6 Fun Things to Do at Lesley

1. Eat

Dozens of delicious (and affordable) places to eat are within walking distance of campus. Our undergrads love Tasty Burger in Harvard Square, especially since it’s open late. Nearby, dueling burrito joints El Jefe and Felipe's vie for best Mexican eats in Harvard Square. (Pro tip: Felipe’s has a roof deck.) Closer to our Porter Square campus, stop by Bagelsaurus for, well, bagels. And Simon’s and Café Zing in Porter Square Books are popular for caffeine-fueled studying.

The ground floor in own University Hall in Porter Square is a hub for Japanese cuisine. Try Yume Ga Arukara, a noodle shop named one of the "hot ten" new restaurants in America by Bon Appetit Magazine in 2018.  

2. Work Out

There are lots of ways to stay fit in and around Lesley. Our fitness center in Doble Hall offers cardio and strength training, while our tennis/basketball court is great for pick up games with friends. There's also a Planet Fitness in University Hall.

Get off campus with a run, ride, or walk along the Charles River (MBTA Red Line, Charles Street/MGH Station). Or, jump on the Minuteman Bikeway, an 11-mile bike path that you can pick up in Cambridge (MBTA Red Line, Alewife Station).

3. Go to the Movies

Catch independent and arthouse features at Kendall Square Cinema and Brattle Theatre or indie and first-run films at Somerville Theatre in Davis Square. For blockbusters, AMC Loews Boston Common 19 is a 10-minute subway ride. Our Student Activities Office also screens movies on campus throughout the year.

4. See Live Entertainment

The Boston area is a cultural hub with everything from live music to Broadway plays every night of the week. Local hot spots for music include The Middle East & ZuZu, The Sinclair in Harvard Square, Lizard Lounge at Cambridge Common (near Doble campus), and Toad in Porter Square. Find headliners at the House of Blues, Boston and TD Garden, both easily accessible by subway.

If you're in the mood for something else, find author readings at Porter Square Books, comedy shows at The Comedy Studio in Union Square and ImprovBoston in Central Square, or  plays at Central Square Theater Company, the American Repertory Theater in Harvard Square. Head to the Boston Opera House for Broadway shows and ballets. Lesley often has discounted tickets, too.

5. Go to Museums and Exhibits

Lesley students get free or discounted tickets to many local museums, including the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (always free if you're named Isabella), the Harvard Museum of Natural History, and the New England Aquarium.

6. Shopping

Our students love to shop sustainably AKA go thrifting. The Garment District in Kendall Square, Goodwill in Davis Square and Buffalo Exchange in Brookline are all favorites.

For book lovers, there’s  he long-standing Harvard Bookstore (don’t miss the basement full of secondhand books) and Porter Square Books (with a few more in between). Comic book and manga fans, stop by Newbury Comics or Millennium Comics.

Of course, for essentials, stop by Target in Porter Square. It’s located right behind the Porter T station.