End-of-summer Boston bucket list

Boston Swan Boats
Swan Boats are a relaxing weekend activity and a great spot to take friends and family visiting from out of town. (Photo from Wikimedia)

Soon your schedule will be packed with the return of fall activities as the new semester starts next month. Before the influx of activity hits, cherish these last few weeks of August by taking advantage of warm weather and long summer days. Here are 10 bucket-list items to cross off your to-do list before the start of the new semester.

Discover Boston’s public art

Explore public art exhibitions beyond what you see on Northeastern’s campus at the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Stroll along the mile and a half stretch of public green space and take in art installations including murals, sculptures and photography exhibitions.

Visit the Lawn on D

When asked about his favorite weekend plans in this summer@Northeastern video, one student cited the Lawn on D in South Boston as the perfect lounging spot. The Lawn on D offers music, food trucks, outdoor games, and light-up swings to keep you entertained all day.

Explore Castle Island

Visitors can walk or run the trails of Castle Island and visit Fort Independence, a National Historic Landmark. If you get hungry, stop at Sullivan’s Castle Island for seafood and other eats.

Lounge at a rooftop pool

The rooftop pool perched on top of the Colonnade Hotel is open to the public most evenings for swimming and unbeatable views of Boston’s Back Bay. Be sure to check the schedule before you go.

Take a beach trip

Squeeze in one last beach day before the fall weather sets in. The good news is you don’t even need a car. Head north to Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea on the Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail line from North Station and walk down Beach Street. South of Boston, the Red Line is your ticket to both Carson Beach (JFK/UMass stop) and Wollaston Beach in Quincy (Wollaston stop).

Nature walk at Arnold Arboretum

Escape the heat of the city and reconnect with nature at the lush Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain. Take the Orange Line to the Forest Hills stop to discover 281 acres of land that is free and open to the public daily.

Attend Saint Anthony’s Feast in the North End

The 96th annual Saint Anthony’s Feast will flood the streets of the North End this Aug. 28-30, where visitors can enjoy food and live entertainment.

Saint Anthony’s Feast is just one of the many festivities taking place in the North End this summer. Check out this complete list of the summer feasts and processions.

Catch a concert at the ICA

Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art boasts an impressive summer events calendar that includes waterfront concerts, DJ nights, and live cooking demonstrations. The ICA is a short walk from the Silver Line’s World Trade Center and Courthouse Station stops.

Ride the Swan Boats at the Boston Public Garden

Be a tourist for the day and ride the iconic Swan Boats at the Public Garden. Just a short walk from campus, the Swan Boats are a relaxing weekend activity and a great spot to take friends and family visiting from out of town.

Dine outdoors

Warm summer evenings are at a premium here in Boston, so capitalize on the opportunity to dine al fresco before the fall chill enters the air. Here’s a list of some Boston outdoor dining options in neighborhoods around the city. Some top spots near campus include Eastern Standard near Fenway and Parish Café on Boylston Street.