Boston was a welcome relief after an intense fews days in New York. Parts of the city are charming (Beacon Hill), parts are educational (Cambridge), whilst others some remind me of other US cities (downtown Boston reminded me of Chicago). Boston is a small, bustling city which you could see in a couple of days. Here’s what I’d recommend.
Top tip: if you’re getting the train from New York, make sure you get a seat on the right-hand side so that you get the good views.
THINGS TO DO
Museums: You must go to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. It’s the personal collection of everything from artworks, tapestries and trinkets belonging to Isabelle Stewart Gardner, left in exactly the same states since she died in 1924. And in accordance with Gardner’s will, if your name is Isabella, you get free admittance. It’s a remarkable museum, go and get lost in it. Just around the corner from the Gardner Museum is the Institute of Contemporary Art, which usually has excellent exhibitions on display (I was lucky enough to get to see Matisse). The building is also stunning with a massive glass conservatory, so if you’re not into art, just head in there for a drink. A slightly understated place to visit is the Boston Athenæum, which is in the centre of Boston and is the oldest independent library in the US. Another one that I passed by didn’t pop into was the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.
Sights: Dotted around the city you’ll see the Freedom Trail – I didn’t follow it all the way around the city but it cropped up now and again on my walk about. Visit the Brattle Bookshop, an awesome three stories of used books & magazines, including rare 1st editions. Walk through the idyllic Boston Public Gardens, with its tulips, quaint bridges and, of course, the ducklings. Once you’ve wandered through the gardens, take a touristic photo outside the famous Cheers bar (the one from the show, where everybody knows your name), but I wouldn’t head inside because it’s a tourist trap and doesn’t look a thing like the TV show, (I checked!) Make sure you head to the most charming part of Boston, Beacon Hill, which is just behind the Cheers Bar. Everyone takes a photo of Acorn Street claiming it as the most picturesque spot, but honestly, it’s all beautiful. Make sure you stroll down Charles Street which is full of cafés and shops. Get lost in Cambridge and feel incredibly smart overhearing conversations about space and time travel in Harvard. Don’t forget to visit MIT to check out some of the cities most interesting architecture, namely: the Ray and Maria Stata Center (an academic complex designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry for MIT) and Simmons Hall (MIT’s undergraduate hall of residence)
Work out: If you’re looking for places to work up a sweat, I’d recommend Barry’s Bootcamp and Soul Cycle which has multiple locations across the city.
EAT
By Chloe Don’t judge a restaurant by its veganism. These burgers could take on ShakeShack.
Tatte Bakery Good for coffee, pastries and sandwiches
James Hook Popular lunch spot for the ultimate lobster rolls
Flour Bakery Good for pud
Felipe’s Wicked Mexican joint close to Harvard Square, with a rooftop and margs on tap
Neither tried nor tested, but researched & recommended…
Harvest Good for lunch. Serves contemporary New England cuisine.
Shepard Open for dinner from 5pm. Go early, sit at the bar and order the chicken bits.
Juliet A neighbourhood Euro-style cafe
Row 34 Oyster bar in a cool, industrial setting
Sofra A Middle-Eastern bakery that’s a haunt of Yotam Ottolenghi when he’s in town
Loyal Nine Ethically sourced ingredients for the New England menu
Alden & Harlow Honest American food in a rustic-chic setting
Neptune Oyster Tiny, high-end oyster bar
Bondir Cozy farmhouse-style romantic spot
No.9 Park Upscale, European menu in a townhouse setting
DRINK
Area Four Delicious almond milk lattes. Also serving killer looking wood oven pizzas if you’re looking for more than a sip
Neither tried nor tested, but researched & recommended…
Citizen Public House & Oyster Bar One of the top Bourbon bars in America
Back Bar Cool bar with creative cocktails
Pavement Coffeehouse Dotted around the city, pop in for a cuppa
Drink Barbara Lynch’s award-winning craft cocktail bar
SLEEP
Neither tried nor tested, but researched & recommended…
The Liberty Hotel 5-star luxury hotel
The Verb Hotel 3-star rock ‘n’ roll hotel
I visited Boston in May 2017