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My Trip
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Spring Trip to Boston to see the Marathon
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Went to Boston to see the Marathon, catch a Red Sox game and enjoy spring in Boston.
 Day Note
I started off my trip with a traditional Boston meal at Durgin-Park and walked around Quincy Market afterwards .
This landmark, located in Faneuil Hall Marketplace, is the place to go for traditional New England fare. Pot roast, prime rib and Indian pudding (a delicious concoction made from molasses and cornmeal and topped with a dollop of vanilla ice cream) are favorites. The staff can be a bit surly, but that is part of the charm. Dining is family-style, so grab a spot at one of the long picnic tables and prepare for a feast. For a Boston treat, add a side of baked beans, and leave room for apple pie. The restuarant features two full service bars.
Bauhaus style abounds at this Back Bay hotel, which has large modern rooms and marble bathrooms with pedestal sinks. The hotel is within walking distance of the South End, shopping at Copley Place and at the Prudential Center. Head to Newbury Street for fine dining or go downstairs to popular Brasserie Jo, adjacent to the hotel lobby.
Durgin-Park
Day Note
The Boston Marathon was today - a lot of streets shut down and everyone came out to watch the runners. After the professional runners came through, I had lunch at Casa Romero. I went back to Boylston to watch more of the marathon and headed over to the Cactus Club to have some drinks. When the marathon was finished, I went to the theater district to see a show at the Stuart Street Playhouse.
The oldest German restaurant in Boston, Jacob Wirth Co. Restaurant dates back to 1886. The establishment has an antique, 19th-century feel but the food covers a wide range of choices. From imported ham sandwiches, to entrees featuring tenderloin, lamb and lobster, you will find something to meet your needs. Red cabbage and sauerkraut is made on the premises and the restaurant is also well known for its sausage and potato salad as well as its chowder. Jacob Wirth's also has live music Friday and Saturday evenings.
This smaller venue, seating 200, is the home of performances of all kinds. Off-Broadway shows and theater, especially quirky shows, can be found here year-round. This theater was originally built as a cinema in 1970, but was later converted to a stage for live performances. The audience seated in a movie-theater style setting keeps the space comfortable and intimate. The variety of shows at the Stuart Street Playhouse, in the Theater District, will keep you coming back to check out what's new.
Sidewalk dining, masterful, award-winning margaritas and a bustling bar bring a young crowd to this Back Bay club. The food is more Tex than Mex, but it all tastes great and comes in king-sized portions. While eating your quesadillas, enjoy the distractions of the trivia games on TV screens, unique décor such as animal skulls and the loud and energetic crowd. The wait for a table can be considerable on weekends. The bar is open daily till 2am.
This is an ideal location for couples and anyone seeking some serenity with their salsa. The outdoor courtyard is gorgeous in nice weather, and the attractive Back Bay clientele make for prime people-watching anytime. The restaurant is actually tucked away in a basement on a side street off of Newbury Street, and the food sells itself. The seafood is first-rate, and the meats also impress. Quench your thirst with a pitcher of sangria or a salty margarita for the ultimate Mexican dining experience.
Jacob Wirth Co. Restaurant
Day Note
I spent the morning at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, which are right next to each other. After lunch, I went over to Jamaica Plain to check out the Arnold Arboretum because it was such a beautiful day. After a quick dinner in JP I went over to Fenway to see the Sox play.
First opened in 1876, this art museum is one of the best in the United States and has sponsored impressive shows on Monet and John Singer Sargent. The MFA has outstanding collections of Impressionist art, early American art and artifacts, and Asian and Egyptian art. The museum also hosts lectures, musical performances and films. Admission applies.
At the beginning of the 20th century, heiress and philanthropist Isabella Stewart Gardner built a home modeled after a 15th-century Venetian palace. Gardener was a great patroness of famous artists, such as James Whistler and John Singer Sargent. She also acquired European masterpieces, and her palace is now a museum filled with works by Titian, Matisse, Rembrandt, and Raphael. The courtyard is an oasis in any season, filled with beautiful plants and flowers.
Set in a small, black-tiled basement on Newbury Street, this restaurant is less expensive than its location would suggest. The menu includes standout spring rolls, flavorful tofu and spicy seafood. The service is fast but not rushed, and the space is intimate without being cramped. Step downstairs and enjoy delicious Thai food with a young, relaxed crowd in a romantic atmosphere. The restaurant serves beer and wine only.
Alchemist started off with a magic trick in 2006 – transforming from a grungy dive bar into a hip restaurant and lounge that offers comfort food, such as burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches, but also some stand-out dishes. The paella, dry-rubbed pork tenderloin and braised beef are excellent. After dinner on Thursdays through Sundays, live music or DJs turn the place into club, with popular local acts, like—Kim MacKinnon
This botanical garden, located in Jamaica Plain, is the crown jewel in Frederick Law Olmsted's Emerald Necklace, which is the chain of Boston parks that he created. The manicured grounds, under the management of Harvard University, are filled with exotic flora that are tagged with species and genus names for the eager amateur botanist. The annual "Lilac Sunday" during the second week of May draws thousands of visitors to enjoy the beauty of over 500 lilac bushes. Admission: Free.
This neighborhood, often referred to as JP, boasts of more green space than any other in Boston. Rolling hills, botanical gardens, a pond and tree-lined streets make this one of the city's most popular places to live. Lilac Sunday, held every May at the Arnold Aboretum, draws thousands of visitors. Running through the heart of the neighborhood, Centre Street has restaurants for every taste.
Stepping into this stadium is like walking back in time. With its signature feature, the Green Monster as the 37-foot high left field wall and a manually-operated score board, this is a unique piece of civic history. The building opened in 1912 and is now America's oldest baseball park and is the home to the Red Sox team. Although, the structure has survived several fires over the years, it still stands strong. For those who cannot attend a Red Sox game, take one of the guided tours, available from May through September.
Museum of Fine Arts
Day Note
Started out at the U.S.S. constitution and had lunch at Tavern on the Water out on the deck. From there, I followed the Freedom Trail, which took most of the afternoon. At the end, I headed back to the North End to eat at Giacomo's (there was a bit of a line) but it was worth it because it's so cheap and good! From there I headed over to the Black Rose for some Irish folk singing.
Water, water everywhere, and there is plenty to drink at this seaside pub. Located on the old site of the Charlestown Navy Yard, it has unbeatable views of the harbor and the city skyline. This restaurant is particularly popular with singles when the patio opens. The menu contains nearly two dozen soup and appetizer selections. The entree choices includes baked scallops, grilled sirloin tips, lobster ravioli and jumbalaya.
Launched in 1797, "Old Ironsides" sailed her way into the history books by taking on the British fleet in the War of 1812. She fought in 40 naval battles, and never lost. The vessel received her unusual nickname after French cannonballs bounced off her sides during an 1815 military engagement. Still seaworthy, the ship is the oldest commissioned warship in the world. Free admission and tours, conducted by U.S. Navy personnel offer a look back in time. An adjacent museum features interactive exhibits. Visitors will undergo security checks before boarding.
This three-mile ribbon of red paint links 16 historical sites. Most visitors start the trail at the Boston Common. The National Park Service offers 90-minute guided tours starting at the Boston National Historical Park Visitor Center. Maps are also available here. Stops include the Old State House, Faneuil Hall and the Old North Church. You can also discover Paul Revere's house, the site of the Boston Massacre, and the Copp's Hill Burial Ground. At the end of the trail in Charlestown, the Bunker Hill Monument and the U.S.S. Constitution await you.
A Faneuil Hall landmark, this popular hangout draws tourists and locals alike into a jovial drinking atmosphere. The bartenders here know how to pour a pint of Guinness, and most will have a brogue, too. Dark walls and smoky air give an Irish pub feel. Two floors have long tables for large groups and stages for live entertainment. The noise level inside does get rather loud, especially on weekends when local bands perform. The kitchen serves burgers and sandwiches, although most patrons come for the drinks and music.
The service at Giacomo's is speedy and the food is moderately priced - that's two reasons why people throng to this place throughout the week. Also, the Italian food will have you drooling - the pastas are fresh and cooked to perfection. You can start your meal with a caprese salad and move on to the chicken parmigiana, shrimp scampi, grilled tuna or swordfish steak. This place is always crowded and no reservations are made in advance, so be there early. Also, credit cards are not accepted. One word of advice: don't order everything at once. Take your time and enjoy the meal.
U.S.S. Constitution
Day Note
Before I left, I went for a run on the Esplanade and got a bite to eat for lunch on the patio at the Garden of Eden.
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