10 spring things at Brandeis and beyond

Spring has sprung here at Brandeis. With the nice, warmer weather returning to Brandeis, there are more and more events taking advantage of the weather outside. Now, I don’t consider myself an “outdoors-y” person, but there are some pretty interesting events happening on campus and in the surrounding areas that caught my attention - here are a few that sounded like fun to me.

Fun on campus

For those who may not want to travel very far for some fun, here are some really great activities on campus.

Picnic with Friends on Chapels Field

On a beautiful, sunny day, grab some food from Sherman and make your way out to Chapels Field with a friend to have a picnic. This is perfect for having a nice chill day and enjoying the warmer weather. This is also a great opportunity to go all out, dress up with your friends and take pictures to celebrate the end of the semester. 

Try a New Group Exercise Class 

There are several group exercise classes offered weekly in Gosman. There’s sure to be one that fits in your schedule. Just a few I saw included barre, cycle, zumba and yoga. You can sign up for a class the day before online, but they do accept walk-ins as well if space is available. This is a great opportunity to get moving after being stuck inside all winter.

Explore your own backyard in Waltham

While there are so many fun events on campus, exploring Waltham can be a great way to learn more about the great opportunities the area has to offer. Brandeis offers several shuttles to take you around Waltham running daily from 7am to 2:45am. Check out their website for maps and daily schedule information. 

Hike along the Charles River Reservation 

The Charles River Reservation is located right here in Waltham, and well within walking distance from Brandeis (although on-site parking is available as well for those who would rather drive). Aside from hiking, there are several other activities here as well such as biking, canoeing/kayaking, fishing and a variety of educational programs offered by the Massachusetts Parks and Recreation department. This is a great place to go with friends or even by yourself for a day surrounded by nature.

Get fun book recommendations with Waltham Library Book Clubs

The Waltham Public Library holds several book clubs each month, along with other events open to the public. There is a general book club held monthly on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings. There is a Sci-fi/Fantasy book club held once a month on Mondays, as well as an “Initiating Inspiration” book club meeting every other month to discuss empowering, spiritually-inspired and social justice books. They also offer a YouTube show featuring the librarians of Waltham Public Library discussing books they have enjoyed recently. This is a great low-commitment opportunity to get off-campus and enjoy the sights of Waltham.

Spend the day at Moody St, with expanded outdoor dining starting May 1

Starting May 1 until October, sections of Moody Street will be closed to vehicles to allow restaurants to offer expanded outdoor patio dining and an enhanced pedestrian experience. While Moody Street is available year-round, this is a great opportunity to go to your favorite spots, or even try new restaurants you’ve been eyeing! With the weather warming up, the perfect place to take advantage of this (in my opinion) is Lizzy’s Homemade Ice Cream. This is my favorite spot to grab a snack and people watch for a lazy day. 

Experience big city adventures in Boston!

If you’re looking for some more “big city” experiences, look no further than the plethora of opportunities for outdoor fun in Boston. While there is a commuter rail stop right on campus leading into Boston, Brandeis also has a Boston/Cambridge shuttle which runs Thursday-Sunday most hours of the day.

Take a ride on a swan boat

Until June, the famous Boston Commons Swan Boats will operate daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. If you haven’t had the opportunity to ride on the Swan Boats, it is well worth looking into. Tickets are only $4.50 per person, and you get a beautiful, scenic view of the Commons on the water. With all the other great spots around the area for food, entertainment and more, this is a great add-on to your next Boston trip.

Charles River Canoe and Kayak 

With a location right in Waltham on Moody Street, the Paddle Boston company rents canoes and kayaks for you and your friends to paddle down the Charles River. The rates vary depending on the type of boat and amount of people, but for a full-day rental for multiple people, it’s a pretty good deal ranging between $20-$30 . The Charles River flows directly into Boston, and this is such a fun opportunity to see the sights of Boston from a unique perspective.

Window shop on Newbury St.

While Newbury St. is famous for its plethora of shops and restaurants, you don’t need to break the bank on a trip there. Taking a walk on a nice day with friends down Newbury St. to get coffee and chat is just as fun. There are so many new places to try great food and drinks, you can go time after time and still find new opportunities to try something fun. My personal favorite currently is Levain Bakery, which just recently opened a location on Newbury St. Their cookies are huge, absolutely delicious, and well worth a trip.