An aerial shot of Boston University’s East Campus – with the famous Citgo sign peaking through.
TERRIERS – Boston University is a huge school – both in its geography and its student population. With over 16,000 undergraduates and a 169-acre campus, it’s difficult to know everyone and everything. Each student has their favorite campus spots, whether it’s their go-to for a bite to eat or to settle in and study. Many popular spots, like the George Sherman Union, Marciano Commons, and the BU Beach, are mentioned on tours or in conversation with students. However, BU has some more elusive spots that require a bit of a deeper dive into campus. Whether you’re making a one-time visit, hoping to attend BU, or a current student looking to explore further, you don’t want to miss these four hidden gems:
- The Law Library
If you’re looking for a sleek, modern, and nearly silent place to get work done, the School of Law’s library is the perfect place. Nestled between Mugar Memorial Library and Marsh Chapel, it’s a building most undergraduates pass daily without ever venturing inside. Good news – the building isn’t only for law students! Even if you’ve never had a class in the building, or never intend to touch law-related work in your life, the library is open to all BU students . It’s less crowded, incredibly clean, and feels like a blissful escape from the darker, busy Mugar Memorial Library.
The entrance to Boston University’s School of Law sits right along the Charles River, near the infamous “BU Beach.”
- Bay State Underground
Midnight snacks are a staple in the college experience, and you’re not doing late night snacking right until you give Bay State Underground a try. The exclusive, late-night dining option opens each night from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and offers anything from mac and cheese, to chicken-caesar wraps, to milkshakes. Ask anyone who’s been there and they’ll tell you, the food is better than any daytime dining hall. And just like any campus venue, they’ll take your dining or convenience points! Make sure to stay up late, though – Bay State Underground only opens up after dark. Say goodbye to midnight snacks of bagged chips and cold pizza and head to 100 Baystate Road!
Bay State Underground is the best place for students to grab a late night snack, relax with their friends, and take a look at the old Boston and BU memorabilia along all the walls.
- Stuvi2 Study Lounge
While BU is very much a city school, it’s not located in the heart of the city. Oftentimes, campus can feel like a bubble – isolating students from the true bustle of the city. The top floor of Stuvi2, however, will remind you of BU’s prime location. Take the elevator to the building’s top floor, bring work or friends, and enjoy the amazing view of Boston’s skyline. It’s a perfect study or relaxation space, with comfortable couches and tables throughout the room. But be warned – the beautiful view may be distracting! Either way, every student should pop in sometime before graduation.
Get your work done with a view! The Stuvi2 Study Lounge is the best place to admire the city and be productive.
- Theology Library
If the sleek and silent interior of the Law Library doesn’t sound like the right fit, the School of Theology’s library may be right up your alley. On the second floor of the theology building, you’ll find rows of bookcases that stretch as far as the eye can see. Tucked within each row and in all corners of the library are tables, chairs, and desks for students to claim. There’s a low buzz of conversation throughout the library – mainly coming from the librarians and graduate students who roam the aisles. It’s warm, cozy, and perfect for snowy winter days or rainy spring days.
Tables are secretly tucked within the endless rows of bookshelves all throughout the Theology Library, making it a serene place to study.
Regardless of whether you choose to embrace these spots and make them part of your visit, or your daily campus routine, one thing is for sure: get out and explore! BU is huge, and there’s so much to see and do. Take advantage of all the campus has to offer, and be sure to venture a little further from your favorite Commonwealth Avenue destinations. You just might find another hidden gem yourself!
