Art
Open: Monday-Friday
Permanent exhibits include Flemish tapestries, Italian paintings from the 16th to 19th centuries and 19th-century European and American paintings. Located in Boston College and accessible by public transportation.
- MIT List Visual Arts Center
Open: Open daily except Mondays. Check web site for specific times.
Contemporary art exhibitions at MIT.
- MIT Museum
Open: Daily
Located in Bld. N-51 of MIT. This is a 5 minute walk from MIT's main campus.
- Museum of Science
Open: Daily except Sundays
Offers an understanding of science and technology and their importance for individuals and for society Special exhibits available with a admission fee including the Omni Theatre.
- National Heritage Museum
Open: Daily at various times. Check web site for specific days and times. Exhibitions of American life cover four centuries and a wide range of subjects.
- U.S.S. Constitution Museum
Cost: Donations accepted.
Open: Daily at various times of year. Check web site for details.
A private, non-profit museum that offers a memorable experience.
Inexpensive with Student ID:
- Bostonian Society - Old State House Museum
Cost: $6 students
Open: Daily
Boston historical society and museum, in the Old State House.
- Charles River Museum of Industry
Cost: $3 students
Open: Thursday - Saturday
The history of industry and technology in America. Located in Waltham approximately 15-20 minutes drive from campus.
- Harvard Museum of Natural History
Cost: $7 students
Open: Daily.
Specializing in rocks, gems, birds and bugs. Home of the Glass Flowers (and giant glass bugs).
- Harvard University Art Museums
Cost: $ 4 students
Open: Daily at various times. Check web site for specific days and times.
Includes the Fogg and Busch-Reisinger. Located in Harvard Square, Cambridge.
- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Cost: $5 students
Open: Every day except Monday.
Unique art museum, reflecting the taste of one woman.
- Museum of Fine Arts
Cost: $15
Open: Daily at various times. Check web site for specific days and times.
Guided, audio and self-tours are available. Also offered are special events and exhibits at various times during the year. Accessible by MTBA, near Northeastern's University.
- DeCordova Museum
Cost: $8 students
Open: Daily except Monday.
Contemporary art museum in Lincoln, MA. There is no public transportation access to this museum. It is approximately a 30 minute drive from campus.
- John F. Kennedy Library and Museum
Cost: $10 students
Open: Daily.
The Library and Museum is easily accessed by public transportation. There is a free shuttle bus to the Library every 20 minutes beginning at 8:00 a.m. and running until Museum closing. Please take the buses marked ‘JFK.’
- Kendall Whaling Museum
Cost: $9 students
Open: Various days and times during the year. Check web site for details.
- Larz Anderson Auto Museum
Cost: $10 adults
Open: Friday-Sunday
Visit a collection of cars and a variety of educational programs, exhibits, and lectures. Located in Brookline and accessible by public transportation.
- Museum of Afro American History
Cost: Suggested donation of $5
Open: Daily except Sunday
The Museum of African American History offers contributions of African Americans in New England from the colonial period through the 19th century. Located in Beacon Hill and accessible by MBTA.
- Nichols House Museum
Cost: $11 students
Open: Daily excpect non-holiday Mondays
Offers a unique glimpse into late 19th and early 20th century domestic life on Boston's historic Beacon Hill, which is accessible by MBTA. The museum offers an active schedule of lectures, events, and educational programs throughout the year.
- Peabody Museum of Archaelogy and Ethnology
Cost: $7 students
Open: Daily
Located in Harvard Square, Cambridge.
- Peabody Essex Museum
Cost: $11 students
Open: Tuesday-Sunday, and holiday Mondays.
Art and culture museum in Salem, with a special emphasis on maritime art and history. Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. This Museaum is not accessible by public transportation and it is approximately a 30 mintues drive form MIT campus.
- Rose Art Museum
Cost: $5 students
Open: Wednesday-Sunday at various times. Check web site for details.
Offers a look at contemporary art. Located at Brandeis University in Waltham.
- Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal Art
Cost: $5 students
Open: Daily
Philatelic museum maintaining a regular schedule of exhibitions and public programs. Located in Weston appproximately a 25 minute drive from MIT's campus.
- Institute of Contemporary Art
Cost: $10 students. Free on Thursdays.
Open: Daily at various times. Check web site for details.
- Old Town Trolley Tour® of Boston
A1 hour and 45 minute fully narrated tour and sightseeing at your own pace. Includes free admission to the Old State House museum.
Wildlife
- Franklin Park Zoo
Cost: $13 adults
Open: Daily
Located in Boston and accessible by public transportation.
- Stone Zoo
Cost: $10 adults
Open: Daily
Located in Stoneham, a 15 minute drive from campus.
- New England Aquarium
Cost: $20.95 adults
Open: Daily
Discounts available for groups of 10 or more. Special combination packages available that include IMAX Theatre and whale watches. For rates, please visit the web site.
- Boston Harbor Islands National Park
Cost: Rates vary. Group discounts are available and may require reservations.
Open: Check web site for details.
Performing Arts
MIT provides free entertainment in the arts by means of student groups and clubs. You can find activities throughout the year that might be of interest to your advisees. For more information go to Discover Arts.
Boston and Cambridge also offer opportunities to discover and enjoy the performing arts. By searching Bostom.com or Arts Boston, you can find out about upcoming events at local theatres often offered at discounted group rates. These include the following:
- American Repetory Theatre
- Black Box Theatre
- Charles Playhouse
- Colonial Theatre
- Cutler Majestic Theatre
- Cyclorama
- John Hancock Hall
- Lyric Stage
- Nancy and Edward Roberts Studio Theatre
- Orpheum Theatre
- Shubert Theatre
- Stuart Street Playhouse
- Virginia Wimberly Theatre
- Wilbur Theatre
- Wang Theatre
- Wheelock Family Theatre
Also recommended: Comedy Connection
Note: This type of activity can be epensive; we recommend that you talk to your advisor in advance to ensure that funds are available. This might be reserved for an end of term/year advising group activity.
Movie Theatres
Local theaters are walking distance from campus or accessible by public transportation:
- AMC Loews Harvard Square
10 Church St., Cambridge
- AMC Loews Boston Common 19
175 Tremont St., Boston
- Coolidge Corner Theatre (discounted rates)
290 Harvard St., Brookline
- Harvard Film Archive
24 Quincy St., Cambridge
- Landmark Kendall Square Movie Theater
One Kendall Square
- Regal Fenway 13
401 Park Drive St., Boston
- Simons IMAX Theatre
One Central Wharf, Boston
- The Brattle Theater
40 Brattle St., Boston
- The Capitol Theatre and Somerville Theatre (discounted rates)
Sports & Fun Activities
Shopping
Boston and Cambridge provide excellent places to go shopping just for fun. Here are a list of neighborhoods that offer great opportunities to browse around with your advisees or in some cases, actually spend some money. Not every advising activity needs to be expensive. You can plan to walk around Newbury Street on an weekend afternoon followed by a visit to a local restaurant.
- CambridgeSide Galleria
- Copley Place Mall
- Downtown Crossing
- Faneuil Hall Marketplace
- Garment District
- Harvard Square
- Newbury Street
- North End
- The Shops at Prudential Center
Note: This type of activity is epensive; we recommend that you talk to your advisor in advance to ensure that funds are available. This might be reserved for an end of term/year advising group activity.
Restaurants
Organized by categories, here is a list of some of the local favorites enjoyed by prior advisees and associate advisors.
Sandwich Shops/Cafes:
In the neighborhood & inexpensive
- Au Bon Pain
Kendall Square
Sandwiches, salads, soups, bakery
- Cosi
Kendall Square
Sandwiches, salads, soups, bakery
- Rebecca's Cafe
Kendall Square
Sandwiches, salads, soups, bakery
Ice Cream:
Asian:
Indian:
- Indian Globe
Central Square
617-868-1866
Walking distance
- Indian Pavilion Restaurant
Central Square
617-547-7463
Pizza/Italian:
- Bertucci's
Main Street, Cambridge
Walking distance
- Hi-Fi Pizza and Giant Sub
Mass. Ave., Cambridge
617-492-4600
Walking distance
- Stefani House of Pizza
Main St., Cambridge
Other:
- Asmara
African food, reasonably priced
Walking distance
- Mr. Bartleys
Harvard Square
Gourmet burgers
- Boca Grande
Walking distance
Mexican
- Fanueil Hall Marketplace
Boston
617-864-4748
A little of everything
- Fire and Ice
Church Street, Cambridge
Cook your own food with a variety of buffets
- Fresco's
134 Mass. Ave.
617-491-8866
Walking distance, right off campus
Simple food, serve breakfast
- Legal Sea Foods (expensive)
Kendall Square
Recommended for a one-time end of term/year advising event
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