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Listen up, students: to hit Coolidge Corner, you don’t need to take the T to Park Street, change to the C trolley, and head back toward campus. The bakeries, Jewish delis, sushi joints, temples, and cultural touchstones of the bustling Brookline crossroads are an easy walk from campus and an even shorter trolley ride up nearby Beacon Street. Just hop off when you spot the distinctive clock tower on the S. S. Pierce Building, where Beacon meets Harvard Street. Spend a few hours in this Jewish émigré community and you’ll be spouting Russian proverbs and kibitzing in no time. (And no, the corner was not named after President Calvin Coolidge, but rather 19th-century businessman David S. Coolidge.)

The Coolidge Corner Theatre
290 Harvard St.
Brookline’s popular art deco movie house has been entertaining film lovers since 1933 with a mix of first-run and independent productions. Big shots like Meryl Streep, Martin Scorsese, and the late Robert Altman have made recent panel appearances. You, too, can feel like a filmmaker when you sink into one of the plush red chairs in the cozy 17-seat screening room. The main hall accommodates 454 and a smaller auditorium seats 217. Readings, burlesque shows, and special screenings take place regularly, and there’s even a club for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, complete with the latest audio technology. Plus, that’s real butter glistening on the popcorn. The nonprofit theater’s outdoor film series, Summer in the Parks, kicked off July 17, with Casablanca, followed by The Princess Bride, on July 21, The Wizard of Oz, on July 31, and  Some Like It Hot, on August 7.

Bottega Fiorentina
313B Harvard St.
This is where students arriving from Italy head, instead of to Warren Towers. “They can’t eat American food,” says owner Andrea Ferrini, a Florentine jeweler-turned-restaurateur. “They have to adjust slowly.” Antipasto, paninis, pumpkin tortellini — it’s all here, and reasonably priced. A long picnic table with an umbrella and red placemats suggests an Italian grotto and fosters communal eating. Hams and spicy salamis fill the deli case, and Italian pastas and sauces, olive oil, biscuits, and bottles of San Pellegrino line the shelves. Try the polpettone (meat loaf laced with prosciutto and porcini mushrooms, served with rosemary potatoes) or the bresaola panini (leanest dry cured beef with roasted peppers, capers, lemon juice, and olive oil). And save room for a warm Nutella calzone, dusted with powdered sugar.

Zaftigs Delicatessen
335 Harvard St.
Your search for the perfect Reuben may very well end here. But don’t be surprised that other questers have already found the promised land. Lines out the door of this Brookline institution are common, but it’s worth the wait. The friendly staff keeps things moving and the water glasses filled. Try the Lupo — brisket layered between potato pancakes with vegetable gravy and horseradish — or the grilled cheese made with thick slices of Challah bread. If you’re in the mood for breakfast, the banana stuffed waffles with date butter have been known to rock worlds. Brunch is served all day at Zaftigs (which means “pleasingly plump” in Yiddish). Suggestion: in warm weather (or when facing a long line), order your meal to go and plop down with the other Zaftigs exiles in neighboring Devotion Park.

JFK National Historic Site
83 Beals St.
Wander down this tree-lined thoroughfare for a bit of history. John F. Kennedy was born at number 83 and lived in the teal three-story home for six years. His mother, Rose Kennedy, later restored the interior to the best of her recollection, donating almost 200 family objects, including the future president’s bassinet and porringer. Today, the site is operated by the National Park Service, which leads tours Wednesdays through Saturdays from late May to late September.

Pho Lemongrass
239 Harvard St.
Pho that’s good enough for Al Gore, as proved by the lobby's framed photo of the Oscar winner and former vice president with restaurant staff. Vietnamese village scenes decorate the walls of the spacious dining room. Saigon ravioli with hot sauce, lemongrass tofu, sizzling crepes, and black bean salmon are all good, all tasty. The restaurant has a full liquor license and swift service. The Boston Phoenix named Pho Lemongrass the city’s best Vietnamese restaurant in 2008.

Best Cellars
1327 Beacon St.
The wine at Best Cellars is $15 or less. With wines from fizzy and fresh to luscious and juicy, BC strives to keep you covered. Illuminated walls are filled with bottles, each telling of the wine’s creation and the food it pairs with best. Tastings are held regularly, and classes are offered, too (for a price). You can even hire a sommelier to host a themed tasting at your home or another location. “We demystify wine and try and make it more approachable,” says manager Nicole Davis.

Eureka!
1349 Beacon St.
Impuzzables. Brain Tangles. Nails in a Bucket. Hanukkah Rummy. You name the game, Eureka’s undoubtedly got it. The shelves and cabinets are packed with thousands of jigsaw and mechanical puzzles, card and board games, sudoku and crosswords, and puzzle jewelry from around the world. Every Tuesday, owner David Leschinsky, who’s played most of the games he stocks, takes his passion to the nearby Courtyard Marriott Hotel for Game Night, drawing upwards of 90 gamers. “We take over the place,” he says. One of the most popular events is Settlers of Catan Night. Click here for the summer schedule.

New England Comics
316 Harvard St.
Hell Boy, Iron Man, and The Dark Knight. These summer blockbusters all got their start in comic book joints like New England Comics. One of several in the Boston-area chain, the Coolidge Corner location boasts the largest inventory of comics and toys, from Archie to Spiderman. On top of that, NEC offers a wall of graphic novels and trade paperbacks, as well as a large array of independent and small press books to complement its superhero trades from Marvel, DC, Image, and Vertigo. Plus, sports cards and collectible card games and trading card games like Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh! The staff is friendly and knowledgeable.

The Upper Crust
286 Harvard St.
The Upper Crust pizza shops are renowned for mouth-watering Neapolitan-style pizza, and the Coolidge Corner location is no exception. These tasty thin-crust pies, each made from hand-rolled dough, spread with a chunky sauce, and topped with items from traditional pepperoni and mushrooms to the more daring breaded veal, baby clams, and pineapple, are created in an open kitchen. Slices are available, and there is a $2 delivery charge to campus.

Finale
1306 Beacon St.
Ask for a low-fat or sugarless treat at Finale and you’ll be met with a blank look, then laughter. Although a dessert-themed establishment, the shop offers light fare during the day and wait service in the evening and has a full liquor license. A large mirror allows patrons to watch chefs plate the desserts. Crowd favorites include molten chocolate cake with Valrhona chocolate, crème broulé, and Boston cream cake. Finale even provides a set of instructions for handling (don’t swing that bag!), storing, and serving take-home orders.

Seven Subs
1 Centre St.
Literally, this is a hole in the wall. The inside is so tight, not even a slice of salami would fit between the three or four customers waiting to order. But the squeeze is worth it. There are a few tables outside, but nasty weather means a to-go bag. The owners started with seven types of subs. Today, they offer almost 20 varieties, plus 15 different wraps (including vegetarian and low-fat), 9 salads, and a variety of savory hot dogs. Try the Unforgiven Dog (BBQ sauce and potato salad), the Black and Tan Dog (Russian dressing and BBQ sauce), or customize your frank from a slew of toppings. Yelp’s citizen reviewers give it nothing but love.

Coolidge Corner Clubhouse
307A-309 Harvard St.
One of the few bars in the neighborhood, this one can get crowded, especially when the game’s on. Known for heaping plates of nachos, 36 beers on tap, and 20 LCD hi-def TVs, the CCC, as regulars refer to it, serves a full menu until 1:15 a.m. Test your sports knowledge every Monday at Trivia Night.

Brookline News and Gift Shop
313 Harvard St.
Talk about nature hating a void. The shop windows are stuffed with sun-bleached board games, smokeless ashtrays, trick golf balls, and card shufflers. The front door is plastered with stickers. Inside, the counters are stacked so high, you have to guess where the staff is. And be prepared to shimmy sideways when navigating the narrow aisles. It’s a kaleidoscopic experience trying to take in the eclectic wares, from googly eyeglasses and vampire teeth to liquor flasks, action figures, and porn. Proprietor Mike Wilner even stores items in the ceiling. But if you’re looking for cigars or pipes, assorted smoking accoutrements, and quirky conversation, you’ve come to the right place.

Brookline Booksmith
279 Harvard St.
Locally owned since 1962, the independent Brookline Booksmith is another Coolidge Corner institution. And a browser’s delight. The warm wooden floorboards and the chairs are inviting in any season and the staff friendly and well-read. The store is popular among writers, too, regularly drawing big names, from Alice Hoffman to Dennis Lehane (as well as disgraced ones like James Frey). Downstairs is an ample selection of used books and movies. The store often teams up with the Coolidge Corner Theatre across the street for special events and readings.

Kupel’s Bake & Bagel
421 Harvard St.
While an intense debate has swirled for years over the pronunciation of the bakery’s name (long or short “u” in Kupel’s?), many swear the kosher shop offers the most flavorful bagels in Boston. Others rave about the egg salad, the pastries, and the homemade cream cheese. Expect lines during prime chow times. And remember, the owners observe the Jewish Sabbath. They shut their doors by sundown on Friday and don’t reopen until Sunday, so stocking up for the weekend is advised.

Crossroads Trade
271 Harvard St.
The items here are made by artisans from Peru, Bolivia, South Africa, and the Middle East: incense, jewelry, baskets made of shredded palm leaves, hand-embroidered photo albums, sand paintings, toys made from plastic salvaged from parade floats, even a raincoat stitched from seal guts. You can feel good about shopping here, too. Crossroads Trade is dedicated to fair trade and the survival of indigenous craft traditions around the world.

Mint Julep
1302 Beacon St.
Started by two Vermont friends, Mint Julep opened in 2004 and offers women’s clothes for any occasion, from a ball game to a cocktail party. Among its offerings, according to the store’s Web site, are “a colorful necklace from local jewelry designer JoJo, a party dress by Tibi, or a signature printed handbag by British designer Orla Kiely.”

Brookline Farmers Market
Centre Street West parking lot, off Beacon Street
The only registered nonprofit farmers market in the state, this one is a fan favorite, featuring a huge selection of organic and traditionally produced items, from vegetables, fruits, and herbs to eggs, ice cream, and home-baked pies. Even fresh seafood. Breads, preserves, honey, turkey, grass-fed beef and lamb, seasonal fruits, the list goes on. Stop by every Thursday from June 19 until October 30, from 1:30 p.m. until dusk.

Getting there: By foot, head down St. Mary’s Street or St. Paul’s Street from Commonwealth Avenue to Beacon Street, and turn right. The walk takes 15 to 25 minutes. By T, walk to the St. Mary’s trolley stop on Beacon Street and take the outbound C trolley four stops to the Coolidge Corner stop.

To learn more about neighborhoods around Boston, click here.

Caleb Daniloff can be reached at cdanilof@bu.edu. Robin Berghaus can be reached at berghaus@bu.edu. Edward A. Brown can be reached at ebrown@bu.edu.