First Grad Summer in Boston? Here’s My Boston Summer Bucket List!

With classes finishing up for the semester, many graduate students like myself will remain in the Boston area for summer classes, internships, or research opportunities. I am incredibly excited to be spending my first ever (!!) summer in Boston, and what a better way to spend that time than checking off activities from my summer bucket list! 

Whether you’re in Boston for the summer or hoping to spend some time here, I hope you can gain some inspiration from my bucket list, which has a mix of free, cheap, and more costly activities to provide a variety of activity options. 

1. Go to Fenway Park for a Red Sox’s Game: One of the most ~iconic~ Boston summer activities is spectating a game at the historic Fenway Park. I have never been to Fenway Park for a Red Sox’s game, and I must change that this summer! Whether you’re a die-hard baseball fan or there for the outside seating, a fun drink and Fenway frank, you can’t go wrong with a summer baseball game.   

2. Book a Boat Tour: The summer weather is the perfect weather to explore the city by boat! Whether on a classic Boston Duck Tour, canoeing on the Charles River, or trying out one of the famous swan boats in the Boston Common, there are so many exciting ways to get out on the water. This spring, the Tufts Graduate Student Council hosted a boat prom for graduate students, and it has inspired me to explore other water activities!  

3. Enjoy Some Summer Rooftops and Patios: Boston summers provide the perfect opportunities to enjoy food or a fun drink on one of the many public rooftops and patios. There’s Felipe’s Taqueria in Harvard Square, Pier 6 in Charlestown, or the Trillium Brewing Company in the Seaport, all offering great food, drinks, and views.   

4. Take Advantage of the Outdoor Live Music Scene: After seeing Grouplove and Zara Larsson for the Tufts 2026 Spring Fling Concert (!!), I want to continue going to concerts this summer, whether it be at Fenway’s Concert Series, the Leader Bank Pavillion in Seaport, the Stage at Suffolk Downs in East Boston, or other local music halls and festivals.  

5. Visit Museums: I want to take time this summer to visit museums, including the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum, the Harvard Art Museums, and the Museum of Science. Some of the museums offer free admissions, while others require a ticket; however, if you have a Boston Public Library card, you can get discounted or free tickets for participating museums if you book in advance!  

6. Join a Summer Sports League: A great way to spend some time outdoors and meet new people is to join a summer sports league! Some Tufts departments offer summer sports opportunities, like the softball league for the Biomedical Engineering department. There are also opportunities throughout Boston for sports leagues, including pick-up basketball games and run clubs.  

7. Explore Different Parts of the City: After spending the school year on Tufts campus, the summer offers ample time to explore other areas of Somerville, Cambridge, and Boston! This can include checking out the theater at Coolidge Corner, bowling at Lucky Strike in Assembly Row, or attending the Inman Eats and Crafts festival in Inman square.  

8. Attend Some of the Summer Popups: The nicer weather calls for some of the legendary Boston summer pop-ups. You can grab a food or drink outside at Cisco Brewers, explore one of the many outdoor summer markets, or even eat some barbecue at Medford’s Brisket and Beer summer popup.   

9. Travel to Some of the Nearby Beaches and Parks: The parks in Boston are unmatched: there’s the very famous Boston Common, but also Hall’s Pond Sanctuary in Brookline, the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plains, and Fresh Pond in Cambridge. You are also close to some beautiful beaches, including Carsons Beach, Revere Beach, or a weekend trip to the gorgeous Cape Cod shoreline.   

10. Picnic on the Esplanade: And finally, I had to end with a classic Boston activity: a sunset picnic on the Charles River esplanade. There is truly no better way to spend the summer than in Boston! :)