Boston College Campus Tour
Architecture, history & things to do near Boston College (BC)
Why Walk Boston College Campus
Boston College's main campus sits on 175 acres in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, with its iconic Collegiate Gothic buildings in Tuckahoe granite perched on a hilltop. Gasson Hall, completed in 1913 with a 200-foot tower, is the campus symbol and houses classrooms for the College of Arts and Sciences. Bapst Library, a 1928 Gothic gem, contains stained glass windows depicting the history of printing and Jesuit education. Burns Library, adjacent to Bapst, holds significant Irish collections and rare books. The McMullen Museum of Art hosts rotating exhibitions. Alumni Stadium and Conte Forum anchor the athletics campus. The campus was originally a farm estate purchased in 1907, and its elevated position offers views toward downtown Boston.
About Boston College
Founded
Founded in 1863 by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits); originally located in Boston's South End and relocated to its Chestnut Hill campus beginning in 1913.
Type
Private, Jesuit Catholic research university.
Setting
Suburban campus in Chestnut Hill, about 6 miles west of downtown Boston, straddling the Newton/Brighton line. Reachable on the MBTA Green Line "B" branch (Boston College terminus) and "D" branch (Chestnut Hill station).
Enrollment
About 15,000 students total, including roughly 9,500 undergraduates.
Mascot
Baldwin the Eagle; athletic teams are the Eagles, competing in the ACC. School colors are maroon and gold.
Free Boston College Campus Tour with Roamee Pro
Roamee Pro offers a free Boston College campus tour with audio narration. Explore Gasson Hall, Bapst Library, Burns Library, plus hidden spots like St. Mary's Hall garden and The Reservoir, at your own pace without booking a group tour.
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Must-See Spots at Boston College
- •Gasson Hall — the 1913 Collegiate Gothic centerpiece with a 200-foot tower, built in Tuckahoe granite, the symbol of Boston College
- •Bapst Library — a 1928 Gothic library with extraordinary stained glass windows, carved oak ceilings, and a reading room rivaling any in the Ivy League
- •Burns Library — home to significant Irish heritage collections, rare books, and the archives of Flannery O'Connor and other literary figures
- •The Dustbowl — the central green space in front of Gasson Hall where students gather, play frisbee, and enjoy hilltop views
Signature Architecture
- •Gasson Hall — The first building on the Chestnut Hill campus, completed in 1913, designed by Charles Donagh Maginnis in Collegiate Gothic style. Its central tower and rotunda, with the statue of the archangel Michael, are the university's visual signature.
- •Bapst Library (Bapst Art Library / Gargan Hall) — Collegiate Gothic library opened in 1928, also designed by Maginnis. Gargan Hall's reading room, with stained glass and a vaulted ceiling, is a popular study and photo spot.
- •St. Mary's Hall — Gothic-style building completed in 1917 that serves as the Jesuit residence; part of the original quadrangle plan around Gasson Hall.
- •Stokes Hall — Opened in 2013 for the university's 150th anniversary, housing humanities departments. A modern Collegiate Gothic building with North and South wings flanking a central archway.
Hidden Corners of Boston College
- •St. Mary's Hall garden — a contemplative garden behind St. Mary's Hall with benches and views over the reservoir, a quiet Jesuit retreat
- •The Reservoir — the adjacent Chestnut Hill Reservoir with a 1.5-mile path popular with runners and walkers, offering classic views of the Gothic skyline
Notable Alumni
- •John Kerry — U.S. Secretary of State and Senator (BC Law)
- •Doug Flutie — Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback (1984)
- •Chris O'Donnell — actor
- •Amy Poehler — comedian and actress
- •Tip O'Neill — Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
- •John Slattery — actor
Campus Traditions
- •'For Boston' fight song, sung at football and hockey games — among the oldest college fight songs in the U.S.
- •BC vs. Boston University 'Battle of Comm Ave' hockey rivalry, including the annual Beanpot tournament at TD Garden among BC, BU, Harvard, and Northeastern
- •First Flight / Welcome Week traditions for incoming students
- •Marathon Monday — students line the Boston Marathon route, which passes near campus around the 'Heartbreak Hill' area on Patriots' Day
Where to Eat Near Campus
- •Eagle's Nest and other dining halls in McElroy Commons
- •Cleveland Circle restaurants and pubs, a short walk or Green Line ride away
- •Newton Centre eateries near the D-line stop
- •White Mountain Creamery and other spots near Cleveland Circle / Chestnut Hill
- •Roggie's and other bars around Cleveland Circle popular with students
Did you know? In 1984, quarterback Doug Flutie threw a last-second 'Hail Mary' touchdown to beat defending national champion Miami; the play is widely credited with boosting BC's applications, an effect dubbed the 'Flutie Effect' still cited in higher-education enrollment discussions.
Visiting Boston College
Prospective students can book through the Office of Undergraduate Admission, which runs scheduled information sessions paired with student-led campus tours; register in advance via the BC admission website as spots fill. Self-guided walking is possible around the main Chestnut Hill campus. Visitor parking is limited — use the Commonwealth Avenue Garage (paid), or take the MBTA Green Line "B" branch to the Boston College terminus to avoid parking entirely.
Walking Tip
The campus is compact but hilly. Enter from Commonwealth Avenue, climb to Gasson Hall for the tower view, then explore Bapst Library. The Reservoir path is a short walk from the Middle Campus gate. The B Line trolley connects to downtown Boston.
Best Time to Visit
Fall for foliage against the Gothic granite. Spring for flowering trees on the hilltop. Football Saturdays bring tailgate culture to the Heights. The Bapst Library reading room is most atmospheric on gray New England days.
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