COVID-Friendly Reccs for Cold Weather

WRITTEN BY SHARON YAN // ILLUSTRATED BY DIANA STEELMAN

With colder weather approaching, it will be easy to just stay indoors this winter and cuddle up with your favorite book or movie. But that gets repetitive and soon you’ll crave a breath of fresh air and the chance to go out and explore. Here are few suggestions for COVIDfriendly activities this season, so grab your roommate and go try something new! First, the Boston Public Market is a year-round indoor market open every week from Wednesday to Saturday, offering an assortment of foods, meals, crafts, and specialty items. Everything sold here is produced in New England, making it the perfect place to taste test local flavors and seasonal offerings. This location is a great way to support small vendors and local businesses. Stay up to date with their announcements and updates via their Instagram account @bostonpublicmarket. The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) is a great way to relax and immerse yourself in art. The unique waterfront museum offers scenic views of Seaport and currently hosts three main exhibition rooms with five upcoming rooms in later months. The museum is free of charge for Northeastern students who show their Husky ID as well. The ICA guarantees that only spaces that allow for physical distancing are open right now, making it an ideal indoor activity as the weather cools down.

If you’re into shoes and sportswear, Bodega is a high-end clothing store disguised as a convenience shop from the outside. It offers footwear, apparel, and accessories from top brands and is currently open to visitors by appointment only in order to practice social distancing. Stop by 6 Clearway Street and try to spot this hypermarket through its hidden entrance!

Another museum that is a mustvisit for Northeastern students is the Museum of Fine Arts, or the MFA. Located just a five to 10 minute walk from campus, this museum is comprised of over 450,000 works of art and offers free admission to Northeastern students. Its newest exhibition features Basquiat, a graffiti artist who was instrumental in transitioning street art into contemporary canvas art. Besides Basquiat, the MFA currently features five other incredible exhibitions that are ready for you to explore!

If you’re in a shopping mood, check out the boutiques on Charles Street in the Beacon Hill neighborhood. These independently-owned shops consist of indie and antique goods that are sure to capture your attention. The charming brownstone buildings and cobblestone paths make every corner photographable, and these small storefronts are the perfect place for both locals and visitors to indulge. Coolidge Corner Theater is also offering virtual film screenings as they work on reopening. You can rent movies online or attend their online film seminars alongside noted film critics for an educational experience. They even offer lectures and discussions to provide entertainment and engagement from the comfort of your own home. The New England Aquarium is another exciting place to observe thousands of aquatic animals. With plenty of safety protocols in place and an indoor setting, why not go out and explore the aquarium’s four-story Giant Ocean Tank that houses a diversity of reef animals like sea turtles, stingrays, eels, and fishes? Or take a visit to the sharks, octopus, penguins, and seals in other exhibits. For a break, the Simons Theatre plays short films on Saturday and Sunday about aquatic life and offers digital surround sound for an immersive experience. So what are you waiting for? Don’t let the weather stop you from exploring the city, and take advantage of all the indoor activities Boston has to offer — socially distanced of course!