Apparently, everyone is visiting Boston this summer, so I thought it was time to put together a blog post about my favorite places to eat, drink, and be merry in Boston!
Where to Stay
The Colonnade Hotel
120 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA
The Colonnade Hotel is located in the Back Bay/Copley area of Boston, right on Huntington Avenue across from the Prudential, so, basically, it’s near everything. The rooms are gorgeous, Brasserie Jo (the hotel restaurant)is delicious, and there’s a pool on the roof! My reviews: The Colonnade Hotel.
Hotel Veritas
1 Remington Street
Cambridge, MA
Hotel Veritas is a 30-room independent hotel located in Harvard Square. The exterior of the hotel is a reconstruction of a car repair shop and a house built in the 1880’s. The hotel also includes a funky lounge in the lobby called the Simple Truth. It’s a great place to enjoy a glass of wine and enjoy some good conversation. My review: Hotel Veritas.
Since I’m from Boston, I don’t often stay in hotels, so in the Spring of 2010, I asked my blog readers for their recommendations about where to stay in Boston. Here’s a list of their recommendations: Hotel Recommendations from CNC Readers.
Where to Eat
My Favorite Restaurants
Sonsie
327 Newbury Street
Boston, MA
I always recommend Sonsie to out-of-towners. I love it for many reasons, but my favorite is the big French doors that open onto Newbury Street”” perfect for people watching! When the weather is nice, they give the restaurant a nice airy, cozy feeling. Quick tip: Ask to sit in the café area at the restaurant where you get the best people watching view and a more affordable menu. I love the flatbread pizzas!
Mike & Patty’s
12 Church Street
Boston, MA
Three words: Grilled Banana Sandwich. It will change your life. But, seriously, if you’re in the mood for a great sandwich, Mike & Patty’s is the place to go. The owners are also incredibly nice! My reviews: Mike & Patty’s
Grendel’s Den
89 Winthrop Street
Cambridge, MA
Pretty much anytime Mal and I visit Harvard Square, we pop into the Grendel’s Den for a meal or just drinks. I love pretty much everything about it”” the food, selection of beer, cozy atmosphere, and the half price menu! You can’t go wrong with the Grendel’s Den. My reviews: Grendel’s Den
Additional restaurant favorites (click for my reviews): Myers & Chang, Masa, Otherside Café, and Tory Row.
My Favorite Coffee Shops
It’s no surprise that I love iced coffee”” even in the dead of winter! Marylou’s (multiple locations on the South Shore) and P.S. Gourmet (South Boston) are my favorite places to get my daily caffeine fix! I also love Crema Café in Harvard Square. It’s adorable and they make a mean latte, but they don’t have all of the fun flavors of iced coffee like Marylou’s and P.S. Gourmet.
My Favorite Places to Drink Beer
I’m not a beer connoisseur by any means, but I know what I like and where to find it in the Boston area. Here are my favorite places to grab a quality brew.
Restaurants by Neighborhood
Boston has so many wonderful places to eat! My restaurant reviews are organized by neighborhood, so depending where you stay, you can pick and choose from the nearby options: My Restaurant Reviews.
What to Do
Boston has a ton to see and do, especially in the warmer months. I really could go on and on about all of my favorite things to do here, but here’s a list of my absolute favorites. I also included some links at the bottom, which mention even more things to do.
Fenway Park Tour
4 Yawkey Way
Boston, MA
The Fenway Park Tour is a 50-minute historic walking tour of the ballpark, guided by an official Fenway Park Tour Guide. I’m not a huge baseball fan, but I really loved this tour. It was so interesting! My review: Fenway Park Tour.
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile red-brick walking trail that leads you to 16 nationally significant historic sites, including a unique collection of museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, parks, a ship, and historic markers that tell the story of the American Revolution and beyond. You can walk the Freedom Trail on your own or take a guided tour. There’s also a Freedom Trail Run for the runners! I haven’t done it yet, but it looks really cool!
Plain and simple: Harvard Square is adorable. I love to wander around, window shop, and people watch there. Harvard Square also has hundreds of restaurants, retailers, museums, entertainment venues, bookstores, and, of course, Harvard Yard. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in town! My review: Harvard Square.
Top of the Hub
800 Boylston Street
Boston, MA
The Top of the Hub is a fancy-schmancy, fine dining restaurant at the top of the Prudential building in downtown Boston. It’s touristy and overpriced, but grabbing at drink at the bar is totally worth it. The views are amazing and there’s often live jazz. My review: Top of the Hub.
Skywalk Observatory
800 Boylston Street
Boston, MA
The Skywalk Observatory is Boston’s only “sky-high vantage point for sweeping 360 degree views of Greater Boston and beyond.” An audio tour is also provided detailing the city’s many points of historic and cultural interest. My review: Skywalk Observatory.
Additional favorites: Faneuil Hall, Duck Tours, Harpoon Brewery Tour, Museum of Fine Arts, Newbury Street, North End, Sam Adams Brewery Tour, and Swan Boats. More information about Boston tourism: Great Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Have you ever visited Boston? Where did you stay and eat? What are your favorite things to do and see?