The rigor of campus life often keeps students restricted within the tight confines of the Brandeis bubble; our classes, club meetings and constant studying do little to encourage us to pursue freedom outside of our academic commitments. But beyond the lecture halls, a whole world of experiences is waiting just outside the University’s borders. Whether you’re looking for a student-friendly movie theater, great restaurants, a comic book store or even an ice rink, Waltham and its surrounding areas have plenty to offer. Exploring off campus isn’t just a break from academics — it’s an opportunity for students to connect with the local community, discover new favorite spots and create college memories beyond the classroom. To help you get started, this editorial board has compiled a guide to our favorite places to go, showcasing the best that Waltham has to offer.

The Embassy Theater has had quite the eventful few years: it shut down in September 2022, reopened in October 2023 and was purchased by Boston Rhythmic, a gymnastics school, in March of 2023, who renovated four of the six theaters into performing arts studios. The theater once again reopened in February 2024. Located just off of Moody Street, the theater is a real gem. Back in 2023, Brandeis Student Union partnered with the theater to offer students discounted tickets for $10 or a $20 ticket, including a small popcorn and a choice of candy. One member of the board recently went on a Saturday night, paid $10 for a ticket to “A Complete Unknown” and had the whole theater to themselves. For reference, a ticket to the same movie at a local AMC Theater will run you close to $20. Feeling spontaneous on a weeknight? Check out their $7 Tuesday  tickets.   

Looking for a sweet treat? From hard ice cream, sundaes, smoothies and frappes, Lizzy’s Homemade Ice Cream Parlor on Moody Street has an abundance of tempting desserts to choose from! The ice cream parlor boasts over 50 homemade flavors of hard ice cream including unique options such as White Pistachio, Mocha Chocolate Lace and Charles River Crunch. For those who are less adventurous, Lizzy’s also has traditional homemade flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, banana, chocolate chip and coffee. Alongside these plentiful ice cream options, Lizzy’s has yogurt and sherbet. This editorial board suggests you give Colombian Fudge Avalanche — coffee ice cream with fudge and walnuts — a try!

For those looking for dairy-free, sugar-free or vegan alternatives, Lizzy’s also has you covered. The parlor’s dairy-free sorbet comes in Mango, Lemon and Raspberry, and its sugar-free ice cream is available in Chocolate and Vanilla. For its vegan ice cream, Lizzy’s uses a coconut cream base to create flavors such as Dark Chocolate, Vanilla, Mint Chip and Oreo. To top off any of these delectable options, the ice cream parlor has an endless selection of toppings, dry and wet. Regardless of your preferences, this ice cream parlor has something for everyone! As the weather slowly grows warmer, there is no better way to welcome the spring than having something sweet to eat!

As students, everyone can relate to days when they’ve been bored, stuck with nothing to do. Moody Street certainly has plenty of places to eat, but that’s not the only thing it has to offer. Game Underground is a small — but reputable — arcade right beside the Brandeis shuttle stop, packed with a mix of classic and niche games. It also boasts a dance machine and table hockey, for a notably cheap price of 80 game credits for $10. If you’re looking to do something fun that doesn’t involve spending too much money or sitting through another movie night in your dorm, Game Underground is worth checking out. 

Good Indian food can certainly be difficult to find, but tucked away in the heart of Waltham, Little India Restaurant is a must-visit spot for anyone craving rich, flavorful Indian cuisine. With a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a menu that showcases the depth and variety of traditional north Indian cooking, it’s easy to imagine why this restaurant is a favorite amongst “Walthamites” and Brandeis students alike. A staple of Moody Street since 1988, Little India has consistently delivered on authenticity, with dishes that are bold, aromatic and always deeply satisfying — while remaining affordable for a student budget. A single takeout order can easily be stretched for two or three additional meals, making it a go-to for Brandeis students looking for quality food at a great value. 

Beyond the food, what sets Little India apart even further is its warm hospitality; the staff is attentive and eager to make recommendations, ensuring that both seasoned diners and those new to Indian cuisine feel comfortable and at home. Even takeout orders come thoughtfully packaged, sometimes with handwritten notes on select Hindu holidays — a small but meaningful touch that speaks to the care behind every meal. Whether you’re dining in or grabbing takeout, the experience is consistently excellent, making Little India a spot well-worth the visit.

Looking for a cozy Italian restaurant, within walking distance of campus? Look no further than Pizzeria Enzina on Main Street! Enzina’s Waltham location established in 1979, is a family owned and operated restaurant run by the Maione family. Many of the dishes are “Italian dishes derived from culinary traditions fostered in Naples, Italy.” The restaurant also offers a wide variety of meals for those with special dietary needs. Enzina’s offers two separate gluten free and vegan menus, both of which are unparalleled in Waltham. Enzina’s has always been welcoming to university students in Waltham, especially Brandeis students. If you have not tried Enzina’s, you are definitely missing out! 

As we approach spring and the weather begins to become a bit warmer, this is a perfect opportunity to spend more time outdoors in Waltham. The River Walk is a lovely path that starts on the north side of Moody Street. If you’ve finished eating at Little India or you’ve picked up an ice cream cone from Lizzy’s, but you’re not ready to head back to campus you can walk this path for about a mile. This route overlooks the Charles River, which gives you an opportunity to catch a glimpse of one of the oldest dams on the Charles. Additionally, along the way there are plenty of places to sit and relax, there you could journal, read or catch up with friends!

While Gosman Sports and Convocation Center is a great place for students to get in a workout, adding some variety to physical activity is good for both the body and soul. Less than ten minutes from campus, the Veterans Memorial Skating Rink is a great place for anyone looking to step on the ice. The rink has two hours of public skating a day, six days a week. If you are looking for a quieter day, the weekday morning hours are perfect for you. Otherwise, the weekend afternoon and night hours are a lot of fun, especially with friends. The arena offers both skate sharpening and skate rentals, though they are limited, and it is cash only. It may be a good idea to bring your own skates if trying to go during the busier days. There is ample parking outside of the building, and snacks are available inside. Be sure to bundle up if you are planning on observing; it can get very cold in the bleachers! If you are looking for a way to cool down as the weather warms up, you should add a trip to the ice arena to your Google Calendar! 

We normally only get to read about history, but antiquing offers a chance to hold history in our hands. Downstairs at Felton Antiques has a wide selection of jewelry, furniture, pottery, art, glassware and even vintage lab equipment and medical collectibles. By browsing their collection, you can glimpse into how people lived in the past and discover hidden stories. Buying antiques is also an excellent way to admire and preserve objects of skilled craftsmanship. If modern aesthetics don’t appeal to you, Downstairs at Felton Antiques is a great place to cultivate your own personal style and taste: spruce up your dorm room with vintage china or your bookshelves with old mystery books. Today when products seem built to last only for the short-term, antiques are usually made of durable materials and provide a more sustainable alternative. Every corner promises new trinkets to bring home, so instead of poring over Google Scholar to find that perfect source for your essay or staying hunched over a microscope, put those observation skills to use in treasure hunting at your local antique store.