Boston Roadtrip!

The Ft. Point Channel neighborhood has undergone a renaissance of late, and Barbara Lynch's bar Drink is a fun addition to the scene. Arrive at the modern basement space and you're fate is left in the hands of the bartenders. Talk about your...

By Sunday, it was time for some serious day-drinking at Harpoon Brewery. For like 5 bucks, you go on a short tour with one of the cool guides through their brewing process. The facility is remarkably small. Highlights? The near-continuous jabs the...

The Trinity Church in Boston located in the back bay area. This is a historical landmark of America, worth a visit if you are into architecture. Check out the court yard at the back as well. ***Update*** Another reason for you to check out the...

There are two well-known pastry shops within about a block of each other in Boston's historic North End: Mike's Pastry and Modern Pastry. The two are engaged in a constant battle for supremacy, and any good Bostonian has a strong opinion in favor...

I fell in love with the Boston's Central Library on my first visit, and have returned to its gorgeous stairs, painted walls, changing art shows, and literature finds at least once on every trip here. I could happily spend a few hours here,...

The Boston Harbor Shipyard and Marina is beautiful. Still a working port, the shipyard is home to many a gorgeous boat. I have to say that I am also partial to KO Catering and Pies—a little slice of home in Boston, serving Aussie goodies like...

The Arnold Arboretum aka "The Arb" is my go-to spot when I want to get out for a walk in Jamaica Plain. Owned by Harvard and loved by all (adults, babies and dogs alike) it's a beautiful place year-round. My favorite spot is Peters Hill where you...

The Boston Common, built in 1634, is America's oldest park and the start of the famous Freedom Trail. A beautiful spot to walk in all seasons and try to imagine the Redcoats making camp there in 1775. During the winter, the Frog Pond has a magical...

Love history? Then don't miss at least part of The Freedom Trail. Two and a half miles of 16 sites steeped in history make up Boston's version of the 'Yellow Brick Road.' This time, the brown bricks start at the Boston Common, and lead you on a...

One of the great draws of Boston is the fantastic neighborhoods. Each has a different flavor, and all are filled with small specialty stores. I love to support local shopkeepers, and the South End is a super place to do it. Boutique owners in this...

The gift shop at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is not your typical museum store. A carefully curated collection is inspired by the artwork and architecture. Curiosity cabinets invite the visitor to look within, much like the archive rooms,...

An unexpected burst of color in Boston, directly across from the main entrance to South Station! For two summers now, it's been impossible to miss when you take in Dewey Square... from pretty much any angle. In 2013, what first grabbed the eye was...

Bostonians breathed a sigh of relief when the Central Artery/Big Dig project was finally completed. The resulting 40 acres of prime real estate are a gift to the environment and residents of the city. Cutting right through central downtown and the...

In the summer, when the temperatures reach sweltering and the city is crowded with tourists, the Boston Harbor Islands are where Bostonians go to escape. The Harbour Islands are comprised of 12 islands in total. Although it's a mere 15 to 20...

Connecting Boston's Public Garden to Massachusetts Avenue the Mall is the central organizing element in the Back Bay. A light dusting of snow silhouettes the tree-lined promenade enhancing its sculptural elements.

One of my all-time favorite crabs, and I'm obliged to them for their contribution—the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy their deliciousness. Only available in appropriate season, and with only lemon, clarified butter and a little loving work...

In Boston with the kids? Nancy Schon's famous sculpture is loved by everyone familiar with Make Way for Ducklings. Mrs. Mallard and her 8 ducklings lead you into the Public Garden at the Beacon/Charles St. entrance. Follow the path to a ride on...

Starting at the northeast corner of the Public Garden, and stretching to the end of Beacon Hill, Charles St. shopping offers a more boutiquey experience than its better known Newbury St. cousin. The feel is very European, with a mix of small...

Award winning chef Jody Adams has brought the influence of her travels to this neighborhood restaurant. Located at the edge of The Rose Kennedy Greenway, and close to the harbor, this groundbreaking LEED Gold building is a visual delight. Small...

Drinks in the old Charles St. Jail? Kudos to whoever dreamed up the idea to create Alibi in the former "drunk tank" for the City of Boston, a building with a storied past. Set in the Beacon Hill neighborhood, the original floors and brick walls...

Boston is a big city, yet it is possible to see all of the famous sights in one hour at one place: the Skywalk Observatory, inside the Prudential center. As a local, I go there often to see how the city and the view changes—spring's vivid color,...

French toast with fresh strawberries—the picture from South End Buttery explains itself! Great brunch location. *Tip, they also have an amazing deli, so stop in to pack the perfect picnic. Self-described as "an eclectic combination of fresh...

Steps from the waterfront, the historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace dates back to 1742 and is home to more than 100 shops and specialty pushcarts and 14 restaurants and pubs, plus 36 international food vendors inside the Quincy Market Colonnade....

Toro, located in Boston's South End district, is a little slice of Barcelona in the Northeast. The menu is based on small plates (tapas), and while the ingredients are regionally sourced, the wine list is all Spanish, giving Toro a nice mixture of...

A horrid thought, but this is the spot where that famous cry originated in 1775 at the Battle of Bunker Hill. If you dare, climb the 294 stairs of local granite, where you'll be rewarded at the top of the obelisk with a spectacular view of the...

Boston’s Public Garden is magical in the summer, with its many weeping willows and manicured hedges. Kids and adults alike will delight in a ride on the iconic Swan Boats, which float on the garden’s lagoon. The whimsical boats are foot-pedaled,...

One of the first things I like to find when visiting a new destination is a place to take a good walk. Winding through the city's waterfront neighborhoods, the design of the HarborWalk allows the public to connect with the cleaned and restored ...

Have you ever wanted to learn how to shuck an oyster? Aside from offering a great fish selection alongside terrific sushi rolls, The North End Fish Market offers free oyster shucking lessons every Saturday. Between the hours of 1 and 3pm, the...

The North End of Boston is the oldest residential area in the city, a small neighborhood inhabited since the 1630's. It's an understatement to say it's loaded with character, and no other spot in Beantown will transport you to another world as...

We've all heard of the Old North Church, made famous by Paul Revere, but one of my favorite buildings in Boston is the Old South Church. The copper-clad cupola was inspired by the cupola atop the Basilica of St. Mark, in Venice. The mix of ornate...

When I walk into a men's clothing store and get excited, I know I've stumbled into someplace special. Bobby From Boston is just such a place. Standing by the entrance, it's fun to hear the oohs and ahs as customers come around the corner. The...

The village of Roslindale is filled with unlikely gems. Joanne Rossman Design is at the top of that list. Billed as a Purveyor of the Unnecessary & the Irresistible, it's a destination filled with treasures you never knew you couldn't live...

Walking down the alley to the courtyard of Patch NYC, you'll probably think-Where is she sending me? Trust me, there's gold at the end of the tunnel! In the beautifully designed shop, you'll find the the work of a highly curated group of vendors,...

When you've been called "the best coffee in the world" by the likes of NPR and the NY Times, you've got the bar set pretty high. Thinking Cup does justice to those beans, and is a really great spot to get your morning or afternoon fix. Their cafe...

Positioned right on the historic Freedom Trail in downtown Boston, this discreet 19-story hotel caters to guests who appreciate both classic architecture and of-the-moment amenities. The building initially became a hotel in 2002; in 2006 the...

Over the past 40-plus years, this venerated Back Bay hotel has hosted all manner of visiting stars, from Ronald Reagan to Frank Sinatra. The present owner, Ronald Druker, is a third-generation hotelier; his father, Bertram Druker, originally built...

The hippest kid on the block has risen from the most unlikely of origins: the Fenway Motor Hotel, a run-down mid-century relic that once housed all manner of misbehaving musicians. Today the hotel feels more like an of-the-moment Los Angeles...

Imagine getting a 6,000-pound wood stove into a food truck. Stoked did just that, and this persistence shines through in their pizzas. You'll find all the usual pizzas here along with daily specials and vegan options. The buffalo veggie is my...

The recently opened Boston Public Market is the only year round indoor market in the country to feature exclusively New England vendors. The bounty of 35 businesses representing farms, makers and food producers offers a cross section of all things...

Boston is having a moment with juice. You can find creative combinations all over the city. Nourish Your Soul was the first cold-press bar to open in Boston. Its menu includes seven variations on green juice alone. My favorite in this category is...

A newcomer to Boston's seafood scene, Row 34 in Fort Point is billed as a workingman's oyster bar. The sleek, loft-like space is relaxed and casual: Think industrial-chic. An ever-changing seasonal menu features a wide selection of oysters, smoked...

Want to sleep in Boston’s very first skyscraper? Originally constructed in 1893, the 15-story Ames Building was, for many years, the tallest building in the city. Renowned architect David Rockwell helped reconceive the building as the...

What was once a classic Ritz-Carlton in the vein of an Eloise book is now an amenity-laden luxury hotel with most of the building’s original beaux arts details intact (the Instagram-worthy lobby alone is worth a visit). Originally opened in...

It’s not every day you get to stay in a national landmark and enjoy pastries baked inside a former bank vault. The massive brick building that houses the Langham first opened in 1922 as the original Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. In 1981...

While the Liberty Hotel may have deep roots in Boston lore, it’s not for the reasons you think. For more than 100 years the hotel existed as the Charles Street Jail, an in-city penitentiary that housed (in)famous inmates like James Michael...

When people bring out their folding adirondack chairs and fishing rods to the Charles River Esplanade, you know it’s spring, finally. And then you see rows and rows of cherry blossom trees that line up the river, and wish it was always springtime...

As the sun sets, it's a special moment to find yourself walking along Memorial Drive on the Charles River bike path. Running next to the banks of the Charles River, this pathway winds along the north edge of the city proper. There are great views...

Boston has one of the most successful bike sharing programs in the country. With over 100 solar powered stations and 1000 bikes available, the Hubway system makes it easy to ride around the city. 24hr and 3 day passes are available for only $5 and...

While I think you'll find the best New England clam chowdah right here in Boston, everyone has their favorite location to slurp it. Do you like it thick enough to hold a spoon upright or thinner with more broth, served in a bread bowl and loaded...

Sometimes I take Boston for granted. I become annoyed with the traffic, crowded sidewalks, or the million and one other things that make city living challenging. On these types of days, I have a simple remedy. I walk down to the Charles River,...

Picking, corralling, and loading are not in most leaf-peepers’ repertoires. Since nearly three-quarters of Americans reportedly have never heard of a cranberry bog, perhaps that’s not surprising. But to experience a new way to see fall’s colors —...

Located in a wonderful old warehouse building in South End, this French brasserie has tiled walls, globe lamps, and streetlights, as well as a great vibe. Check it out for brunch, as I did! Our wonderful server insisted we try the deep-fried,...

One of the best outdoor spots in Boston is just steps from the waterfront. Aragosta Bar and Bistro overlooks the harbor at the bottom of the city's North End. Fire pits provide the perfect venue for a summer evening cocktail and the lobster bake...

As an East Coast girl, born and raised, It has been difficult to get all the way out to Arizona to see the gorgeous colors I have been told can only be seen in the middle of October in the rocks of the Grand Canyon. I think I came pretty close...

What better name for a town to draw self-proclaimed "foodies" from the far reaches of the world?! If you are visiting Boston, it is worth the hour drive or train ride south from the city to visit the "oldest town in Cape Cod". Better yet, don't...

Provincetown is a tourist destination on the tip of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. To get a good view of the surrounding town and harbor, as well as some exercise, you can climb to the top of Pilgrim Monument. The monument tower stands just over 250...

My son had his own room with a big-boy bed in the rental house on Cape Cod. On the wall was a painting of an ice cream shop called Sundae School. Our 4-year-old atheist didn't get the pun, but he thought the old-fashioned ice cream truck was cool....

Cape Cod has an abundance of historic buildings. It has old Inns, churches, Saltbox homes, and mills like this one in Brewster, Massachusetts. This is the Stony Brook Gristmill and Museum. During May you can see schools of herring swimming in the...

If you want to go somewhere with a nautical atmosphere then Cape Cod is perfect. There are countless harbors with boat-lined docks like this one. Whether you want to go on a whale watch, spend an afternoon on a fishing boat, or just paddle around...

Hidden down a nondescript side road close to the Hyannis airport is a boulangerie and cafe that has no equal on Cape Cod. The bread and buttery croissants will transport you to France immediately. The cafe serves European-style breakfast, lunch...

King's Chapel, Boston's first Anglican church dates back to 1688, and has the oldest American pulpit still in use today. The bell that rings every Sunday calling worshipers to the still active church was recast by Paul Revere who claimed it was...

Take a deep breath and be prepared, for you are about to journey to the center of the earth—without ever having to leave Boston. Located on Massachusetts Ave in Boston's historic Back Bay, this beautiful globe is one of a kind. Chester Lindsay...

A trip to Boston, especially the first time, would be incomplete without a short walk across the Charlestown Bridge to the Navy Yard. Not only is the surrounding neighborhood filled with lovely colonial houses encircling the magnificent Bunker...

Passing through the Egyptian-style granite gateway of the Old Granary Burying Ground one is instantly transported back in time to Colonial Boston, a place where cows roamed the streets and patriots abounded on every corner. This is perhaps one of...

There's a reason chef Tony Maws has developed a cult following at Craigie on Main. For years, the cozy restaurant has been turning out beautiful food in a space that feels like it might be your friend's dining room. Its commitment to regional,...

Located in the heart of Harvard Square, {additional location in Boston proper} this inviting cafe is guaranteed to take the chill off winter. The mulled cider is wonderful, but drinking chocolate, especially the dark variety, is a rich, decadent...

With names like Falling in Love, Pretty Eyes, We Work Well Together and Call Me Flower, this is definitely a feel good food truck. Luckily the sandwiches live up to their complimentary hang tags. Our apple, honey and goat cheese grilled sandwich...