My BFF moved down to Boston for school when we were both 17 and has never really looked back. I don’t blame her. I try to make an annual trip down there, using her as an excuse to see one of my favourite U.S. cities.
Most recently, I spent Hallowe’en weekend in this New England hub. The 31st was uncharacteristically warm which made walking anywhere and everywhere even more enjoyable in this pedestrian-friendly city. As a side note, it also made me think back to the many Hallowe’ens of my youth that were never that mild – remember wearing a massive and hideous unzipped coat over your princess/dog/unidentifiable costume while you paraded from house to house? I bet kids in Florida never had to deal with that crap.
Hallowe’en was definitely a highlight of the night, although I’d have to say the bar we ended up at – Tequila Rain – would not win the blue ribbon in the classy bar category. There are, despite Tequila Rain, a number of top-notch sights to see in Beantown. A few of my suggestions:
New England Aquarium
I’ve already unshamefully admitted it – I’m a massive aquarium buff. My excitement level rivals that of a 6-year-old when it comes to these things and that will likely never change. The New England Aquarium visit was one of my favourites because we topped it off with an IMAX viewing of Deep Sea 3-D. Other highlights include the four-storey ocean tank and the lobster hats in the gift shop.
Top of the Hub
This restaurant at the top of the Prudential Centre is definitely
the destination for a fine dining experience in Beantown and the view of the city is worth having to ignore your budget. The menu offers the best in New England seafood and other local cuisine. We missed out the live jazz performance that happens every night in the lounge and I am vowing now, as I write this post, to make up for that on my next visit.
Mike's Pastry
Holy cannoli. This sweet shop in Boston's North End was overflowing with locals and tourists alike when we walked past mid-afternoon and the line had yet to diminish when we returned post-dinner at 7. Located in the heart of Boston's Italian area, Mike's has a reputation for its pastry creations that is fully deserved. The Florentine cannoli was oozing with ricotta, dripping with chocolate chips and topped off with chocolate drizzle. Un. Real.
Newbury Street
For me, this is the closest I've come to a shopping mecca in North America. From Marc Jacobs to Madewell to the two-storey designer re-sale shop Second Time Around, I have spent more money on this street than I would care to admit. The actual walk down Newbury is beautiful, especially in the fall. The cafés - Stephanie's on Newbury, in particular - are prime spots to sit and people watch or stalk whatever celebrity is in town filming.
Fig's Pizza
I fasted (read: skipped real meals and ate only Hallowe'en candy) all day in anticipation of chowing down here, a hotspot owned by famed chef Todd English. We made reservations, which turned out to be necessary as Fig's is simply a large shoebox on Beacon Hill. Hands down the best pizza was the signature Fig and Prosciutto (with gorganzola), which is one of those combos that sounds dubious on paper but is actually gastronomic heaven. Other favourites were the Portobello (portobello mushroom, wild mushroom purée, roasted red onion and fontina) and the Bronx Bomber (your standard pepperoni, Todd-English styles).
Photo by: Stephen Martin
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