Cultural Guide

We’ve been querying all the folks we know—nearly 35,000 students and more than 10,000 faculty and staff—for local recommendations in an effort to share Boston’s cultural and community resources with current and prospective Terriers. The result is a robust, searchable online resource we’re calling The Curated, Crowdsourced, Cultural Guide to Boston. Consider it an exchange of ideas among friends.

Scroll down for a taste of what we’ve compiled so far. Or filter if you’re seeking something specific. And if you have suggestions of your own, we’d love to hear them!

Disclaimer: The content on this page represents an effort by Boston University to provide information that may be interesting or useful to members of the community. Boston University does not endorse any organization, product, or service described on this page. Any opinions, advice, recommendations, or other information are those of the author and not of Boston University.

  • Informal
    "Buy Nothing" Facebook groups
    Family-Friendly
    3 reviews
    Other
    This is a series of neighborhood Facebook groups (e.g., Buy Nothing Brighton) where people lend,...
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  • Yoga & Pilates
    4 Corners Yoga & Wellness
    African American African Diaspora: African Islanders Asian Black and Brown People Cape Verdean Disability/Access Family-Friendly Indigenous/Native American Latinx LGBQIA+ Friendly Middle Eastern/North African Non-Binary Trans Friendly Women
    1 reviews
    Dorchester
    A vibrant wellness center in Dorchester! Co-founder is a BU alum & a woman of...
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  • Activism
    Activism
    African American African Diaspora: African Islanders Asian Asian American Black and Brown People Cape Verdean Family-Friendly Indigenous/Native American Latinx LGBQIA+ Friendly Middle Eastern/North African Non-Binary Trans Friendly Women
    1 reviews
    Jamaica Plain
    A cooperative business|arts + investment ecosystem, built by + for Boston’s working-class BIPOC...
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  • Arts Organization
    African American Master Artists in Residency Program (AAMARP)
    African American African Diaspora: African Islanders Black and Brown People Cape Verdean Disability/Access Family-Friendly Indigenous/Native American Latinx Non-Binary Trans Friendly
    1 reviews
    Jamaica Plain
    AAMARP at Northeastern University provides two floors of studio space for Jamaica Plain artists....
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  • Cultural Organization
    Alianza Latina
    African American African Diaspora: African Islanders Black and Brown People Cape Verdean Family-Friendly Latinx LGBQIA+ Friendly Middle Eastern/North African Non-Binary Trans Friendly Women
    1 reviews
    Alianza Latina is BU's biggest Latinx org. They meet once a week to chat, gather, and hang out with...
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  • Counselors
    Anna C. Stern, LICSW
    Family-Friendly LGBQIA+ Friendly Trans Friendly
    1 reviews
    Somerville
    Adolescent and adult therapist...
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  • Activism
    Anti-Racism Collaborative
    African American Family-Friendly Latinx LGBQIA+ Friendly Non-Binary Trans Friendly Women
    1 reviews
    Back Bay
    A group of individuals providing trainings and classes around antiracist practices....
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  • Houses of Worship
    Arabic Baptist Church of Boston
    Christianity Disability/Access Family-Friendly LGBQIA+ Friendly Middle Eastern/North African Non-Binary Trans Friendly Women
    1 reviews
    Newton
    Multigenerational and multinational people who gather together to worship their...
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  • Houses of Worship
    Arabic Church - Boston
    Christianity Disability/Access Family-Friendly LGBQIA+ Friendly Middle Eastern/North African Non-Binary Trans Friendly Women
    1 reviews
    West Roxbury
    Multigenerational and multinational people who gather together to worship their Saviour....
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  • Houses of Worship
    Arlington Street Church
    African American Asian Asian American Black and Brown People Cape Verdean Disability/Access Family-Friendly Indigenous/Native American Latinx LGBQIA+ Friendly Middle Eastern/North African Non-Binary Trans Friendly Unitarian Women
    1 reviews
    Back Bay
    Very open and welcoming Unitarian Universalist Church...
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  • Parks
    Arnold Arboretum
    Family-Friendly African American African Diaspora: African Islanders Asian B'ahai Black and Brown People Buddhism Caodaism Cape Verdean Christianity Disability/Access Falun Gong Hinduism Indigenous/Native American Islam Judaism Korean Shamanism Latinx LGBQIA+ Friendly Middle Eastern/North African Shinto Sikhism Taoism Trans Friendly Women Deaf Non-Binary Vegan
    3 reviews
    Jamaica Plain
    Large park space with trails and green space. Great for walks and hikes....
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  • Restaurants
    Ashur Restaurant
    African American African Diaspora: African Islanders Black and Brown People Islam Middle Eastern/North African
    1 reviews
    Roxbury
    Casual North African and Middle Eastern spot located by the Roxbury Crossing T Station...
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  • Cultural Organization
    Asian American Civic Association
    African American African Diaspora: African Islanders Asian Asian American Black and Brown People Cape Verdean Deaf Disability/Access Family-Friendly Indigenous/Native American Latinx LGBQIA+ Friendly Middle Eastern/North African Non-Binary Race/Ethnicity Trans Friendly Women
    1 reviews
    Chinatown
    Nonprofit focused on ESL, affordable housing, citizenship, skills training....
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  • Civic Organization
    BAGLY
    LGBQIA+ Friendly Non-Binary Trans Friendly
    1 reviews
    Beacon Hill
    A youth-led, adult-supported organization for LGBTQ+ people aged 18-22....
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  • Online Resource
    Bahá'í Communities in Massachusetts
    B'ahai
    1 reviews
    Other
    Website used to find Bahá'í communities in Massachusetts...
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  • Restaurants
    Barry's Village Deli
    Judaism
    1 reviews
    Newton
    A very tasty Jewish deli in Waban....
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  • Facilities
    BayState Archers
    Disability/Access Family-Friendly LGBQIA+ Friendly Trans Friendly Women
    1 reviews
    Other
    Archery (primarily recurve, but also compound): target shooting, range time &...
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  • Restaurants
    Bella Luna and the Milky Way
    African American African Diaspora: African Islanders Asian Asian American Black and Brown People Cape Verdean Indigenous/Native American Latinx LGBQIA+ Friendly Middle Eastern/North African Non-Binary Trans Friendly Women
    1 reviews
    Jamaica Plain
    A restaurant that doubles as a nightlife spot with a dance floor....
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Add your rec!

Suggest any local resource you think would be helpful to a newcomer to Boston—a hair shop, church, cultural institution, civic organization, anything that adds value to the city’s cultural experience. Submit as many as you’d like!

Note: only BU Community Members with Kerberos credentials will be able to add recommendations to this guide.