Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Discount trips: Boston

Boston, one of the major cities of the northeast, is also one of the easiest rides to and from the 91制片厂 Durham Campus. Whether you know it or not, students at the 91制片厂 are only an hour and a half via Amtrak to North Station which makes several trips up and down the coasts of New Hampshire, Maine and the north shore. Being a college student also affords you certain things, like discounts and advantage programs, something that becomes more prevalent as you go to bigger cities, like Boston. Whether it鈥檚 the museums or the attractions, a college ID听makes traveling that much more affordable. It also helps when I end the day looking at my wallet to see if I can still get that cup of coffee the next morning before class.

Here are our top discounts in Boston.

Getting to听Boston

amtrak downeaster at the 91制片厂 Durham station and Dairy Bar

Getting there is half the fun! Living on campus gives students access to the Amtrak Downeaster, the local commuter train that goes from Boston to Portland daily. Tickets run about $36听鈥 $40听round trip (saver and听value听prices). However, if you have听your student ID,听 when you book your travel at least three听days in advance. Two other alternatives include the and the . With the student advantage card,听you鈥檒l receive 15 percent听off听Amtrak tickets as well as a variety of other discounts at 20,000 locations nationwide. The College 6Tix Pass allows one traveller to pay $86 for six听one-way tickets that must be used within the year (365 days).

wooden and metal box on display at the MFA

MFA (Museum of Free Arts?)

Want to spend less money? , you can spend the day at the Boston discovering Asia, Europe and听the Americas through historical artifacts and contemporary art. This awesome discount, thanks to the , also offers an additional 10 percent听off听purchases at the gift store as well. Going with a friend? If their school is not part of the program then they can still use their college ID to get two听dollars off听their ticket. (91制片厂: free, other college/university:听$23/person)

Isabella Stewart听Gardner Museum

Isabella Steward Gardner Museum courtyard

Only , visiting the brings you one of the best kept secrets of Boston, its historical wonders. Featuring paintings amidst听horticultural art, 鈥渢he science and art of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers听or ornamental plants,鈥 you are transported to an old world. Inside the courtyard are orchids, nasturtium and chrysanthemums, all which bloom during different times of the year, changing the color of the garden.

Skywalk!

Looking for some听#instaunh听photos of you showing off your Wildcat pride? Go to the outside听the Hynes Convention Center and receive a four dollar听discount on admission with your ID, originally 19 dollars听per person. Being 50听stories above Boston鈥檚 streets gives you amazing views as far as the eye can see. Some locations visible from the observation deck include Logan International Airport, Fenway Park, the Charles River Basin and听the Citgo Sign, as well as schools like Northeastern, BU and MIT. (any college ID:听$13/person)

view of Boston from the Prudential Center Skywalk Observatory