Best Not-So-Cliche Ways To Celebrate Graduation Around Boston
5 Wits Patriot Place
202 Patriot Place
Foxborough, MA 02035
(508) 698-1602
www.5-wits.com
Kick back and immerse yourself in fun at 5 Wits. Delve into the life of espionage and crack safes, defuse bombs, dodge lasers and save the world. With fantastic special effects, you will feel as though you have stepped into an alternate reality. For one hour, you and other agents will solve challenges, and how you solve the puzzle changes the ending. Not into espionage? Check out 20,000 Leagues where you discover a lost submarine, meet sea creatures head on and complete experiments. Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. But fear not, you will not have to do anything you are not physically able to. This is not a physically challenging activity and guides are present for help at any time. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended and shows run seven days a week, multiple times per day.
Blue Hill Helicopters
125 Access Road
Norwell, MA 02062
(781) 688-0263
www.helicoptertourboston.com
Since graduating can make you feel like you are on top of the world, what better way to celebrate than flying above the world via a helicopter ride? Experience the Boston area above the clouds and look down on the city, Cape Cod, Charles River or Duxbury beach. With four tours to choose from, including a tour you design yourself, your graduation is sure to be memorable. Take it a up a notch and get behind the controls yourself. Fly the helicopter with an experienced instructor and revel in takeoffs, hovering, going sideways or rearward and landings. Plan ahead to book your tour.
Battleship Cove
5 Water St.
Fall River, MA 02721
(508) 678-1100
www.battleshipcove.org
Graduating tends to bring out the reminiscing of years gone by and in the spirit of looking back, so take a step back in time with the history of Battleship Cove. Battleship Cove holds the largest fleet of preserved U.S. naval ships in the world. Whether you make it a day trip or an overnight visit, put yourself into the history of some of the most magnificent ships. The ships have remained, though maybe restored, decked out in the period of time in which they were built. The overnight option includes sleeping in the bunks the sailors slept in, eating dinner and breakfast in the mess hall where the sailors did, speaking with veterans, learning how the sailors lived and worked, as well as exploring the entire fleet. Battleship Cove is open 362 days a year. Reservations are required for groups.
Related: Boston's Best Offbeat Places To Take Visiting Family Members
Helmand Restaurant
143 First St.
Cambridge, MA 02142
(617) 492-4646
www.helmandrestaurant.com
After all your hard work of getting to graduation, sit back and relax with your family at a cozy restaurant. Helmand Restaurant is an award-winning Afghani restaurant that looks more like a family dining room than your traditional restaurant. Less than an hour away from downtown Boston, it's the perfect place to gather the family for dinner. A fireplace and wood-burning oven lend to the hominess and comfortable feel of the restaurant. Enjoy appetizers such pan-fried eggplant, lamb and vegetable soup or leeks and scallions ravioli. Sit down to a dinner of lamb cooked multiple ways, sauteed spinach with beef, chicken or trout or a variety of vegetarian dishes. Top it all off with delicious desserts such as homemade cream caramel, rice pudding, homemade ice cream or a pastry with nuts and caramel.
Purefections
102 Franklin St.
Quincy, MA 02169
(617) 328-6248
www.purefectionschocolate.com
Graduating is often bittersweet: happy to have accomplished something so challenging, yet sad to see the end of an era. So, celebrate your major accomplishment with one of the sweetest dessert places around Boston. Purefections specializes in fine chocolate candy that has been featured on national food shows and Phantom Gourmet. Indulge in one of the most popular chocolate sweets made with caramel, peanut and potato, or a spicy treat made from semi-sweet chocolate and habanero sea salt. Enjoy other candies such as peanut butter cups, caramel cups, brownie pops and coconut cups. Give yourself a sweet graduation gift and put together a custom-made box of chocolates with your own selection from the store.
Nicole Adams resides on the South Shore of Massachusetts. She is a freelance writer specializing in animal welfare. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
