keeps vis.social runningI'm going to be in Boston for a couple days. What should I see while I'm there?
Also, are there any really good food spots that also have outdoor seating?
*Boosts will help with reach, and more suggestions.
🕯️Curious Magpie🕯️@kristinHenry check out @knizer
knizer@CuriousMagpie @kristinHenry
oh hey, I hope you enjoy your visit to our fair metroplex. Dining: Depends on where you're staying and where you want to be during the day for food recs - we're a very walkable city with ok food culture and some great outdoor food spots. let me know neighborhood(s)?
For general 'what do', I put together: https://github.com/jknizer/awesome-boston
For covid cautious events: see fan-listings.neocities.org
GitHub - jknizer/awesome-boston: A curated list of links and recommendations to will keep you in love with the greater Boston area of Massachusetts (and places nearby)
A curated list of links and recommendations to will keep you in love with the greater Boston area of Massachusetts (and places nearby) - jknizer/awesome-boston
@knizer @CuriousMagpie Looks like we're staying 'south of the commons'. But planning to spend a lot of time at the Fine Art Museum.
@kristinHenry @CuriousMagpie Boston Common has theatre district stuff and lots of hotels, but its pretty tight packed, I'm not super familiar with a *ton* of outdoor options. MFA has the cafeteria in the basement that opens out to a courtyard, highly recommend that space. Lots of Northeastern University student meal options in that area, campus has lots of nooks and crannies where you can sit and eat takeaway.
Visitors trend towards Faneuil Hall area, north and east of the Common, unfortunately the Wagamama there closed, but there's a couple covered but open air in good weather restaurants there. Oh, and visitors often get cajoled into Legal Seafood, which has limited outdoor seating. I've never had anything bad there, but its a little overpriced even for a jaded Somervillain.
I will percolate further. Bonne chance!
Irene Zhang@knizer @kristinHenry @CuriousMagpie I use the live in Boston years ago and every time I go back now, I try to make it to the spots that I miss. Neptune Oyster if they do take out, no outdoor seating. Otherwise Alive & Kicking Lobster in Cambridge which only has outdoor seating. Then either Oleana or Sofra. I believe they both have outdoor seating.
Steve Gisselbrecht@kristinHenry @knizer @CuriousMagpie
MFA is a reasonable walk from Time Out Market, which provides lots of outdoor seating and varied dining options. (Think high-end food court. But like actually high end.)
The Mapparium at the Christian Science Mother Church is a weird little quirky gem, and not too far from there. (A few stops on the Green Line of the subway.) Also cross the Fenway from MFA and walk through the Back Bay Fens, by Frederick Law Olmsted. The lilacs are just about to pop.
jz.tusk@kristinHenry @knizer @CuriousMagpie
Every time a guest wants to do a quick pass through the MFA we already end up spending a whole day. 😄.
You'll be in the Fenway nbhd (my hood!), so you've got good dinner options. Time Out is a gourmet food mall - v. good food, lots of choices, but kinda loud. Though they do have outside seating! Get your beer from Trillium, just outside.
@kristinHenry @knizer @CuriousMagpie
If you want something more sit-down and unwind, nearby on Boylston there are some excellent choices.
I can recommend Mita (Italian), Sweet Cheeks (bbq), and Eventide (seafood).
HTTP 1.1/418 Seasonal Pride Decor Teapot@jztusk @kristinHenry @knizer @CuriousMagpie
Be cautious about the part of Boylston around Sweet Cheeks (not sure offhand about the others). It's fairly close to Fenway Park, so if there's a Red Sox home game, things may be a bit overcrowded in the area. (They're out of town at the moment but looks like they're back starting Thursday)
Be cautious about the part of Boylston around Sweet Cheeks (not sure offhand about the others). It's fairly close to Fenway Park, so if there's a Red Sox home game, things may be a bit overcrowded in the area. (They're out of town at the moment but looks like they're back starting Thursday)
@rmd1023 @kristinHenry @knizer @CuriousMagpie
Oh, good point! Always check the Red Socks schedule (available on their web site) before venturing near Fenway Park. MFA is far enough away, but as said, lower Boylston is not!
Tracy Thomas@kristinHenry I’m about to head to Boston for work too. In Cambridge, there’s a nice restaurant with local ingredients: https://www.altheacentralsq.com/
If you are into beer, Trillium Fort Point has a rooftop deck with good food https://trilliumbrewing.com/pages/fort-point
I have a bookmarked site with outdoor places. Will reply with that.
@kristinHenry You’ll need to check if these lists are current, but here’s a few I consult when I go there.
https://boston.eater.com/maps/sheltered-patios-outdoor-dining-boston-rainy-bad-weather
https://www.boston.com/food/restaurants/2025/05/01/where-to-eat-outside-in-greater-boston-2025/
RealGene ☣️The header photo for this article shows The Barking Crab, which I don't think is particularly good, unless you want mediocre seafood served in a beer garden atmosphere (loud drunks crowded together).
The Daily Catch a couple of blocks away is better food and a definitely calmer vibe.
If you go to the seaport district, the Institute of Contemporary Art is also a nice museum, and its front steps are a lovely spot to enjoy the harbor, the weather and people watch.
Whattaya into? Art? History? Beer? Cocktails? Ocean views? Cool 19th architecture? Dining? Cheaper interesting multi-ethnic dining, or fancy gourmet dining? etc.
Regardless of your answer, here are two useful items: Boston is actually quite small, and densely packed. If you like to walk you can see lots of stuff fairly quickly. And second, maybe add #cambridgema and #somervillema to your hashtags - technically diff cities, but filled with great stuff.
Axomamma, Antifa from birth@kristinHenry The Fenway Victory Gardens. It's across the Muddy River from the Museum of Fine Arts.
If you're near the Public Garden, in the corner adjacent to Beacon and Arlington, there is a lovely statue that "[commemorates] the discovery that the inhaling of ether causes insensibility to pain."
In that same corner, in the very corner, there is a pretty little fountain that I've never seen working but has a quote from the bible verse "cast thy bread upon the water." It's lovely.
Pomegranate Pirate 🏳️🌈🏴☠️@kristinHenry the Mt Auburn Cemetery!
Eoin O'Beara@kristinHenry I'd highly recommend a walking tour.
fart :3@kristinHenry perhaps a little far (Cambridge) but there's this Palestinian cafe called sandals that has great food (best cheesecake i've had in a while)
Damien Goutte-Gattat@kristinHenry I've been to Boston twice for work. Food-wise, I've been very happy with my experience at the "Cambridge Common" (cambridgecommonrestaurant.com/), which had been recommended to me by my local colleagues. 😀
Asilata Bapat@kristinHenry
Highly recommend Sofra: https://www.sofrabakery.com/ .
It had a small number of outdoor tables the last time I was there.
Highly recommend Sofra: https://www.sofrabakery.com/ .
It had a small number of outdoor tables the last time I was there.
David, a Bostonian in Tokyo.My two standard recommendations are:
1. The State House bulding on Beacon Hill. Seriously lovely, has guided tours.
2. Massachusetts Historical Society. Lovely Back Bay building, and they sometimes have fun things, like bag lunch talks by researchers. Check their web site.
Also, check Berklee for student or other concerts.
Allpoints@kristinHenry I wouldn't say it's a must-see, but if you're near the Boston Public Library at any point and just need a break, there's a very nice little courtyard inside between the old and new buildings. When the weather's nice, it's a good place to stop and take a moment. It's also a nice spot to bring your lunch.
BPL is gorgeous, especially the old building! Courtyard is an easy win; you can grab a sandwich nearby here https://www.allanticovinaiousa.com/ and smuggle it in.
But don't skip touring the whole building. The murals are kind of hidden away, but are worth finding: https://thehumblefabulist.com/2018/04/24/the-incredible-murals-of-the-boston-public-library/
All'Antico Vinaio | Italian Sandwich Shop
Welcome to All'antico Vinaio, the legendary Florentine sandwich shop. Since 1991, the Mazzanti family has been passionately running the three Florence locations of All'antico Vinaio and has been drawing crowds of both Italians and tourists alike.
Honestly, Copley Square is a great place to spend an hour or two.
- BPL, as mentioned
- Trinity Church. Outside's great, def. worth going in (allowed, so long as a service isn't happening).
- Definitely take a brief walk through the Fairmont Hotel to look at how the rich people stay
- Don't forget to appreciate the Old South Church (on the corner, italianate tower). You can go in, but I think it's got the best exterior, and is often ignored.
@jztusk @allpoints @kristinHenry
The original BPL building was made from granite quarried in Milford, MA - they reopened the quarries when they built the new add-on building so it could be the same stone.
The original BPL building was made from granite quarried in Milford, MA - they reopened the quarries when they built the new add-on building so it could be the same stone.
Eric Bender@kristinHenry dunno if this overview map will help: https://www.boston.gov/departments/small-business/outdoor-dining-program#map--814496
@kristinHenry Restaurants have started putting their outdoor tables out. I have no specific recommendations, there.
However: My favorite lesser-known thing to show folks in Boston is the Maparium at the Christian Science mother church. (No proselytizing involved). It's a map of the world made out of stained glass that you walk through. The stained glass is pretty, but the acoustics are AMAZING. https://www.christianscience.com/the-mother-church-in-boston/how-do-you-see-the-world-experience The site itself is full of gorgeous stonework and there's a nice reflecting pool there.
However: My favorite lesser-known thing to show folks in Boston is the Maparium at the Christian Science mother church. (No proselytizing involved). It's a map of the world made out of stained glass that you walk through. The stained glass is pretty, but the acoustics are AMAZING. https://www.christianscience.com/the-mother-church-in-boston/how-do-you-see-the-world-experience The site itself is full of gorgeous stonework and there's a nice reflecting pool there.
Articulated Intelligence@kristinHenry Definitely the Gardner, but the Harvard Museum was one of the best I’ve seen. Curated magnificently.