Boston, You’re My Home

I have been motivated for a few years to start a physical space where I can share my experiences with traveling. I see this as a space where I can hold these memories, while also sharing what I hope will be helpful tips and insight! So many of my own adventures have been fueled and directed by recommendations from others, so it only feels fitting to pass any small pieces of wisdom or inspiration from my own journeys on to others. And what better place to start then the city I’m lucky enough to call home.

Boston from the Skywalk Observatory

(Photo by Hunter Sawyer on 35mm film)

There are so many things to do in Boston. You can take a harbor cruise or ferry out to explore the islands in the Boston Harbor. A classic Boston experience is the duck boat tour on land and sea. You can see a show or concert in the theater district. There are many escape rooms to choose from, but I recommend Escape the Room Boston or Boxaroo. BodaBorg in Medford is also an awesome experience, involving more puzzles and physical exercises than a typical escape room. For now, I will take you on a journey through my personal highlights of each neighborhood in the city.

I believe downtown Boston is the definition of a walkable city. The public transportation is not the best, but helpful if you are looking to get around at a faster pace. So you can either pack some walking shoes or grab a Charlie card, or some combination of the two.

Portrait in Boston Common

(Photo by Hunter Sawyer on 35mm film)

 The North End

Head to Hanover Street, Boston’s Italian hub. My personal recommendations are Trattoria il Panino for a delicious lunch or dinner and Mike’s Pastry for dessert in the form of a cannoli. There are countless restaurants to choose from, but Panino is my tried and true favorite. If you’re interested in restaurant rivalries, join in on the local competition between Mike’s Pastry and Modern Pastry cannolis. Try both and let me know what you think, but I have already shown where my loyalty lies. For some local history, this is the area of town where you can find the Old North Church and Paul Revere’s house.

Rose and doorway in downtown Boston

(Photo by Hunter Sawyer on 35mm film)

 Waterfront & ‘Downtown’

From the North End, you can walk over to the Christopher Columbus park for a lovely view of the harbor. Next door is Faneuil Hall, which has historical importance not only to Boston, but also the nation as a whole. The Great Hall held many important gatherings, and it is the site where Massachusetts attorneys, including myself, are sworn in. Quincy Market features many restaurants, shops and bars. It is definitely worth a visit to stroll around and even do some shopping. If you are visiting around Christmastime, this area is decorated beautifully for the holidays. Near Faneuil Hall is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston - Saus. They are famous for their French fries with a large variety of homemade sauces, their sandwiches and dessert waffles are to die for, and they have rotating draft beers and ciders.

If you’re looking for a particularly fun activity, especially if you are met with a rainy day, the New England Aquarium is another awesome stop. They have a touch tank of rays, an impressive giant tank with spiral ramps leading up and around it, a great gift shop, and an iMax theater if you want to take in any shows. Hot tip for native Massachusetts residents: your local library will likely have half priced tickets for a day you want to visit (just be sure to reserve at least a few days in advance).

A top recommendation from me is the Boston Public Market, an indoor market full of locally made wares and delicious food. A few of my favorites are: Levend Bagelry (try their ‘herbed’ varieties), Soluna Garden Farm (teas and spices), George Howell (my go to drink is an iced maple latte with oat milk) and Q’s Nuts (ask for some samples, you likely will not be able to resist buying some).

State House

(Photo by Hunter Sawyer on 35mm film)

 Some places to see near here: Government Center, the Old State House, King’s Chapel, the Granary Burying Ground, Union Oyster House (oldest operating restaurant in the United States), Bell in Hand Tavern (oldest tavern in the United States) and the Old South Meeting House. If you’re looking for a walk outside, you can follow the Rose Kennedy Greenway, which is a frequent stop for many food trucks.

You will definitely want to walk over to see the iconic gold-roofed State House, and from there explore the Boston Common and Boston Public Garden. Nearby is Downtown Crossing, another great area for shopping. In this neighborhood, you can stop in at one of two Clover Food Lab locations for a fast, inventive and locally sourced breakfast, lunch or dinner. Boloco is a local burrito joint with creative takes on the traditional Mission-style burrito. The Beacon Hill neighborhood offers quiet and beautiful streets to explore, with some of the state’s most prominent residents calling this neighborhood home. Acorn Street is one of those Instagram-famous locations, but it’s worth a stop at the cobblestoned street.

Portrait in Boston Public Garden

(Photo by Hunter Sawyer on 35mm film)

Back Bay

The Back Bay neighborhood offers a perfect balance of shopping and history, indoors and outdoors. If you’re looking to do some shopping, you will want to walk along Newbury Street and visit the mall in the Prudential Center (where Boston’s delicious and vibrant Eataly is located). Both of these locations are also simply great for walking and sightseeing. At Copley Square, you will see Trinity Church, 200 Clarendon (formerly the John Hancock tower), and the Boston Public Library. Adventuring through the Boston Public Library is free and well worth it – my favorite room is Bates Hall. A farmer’s market is set up in Copley Square on Tuesdays and Fridays. Adjacent to the Library is the Boston Marathon starting line. On your way out of Back Bay, you can walk by Symphony Hall or you might even want to catch a show there while you are in town.

Newbury Street

(Photo by Hunter Sawyer on 35mm film)

 Fenway

This area is straightforward – you definitely want to visit Fenway Park, and might even consider a tour of the grounds or a game if the season is right. The Fens are a group of public community gardens in this area. Some of Boston’s best universities and hospitals are also in this neighborhood. The Museum of Fine Arts is a must visit if art museums are on your interest list. Make sure to bring a student ID for discounted entry fees. The same trick applies for one of my absolute favorite locations in Boston, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The estate and gardens themselves are a wonder, and the beautiful collection of art only adds to the appeal. For added intrigue, thirteen works of art were stolen from the museum in 1990 in the single largest property theft in the world. This mystery is still unsolved and blank spaces remain where the works were taken from. 

Trinity Church and John Hancock/200 Clarendon

(Photo by Hunter Sawyer on 35mm film)

 South End

The South End has developed into a sought-after location to live (with price points to match), and this has resulted in a lot of great restaurants in the area. The best things I can think of in the South End are food related: Blackbird for the best doughnuts in Boston, FoMu for amazing dairy-free ice cream, and Five Horses for a meal/brunch/drinks. Most Sundays, SoWa open market offers even more amazing food, artwork and products from local artisans, a farmer’s market and food trucks/beer tent.

Boston Public Garden art installation

(Photo by Hunter Sawyer on 35mm film)

 Seaport

Another up-and-coming, fun and constantly changing area is the Seaport. You can walk along the waterfront past the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals and the Seaport World Trade Center. There are many bars and restaurants to visit along the water as well. My top recommendations for food in the Seaport are: Flour for everything from breakfast to lunch to coffee, Committee for an out of this world family style Greek meal, Bon Me for quick and creative Thai food, and Drink for a unique bar experience (just describe what you like or are in the mood for and the bartender will make a drink perfect for your tastes). Another popular tourist spot is the seasonal Lawn on D, which presents opportunities to drink and socialize outside and get the perfect Instagram shot on a glowing ring swing.

Recommendations just “outside” of downtown

• South Boston: John F. Kennedy library

• Charlestown: Bunker Hill monument, USS Constitution

• East End: Downeast Cider house (free samples, tours of the facility, and growlers to go), KO Catering and Pies

• Towards Cambridge: Museum of Science

• Other cities and towns in this greater Boston area will have to be the subject of later posts, because they deserve their own attention.

Nightlife and bars

• Financial District: Howl at the Moon, Central Wharf Co.

• TD Garden area: Causeway, The Harp, West End Johnnie’s and the Greatest Bar

• Faneuil Hall area: The Black Rose, The Hong Kong, Ned Devine’s, Sissy K’s, Mija Cantina & Tequila Bar

• Back Bay: Lir, Lolita, Dillon’s, Back Bay Social Club, King’s

• Fenway: Bleacher Bar, Cask ‘n Flagon, Yard House, Hojoko, Lansdowne Pub

Millennium Tower

(Photo by Hunter Sawyer on 35mm film)