Activities to Enjoy Alone in Boston

Boston Newbury Street | © Ingfbruno / WikiCommons

25 July 2017

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While it’s wonderful and comforting to enjoy activities with friends and family, there’s something special and refreshing about experiencing things on your own once in a while. If you’re a veteran or a total newbie at going solo, Boston will welcome you with open arms. Be the master of your own itinerary with these selected activities and enjoy a party of one.

See an independent film at Coolidge Corner

The butter is real, and the marquee is bright. A stunning space beautifully renovated and lovingly preserved, Coolidge Corner Theatre is a perfect blend of mainstream and quirky. With screenings of independent films, special educational programming (that includes interactive pre- and post-show events such as Q&A with the actors) fit for every occasion, and the occasional blockbuster, it’s an exceptional and cultural movie-watching experience you won’t find anywhere else.

Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline, MA, USA, +1 617 734 2501

Coolidge Corner Theater at Night | © Madeleine Ball/Flickr

Coolidge Corner Theatre at Night | © Madeleine Ball / Flickr

Learn a new skill at Artisan’s Asylum

Located a little outside of Boston, Artisan’s Asylum is a 40,000-square-foot (3,716-square-metre), 400-plus member community of doers, learners and teachers of skills you wish you could have learned growing up. Ever wanted to become a master at metalworking, bike building, foam smithing, or robotics? This craft studio shares tools, equipment, offers classes, provides workspaces and hosts social events and speakers for those willing to get their hands dirty. So if you’ve ever wanted to try something completely out of your comfort zone from those who are in their element, this is the place to go.

Artisan’s Asylum, 10 Tyler Street, Somerville, MA, USA, +1 617 284 6878

Courtesy of Artisan’s Asylum

Boston University’s Public Open Night at the Observatory

Marvel at the night sky with Boston University’s observatory open night. Every Wednesday, the Coit Observatory is open to the public to observe the stars through telescopes and binoculars while learning about all things astronomy. Doors open at 7:30 pm during the fall and winter months, and 8:30 pm during the spring and summer months. Visibility depends on the weather, so make sure to follow them on Twitter for updates.

Coit Observatory, 725 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, USA, +1 617 353 2630

Shakespeare on the Common

Hear ye, hear ye! This summer, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s Free Shakespeare On the Common will once again perform Shakespeare’s famous play, Romeo & Juliet. Performances are free and open to the public. So pick a spot on the grass and make yourself comfortable. The play runs Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 7 pm, and a matinee on Saturday, August 5, 2017, at 3 pm.

Boston Common, 139 Tremont St, Boston, MA, USA, +1 617 635 4505

In Production: Romeo and Juliet | Courtesy of Commonwealth Shakespeare Company

Sweat it out at a fitness class

Calling all fitness junkies—if you ever want to explore different fitness programs and workouts without the commitment to one specific gym, give ClassPass a shot. This membership allows you to customize a workout schedule based on your preferences, interests, and time availability. With over 270 studios to pick from, this is a great way to spice up your workout routine while learning something new.

Courtesy of ClassPass

Explore Boston’s greenest areas

A region that is ever-growing, Boston is a historic city that embraces change, which makes green spaces a necessity. Thankfully, there are some magical hidden gardens that offer a piece of serenity. So if you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, check out Arnold Arboretum. Located in the Jamaica Plain and Roslindale areas of Boston, the 265-acre arboretum features over 15,000 exotic trees and flowering shrubs. It’s a peaceful green oasis where you can pause and think.

The Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, Boston, MA, USA, +1 617 524 1718

Courtesy of Arnold Arboretum

Have some laughs at a comedy show

Improv Asylum is a small and intimate comedy theater that features improvisation and sketch comedy. Its setup has stadium-style seating, which gives you a unique improv experience. You might even get lucky (or unlucky) and be pulled up as a volunteer. It sits in the heart of the North End, which means making an obligatory Mike’s Pastry stop before heading home.

Improv Asylum, 216 Hanover St, Boston, MA, USA, +1 617 263 6887

Courtesy of Improv Asylum

Go for a bike ride

One of the best ways to explore the city is on two wheels. Boston has a number of biker-friendly streets that you can travel down. But if you’re leaning toward avoiding the stressful experience of dodging the sometimes downright aggressive Boston drivers, biking along the Charles River might be more suited for you. The river provides a scenic location for a perfect view of the Boston skyline. If you don’t have a bike of your own, there are over 180 Hubway stations from which to choose.

Skip the museum, and head to the New England Aquarium

Aquarium, Theater, Museum

Indulge your time under the sea at the New England Aquarium. The central pillar tank, packed with sea creatures of all sizes, shapes, and colors, is the main attraction of downtown Boston’s waterfront. It’s a three-story ocean tank where visitors can see various types of marine life. Numerous other exhibits explore the lives and habitats of other underwater life, including penguins.

Stroll down Newbury Street

Lined with fancy shops, eateries, and more, Boston’s more elegant street is a great way spend the day. Ranging from small boutiques to high-end fashion, shoppers will find anything and everything they need here. With more than 50 food and dining options to refuel at, specialty shops such as Newbury Comics to keep you entertained, and a wide selection of beauty services to treat yourself, Newbury Street is where to go and linger for a day on your own.

Newbury Street, Boston, MA, USA

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