Outside the normal things to do in Boston?

Question

Planning a trip to Boston in March. Any tips on stuff to do would be great. I'm not a big museum person. Weird spots, cool bars, local color, etc. Touristy stuff is cool too, but only if it's really good (Cheers need not apply).

Answer 1

I grew up in Boston.

Do the Freedom Trail if you enjoy history. It leads you through much of historic Boston, you'll see some pretty nifty stuff.

Go to Harvard Square in the evening and check out the street musicians. Boston has a BIG music community and you can catch some great music for free on the streets. Tracy Chapman used to be a Boston street musician.

For the best ribs dinner or barbecue you'll ever eat in your life, try Redbones, in Porter Square in Cambridge (on the Red Line of the MTA). My brother in law tends bar there, but that's not why I recommend it (although he's a great bartender and they have LOTS of awesome beers on tap). It's just great eats.

Check out the Nameless Coffeehouse in Harvard Square (3 Church Street) on any Friday night for free folk music, free coffee, and a great time. http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=117453

An amazing pub is the Plough and Stars on Massachusetts Avenue, between Harvard Square and Central Square.

Haymarket Square on a Saturday morning is amazing. It's a huge farmer's market where you can get free samples of excellent produce, cheeses, etc. It's worth looking at, even if you aren't shopping.

The North End is also amazing. Great Italian bakeries and restaurants (and if you want incredible pizza, do Pizzeria Regina, located in many places in Boston, but the original one is in the North End). If you get the opportunity, go to Bova's Bakery on St. Botolph Street in the North End. It's about a block away from the Old North Church and they take a fresh bake out of the oven at 2 AM if you like fresh, hot from the oven Italian bread.

Harvard University's campus is gorgeous, and they have a number of museums there that really are worth a looksee. If nothing else, check out the glass flowers exhibit. BEAUTIFUL! http://www.hmnh.harvard.edu/exhibitions/glassflowers.html

The Edgerton Corridor Lab and Strobe Alley at MIT is also a load of fun. You can interact with the different items there and check out photographs of Doc Edgerton's famous strobe light photography experiments. I consider this a MUST see for anybody going to the Boston area. http://web.mit.edu/Edgerton/www/CorridorLab.html

For shopping, try Pedestrian's Mall at the Washington Street stop on the MTA's Red Line. Faneuil Hall is way too touristy and overpriced.

Excellent prime rib and lobster can be had at Durgin Park, just by Faneuil Hall. The place is literally famous for its rude wait staff (all a put on, part of the atmosphere), and the food is just phenomenal.

Answer 2

Go to Harvard Square. A lot of it will be tourist-y but it is also where a lot of local people hang out, and check out some of the local bars in that area or along Mass. Ave which runs right through Harvard Square. . .For something most people probably don't think of when they plan a trip to Boston, take one stop after Harvard on the Red Line to Central. This will bring you to Central Square a little bit further along Mass. Ave. It isn't the nicest place in the state or anything, but there are so many cool restaurants and bars and it definitely isn't your typical tourist trap!

Answer 3

What do you brainwashed idiots think? You don't even know what 'terrorism' or 'America' or anything means. You're nothing but an amalgamation of the news garbage you've indoctrinated yourself with. You have no information, no perspective, no intelligence and DEFINITELY no ability to judge, speculate or guess a damn thing in the world. So shut up and eat your corn flakes and do something useful.

Answer 4

I went to Boston last year and had a great time. We did a haunted walking tour and ate lots on the North End. Make sure to bring comfortable shoes, there's lots of walking.

Answer 5

I would suggest spending some time just walking around in the North End. Go to Pizzeria Regina and then get dessert at Mike's Pastry. Then head over to the aquarium (even if you don't go in) and see the harbor.

Answer 6

The Ether Dome, the Ether Monument, the Mapparium, the Milk bottle-shaped building, etc.

Answer 7

You could place small rectangular Lite-Brite displays on major highways and then spend the rest of the day in traffic.

Seriously, I would recommend a tour of Fenway Park (redsox.com) or a Duck tour (bostonducktours.com)

Answer 8

i dont live in boston but im planning a trip there also
from what ive heard if you plan on following freedom trail youll see alot of the city

Answer 9

Faneuil hall is a great place to go walking around great shops and places to eat. Have fun