AttractionsBest Place to Find a Little Bit of ClassBoston Opera House539 Washington Street, Boston617-259-3400
From the T: Green Line to Boylston Street. Looking for a little bit of culture? Or maybe you just want to seem classy to impress someone. Either way there is no finer venue in the city of Boston than the historic, lavish Boston Opera House. Following a recent $30 million in renovations the Boston Opera House has returned to the forefront of the Boston theatre seen. From rock bands to the Boston Ballet’s renowned performance of The Nutcracker, the Boston Opera house is an experience unmatched in the city of Boston.
Best Art MuseumMuseum of Fine Arts Boston465 Huntington Avenue, Boston617-267-9300
From the T: Take the Green Line to Museum of Fine Arts stop.The Museum of Fine Arts is not only Boston’s oldest museum, but the finest as well. The MFA is host to a world-class collection that caters to snooty art snobs and casual visitors as well. The museum also does a great job bringing in a plethora of splendid, can’t miss exhibitions.
Best BowlingKings50 Dalton Street, Boston617-266-2695
From the T: Take the Green Line to the Hynes/ICA stop.Kings is a family friendly place during the day, but it becomes a different place entirely at night. After 6pm Kings becomes strictly 21. With 16 lanes and multiple bars and lounges, including 6 projection screens and 25 high def TVs, Kings is a great place to watch the big game or have a night out with some friends.
Best ViewPrudential Center Skywalk800 Boylston Street617-236-3100
From the T: Green Line to Prudential Center50 stories above Boylston Street, the Prudential Center Skywalk Observatory offers 360 degree views of Boston and the surrounding towns. On a clear day visitors are treated to views stretching from Cape Cod to New Hampshire White Mountains. Best of all these breath taking views wont break the bank either. College students pay just $9.00 with a student ID.
Best Pool HallBig City138 Brighton Avenue, Allston617-782-2020
From the T: Green Line to Harvard Ave. Pool halls may have a reputation as seedy establishments, breeding grounds for slick con artists and fast-talking hustlers, but Big City is different. This two-floor complex contains a family friendly restaurant on the lower level. The second floor contains a bar with 80 beers on tap and is complemented by 24 championship pool tables. The atmosphere is fun and energetic, perfect for getting some friends together or just playing a pick up game. In addition to the swanky digs, Big City is affordable. Billiard tables start as low as $5.00 an hour during off peak times.
Shopping
BEST MEN’S CLOTHING (DESIGNER)Jasmine Sola29 Brattle StreetCambridge MA 617.576.0031
hile famous for its high-end women’s apparel and outrageous shoe selection, many don’t realize that Jasmine Sola has some high-end fashions for men. Mixing sophisticated, urban, and sporty, Jasmine Sola has a great selection to outfit just about anyone. Prices are a bit steep, but you can guarantee that you’ll be looking good in hot brands like Diesel, Ed Hardy, Converse, Rock&Republic and much more! Plus, your female friend will be thrilled to take a trip to shoe Heaven!
BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING (DESIGNER)Intermix186 Newbury StreetBoston, MA617-236-5172
Oh the damage that could be done with an unlimited balance on my credit card. This trendy, high fashion boutique carries everything you see in Vogue magazine. Designers like Chloe, Phillip Lim, Betsey Johnson, and so many more can be found within the confines of this high-end retailer. If money isn’t an object, or if you are looking to splurge on a timeless piece to add a little oomph to your wardrobe, Intermix is the perfect place to find trendy yet timeless accessories.
BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING (AFFORDABLE)Forever 21Locations vary, see www.forever21.com
Jeans for under $20? Sweaters for under $15? A cute pair of flats for under $10!? All of these great buys can be found at any Forever 21 store. Filled with the latest trends as well as crisp, seasonless pieces, Forever 21 is one of the fastest growing franchises around, outfitting celebrities and high-profile clientele. Starting to crop up in malls across New England, Forever 21 is a must for those who are looking to get a lot of bang for their buck and look fabulous while doing so.
BEST SHOE STOREDSWLocations vary, see www.DSW.com for locations
While Jasmine Sola is a must when hitting up Boston, prices and selection aren’t their strong suits. Rather than spend hundreds of dollars on a pair of designer shoes that no one has probably heard of, head over to your nearest DSW and find literally hundreds of designs for men, women and kids! With high-end designers like Chinese Laundry, Nine West, Deisel, Steve Madden, and more, DSW prices very rarely exceed $100! Anything you are looking for, you can find at DSW for a fraction of the price of high-end, low selection boutique. You know what that means, right? Grab 3 or 4 pairs!
BEST THRIFT STOREKarma Designer Consignments26 Prince Street Boston, MA617-723-8338
Unlike many other thrift shops and consignment boutiques, Karma Designer Consignment is always looking to satisfy their customers, even at the expense of a sale. With inventory changing every day, you could be one of the lucky ones to find a Chanel trench coat, BeBe track suits and Tiffany Jewelry. While the Salvation Army and other thrift shops often don’t check their inventory for stains or defects, Karma sells only the best quality second-hand items! Be ready to search and bring lots of patience while you traverse every corner of this hidden haven for antiques, vintage clothing, and lots of other knick-knacks and accessories.
BEST OFFBEAT STOREThe Garment District200 BroadwayCambridge, MA617-876-5230
Combined with newly added Boston Costume downstairs, The Garment District is the place to go t find random and unique stuff! With customers coming from all over, The Garment District has been attracting young and old consumers for decades. In the mood for some designer, second-hand clothes? Garment District’s got that. Looking for the perfect pair of sunglasses? Those too. Bow ties? Yup. Posters? Of course! The Garment District is such a fun place to go to look around, dress up and have a good laugh. Visit the downstairs Dollar-A-Pound section and trek through piles and piles (literally, clothing thrown in piles) of second-hand clothing, thrown in a bag and weighed and paid for by the pound. Never a dull moment at the Garment District, and the sales associates are always happy to help you with whatever you may be looking for. World-renowned, this offbeat store gives new meaning to the word eclectic, and it’s fabulous!
BEST MUSIC STORE Newbury ComicsLocations at www.newburycomics.com
For those who still like the nostalgia of purchasing CD’s from places other than iTunes, Newbury Comics is a must. A “wicked good time”, this store is tops for their huge selection of music and DVD’s! selling both new and used CD’s as well as records, cassettes, and a huge number of DVD’s and random novelties, Newbury Comics is a full place to visit for great deals and a ton of laughs. Prices usually don’t go above $20 for a CD, which is good considering other CD stores can go for over $24 bucks for a single CD! But you are in for more than just great buys here-it’s a loud, fast paced, edgy, and fun. Everyone can find something at Newbury Comics, and at great prices!
BEST LIQUOR STORECharles Street Liquors143 Charles StreetBoston, MA617-523-5051
Sometimes, you may feel like branching out from the usual selection at your local liquor store or convenient store. Charles St. Liquors has the “largest selection of wine and sprits” in Boston, with walls and walls of imported cognacs and distilled spirits to catalyze your weekend debauchery. This is not simply Bud Light, Bacardi, and Mike’s-Italian wine, Scotch from Scotland, and Tequila made and packaged in Mexico and imported exclusively to Charles Street Liquors. Even though a specialty sprits store, prices at Charles Street Liquors are practically identical to what they would be at a grocery store or local liquor store. For more quality, selection, and a little culture, hop on the train and head over to Charles Street Liquors-just remember not to start drinking until you get home.
BEST SALONLa Dolce Vita Salon & Day Spa569 Boylston St. Floor 2Boston, MA617-266-0141
With the hectic schedule of classes, work and everything else that college life demands, it’s often easy to let personal time and pampering go by the wayside. Fact of life, good haircuts for women at least, will cost you. Supercuts is good for a quick trim, but for a real haircut, complete with styling and good gossip, La Dolce Vita Salon is a must. Haircuts are pretty steep, starting at about $55, but are well worth it for the calm, serene atmosphere and the peace of mind that you are being taken care of by some of the best coiffures in New England. Also offering a wide variety of services including massages, waxing, facials, coloring, and more, La Dolce Vita is a great way to treat