A Summer in Cambridge
May 19, 2008 12:07 PM Subscribe
Help me take advantage of a summer living in Cambridge...
I'm a rising Junior in college living in Cambridge, MA for the summer. I lucked out on an amazing place near Porter Square and Harvard Square. Other than working my summer job (nothing great, just cooking), I want to find some activities to fill up my relatively open schedule.
I don't know the area very well but I figure that with all of the businesses, schools, and organizations around the area people may have good suggestions for possible internships, volunteer work, interesting part-time work, interesting activities, etc.
I'm pretty open to anything, as I'm currently trying to find a new direction in life. I'm majoring in some field of science at school (still not sure) but I'm starting to have doubts about my interest in science. I know a little bit about a lot of things and with such broad interests, it's been hard to find something I can be very passionate about. I'm hoping that some summer experiences will change that.
Like I said, I'll consider anything. I'm across the street from the edge of the Harvard campus so if there is anything I can do there, it would be convenient just in terms of location. The redline is an 8 minute walk away so Boston is very accessible too. Thanks in advance, Metafilter!
I'm a rising Junior in college living in Cambridge, MA for the summer. I lucked out on an amazing place near Porter Square and Harvard Square. Other than working my summer job (nothing great, just cooking), I want to find some activities to fill up my relatively open schedule.
I don't know the area very well but I figure that with all of the businesses, schools, and organizations around the area people may have good suggestions for possible internships, volunteer work, interesting part-time work, interesting activities, etc.
I'm pretty open to anything, as I'm currently trying to find a new direction in life. I'm majoring in some field of science at school (still not sure) but I'm starting to have doubts about my interest in science. I know a little bit about a lot of things and with such broad interests, it's been hard to find something I can be very passionate about. I'm hoping that some summer experiences will change that.
Like I said, I'll consider anything. I'm across the street from the edge of the Harvard campus so if there is anything I can do there, it would be convenient just in terms of location. The redline is an 8 minute walk away so Boston is very accessible too. Thanks in advance, Metafilter!
I'm guessing you are not 21. But if you were, Toad in Porter Square is a great place to while away some time. A sweet, sweet bar.
posted by sully75 at 12:30 PM on May 19, 2008
posted by sully75 at 12:30 PM on May 19, 2008
A neat book to explore Boston is Walking Tours of Boston's Made Land
posted by tiburon at 12:31 PM on May 19, 2008
posted by tiburon at 12:31 PM on May 19, 2008
Capoeira! I don't want to self-link, but MeMail me if you want info on classes.
posted by mkb at 12:36 PM on May 19, 2008
posted by mkb at 12:36 PM on May 19, 2008
Volunteer at the Museum of Science or The New England Aquarium.
Check out the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts on Quincy Street. They often have free or cheap movies (OK "Art" Films).
posted by Gungho at 12:41 PM on May 19, 2008
Check out the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts on Quincy Street. They often have free or cheap movies (OK "Art" Films).
posted by Gungho at 12:41 PM on May 19, 2008
Best answer: Definitely plan to visit some of Harvard's many cool campus museums, if you're into that sort of thing. The collection of historical scientific instruments, glass flower collection in the Museum of Natural History, and the Fogg art museum are totally worthwhile, and they're all free during selected weekend hours, or at any time if you can find a friend with a Harvard ID.
If you're at all musical, Harvard Summer School also runs a summer band, chorus and orchestra (scroll down), all three of which are completely open to members of the public-- fairly low-key, and a great way to meet people who might have other good tips for making the most of Cambridge.
posted by Bardolph at 1:19 PM on May 19, 2008
If you're at all musical, Harvard Summer School also runs a summer band, chorus and orchestra (scroll down), all three of which are completely open to members of the public-- fairly low-key, and a great way to meet people who might have other good tips for making the most of Cambridge.
posted by Bardolph at 1:19 PM on May 19, 2008
Best answer: tiburon has some good advice about getting beyond the city, but you don't need a car to go exploring. You can take the train to the excellent Singing Beach in Manchester by the Sea, to downtown Portland (which is a great little city), or Concord and Lexington. You can ride your bike out the Minuteman Bikeway and swim at Walden Pond (not actually on the trail, but close by). You can take a bus up to Pinkham Notch and hike Mt. Washington. You can take the Orange line to the Arnold Arboretum, which is an amazing little oasis of a place.
I realize from the tone of your question that you might be looking more for organized activities that places to go, but there's some great day (or weekend trips) -- places like those above that you might not think are accessible easily -- that might open your eyes to other interests.
posted by dseaton at 1:44 PM on May 19, 2008
I realize from the tone of your question that you might be looking more for organized activities that places to go, but there's some great day (or weekend trips) -- places like those above that you might not think are accessible easily -- that might open your eyes to other interests.
posted by dseaton at 1:44 PM on May 19, 2008
If I had just a summer, I would set out to eat my way from one end of Mass Ave. to the other.
Plus there's a meetup soon.
posted by cocoagirl at 2:25 PM on May 19, 2008 [2 favorites]
Plus there's a meetup soon.
posted by cocoagirl at 2:25 PM on May 19, 2008 [2 favorites]
Throw your bike on the fast ferry to Provincetown and you can use the Flex bus to explore the whole of lower Cape Cod.
You might find new passion for science during weekend visits to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution - and once you're done with your junior year, you could look into applying for a Summer Student Fellowship.
posted by nicwolff at 3:16 PM on May 19, 2008
You might find new passion for science during weekend visits to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution - and once you're done with your junior year, you could look into applying for a Summer Student Fellowship.
posted by nicwolff at 3:16 PM on May 19, 2008
Join a sports team,
It's great to be on the Charles during the summer. You might want to look into dragon boat, it's a fun way to get out on the river and meet people, plus you can do all the competitions. Or, seconding community boating, mentioned above.
At MIT, you can see free movies on the weekends, but the calendar's not up yet.
Don't forget that the 4th of July is a major event in Boston. If you can stand the crowds for the day, go to the Boston-side and park yourself along the shore. If you want to see the Pops performance, be ready to get to the Hatch Shell at 6am. Otherwise much later is okay. If you're a last-minute person, Cambridge-side (we used to watch from Mem Drive and Ames) is still a good view.
posted by whatzit at 3:29 PM on May 19, 2008
It's great to be on the Charles during the summer. You might want to look into dragon boat, it's a fun way to get out on the river and meet people, plus you can do all the competitions. Or, seconding community boating, mentioned above.
At MIT, you can see free movies on the weekends, but the calendar's not up yet.
Don't forget that the 4th of July is a major event in Boston. If you can stand the crowds for the day, go to the Boston-side and park yourself along the shore. If you want to see the Pops performance, be ready to get to the Hatch Shell at 6am. Otherwise much later is okay. If you're a last-minute person, Cambridge-side (we used to watch from Mem Drive and Ames) is still a good view.
posted by whatzit at 3:29 PM on May 19, 2008
Re: whatzit's suggestion for the 4th, the Pops do their dry-run of the concert the night of the 3rd. Bring a picnic and see that. (Beware metal silverware though -- it is Flatware of Mass Destruction as far as they're concerned) Many fewer people and easier to get out. Then find someplace to watch fireworks the next day that you can get out to later in the day on the 4th.
posted by olinerd at 4:29 PM on May 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by olinerd at 4:29 PM on May 19, 2008 [1 favorite]
If you're looking for organized volunteering, you might like YAVA, a volunteering/social group.
If you're looking for activities, check out Bostonist for current events. It has a lot of great listings for music, readings at local bookstores, bizarre performances, and more. Plus it's a good source for local news.
posted by cadge at 5:49 PM on May 19, 2008
If you're looking for activities, check out Bostonist for current events. It has a lot of great listings for music, readings at local bookstores, bizarre performances, and more. Plus it's a good source for local news.
posted by cadge at 5:49 PM on May 19, 2008
Do not miss the all-you-can-eat for charity ice cream scooperbowl.
Get day-of tickets to a Red Sox game.
I'll think of more.
posted by supramarginal at 6:01 PM on May 19, 2008
Get day-of tickets to a Red Sox game.
I'll think of more.
posted by supramarginal at 6:01 PM on May 19, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
Get a ZipCar membership so you can get out of the city, like to Crane Beach or to Cape Cod or to hike the Welch-Dickey in New Hampshire.
Drink in the basement of Redbones every chance you get.
posted by tiburon at 12:14 PM on May 19, 2008