The Unofficial Guide and Boston Apparel Co Present

Thing #53 To Do in Boston: Run the Boston Marathon

Are those sweat drops or tears? Sure, plenty of us were athletes at some point in our lives, but there's a limit to how far you can take training before it's just illogical. Even if you were bad at whatever sport you played, you probably still loved it just because of the camaraderie and personal achievement. Running a marathon is a lot like playing a sport, except the match lasts for hours, you don't make lifelong friends, and no one really wins after all that effort; there's just a consolation prize of not passing out at the end (if you even make it to the end).

The Boston Marathon is the exception to our stance on running a marathon, since it's the oldest annual marathon in the world. The Boston Marathon began in 1897 which makes the marathon super prestigious and elite, so obviously, we have to try our best to participate. Unfortunately, there are a few hurdles one  has to get over before being allowed to run the marathon, and they may as well be 75-foot high hurdles because there's no way we normies could ever overcome them.

For those of us who are less physically fit than we were in our heyday on the jungle gym, it's important to know that you have to meet a qualifying time to even be considered for the Boston Marathon. In order to meet the qualifying standard, you have to be able to run a full marathon (26 miles and some yards) in between 3 and 3-and-a-half hours. For those who aren't so good at math, that's an average of about 7.5 miles an hour, which sounds like it could be pretty easy. Be sure to tell us how easy you think it'll be when you hit mile 12 in a practice run and your heart is failing you.

That being said, a crazy amount of practice just might get you there. And we've got you covered on equipment. Don our duffle bag to keep all your supplies in one place and shop our easy, breathable tees to keep you comfortable! Good Luck. 

The Unofficial Guide and Boston Apparel Co Present

Thing #80 To Do in Boston: Ride the T from end to end 

Find out what Wonderland is. 

This one should be a kill-two-birds-with-one-stone sort of endeavor. The T lines are expansive, and by riding them all end to end, you’ll basically see (or at least physically pass over) most of Boston and its closer suburbs. Check this off on your way to see the Arboretum, or Harvard Forest or Revere Beach, and finally satiate your curiosity about the mysterious names of some of the T stops.

Start with the trusty Red Line. From Alewife to Ashmont/Braintree, stop at Porter for flatbread pizza and candlepin bowling, Central for hipster hangouts and McDonald’s, Park for ice-skating, Downtown Crossing for theater or Macy’s, South Station for a quick jaunt to Chinatown, and Fields Corner for Vietnamese food. 

The Green Line is next up. It’s a little tricky, but doable if you know your alphabet and understand that that line will branch off into three different routes. Notable stops are the North Station for Italian food, Lechmere for shopping at Cambridgeside Galleria, Copley for Newbury Street, Symphony for Boston Symphony Orchestra concerts, Museum of Fine Arts for art, Fenway for baseball, and BU Central for Boston University. The Green Line names are pretty self-explanatory, probably to make up for the confusing three-way split. We think you’ll be fine on this one. 

The Orange Line is like a ‘70s version of the Red Line (think lots of faux-wood paneling and orange decor), but there are some gems along the way. Things worth getting off the T for here are Haymarket, where you’ll find the year-round farmer’s market with super cheap fruits and veggies, Chinatown for dim sum, Mass Ave if you want to dine at one of the South End’s many gourmet restaurants, and Forest Hills for the arboretum. 

And finally, we’ve come to the Blue Line, that mysterious, short piece of railing that stubbornly remains unconnected to the Red Line. Main attractions are the New England Aquarium, Logan International Airport (if you feel a strong need to hop town, buy a one-way ticket to the first place you see on the terminal, and never look back), Revere Beach, and of course, Wonderland, if only so you can say you’ve been there. 

Ride donning your MIT gear so you never forget where you started. It'll be a long journey, but you can then say you’ve been to every single T stop in Boston. Much more daring than facing your pset. Infinitely more memorable.

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Thing #24 To Do in Boston: Shop on Newbury St

Better have more than $20 in your pocket. 

Shopping on Newbury Street, Boston’s version of Fifth Avenue, will surely remind you that you’re a broke-ass college student. Many of the stores on Newbury Street are more intimidating than going to your professor’s office hours. They’re the type of stores that have four things on display at a time, and none of them cost less than $5,000. And no, Chanel does not offer financial aid.

Admittedly, there are some stores more within the college student budget that are definitely worth checking out. There are your typical, chain stores: American Apparel, Anthropologie, Timberland,

Forever 21, H&M, Nordstrom Rack. And then there are some smaller, funky boutiques, like LIT on Newbury and No Rest For Bridget. There are also many cafes, salons, art galleries, and, of course, the flagship Newbury Comics store. In fact, Newbury Street is brimming with all kinds of stores, tucked away in beautiful brownstones.

Window shop, people watch, and wander into any store or gallery that catches your eye. Don't know what to wear to fit the Newbury St vibe? Throw on your college gear and you'll be sure to blend right in! Be sure to skip the over-priced, mediocre restaurants that dot the street. Instead, make a stop at Georgetown Cupcakes. After a long day of shopping, you deserve a treat. May we suggest the Salted Caramel or Mint Cookies & Creme? 

The Unofficial Guide and Boston Apparel Company Present

Thing #74 To Do in Boston: Visit the Boston Harbor Islands

LEONARDO DICAPRIO DID.

When you think of Boston, you probably think of the Red Sox, snow, being cold, ominous gray skies, shivering, seasonal affective disorder, frostbite, and depression. And maybe the Freedom Trail. Two things you don’t think of when you think of Boston? Islands and beaches. But that doesn’t mean they don’t exist, it just means you don’t know that much about Boston (even though you basically live here). In fact, there are 34 islands in Boston Harbor. Here are a few you should check out: 

GEORGES ISLAND: The site of Civil War prison Fort Warren, Georges Island is said to be home to the “Lady in Black.” Rumor has it that the wife of a Confederate soldier disguised herself as a man, snuck onto the island, and attempted to free her husband from its prison. She was later caught and condemned to death (but not before she accidentally shot and killed her husband…whoops). Her final wish was to be hung in women’s clothing. Unfortunately for the fashionista, all that could be found were some old, black robes. Perhaps you’ll run into the “Lady in Black” while you wander through the island and its fort. Maybe bring her some new clothes as a peace offering?

LOVELLS ISLAND: Bunk-bed living got you down? Tired of being woken up every night by police sirens, honking cars, and drunk college students who think its socially acceptable to scream “Don’t Stop Believing” at the top of their lungs at 4:30 in the freaking morning? Well if you happen to have a tent lying around, escape the Cambridge chaos and head to Lovells Island for a night of camping. No tent? No problem. You’re a college student. Just find a comfortable patch of grass and call it a night. (Note: We claim no responsibility for students who are eaten by night creatures.) How to get there: If it’s the summer season, take a connecting ferry from Georges Island. If it’s not the summer season, swim 

PEDDOCK’S ISLAND: Part of Shutter Island was filmed here. That means Leonardo DiCaprio has been here, and his essence probably still lingers. Do you really need another reason to go? HOW TO GET THERE: Summer season? Take a connecting ferry from Georges Island.

The summer season is a perfect time to take day trips to the islands and destress from work, and the Boston Apparel Company has a wide selection of breezy tees and hats to keep you prepared for the weather!

The Unofficial Guide and Boston Apparel Company Present 

Thing #5 To Do in Boston: Red Sox Game at Fenway

Where you watch guys in baseball caps play the field and you're okay with it. 

It’s like every Friday night where you get all excited and gussied up just to watch other less attractive people get to third base. But here you can cheer while they do it. Heck yes! Baseball! If there’s one thing every Bostonian loves, it’s the Red Sox. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re a die-hard baseball fan or you just picked up a cap to represent that GPA (where’s our grade inflation?), you won’t be accepted as a Bostonian until you go to Fenway. And if you need more gear for the trip, check out the Boston Apparel Company's selection of MIT/Boston merch! 

Scoring tickets to a Red Sox game isn’t always easy. Fenway Park sells out more often than Harvard seniors looking at consult- ing groups. So during regular baseball season—usually late March to late September—check for tickets and schedules on the Red Sox website, boston.redsox.mlb.com. After seeing your tuition bill, ticket prices won’t scare you. They can range anywhere from $12 for bleachers to $130+ for field box seats. Better deals are possible if you prowl Harvard’s definitely not suggestively named Outings & In- nings website or connect with some ticket hustlers at stubhub.com.

Going to see the Red Sox play is more than just a pastime in Boston. It’s a way of life. As you find your seat in the enormous sta- dium, take in the iconic sights of the Citgo Sign rising up behind the left field wall known as the Green Monster while repping a comfy sweatshirt. Try a famous Fenway Frank. Experience peer pressure and do the wave. And we can’t stop you from buying a foam finger (although memories of Miley’s 2013 VMA performance might). A famous tradition is sing- ing “Sweet Caroline” during the eighth inning, so prepare to watch an entire stadium of drunken Bostonians sing while snickering at the “Touching me, touching you” line. And, oh yeah, there’s a game happening. Watch the thrill that is baseball. Enjoy it. Embrace it. Love it. And if you’re one of the few chosen ones to have baseballs fly at your face, perhaps you’ll even catch one! Good work. 

The Unofficial Guide and Boston Apparel Co Present

Thing #15 To Do in Boston: Kayak on the Charles 

This one should be a no brainer. Reasons to go kayaking on the Charles: fun exercise, beautiful views, break from studying, vicariously reliving the first half of freshman fall when you AND 200 of your closest friends were crew walk-ons. Reasons not to go kayaking: you have a fear of water.

Like we said, a no brainer. The Charles River Canoe & Kayak company have an abundance of options, whether you want to kayak on your own, with a non-crew friend, or go on a guided tour. Rock one of your super soft and stylish tees and make your way over! They have five rental locations, but the closest is Kendall Square, about a 5-minute walk from the T station at 500 Broad Canal Way. Here’s the rundown:

SKYLINE & SUNSET TOURS (2 HOURS): Exactly what it sounds like. Just you, the city, the sunset, and the open water…and an informative stranger. A sweatshirt can always help you get through the chilly Boston evenings. $49.

BOSTON HARBOR TOURS (3 HOURS): Paddle from the Charles to the USS Constitution, Financial District, Esplanade, and back to Kendall, with views of the State House, Prudential, and Hancock buildings along the way. $75.

BARBEQUE KAYAK TOURS (2.5 HOURS): Same as the Boston Harbor tours, but you end with lunch at the Barking Crab. After the noms they’ll take a scenic drive through historic downtown Boston and drop you back off at Kendall. Beat the sun with a classic hat! $90.

SCREW THIS, I’M GROWN: A single kayak is $15 an hour/$60 per day, and a double kayak is $19 an hour/$76 per day.

You can't experience Boston without witnessing the jaw-dropping views of the Charles and one kayak ride can take you there! And don't worry, the Boston Apparel Company has all the gear you need to prepare for the adventure! 

 The Unofficial Guide and Boston Apparel Co Present

Thing #71 To Do in Boston: EXPLORE

Whether you're tired of dining hall food or looking for something to do Friday night because college isn't "lit", it's definitely time to check out Boston and take in those big city vibes. Here are the hints, the stories, the tip-offs we’ve heard and collected.

Chinatown:  Several streets of delicious noodles, stir-fries, bubble tea, and dim sum await you in the slightly jank, but always unforgettable neighborhood right off the Chinatown stop on the Orange Line. 

North End: If you’re going to be consuming all the calories and carbs Italian food suggests, at least make it worth every bite. Mike’s Pastry, cheese and meat shops, creamy pastas, wood-fired pizzas, the pier, gelato…need we say more? Take the Green Line to North Station or Haymarket. 

Instead of running along the Charles, go to Boston Common! Two giant green expanses lie in the middle of the city, for your running, walking, swan-boat-riding, picture-taking pleasure. It’s beautiful in the summer because the flowers are blooming, and it’s also fun to go ice skating in the winter on Frog Pond. Get off at Park St. 

Instead of watching a movie in Kendall Square, go to the Theater District! See a musical or ballet at the Opera house, Blue Man group at the Charles Playhouse, or a concert put on by the New England Conservatory. Get off at Downtown Crossing or Chinatown on the Orange Line. 

And to make sure you don't feel too homesick being all the way on the other side of the Charles, be sure to throw on your MIT gear and take a piece of home wherever you roam. 

So there you go: Rep your MIT apparel. Get into the city. Put on your game face. Grab your Charlie card. Don’t wear a Yankees cap.