Summer in Boston

  

    This is the first official week of summer!  It's my favorite time of year here in Boston.  The weather has warmed up but there's still just enough of a sea breeze to keep things comfortable.  As I mentioned in this post, sometimes being a tourist in your own neighborhood is just as fun as traveling far away.  So I thought I'd put a quick list together of my top 10 things to do, both for people that live in Boston and those who may be stopping through for a visit this summer.

1. Take a duck boat tour.  
    Kevin and I have been on at least two or three and it really never seems to get old.  The drivers are knowledeable and funny and we always learn something new.

2. Have a picnic.
    Boston has some awesome green areas--the Esplanade, Boston Common, Bunker Hill Monument Park, Christopher Columbus Park, Castle Island....ok I could go on forever but you get the idea.  Set up shop somewhere with some snacks and a book and just enjoy being outside (the people watching is also excellent)!

3. Go to a Red Sox game.
    Even if you don't like baseball, it's such a part of Boston culture that you really just shouldn't miss it.  Nearby, visit Bleacher Bar for a ground level view of the field and Tasty Burger for...um...a tasty burger.

4. Go to one of the Harbor Islands.
    Ferries run from Long Wharf near the aquarium to many different islands in the Boston Harbor.  You can take a picnic lunch, sunbathe, or hike.  Plus, you get some amazing views of the city.

5. Eat al fresco.
    Boston takes its outdoor eating scene pretty seriously.  If a restaurant doesn't have a patio, they most likely have a huge sliding window that completely opens the restaurant up to the sidewalk for when the weather is nice.

6. Eat in the North End.
    Seriously, go there.  Sit down in any restaurant and be wowed by the most amazing Italian food this side of the Atlantic.  Oh and that lobster roll that I've mentioned on way too many occasions can be found there!

7.  Take in some history.  
    I don't suggest trying to do everything.  Pick what interests you.  Into old battlesites? Check out Bunker Hill, Lexington, and Concord.  Like museums? Try the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Gardner Museum, and Paul Revere's House.  Skip the Salem Witch Museum.  Even the food is historic.  Some places are labeled "gastronomic landmarks" so it could be fun to check out all of those.  For example, Union Oyster House is the oldest continuously run restaurant in the country.

8.  Go out on the water.
    There are several ways to accomplish this.  You can rent a kayak, charter a cruise, or     
    take a gondola ride.  Part of our public transportation system is even a ferry that charges 
    just a few dollars and runs from the aquarium to the Charlestown Navy Yard.

9.  Plan an excursion to Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, or the Cape.  
    I wrote about our vineyard trip here, but have yet to see Cape Cod or Nantucket.  Those are definitely on my list!

10. Visit a brewery
    It's true that breweries don't have the same charm as a vineyard, and I'll be the first to admit that I prefer wine over beer, but seeing how things are made is always interesting to me.  Plus you get a lot of free samples.  Check out Harpoon in the trendy Seaport area and Sam Adams in Jamaica Plain.

So there you have it.  My top 10 things to do in Boston this summer.  As a bonus I will mention that if you ever have the opportunity to visit on July 4th, it is so worth your time.  The Boston Pops perform and the fireworks show is top notch.  It's by far my favorite holiday to spend here in the city.