Tailgate on the Heights, scream-sing “Mr. Brightside,” and take on one of Boston’s most infamous food challenges.
A Saturday at Alumni Stadium in leafy Chestnut Hill is the perfect excuse to spend a weekend exploring Boston, scream-sing “Mr. Brightside” at the game, and maybe even take on a food challenge of your own. Follow this itinerary for the ultimate football weekend.
The itinerary
Friday
Afternoon
Check into your hotel or rental, then take a stroll around Boston College’s campus. It’s full of greenery and stone Gothic buildings, the quintessential college campus. Wander on your own, or download BC’s self-guided audio tour.
Evening
For dinner, grab a rideshare to The Charles River Speedway, a lively market with plenty of local eateries all centered around an open-air courtyard, making it the perfect option for a big group where everyone’s craving something different. Hours vary by vendor, so check before you go.
Want something closer and quicker? El Pelón Taquería sits right across from campus. It’s a BC institution, and those in the know add fried plantains to the chicken burrito for a tasty and affordable dinner.
To keep the party going, head to Cityside Tavern in Cleveland Circle, an old-school bar that’s a favorite with students.
Saturday
Morning
Depending on how you’re feeling after last night, start with a run or walk around the scenic Chestnut Hill Reservoir. Then reward yourself with breakfast at In House Café, or ride over to The Friendly Toast at The Shops at Chestnut Hill for all-day brunch.
Afternoon
For Saturday games, BC’s lots open four hours before kickoff, and tailgating is allowed from then until the game starts. Tailgating is not allowed during the game. On-campus football parking is reserved for season-ticket holders who donate to the Flynn Fund, so visiting fans need an invitation. Skip the car, though, because Alumni Stadium is easy to reach on the T’s Green Line B branch, and the Boston College stop is about a four-minute walk away.
Boston’s Green Line is a trolley that runs above and below ground. Trains are short, often with only two or three carriages, and they get crowded and slow on game days, so leave plenty of time to make kickoff. You don’t need to worry about buying an MBTA pass in advance, because you can tap a contactless credit card or phone at the gates and on the trolley.
Pregame
- FanFest starts four hours before kickoff outside the Margot Connell Recreation Center, with music, games, and the marching band.
- Roughly two hours before kickoff, the team and the Screaming Eagles Marching Band walk across campus while fans line up to cheer. The Eagle Walk route has changed over the years, so check BC’s current schedule.
During the game
Alumni Stadium holds about 44,500 and is compact and loud. The student section is for students, so plan on watching from the stands. Listen for “For Boston,” BC’s fight song, and stick around after a win to hear the crowd rock out to “Mr. Brightside.” Study up on BC’s fan cheers guide before you go, so you’re ready to add your voice to the chants.
Post-game
The B branch will be packed. Linger by the stadium or walk the campus while the crowd thins. Or head to The Circle Tavern for a post-game bite and a drink.
Sunday
Try to soak up last night’s debauchery at Eagle’s Deli, and if you want to live dangerously, take on their famous food challenge. The Eagle’s Challenge Gigantic Burger costs $80 and comes with twelve half-pound patties (six pounds of beef), 24 slices each of bacon and cheese, five pounds of fries, a drink, and a pickle. Finish it within an hour and you get your money back, a $100 gift card, a T-shirt, and a spot on the deli’s wall of fame. It’s been a menu staple since the Travel Channel’s Man v. Food featured it. Check Sunday hours before you go.
Then explore the rest of Boston:
- Car fans can head to the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline. It’s home to “America’s Oldest Car Collection,” and it hosts lawn car shows nearly every weekend from May to October
- Ride the Green Line to Fenway and tour the ballpark
- Get some culture at the Museum of Fine Arts or the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- Shop Newbury Street
- Ride a Bluebikes bike or walk along the Charles River Esplanade.
- Head to the North End, Boston’s Italian neighborhood, and gain an opinion on Mike’s vs. Modern cannoli rivalry
- Walk the Freedom Trail, a brick-lined route through the city’s most historic spots
- Take a Duck Boat tour
Boston College traditions
If you want to feel like an Eagle by Saturday night, learn these.
- The Eagle Walk. Players parade across campus with the Screaming Eagles Marching Band to the stadium, while fans line the route.
- The Peptacular. About an hour before kickoff, the band holds a pep rally on the Conte Forum Gate C steps.
- Score count. After every touchdown, the band plays “For Boston” and the student section counts the score aloud, then repeats it at double speed and ends with a shout of “We want more!” Cheerleaders do push-ups for every point.
- Student toss. During the count, students traditionally toss a fellow student into the air.
- First downs. After each first down, the band plays a snippet of the fight song, and students yell “Eagles! First down!” with the arm motion.
- The gold-out. The student section, the “Superfans,” shows up almost entirely in gold shirts.
- “For Boston.” BC’s fight song dates to 1885 and is billed as the oldest college fight song in the country. The lyrics were updated in the 1980s for coeducation, and fans often hear the Dropkick Murphys’ cover.
- “Mr. Brightside.” The singalong is the newest tradition, but arguably the loudest.
Getting there and getting in
Tickets
Buy directly through BC Athletics, or check resale sites like Ticketmaster or SeatGeek for deals. Notre Dame, homecoming, and other marquee games climb in price or sell out, so book early.
Getting to the stadium
You can take the Green Line to a number of different stops, based on how far you want to walk and your tolerance for crowds:
- Green Line B to Boston College: about 4 minutes on foot, and the closest option on game day.
- Green Line D to Chestnut Hill: ~8 minute walk.
- Green Line D to Reservoir: ~15 minute walk.
- Green Line C to Cleveland Circle: ~15 minute walk.
- Rideshare: drop-off and pickup is at Champion Gate on Beacon Street. Expect surge pricing and congestion after the game, so walk several blocks away before calling a car.
- Driving: everyone but Flynn Fund members should buy a single-game pass in advance. Options include Waul House (about 5 minutes away) and satellite lots with free shuttles that start three hours before kickoff. Street parking in the surrounding neighborhoods is prohibited, and cars get towed.
Bags
BC recommends not bringing one at all, and Student Gold Pass holders can’t bring any bags. Everyone else is limited to one of these:
- a clear bag no larger than 12″×12″×6″
- a one-gallon clear zip bag no larger than 11″×11″
- a small clutch, wristlet, or wallet no larger than 8″×5″×2″
Accessibility
Some older T stations have limited step-free access, so check the MBTA’s accessibility information. Request accessible seating when you buy tickets. BC also runs a free accessible shuttle from its satellite lot to Gate A for guests with accessible parking placards.
Where to stay
Neighborhoods
Cleveland Circle / Brighton: for the full game-weekend vibe. This is where Cityside Tavern, Eagle’s Deli, and the student bars live, and it’s a roughly 15-minute walk or a quick C-branch ride from the stadium. It’s lively, so expect noise on weekend nights.
Washington Square (Brighton/Brookline border): for foodies. It’s a quieter, tree-lined spot with good restaurants and access to three T lines. It’s also close enough to BC to get you there without a car.
Chestnut Hill / Newton: for families and bigger groups. The houses are larger, the streets are quieter, and the Shops at Chestnut Hill (home to The Friendly Toast) are close. The D-branch Chestnut Hill stop is about an 8-minute walk from the stadium, which makes game day simple.
Brookline (Coolidge Corner): for the sightseeing crowd. You get walkable restaurants and shops, the Green Line into the city, and the Larz Anderson Auto Museum nearby. The tradeoff is a longer trip to the stadium on game day.
Fenway / Kenmore: for the city weekend. Stay here if Sunday sightseeing matters more than Saturday tailgating. The Green Line gets you to BC without a car.
Hotels
Booking tip: Home game weekends overlap with parents’ weekends, conferences, and foliage season. Book as soon as the schedule is released, and be prepared for your hotel to take up a significant chunk of your budget.
Our top picks:
- AC Hotel Boston Cleveland Circle puts you near campus and Cleveland Circle’s student bars and restaurants.
- The Verb is a funky, music-themed hotel a couple of minutes’ walk from Fenway Park. Book one of their Airstream trailers for an unforgettable urban glamping experience.
- Hotel Commonwealth is the splurge, and rooms in its newer wing have terraces facing the ballpark.
Vacation rentals
If you’re traveling with a crew, a whole house usually beats three hotel rooms, especially when there’s a Saturday tailgate to plan. However, be aware that the city of Newton has a law restricting vacation rentals to a maximum of three bedrooms and nine guests at a time, so you may see larger houses advertised as a three bedroom even if they have more space.
Here are our top BC vacation rental picks:
Boston’s best bites
New England clam chowder: Union Oyster House. Open since 1826 and often called America’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, it serves a classic creamy, thick chowder in a historic setting near Faneuil Hall.
Lobster rolls: Neptune Oyster. Choose between a hot buttered roll and a cold one with mayo. It’s tiny and popular, so go early or expect a wait. In warmer weather, try James Hook & Co. on the waterfront.
Fried clams: Row 34. It’s a modern New England seafood spot that does a well-regarded fried clam plate.
North End cannoli: Mike’s Pastry and Modern Pastry have a long-standing rivalry, but locals know the best is found at Bova’s (which is also open to 24 hours a day, and a great spot for late night munchies.) Bring cash.
Boston cream pie: Omni Parker House. Order the classic where it was invented in 1856.
Tip: Many of the popular North End spots, including Neptune Oyster and Giacomo’s, don’t take reservations, so arriving right at opening is your best bet.
What to pack
Football-season weather in Boston is unpredictable, so bring:
- Layers, a warm hat and gloves, and a rain/windproof jacket
- Waterproof shoes
- A clear bag and a portable phone charger
- A credit card for concessions, since BC’s stadium stands are card-only (cash can be converted to a prepaid card at kiosks inside)
- A poncho instead of an umbrella, since BC has barred umbrellas inside the stadium on rainy game days
Rookie moves
- Underestimating game-day T travel time. On busy game days, B Line streetcars get extremely backed up due to street-level traffic, and taking the D Line to Chestnut Hill is often faster.
- Driving to the game
- Not dressing in layers
- Booking Saturday dinner before kickoff time is announced
- Assuming you can walk into any tailgate lot
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