Since graduating and moving to New York I find myself wishing I could rewind and pause to a moment in Boston. I was lucky to call Boston home for the 4 years of college. I loved learning and growing in such an amazing city. My home. My first love, Beantown.
I’ve made a list of my hidden gems that make Boston so special. Ice-cream, shopping, books, date night, healthy bites – keep reading to find out which place you will have to visit. I could write an entire post about what to do and see and eat in one part of Boston so I tried to compile a list of the spots I’ve been to or heard great things about! I also have a “boston” highlights on my instagram with more spots and a pinterest board! XO
Food
When it comes to food there are always endless options – here are some of my favorites!
Eat by Chloe: A great vegan option and still amazing if you aren’t vegan!! The interior design is amazing!
Eataly: An authentic Italian paradise. So many restaurant options as well as grocery section here! My nonna was in paradise. Eataly also offers classes….cough cough wine and pasta making *signs up immediately* Last year they had an amazing summer block party and an après ski themed winter event!
Frenchie – This place will always hold a special spot in my heart. Joe took me here as a surprise after a fun Boston adventure day to all of my favorite spots. It had an Alice in Wonderland themed menu. White peonies covered the walls and we sat in the back of a small redecorated greenhouse space with a view of a garden with twinkle lights. Such a classic but modern design, plus it holds a romantic feel in the back greenhouse room. It was amazing. The food was even better!
Dali – Yummy Spanish food with a lively atmosphere and even better churros. The staff here was so so kind.
Blackbird & Union Square donuts – Sadly I have never been to either of these donut shops listed below! However, I hear they are so amazing! Worth checking out!
Bakeries – Flour Shop, Georgetown Cupcakes, Bova’s, Cafe Madeline, Sweet.
The Abbey – A cute little restaurant that is dimly lit and romantic. Joe and I went here on our first date! The space is small but cozy and the food was amazing.
Pizza: Dirty Water on Newbury, Regina Pizzeria, The Upper Crust, Pinnochio’s & anything in the North End!
Paris Creperie – Stop in here for a crepe and cocoa!
Les Zygomates – If you’re looking for live jazz, delicious wine and bruschetta this is your next stop. Super romantic! I loved the feeling here.
Citrus & Salt – A great Mexican returant with a beachy interior.
Boston Burger Co. – I saw this place on instagram for their creative burgers and crazy milkshakes! The menu is insane. Find more photos like these below on their website!
Top of the Hub: Breathtaking – the perfect date spot for a special occasion with a sky high view.
Breakfast/Brunch
The Breakfast Club – Breakfast club is a little dinner in Allston that has an old school vibe. I recommend going early or calling ahead because this spot gets busy fast! Fun milkshakes = sold.
Trident – I am all for a breakfast all day everyday kind of place. This place is half of a bookstore and half of a restaurant! My cousin Bailey and I would venture here for a late night breakfast and book shopping. It is located on Newbury street!
Bagelsaurus – Bagelsaurus was my weakness…especially because I passed it on my walk to class. There is always a lengthly line on weekend mornings so get there before they sell out (they always do!) Order: T-Rex or the eggspañola.
Grafton Street – This is a spot in Harvard Square! Joe and I came here almost every sunday of senior year. Opps….Pancakes are a must!
Zinnekins – Living next to this shop in Harvard Square was a blessing and a curse. The waffles are amazing here – really small shop but a range of different sweet treats, smoothies, coffee and cocoa.
More brunch & breakfast spots: Sonsie (on Newbury), Lincoln Tavern, North Street Grille, The Beehive, Boston Public House, The Friendly Toast, Gaslight, Milkweed, & The Paramount.
To Do
Boston Common/Public Garden – On a nice day this is the perfect spot to for a stroll or to stop and relax for a picnic, people watching or enjoy a classic swan boat ride. P.S. The frog pond is here as well! You can rent skates and enjoy some cocoa.
Brattle Book Shop – A step up from the Scholastic book fair would have to be the Brattle Book Shop. This spot is tucked away and a great little explore spot.
The Boston Public Library – The Boston Public Library will forever be my number one. There are so many places to study in here!
The glowing green lamps, towering ceilings and Rapunzel like balconies and wait…maybe don’t study here you may get distracted like me. The outdoor court yard is perfect for those warm summer or brisk fall days. The courtyard is lined with columns, chairs and tables with a beautiful fountain in the middle. There is also a little cafe inside called the map room in case you get hungry!
Visit the Esplanade
This is a great place to hang out by the water. Such a nice break from the craziness of the city! Keep an eye out for ducklings!!!
Newbury Street
A day of shopping is only done best at Newbury. During the summer they close off the entrances so that people can roam the streets on a warm day. It’s called Open Newbury and it’s always so fun! I picked up some really beautiful Boston prints from a street vendor here!!
Some favorites – Pavement Coffee, Madewell, Lululemon, No Rest for Bridget (trendy and reasonably priced), Harry Potter Store, Amorino, Sonsie (brunch), LIT boutique.
Biking
Biking in the city can be SCARY but so fun!! There are bike stations all around the city. I recommend grabbing one and taking a bike ride along the Charles – limited traffic and a nice river breeze. Click here for a map of where you can grab yours!
Visit Harvard Square
Harvard Square is home to sooo many of my favorite places! I was lucky enough to live here for a summer as well as have a short walk from my college to this lively spot. My favorite part is the walk along the Charles, nothing beats it.
Some of my favorite spots include: Tatte, Toscano, Russel House Tavern, Border Cafe, Felipe’s, Crema, J.P. Licks, Clover, Pinocchio’s, Otto’s Pizza, Sweet green, Alden & Harlow, Zinnekins.
Freedom trail – A historic must do!
The Lawn on D – This is a big grass area with glowing swings, live music or movies, games and food.
Faneuil Hall –This is a great spot during the holiday season but an even better spot to shop and grab a bite!
Visit a Museum
Museum of Science – Always something cool to see here!
Museum of Fine Arts – Students get in for free!! The artwork here is amazing.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum –I never got a chance to visit but it looks like quite a lush green escape in the city!
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University –If you are looking for an escape into nature.
Harvard Museum of Natural History –Another small but great museum. The glass flowers here are a must see!!
New England Aquarium-Such a fun date idea especially on a cold winter day. The aquarium is right on the water – maybe you can stop for a lobster roll too!
Beacon Hill
My all time favorite part of Boston. I love this area!! Such a great spot to shop, grab a bite, stop in at a flower shop, or maybe if youre crazy like I was….run those hills!! But overall a great place to walk through and maybe grab a coffee and head towards the public garden.
Favorites: Beacon Hill Chocolates, Rouvalis Flowers, Acorn Street (the most photographed street in America), Charles Street, Starbucks (small and calm), State House.
Beacon Hill Chocolates – I’ve been coming to this chocolate spot since 2014! This is a sweet little chocolate shop in Beacon Hill that has an old style feel. I love their unique chocolates and their vintage chocolate boxes!
Rouvalis Flowers
Located on a corner in Beacon Hill. A bit pricey but great display to stop at to visit for some seasonal happiness.
North End
Another favorite! Stop by at the North End for a yummy Italian dinner, a slice of pizza, a cannoli and more! Such an old time feeling here. You can even do a pizza tour.
Favorites – Always the classic Mikes and Modern pastry for a sweet treat but if you’re looking to skip the mainstream cannoli scene head to Bova’s. SO yummy! I also love this cute drink spot called Parla!
Parla
Parla – This spot was so so unique. The menu alone was SO cool. At the front and back of the menu were blank pages for guests to write and draw in. We got lost in a sea of doodles and notes that people had written. Trust me on this. There is also a game called the Dungeon Master – read this one for yourself!
If you’re looking for a fun and quirky spot for a first date that can get a conversation going or a bite to eat with a group of friends this is your spot.
Duck Tour– For those Boston visitors and those who didn’t do this as a 5th grader on a field trip – this is a fun and classic way to see all of Boston with a dive into the water at the end.
Red Sox Game –Even if you aren’t into baseball just going for the environment of Fenway is great aka having a Fenway frank, cold beer & cotton candy in hand while singing Sweet Caroline.
Kayak/Paddle Board –On those summer days renting a paddle board or a kayak is a great idea to get active!
Coffee
Tatte – Putting the best first! Tatte is pronounced tah-tay (I called to validate my point for a bet that I was right about the pronunciation, I lost the bet. I called three of the shops to triple check it). This shop has the perfect aesthetic. It feels warm, welcoming and a great place to catch up with a friend, read a book or grind out some homework as you people watch from a window. The food and coffee is great! I used to stop here almost every morning during my summer job at the Harvard Square shop. Joe and I used to have weekly dates here before heading into Widener. We both say we would go back to Boston just for Tatte. There are many locations!!
Order —> Honey latte, black iced vanilla, fresh squeezed oj or spinach labneh
Jaho – This is a great spot for a tummy latte or iced coffee! The space is really spread out and a nice spot to sit with homework or a book.
Explorateur – Great latte & lots of space.
The Thinking Cup – There are a few around the city! The Thinking Cup located at the Boston Common uses old Boston Globe newspapers under a glass HOW COOL!! This spot doesn’t have wifi which is a love hate relationship. Leave your laptop, tablet and maybe phone to get lost in a book. A sweet moment to disconnect.
Nero – Another great coffee shop. Great place to do some homework and most of the people in here are college kids!
Pavement – A few locations! One of my favorites! Vanilla latte is to die for.
Hi Rise – I used to live right above this building! A bit overpriced but really delicious treats.
Forge Baking Company – Such a cozy hidden gem. Attached is an ice cream parlor!! This location has a ton of space so you don’t feel like you are right on top of everyone!
Health
Jugos –Jugos is a tropical escape. I found Jugos my freshman year when I was on the hunt for an açaí bowl on the east coast. After trying so so many spots Jugos is my all time favorite! The stella is my go to smoothie and the kai bowl is a classic! There are three locations! One is located in the South End – a sit down spot and the other is right next to the Back Bay Station – a grab and go! I loved picking up an açaí bowl or smoothie and then heading to the Boston Public Library courtyard. The last location is by a pool – you need to pay for pool access but a nice treat by the pool is a great
Order –> Bowl: Kai bowl with honey
Smoothie: Stella
Pressed Juicery –When you want to convince yourself that it is time to drink green things and maybe go for a jog. Another great juice spot – a bit pricey! I love the blue lemonade and greens 3! The pink one posted below was a bit too floral tasting for me – but all of these are packed with a health kick!
Cold Press –Great pressed juice, açaí bowls, sandwiches, and healthy bites and an amazing staff. I loooove this place!
Mother Juice –Really pretty decor and overall a cool vibe. This is another yummy health spot. Try their juice but stick with Jugos if you want an açaí bowl! Just my preference though!!
More healthy bites: Sweetgreen, Dig inn, Life Alive, B. Good, Honeygrow, Clover, & Oat Shop.
Ice Cream
Amorino – Rose petal gelato? Need I say more? This is a great date spot! Amorino just opened a new location in Harvard Square this past summer. You can also check out their Newbury street location!
Fomu – Good vegan ice cream options. I tried their lavender ice-cream!
Emack and Bolios –The unique waffle cones are unlike anything!!
Going Out
Last and certainly not least is the going out spots! Since I was in Boston for undergrad I know all of the spots to be at on a Thursday night when your 8AM Friday class is canceled so hang with me here. I added some rooftop bar spots as well!!
Tavern in the Square –A 2 minute walk from my senior year apartment. *tears* A great college spot on a Thursday! Known for their blue sugary fish bowl that you can share with friends. 🙂
The Draft – I could see this bar from my apartment…”No the line isn’t that long yet, but leave in 5″ This is a great sporty college bar. Super small but fun seeing all of your college friends!!
White Horse – Another popular college bar in Allston. Luckily White Horse, The Draft & Tavern in the Square are in the same 5 minute walking radius!
Howl At The Moon, T’s, Ned Devines, Bell in Hand, Landsdowne, Bleacher Bar, Cask n’ Flagon!
Clubbing is not really my scene but bijou, the grand? Why do I feel like a grandma…You may have to ask around for this one!
Rooftop Bars
Maybe best for last here. I love a good rooftop bar. There is something about being above the city, out in the fresh air or simply having a view that makes any atmosphere that much better.
Rooftop @ Revere: Beautiful rooftop with a pool, cabanas, and food! Perfect for a quick dip or sunset sip.
Daedalus: Located in Harvard Square. The rooftop deck is a great summer spot. The cocktails were really good here.
Felipe’s Taqueria: The perfect place for some margaritas, nachos and a summer breeze. This was a go-to college spot when the weather got nice!!
Other rooftop bars that I have not visited but heard about include: The Colonnade Hotel Rooftop Pool, Ristorante Fiori, Coppersmith, Lookout, & Legal Harborside.
There is this moment, ducklings circling in the pond, the warmth of a coffee and familiar face across from you, the calm corners of the busy city, the worn cobble stone streets…this moment where you feel as if the city becomes a part of you, and then you are finally home. Every new moment that you experience, every new memory that you make is suddenly happening in a place that feels like a home.
I hope that this was a helpful guide to the get around Boston! If you visit any of these places or find a new one let me know, I would love to hear about it!
Always,
Madison
Loved this article!
Thank you angel. I love you!