Author: Janet Washington
Boston is a vibrant, active city with 23 designated neighborhoods. Bring your walking shoes. Work up an appetite. You will find food at its best in Boston. I selected four neighborhoods to highlight activities to explore. I have lived, worked and played in these neighborhoods: East Boston, Back Bay, Fenway/Kenmore and Jamaica Plain.
Activity Recs
East Boston ICA Watershed is a seasonal exhibit located in East Boston Harbor Shipyard and Marina. Take the MBTA blue line train from the airport (1stop) to Maverick Station, exit and walk towards the water. The ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art) walk includes gorgeous views of the Boston harbor. Once inside the shipyard check out the murals: Gallery | Boston Harbor Shipyard & Marina. Taste the flight options at Downeast Cider.
Find Swet Studio in the Back Bay neighborhood. Begin your day with stretching before tours or be guided in calming meditation at the end of the day. The silk hammocks are soothing. Sign up for ‘all levels’ or ‘beginner’ classes. Also located in the Back Bay/Copley Square area is the Boston Public Library. This library has it all. Free and open to the public; find quiet space, be entertained, grab a snack or gain information. A favorite among locals is the architecture tour (ask the help desk where to begin) Art & Architecture | Boston Public Library.
Fenway/Kenmore - Red Sox tickets may be difficult to find so consider a Fenway Park tour. Both hour long tours with park and player histories or quick 15 minute visits are offered. Located near the ballpark is The Verb Hotel | Boutique Boston Hotel Near Fenway Park. Outstanding musical groups often play evenings at the Verb by the pool. Visit the lobby to check out the guitars, rock & roll memorabilia, and locate a music schedule. Attention live music lovers: Boston’s Berklee College event schedule lists performances happening across the city: Events / Berklee College.
The most amazing Arboretum is located in Jamaica Plain (JP). It has hundreds of acres to explore: Walk trails, go for a run, smell the lilacs on Mother’s Day, try forest bathing Forest Bathing | Arnold Arboretum and visit the information center. Plan a Visit - Arnold Arboretum
Neighborhood Food
East Boston Food: So many delicious choices: Rino's Place ($$) is small, doesn’t take reservations or allow for splitting portions + accepts cash only. The fresh pasta and Italian specialties are so worth it! If Rino's Place does not have room for you, walk a few blocks to Kelley Square Pub($) It’s comfort food at its best. Santarpio's Pizza ($) is an institution + no frills.This Pizza never disappoints. ReelHouse($$$): go for the view, the view, the view…great seafood
Back Bay Food: Picco Boston ($) known for Pizza and Ice Cream but salads and veggies are delish as well.
Fenway Food: The Japanese Restaurant, Hojoko, is just off the Verb Hotel Lobby. Hojoko ($$$) has fabulous sushi, sashimi, small plates, bowls and more. Sweet Cheeks Q ($$) offers bbq at its finest, fab ribs and biscuits that melt in your mouth.
Jamaica Plain (JP) Food: The Joint ($) super great omelets and pancakes! Breakfast is available until 2 PM. Lines form on weekends as neighbors meet and greet. Boston loves ice cream. J.P. Licks ($) is one of many outstanding Boston ice cream parlors. J.P. Licks on Centre Street in JP is the original, opened in 1981, with 16 more stores in the greater Boston area.The walls showcase local artists' work.
Estimated cost key
- $ ($0-20 pp)
- $$ ($20-40 pp)
- $$$ ($40+ pp)
Quote to consider:
"Every kid learns to play the “floor is lava” game, where you pretend that you'll get incinerated if you touch the carpet. Even toddlers can pick it up, which reveals something profound: very early on, we acquire the ability to pretend that fake problems are real. We then spend the rest of our lives doing exactly that." -Adam Mastroianni