I've reached out to some of my friends to get the scoop on their "hometowns" - a little local knowledge, if you will. There's no better way to find out the best places to go and the fun spots to check out than to ask someone who lives and breathes the city on a daily basis.
The message boards are a great place for you to speak with other women about awesome destinations, to get safety tips and to find out where you can get the best deal on a "green" vacation - but don't forget that it's also an excellent resource to tap into the locals about places to eat, landmarks to see and stores to check out.
In the meantime, here's the skinny on Bean-town from my cousin-in-law (is that really even a term?)....
Summer in Boston
Some of my favorite memories of living in Boston are the absolutely amazing summers. Boston's summer offers an idyllic mix of warm days and cool evenings, complemented by the sea breeze blowing salty air into the city. By mid-May, the Hub sheds the thousands of college students who inhabit the city for nine months, and the city takes on a different, more relaxed atmosphere.
Boston is a very pedestrian-friendly city--in fact you're probably better off parking the car and leaving it for the sake of your sanity. My husband and I love to go on spontaneous adventures on foot, exploring new corners of the city. We both also LOVE to eat, so we try to discover new culinary gems during our escapades.
One tried-and-true route takes us from the Public Garden, where you shouldn't skip a ride on the swan boats, and up Newbury Street. Newbury is great in the summer, not only for the amazing shopping and ubiquitous cafes and salons, but just for its sheer urban beauty and the "scene" of seeing and being seen. If you are in the mood for a cup of coffee, skip Starbucks and head to Espresso Royale for one of the best cups you'll ever have. Or, if you're more of a tea kind of person, head to TeaLuxe and relax and enjoy! If you find you need a break from the chaos, head one block north to Commonwealth Avenue. It has a beautiful park between the eastbound and westbound lanes and the brownstones are absolutely gorgeous. For an added effect, if you go after dark, the trees are illuminated with white lights.
If you prefer less noise and asphalt, take a walk along the Esplanade, which stretches along the Charles River from Boston University, through the Back Bay, and to Science Park. This park is also home to the Hatch Shell, where Boston's Independence Day celebration takes place along with family-friendly free concerts, festivals, and movie nights throughout the summer. There's even a lagoon where you can take a gondola ride--almost as good as Venice, without the airfare!
A newer route takes you from the North End (great after a delicious Italian dinner) along the Rose Kennedy Greenway, along the edge of Chinatown, to the waterfront. I highly recommend getting a gelato from Modern Pastry before you begin and enjoying it along your walk (trust me, it's worth the wait, the calories, and the cash). If you're feeling like some history or you want Chinese but your companion wants crepes, head just east to Quincy Market, which offers just about everything you could think of. Faneuil Hall is close by, and the area is always abuzz with street performers and souvenir vendors.
While I betray my Yankee-loving upbringing to suggest this, no trip to Boston is complete without a trip to Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox (but my loyalties haven't changed!). You just can't leave without saying you've seen the "Monstah" (that's Bostonian for the Green Monster) and that you've eaten a Fenway frank. The lengths Sox fans will go to express their devotion to their team is amusement enough to make the ticket price worth it!
If you have time and you appreciate the offbeat and the eclectic, take a trip out to Harvard Square. Home to the country's oldest university, Harvard Square boasts some unique shops and restaurants and some enjoyable walking routes. And, just a few blocks from Cambridge banks of the Charles River, there is also another beautiful path along Memorial Drive that is worth a stroll.
And, if (heaven forbid), you encounter a rainy day, don't fret! Boston boasts several museums for all interests. If you're a fan of the visual arts, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Institute of Contemporary Art should do the trick. Or if you've been there, done that, try the Fogg Museum at Harvard University. If you prefer more math and science, head to the Museum of Science, which has regular exhibits, a planetarium, and the Mugar Omni Theater, which shows IMAX movies on a curved screen. If you've got little ones in tow, Boston has an excellent Children's Museum. And, if you just hate museums, I recommend heading to the Loews Boston Common and enjoying a movie. The walk through the second floor promenade to the cinemas is in and of itself an experience (hint: be sure you look UP while making your stroll!).
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