Freshmen arriving at Tufts today will find themselves within minutes of Boston's finer points - and even closer to the cafes, restaurants, and venues of Davis Square, the Somerville hotspot which also serves as Tufts' version of downtown.
And while the eateries of the North End and clubs of Landsdowne Street are accessible by a brief "T" ride, lattes at the Someday Caf?© and concerts at the Somerville Theater are within walking distance from any corner of campus.
Davis Square, named one of the Unte Reader's "15 Hippest Places to Live", offer a lot more than the pizza at Hotung. And what's better, they don't require a trek all the way to Boston. Take the Davis Square Bowl Haven, where you can witness firsthand one of the greatest oddities of New England culture - candlepin bowling. The object's the same, but with really small balls and pins.
If renting bowling shoes isn't your favorite pastime, relax. Davis is also great for people on tight budgets. There's the Somerville Theatre, where you can see second-run movies at half the cost - not to mention bands that aren't quite selling out the Fleet Center. You could also check out Disc Diggers, a mecca of used and hard-to-find music.
Of course, there's no substitute for Boston. The easiest way to get downtown is from the Red Line "T" (subway) station in Davis Square. Boston's underground consists of four lines (Red, Green, Blue, and Orange), and $1 gets you anywhere you wish to go.
The first stop on the Red Line - heading inbound - is Porter Square, good for grocery shopping, last minute dorm supplies, and some decent restaurants. There is not, however, much in the way of entertainment.
Among the most popular destinations for Tufts students is Harvard Square, the next stop on the Red Line. If you can get past the ivy envy, you'll find just about everything you need there: shopping, street musicians, restaurants, movie theaters, and more college students than you'll ever know what to do with.
An early semester trip to Harvard is definitely worthwhile, but don't stop your exploration there - the view at the Charles/MGH Red Line stop rivals even the panoramic from the roof of Tisch.
But for downtown Boston, hang on until Park Street and switch over to the Green Line.
For the first time visitor, Park Street can be a daunting locale. The "T" looks different, and nobody can seem to figure out where any of the trains are going to stop. To make matters worse, the Green Line has a number of branches to it, but it only makes a difference if you're going far enough west to visit a friend at BU or Northeastern.
Take note that this is the subway line that will take you to the most upscale shopping in Boston, from the ritzy Copley Place mall to Newbury Street - Boston's own Fifth Avenue. The Green Line can also take you to Fenway for a Red Sox game, Lansdowne Street and its clubs, and, in the other direction, the ultra-Italian North End.
So what about the Blue and Orange lines? The big attraction of the Blue Line is Logan Airport, but since the cab companies generally offer a flat fee from Tufts to Logan, you might never need to use it. The Orange Line runs close to the Green Line in the downtown area and is often a less cramped alternative - just transfer at Downtown Crossing instead of Park Street. It is also the route to Chinatown, which is certainly worth a few trips.
For students looking for something educational to do off campus, Boston is a dream come true. For one, the Boston Public Library is accessible from the Green Line. It is an often-neglected study spot - especially when books that you need are on reserve at Tisch. Register for a library card at the public library as soon as you get a chance, especially since other area colleges often have limiting research policies.
The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), which is free to college students, is a bit farther down the Green Line. Or you could impress your biology professor by touring the New England Aquarium, located at the State stop on the Blue Line. If you're in the mood for walking, you might want to experience part of US history with a trip down the Freedom Trail or a visit to the State House (both off the Green Line).
Take a look around your new home before classes get going. Boston is without question the most dynamic college town in the country. So grab a few friends, or people who you think might soon become friends, and don't be afraid of getting lost - after all, that's half the fun!
And don't forget, the T shuts down before college students do. Be sure to have some cab fare on you, just in case.
