Boston College is a private Jesuit, Catholic research university whose main Chestnut Hill campus straddles the Boston (Brighton) and Newton line, about six miles west of downtown Boston. Set on roughly 175 hilltop acres overlooking the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, the campus is celebrated for its Collegiate Gothic architecture, with landmark towers like Gasson Hall and Bapst Library that give it one of the most picturesque college settings in New England.
For visitors, the campus is a pleasant place to stroll, with its quads, the Gothic skyline and the McMullen Museum of Art, which offers free admission. Boston College is also an NCAA Division I school whose Eagles compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and Alumni Stadium and Conte Forum draw fans on game days. The Green Line’s B branch runs straight out Commonwealth Avenue to its Boston College terminus at the campus gate, making it a simple car-free trip from the city center.
Good to know
- Private Jesuit research university known for its Collegiate Gothic campus and hilltop setting
- Green Line B branch ends at the campus gate, making it an easy car-free visit
- The on-campus McMullen Museum of Art offers free admission (check its hours)
- NCAA Division I Eagles play in the ACC; campus grounds are open for self-guided walks
Getting there
- Address: 140 Commonwealth Ave, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
- Neighborhood: Brighton / Chestnut Hill
- Nearest T: Boston College (MBTA Green Line B branch terminus), at the campus gate on Commonwealth Avenue