city tour: Boston

favorites in Boston

photo by Scotland Huber

{restaurants}

Kennedy's Midtown -located in Downtown Crossing, with its pub atmosphere,

it is my favorite place to get a bread bowl of clam chowder.

Shanti -great Indian food in Dorchester. If you're a local, be sure to

sign up for the email list...they're great with sending coupons.

Jacob Wirth -close to Downtown, Chinatown & in the theater district, their

menu features American & German fare.

Zaftigs -technically, it's a deli, but in actuality it is much, much more.

They're located in Brookline, but worth the trip!

Brown Sugar Cafe -great Thai food in the Allston/Brighton area.

{cafes}

McKenna's Cafe -best breakfast in town!

Cafe Vitorria -best hot chocolate in Boston, nestled in the North End.

Francesca's-located in the South End, you can get

a sandwich, espresso or pastry. They also offer a vegan & gluten free menu.

{desserts} 

Mixx -frozen yogurt (aka froyo) 

the extensive topping bar is my favorite!

Finale -beautifully made desserts in the heart of Boston

Modern Pastry -cannolis, pastries & more in the North End.

J.P. Licks -ice cream maker & coffee roaster with multiple

locations throughout Boston and its 'burbs.

{must-see destinations}

Fenway Park -regardless of being a Red Sox fan or not,

Fenway is one of the oldest ballparks in America.

You can tour it year-round for about $12.

Boston Public Library -this is the country's first large,

 free municipal library in the United States. 

It holds more than just books, Bates Hall features 

a majestic barrel-arched ceiling , English Oak bookcases, 

and carved limestone. It also contains murals

 by French artist Pierre Puvis de Chavannes,

 American artists Edwin Austin Abbey and John Singer Sargent.

Freedom Trail -2.5-mile trail, made of brick & red paint 

that snakes through the city, goes by historical landmarks

such as the site of the Boston Massacre, the U.S.S. Constitution,

and the Granary Burying Ground, where Sam Adams, 

John Hancock, Paul Revere, and many others are buried.

Beacon Hill - Boston's most prestigious neighborhood, complete

with elegant brownstones, gaslights, cobblestones, 

and local shops along Charles Street. Across from Cheers is the 

Public Garden, where you can take a ride on a person-powered 

Swan Boat and pet the statues of Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings. 

The North End -The most European neighborhood in the most 

European of American cities. The streets are narrow with old men 

speaking Italian as they sit on benches, 

restaurants representing every type of Italian cooking, 

and weekend festivals during the warmer months. 

The North End is also home to Old North Church & 

Paul Revere’s house (both are stops on the Freedom Trial).

The Common & Public Gardens -Wander across The Common,
that was used to graze cattle when Boston started.
You'll have a great view of the State House. If you find yourself
wondering why the paved pathways meander, it's because
they simply paved the worn trails the cattle had worn.
Cross Charles Street to the Public Gardens and be on the lookout for
the Make Way for Ducklings statue and swan boats in the pond.