5 FREE study spots in Downtown Boston
Studying in the same room where you sleep, text, and hang out with friends can be harmful to both your sleep and study schedule. But sometimes, it can be hard to find an inspiring study spot beyond your dorm room or apartment. Many students and staff suggest heading to a coffee shop or the Boston Common to study. However, these options aren’t always feasible; College students on a budget don’t want to buy an overpriced latte every time they study off-campus. And for students with a limited data plan, studying outdoors isn’t ideal, either. Below are five free spots (with WiFi!) for Boston college students to cram for an exam, finish up an essay, or craft the perfect script. (And no, they’re not all libraries).
1. Boston Park Plaza
📍50 Park Plaza
The Boston Park Plaza is a Hilton hotel just a few minutes from Boston Common. The Plaza’s lobby, which was renovated in 2016, features high ceilings, elegant chandeliers, and cozy chairs to curl up in. You’ll have no problem scoring a comfy spot, but you may have a little trouble locating an outlet. The ambience is warm and sophisticated, converting your study session into a luxe mini-vacation. However, it can get loud and busy during check-in hours. Arrive before or after that peak time (3 PM) or grab a seat tucked into the back of the lobby.
Just past the central lobby, there is an adjoining Starbucks, open until 9 PM. You can connect to their free WiFi from anywhere in the Plaza lobby. And, it’s a great place to grab a snack if you get hungry mid-study sesh. Just keep in mind, Boston Park Plaza is a hotel, and you are not a paying guest. Always be mindful of guests and employees!
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2. State Library of Massachusetts
📍24 Beacon Street
Photo courtesy of Mass.gov.
If you prefer studying in silence, the State Library of Massachusetts is the perfect spot. Located on the third floor of the Massachusetts State House, the State Library is a hidden gem. It offers tall windows, ornate wall decor, and a very historic feel. The ambience can best be described as peaceful and academic, making it ideal for research papers, solo writing, and actually getting work done. WiFi, outlets, and desks are always available, but if you get hungry quickly, you may not want to stay for long. No food or drink is allowed inside.
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3. Capital One Café
📍711 Boylston St
Unlike most coffee shops, the Capital One Café does not require a purchase to study or hang out there. As stated on their website, “Everyone is welcome to visit, work, study or simply enjoy the wide variety of food and beverage options.” There are three main locations in Boston: Seaport, Ink Block, and Back Bay. The Back Bay spot (711 Boylston St) is the biggest and stays open the latest. The café provides two floors of seating as well as meeting rooms that can be booked in advance. The design is bright and dynamic, perfect for getting those creative juices flowing. The Back Bay location can get very crowded. However, a few cushioned seats line the stairs and are usually available.
Capital One Café is also generous with its discounts and deals. For Capital One cardholders, drinks are always fifty percent off, and in the past, Capital One has offered free handcrafted drinks to any customer on Mondays during MLB regular reason.
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4. Boston Public Library - Central Library
📍700 Boylston St
Photo courtesy of Joshua Truesdale.
Tucked just behind Newbury Street, the Boston Public Library is a classic study spot, and for good reason. Perhaps most well-known for Bates Hall, the warm, Hogwarts-like study room, there are plenty of other places to study when Bates Hall is packed to the gills. There are two reservable meeting rooms, an outdoor pavilion (fitted with a Roman-style fountain), and the McKim building.
The McKim, which is the newer of the two buildings on the property, boasts three floors of workspaces. On the main floor, you can take a seat after accessing online databases, checking out books, or buying a coffee. The second floor is furnished with dozens of desks and outlets. And located on the lowest level is the Kirstein Business Library and Innovation Center, which has two rooms of study spaces. However, keep in mind that the outlets in the Business Library are awkwardly positioned on the carpet.
Hours: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Open 9 AM to 8 PM Monday through Thursday; 9 AM to 5 PM Friday and Saturday; 11 AM to 5 PM on Sunday).
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5. Christian Science Reading Room
📍194 Massachusetts Avenue
While a bit farther from Downtown, the Christian Science Reading Room is perhaps the most peaceful study spot on this list. Rarely occupied and always clean, the Reading Room is a small library with fun chairs and cozy nooks to focus on your work. The Reading Room is just a two-minute walk from the Christian Science Plaza, a 670-foot reflecting pool lined by buildings dating back to 1874. The Plaza is a great place to study on sunny days, or to take a break from your work and breathe in the outdoors.
Because of its size, the Reading Room itself has limited outlets, so this spot is best for shorter study sessions or catching up on class readings.
Hours: ⭐⭐⭐ (Open 11 AM to 6 PM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday; 11 AM to 7 PM on Wednesday; 11 AM to 5 PM on Saturday; 11:30 AM to 4 PM on Sunday).
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Bonus: Caffè Nero
📍560 Washington St
While Caffè Nero technically requires customers to buy something to use their study spaces, they offer four free handcrafted drinks (one per week) to anyone who creates a free Rewards account in their app. Additionally, you can get two free drinks every time you refer a friend. Boston is littered with Caffè Neros, from Newbury St. (pictured above), to Downtown Crossing and Seaport. Most locations are open until 8 or 9 PM, and all locations come complete with cozy chairs, booths, sofas, and classic two-top tables. The Washington Street Caffè Nero even boasts a (non-working) fireplace, which adds a warm, autumnal vibe to the café. This rustic and cozy spot is great for curing writer’s block.
The only downsides are a lack of outlets in most locations, and seating can be pretty limited in both the Downton Crossing and Washington Street spots. However, if you score a spot, Caffè Nero is a 10/10 spot to lock in.
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