Boston: When To Visit; What To Do

by Rachel Goggan

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Boston can be one of the most charming places to visit for all travelers: loners, lovers, and families. It is important, however, to prepare yourself so that you make the most of your trip and don't get bogged down by poor decisions.

When to Visit Boston

The best time to visit Boston is undoubtedly during the foliage season, which usually peaks in mid-October. The weather is generally crisp and clear, just before the onslaught of winter, perfect for trolling along Boston's charming and colorful pathways. All of the students are in town as are the infinite number of tourists who pour into New England every October, and there are many events -- but regrettably few parking spaces to accommodate everyone. There are sights to see all over, and those opting to avoid the crowds at Harvard Square and Quincy Market can still choose from a number of diversions ranging from a stroll in the rose garden in the Fenway to a visit at the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum.

The Spring, if and when it occurs, is a lovely time in Boston but totally unpredictable. One day you will see hordes of people soaking up the sun that they have been denied during the winter months, and the next it will be back to gloves and golashes. Summer is the way to see Boston without the crowds, as legend has it approximately 250,000 students leave the city after their spring finals. This is a great time to make the roadtrip to Walden Pond for relaxation and meditation or hop on over to Boston's new Revere Beach.

Of course, if you plan on visiting during Boston's winter season, make sure to pack your woolens. Although packing for a trip to Boston hinges upon when you go, a few items will benefit the active tourist all the time: a camera, sunscreen, sunglasses and a pair of comfortable shoes.

Recommended Activities in Boston

There is never an excuse for boredom in Boston as it provides an endless stream of possible activities. Boston's famed Freedom Trail offers a three-mile walking tour of 16 different attractions, including sites related to the American Revolution -- which often happen to overlap with some of Boston's less educational shopping and restaurant areas. It's a better idea instead to hit individual sites that interest you while on the trail unless you are a particularly hardy history buff with an affinity for fanny-paks and crying children.

To pick up the trail, take the "T" to Park Street and follow the painted red line that marks the trail. Highlights include the Boston Common, the nation's oldest public park, the Old State House (now a museum), and Faneuil Hall, the charming but crowded shopping district adjacent to Quincy Market. If you find yourself in the area around dinner time, the close by North End is Boston's answer to Little Italy with a number of charming narrow streets and cozy little cafes and restaurants. Make sure to get there before seven if you don't want to wait an hour for a table.

Harvard Square is also overcrowded and touristy but is a necessary stop for any newcomers to Boston. Located in Cambridge, although easily accessible by "T", Harvard Square is a mecca for intellectuals around the world. For booklovers Harvard Square offers an infinite number of shops to keep you busy for hours. It is also a good place to catch a substandard street musician performance and the generally bohemian nature of the locals.

For days when the weather is a bit less agreeable, Boston boasts a number of outstanding museums. For a more interactive experience, the Museum of Science at Science Park is a good bet. When you grow bored with the regular exhibits {which are generally surprisingly entertaining), check out the adjacent Mugar Omni Theater for a surreal audio-visual experience or the Hayden Planetarium.

For art lovers, visiting the Museum of Fine Arts and the nearby lesser known Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is an enlightening way to spend an afternoon. If you are feeling adventurous and multicultural afterwards walk over to the Mass Cafi on Massachusetts Avenue, a relatively unknown treasure, for affordable authentic Ethiopian/Eritrean cuisine. A few blocks away you will find Wally's, a dark, smoky, often overcrowded jazz club which is a part of Boston's history and soul.

Boston Nightlife

After a day of sightseeing, Boston offers an array of restaurants to choose from. Rhythm and Spice on Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge is a festive spot for dinner and dancing Caribbean style. In addition to Wally's, there are a number of clubs for night owls. The Middle East located at 472-80 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge and Johnny D's at 17 Holland Street in Somerville are good places to check out local bands and local crowds. The Burren on Elm in Somerville is a traditional Irish pub with live Irish music in one room and local bands in the back.

If overpriced dance clubs are more your scene, Landsdowne Street by the Kenmore stop is home to a plethora of nightspots where one can usually find a crowd of Boston's more elitist international students.

Boston also offers entertainment of a slightly more cultured nature. The world renowned Boston Pops well deserve their reputation, and a variety of plays and musicals also run throughout the year in Boston's theater district.

Check out Bostix in Copley Square for half-price tickets. Events include First Night, a non-alcoholic New Year's celebration, the Boston Marathon (don't miss this), a weeklong celebration of Independence Day including a special Boston Pops concert and Head of the Charles, a Harvard-sponsored rowing competition on the Charles River.

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