One thing I love about Harvard is that there are always extracurricular events happening, so if you’re bored, there’s usually something to do. 

That said, it’s also refreshing to explore beyond Harvard and get out of the Cambridge bubble. Here are some of the fun things I’ve found to do with my friends, both on and off campus.

Winter Festivals and Markets: 

One of my favorite places to go to during the winter holiday season is Snowport, a winter outdoor holiday market. The biggest con is that it can be pretty pricey, and when Boston gets cold, standing outside for a couple hours can feel like quite the commitment. However, the pro is that it always gets me in the holiday spirit. It’s a super cute place to take super cute for photos with friends and a great spot for last-minute gifts, since there are tons of vendors selling unique crafts. My favorite part is of course the food. I always look forward to making my annual lap around the food trucks, especially to get Zaz’s jerk chicken. However, if you don’t feel like standing outside in the freezing cold just to feel the holiday spirit, no problem, there’s an indoor winter market as well called SoWa Winter Festival. This is a great alternative option that is warmer and usually less crowded (perfect if you’re not into huge lines and crowds).

Museums

This year, I started exploring more museums, and I’ve learned so many cool random facts that I now casually drop them on my family when I go home. For example: Did you know Harvard students used to be required to learn how to make their own sundials? Fortunately, Harvard has a bunch of museums across different collections, so you can always find something that matches your interests, but I’d also recommend trying something outside your usual comfort zone. Even as someone who’s not in STEM, one of my favorite spots is the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments (right in the Science Center).I think of it as a hidden gem because I walked past it for two years without even realizing it was a museum, and I know many students also don't know about it.  And you know the sundials I mentioned earlier? There’s a whole collection of them inside, along with other really cool scientific instruments spanning from Harvard’s early history to today. If you want a quick but interesting museum visit, this is the place to go.

Another favorite is the Harvard Art Museum. I first went freshman year through a class trip, and since then I’ve been back for other classes and just for fun. The exhibits change often, so there is always something new to check out. Additionally,  the space is so  beautifully designed, and they have some really good study spots as well to just chill.

If you want something more interactive, I’d recommend the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East. They recently opened a gallery called “Egypt Eternal,” where you can scan stone tablets with hieroglyphics and images using Snapchat, and the scenes come alive on your phone while a voice explains the story behind what you’re seeing. Even the older galleries are interactive, there are touch screens near a lot of the pieces to give context, and there are also replica objects you can touch while using the screens to explore the real artifacts up close. The best part is that most of these museums are free for students.

Off-Campus Must: The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

But if you’re trying to get off campus, you have to go to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. This is one of the most unique museums I know of as Isabella Gardner created it to feel like her home and display her personal art collection. The building is designed to look like a Venetian palace, with a bright indoor courtyard in the middle, and the rooms are arranged in a kind of mixed and unexpected way , so it’s fun to just wander and notice little details. It’s also famous for the huge 1990 art heist, and they still keep the empty frames from the stolen art up on the walls. Overall, it’s a gorgeous place to visit, take photos, and just soak in the atmosphere, especially with friends.

For a Laugh: Comedy in Harvard Square

If you’re just looking to laugh with friends and unwind, Harvard Square has comedy shows right nearby. I randomly went to “The Comedy Studio” with a friend on stressful night sophomore year, it was my first comedy show ever, and I had way more fun than I expected. It was the perfect to just let loose and laugh. You do have to pay but it is quite affordable and worth it in my opinion. 

Karaoke Nights

Finally, as someone who loves singing with friends just for fun, karaoke has become one of my favorite group activities. There are tons of karaoke spots in Boston, but my go-to is Viva Karaoke because the food is great, and it’s perfect for sharing with friends while singing your heart out.  Also, some restaurants do free open-mic karaoke nights on the weekends. This year, my friends and I went to Broken Records for their free karaoke night and had the best time yelling out our favorite songs together.