Kaplan City Guide: Boston
Boston is a small yet charming American city, and home to some of the USA’s most famous academic institutions. We gathered tips from past students who chose to study English in Boston, and put together a handy guide with some of our students’ favorite spots, proving how easy it is to balance academics and social lives while living and studying in Boston.
Walk around downtown Boston
“To explore Boston, you must walk, so don’t go by train everywhere. Pay attention to small businesses. The local restaurants, pubs, and taverns are amazing.”
Tip provided by:
Thiago Medeiros, Brazil
The best way to fully experience a city is to explore and discover things on your own. Some of the T lines run above ground so you can catch some of the city sites while you ride, and buses are a useful way to travel across the city, but Boston is highly walkable and there’s no better way to discover all the small, unique corners than by going at your own pace! You can find all the Revolutionary War landmarks without getting lost by following the Freedom Trail, an actual red line in the sidewalk, or you can wander on your own and explore the fabulous local culture! Visit Fenway Park or take a walk along the Charles River. Take a trip to downtown Boston and explore some of the local shops and restaurants. That way, you can experience the town like a native, and not feel like a tourist the entire time you are there.
Enjoy a delicious array of cuisine
“I’m Italian and I advise you to go to the North End, where there are a lot of restaurants – my favorite is Quattro.”
Tip provided by:
Martina Monti, Italy
The rich cultural cuisines in Boston are impeccable. With such a diverse variety of ethnicities and cultures packed into this small city, it’s no wonder that the locals – and the tourists! – rave about the food. Try some tasty Italian food in the North End or catch a ball game and indulge in the stadium snacks that American baseball is so famous for. And of course, you have to have a taste of some of Massachusetts’ famous clam chowder (often pronounced “chowdah” by locals)!
Relax on the Boston Common
“If you study in Boston during the winter time, I highly recommend going ice skating at the Boston Common.”
Tip provided by:
Theos Monteros Montano, Ecuador
While you’re in Boston, you’ll have the chance to visit all the places that this great city has to offer. Experience the beautiful architecture and the many stunning parks. Where else could you have a great time and enjoy the local flavor while studying and living in four seasons of diverse weather? Go ice-skating on Frog Pond in the winter or have a picnic in the USA’s oldest city park in the summer. With such distinct seasons, your options for things to do in Boston are constantly changing and adapting with the weather.
Interact with the local students
“I would describe Boston as the ‘student capital.’ Many residents are from around the world. And all of them have one thing in common that they love about Boston: the finest educational environment in the globe!”
Tip provided by:
Abdulmajeed Telmisani, Saudi Arabia
With so many distinguished, world famous educational institutions in this city, it’s no wonder that so many people from around the world come to Boston to get a quality education. Take the opportunity to mingle with the local students and explore some of the stunning local campuses of Harvard, MIT, Brandeis University, and many more. This will be the perfect chance to practice your new English skills while benefiting form the comfortable environment of this student-friendly town.
Come and see for yourself! Your great adventure awaits you in Boston. If you’ve lived or studied in Boston, feel free to share any other tips in the comment section below.
Want to find out more about how you can study English in the USA? Contact one of our Student Advisors for more information.
