The Modern Girl Friday

She's the sidekick, but she can be the whole show. She gives as good as she takes. She's one of the guys. She's all woman. She's a red-blooded, say what she wants with a twinkle in her eye, I won't take crap kinda girl.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

On Lily's Destination List: Boston, MA

One of the oldest cities in the United States, Boston is a vibrant mix of historical and modern. Walking around the city, you tend to forget you’re in a 21st century town with all the historical sights within spitting distance of the Starbucks that line the streets.

First incorporated as a town in 1630 and a city in 1822, Boston sits on the east coast and is home to nearly 590,000 residents. Not bad for a city in a state the size of a postage stamp. Known mostly for its baseball team and wicked cool local accents (“Let’s have some chowdah.”), what people don’t know about Boston is that it is a center for good eats, good sights, and good shopping.

Being one of Modern Girl Friday’s favorite places to travel, Orchid, BrownSuga, and myself thought it’d be a great idea to give a few tourist tips to wet your appetite for a trip to the northeast. Whether you travel during the winter (as I am apt to do), the spring (as BrownSuga will be), or the summer (as is Orchid’s favorite time) Boston provides a variety of fun activities, educational discovery, and culinary experiences.

So, if you’ve never been to Boston, here’s a little starter information from the girls at MGF.

Where to stay: When looking for someplace to stay, finding a hotel near a T-stop (the T is Boston’s efficient subway system) is vital. The last thing you want to do is drive. On a meager budget? Boston has a number of hostels that you can stay at for minimal prices (
http://www.bostonhostel.org/). Lily has always favored Cambridge for its collegiate atmosphere. The Commander (http://www.sheratoncommander.com/) is located in the heart of Harvard Square and is within walking distance of the famous Harvard Yard. Want to really go upscale? Try XV Beacon in the Beacon Hill neighborhood (www.xvbeacon.com). This posh boutique hotel will make you believe that you’re part of Boston’s high society.

Where to eat: There is no shortage of places to eat when you’re in Boston. Being a port town, many cultures converge on the restaurant scene. And being surrounded by water (the Charles River also cuts through the city), seafood is in abundance. Want a large variety of choices without breaking your bank? Check out Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall (
http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com). The shopping complex located in downtown Boston has an entire hall dedicated to eating. There you can get anything from pizzas, to gyros, to Boston’s famous chowder. The vendors there are super nice and the food can’t be beat.

Want to get ethnic? The Café Polonia (
http://www.cafepolonia.com/) was an excellent find for Polish food. Located down the street from Southie’s Andrew T-stop, the little café serves authentic Polish meals at reasonable prices. Try the Polish plate for a little of everything.

Want to release the seafood lover in you? Then The Union Oyster House (
http://www.unionoysterhouse.com) is the place for you. The oldest restaurant on record in the United States (open in 1826); the Oyster House still serves quality seafood to this day. Our resident seafood maven, BrownSuga recommends the scallops, clams, flounder, or lobster when you order. Enjoy the atmosphere and maybe a beer or two!

Where to Shop: The first place for a shopaholic in Boston is Filene’s Basement (
http://www.filenesbasement.com/master.html). The last stop for merchandise from the vaunted Filene’s Department Store, there are bargains to be had everyday of the week. With discounts on designer clothes and shoes up to 60% off, Filene’s Basement is definitely a must see.

If you’re a hipster and into “the scene,” go to Cambridge and visit The Garage. The small, weatherproof shopping center is a hodge-podge of record stores, clothing boutiques, and even a tattoo parlor. But don’t take my word for it; check out what some of the locals say (
http://www.yelp.com/biz/5lxquLg9C0l_jFsqbpFXRg).

Finally, if you’re part of the retro revolution, go to Buckaroo’s Mercantile. This blast from the past has everything from Elvis kitsch to poodle skirts. And the best part? They’re all decent prices. That should warm up the collector in any of us. How good is this place? It’s worthy enough for a mention on the venerable Travel Channel website (
http://travel.discovery.com/destinations/fodors/boston/shopping_20367_1.html).

In between the shopping, the eating, and the hotel lounging, don’t forget to check out the historical sights. It’s not that hard to do, they’re everywhere. Walk the Freedom Trail, see Paul Revere’s grave, check out the USS Constitution and maybe make a re-enactment of the Boston Tea Party (note: We are not responsible if you get arrested…we’re all adults here!).

Boston…its wicked cool.

2 Comments:

Blogger Brown Suga said...

Great closing line ha ha ha.

February 22, 2006 7:40 AM  
Blogger ElusiveOrchid said...

*laughing* Boston is definitely "wicked cool" a perfect description!

February 23, 2006 1:10 PM  

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