MassBay Community College students, new and returning, welcome to Wellesley. We’re glad to have you here.
While we know there’s plenty to do on campus, there’s lots to do just beyond its confines, too.
Shopping and services
The MassBay campus on Oakland Street is a solid 2 mile walk from Wellesley Square, Church Square and Linden Square, though a short drive if you have wheels. You’re just a mile from Lower Falls, which includes a variety of restaurants, including Asian, Italian, and pizza shops, and even closer to Wellesley Hills, which also features a bakery, coffee shop, and Asian restaurants. Barber shops and salons are never far from any point in Wellesley.
If you’re without your own vehicle, MassBay provides Uber access to the Riverside greenline station and Wellesley Farms commuter rail station.
The town of Wellesley has also bulked up its shuttle options.
Finding work
Many places are also looking for employees, so don’t be shy about asking if you don’t see a “Help Wanted” sign.
Speaking of jobs, there’s a ripe business for babysitting, pet sitting, and other such home services. Check out the What’s Up Wellesley Facebook group, for example, to find people looking for help or offering services.
Free or low cost fun
While Wellesley is an affluent town, there is free or low-cost fun to be had here, too. One good source of such activities can be our Events calendar. The town’s shopping centers sponsor outdoor music and various arts activities at different times of the year.
Then there’s the town’s off-road trails system, which includes nearly 30 miles of marked trails, and more unmarked ones, including some surrounding the college (be careful not to venture onto private property along Lake Waban—you used to be able to circle the lake on foot, but the family that owns property around half the body of water shut down access during the pandemic, and that’s been that to date…). The Wellesley Trails Committee leads hikes on trails each spring and fall.
If you tired of the MassBay campus scene, there’s Wellesley College and Babson College, which are within 2.5-to-1.5 miles away. Check their activities calendars.
If you’re into the arts, Wellesley Theatre Project offers high quality youth theatre products, as do the Wellesley Public School system and private schools, including Dana Hall School in Wellesley. Across the town line into Natick, there’s The Center for the Arts in Natick (TCAN) and renowned arts school Walnut Hill.
Town government & community groups
While getting involved in the town government might not be an obvious activity for area college students, there’s actually plenty of action in Wellesley, which is led by an executive director and Select Board, and uses the Town Meeting form of government for its legislature. Town Meeting happens each spring, and often in the fall, if you want to get a flavor for how the municipality runs. Town committees are always looking for help as well, and a student’s outlook can never be underestimated.
If you’ve really exhausted every show on Netflix, Prime, Hulu, Apple TV, etc., there’s always Wellesley Media for local happenings.
Looking for a volunteer opportunity beyond campus? Wellesley is home to many community and charitable groups that might welcome your help.
Worship
Wellesley has a wide selection of welcoming religious organizations.
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