Here at BC Law, community is a central part of student life. Unsurprisingly, the pandemic has changed the way that BC students can interact with each other, both inside and outside of the classroom. For instance, the BC Orientation Program for 1Ls, LLMs, and transfer students was completely virtual, and back on campus we must maintain proper social distancing and wear masks at all times. But still, the desire to maintain friendships and experience Boston is important to many, even if it looks and feels a little different. Therefore, I wanted to share with all of you some ways that my friends and I plan to enjoy the great outdoors before we get hit with the Boston winter weather.

• Find a good hiking trail. I can’t say I am much of a hiker, but finding some good trails is on my list of things to do this fall. If you are also stuck in a Brighton apartment for the majority of your days, I strongly recommend heading to a place you’ve never been and getting some fresh air. This article from REI has a roundup of seven hikes near Boston that you can check out. Earlier this month, I visited Harvard’s arboretum, and highly recommend it.
• Head to dinner in the South End. If you are comfortable with outdoor dining, the South End offers some great options. I personally love Barcelona, Beehive, and Toro but there are tons of other places to try. And if you want to look beyond the South End, Boston Magazine recently put together a list of the best outdoor dining spots across the city.
• Play a round of mini golf. I recently discovered that McGolf’s Mini Golf is less than twenty minutes away (and close to a Chick-fil-a). I am definitely going to convince a couple of my friends to venture there soon. Mini golf could be a good alternative if you are running out of puzzles and board games at home.
• Venture to The Lookout Farm. I can’t speak from personal experience, but as soon as I heard about the Lookout Farm, I added it to my list. There’s an orchard where you can pick your own fruit, a place to enjoy local ciders and beers, and lobster rolls. What more could you want?
• Explore the city by Bluebike. Before law school, I lived in DC and always loved using the bike shares throughout the city. With so many Bluebike rental locations in the Boston area (including one right outside my door), I have been able to pick this hobby back up and explore my new city. Not only is it a fun activity, but it is also a really affordable form of transportation.
• Take a day trip to the Cape (or Castle Island). Before moving to Boston, I didn’t realize how accessible beaches were. Parts of Cape Cod are only about an hour away, and for those who want to stay closer, Castle Island is in South Boston. Even though it may be a little cold to lay out or go in the water, going to a beach may provide a much-needed break from the stress of law school.
• Kayak on the Charles. This is something on my Boston bucket list. After doing some quick research, Paddle Boston has a number of locations where you can rent canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards throughout the area. Getting to see our city from the water and possibly breaking a sweat? Seems like a win-win!
• Get in the Halloween spirit by visiting Salem. It’s hard to believe that October is just around the corner. This means my roommate will soon be forced to watch one of my favorite movies, Hocus Pocus. I’ve always wanted to go to Salem, and with Halloween looking very different this year, now seems like the perfect opportunity. I personally will be using this Hocus Pocus Guide for my visit, but Salem seems to have tons more to offer.
• Have a picnic at Boston Common or the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. For those who want to avoid restaurants, planning a picnic is a great alternative. There are plenty of spots to pick, but my two favorites are the Common or the Reservoir. Enjoy it while the weather is still nice!
• Take advantage of what the Seaport has to offer. The Seaport has always been one of my favorite places in Boston because there is truly something for everybody. If you feel like grabbing a beer, head to Harpoon. If you’ve missed Barry’s Bootcamp, try out one of the free outdoor workout classes. And if you just want to wander around, I can think of no better place!

Of course, these are simply suggestions and you should only partake in activities that make you feel safe and comfortable. And if that means staying home and watching Netflix, just make sure you send me some recommendations!

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Courtney Ruggeri is a third-year student at BC Law, and President of the Impact blog. Reach her at ruggeric@bc.edu.