Are you having an extended stay and looking for things to do in the city? Here are some of our favorite places.
Site Seeing
Boston, MA
Beautiful garden in the center of Boston. Flowers, duck boats, and the famous "Make Way for Duckling" duck statue.
Norman B. Leventhal Park
Boston, MA
This is our favorite park in the city. It is hidden away in the Financial District. During the week it is bustling with workers on their lunch break, but during the weekend it is a secluded retreat from the crowds at the Public Gardens and Boston Commons.
Norman B. Leventhal Park
Boston, MA
This is our favorite park in the city. It is hidden away in the Financial District. During the week it is bustling with workers on their lunch break, but during the weekend it is a secluded retreat from the crowds at the Public Gardens and Boston Commons.
Cambridge, MA
This may seem morbid, but Mount Auburn Cemetery is a wonderful place to walk around. The grounds are beautiful and you feel like you've been transported out of the city.
Boston, MA
This museum is really neat because it looks more like a Venetian mansion frozen in time than a museum. There are empty frames all over the museum that are permanent reminders of one of the biggest art heists in the world.
Boston, MA
A great museum for people of all ages. Many of the exhibits are interactive. It also houses the Mugar Omni Theater, the worlds largest film format that shown on a screen five-stories-tall.
New England Aquarium
Walk around the giant ocean tank and watch the penguins play. You can get a combo pass to the aquarium and their IMAX theater to get the biggest bang for your buck.
Museum of Fine Arts
Boston, MA
This huge museum is packed with art from all over the world. You could spend hours, if not days, walking through all the exhibits and still not see everything.
Freedom Trail
Boston, MA
Take a Freedom Trail tour or walk most if it yourself (I don't think I could possibly suggest walking the whole tour to anyone). Many of the sites are in the Park Street/ Faneuil Hall area, but there are plenty of other locations all around the city.
New England Aquarium
Walk around the giant ocean tank and watch the penguins play. You can get a combo pass to the aquarium and their IMAX theater to get the biggest bang for your buck.
Museum of Fine Arts
Boston, MA
This huge museum is packed with art from all over the world. You could spend hours, if not days, walking through all the exhibits and still not see everything.
Freedom Trail
Boston, MA
Take a Freedom Trail tour or walk most if it yourself (I don't think I could possibly suggest walking the whole tour to anyone). Many of the sites are in the Park Street/ Faneuil Hall area, but there are plenty of other locations all around the city.
Cyrus E. Dallin Museum
Arlington, MA
Learn about the sculpture whose art you'll see in Boston Common, by the Whittemore-Robbins House, and outside the MFA. Not only is this museum just a few minutes walk from the wedding venue, but it is also FREE!
Food & Drinks
Here are some of our favorites, but if you want more suggestions try yelp.com. It is the perfect place to search for places around your hotel!
Arlington, MA
Aimee's favorite place for donuts. Get there early on weekends for the best selection of donuts. Her Favorite is the Vanilla Cream!
Somerville, MA
Justin's favorite place for sandwiches, pastries, bread, people... really anything. They close at 4:00 PM daily so plan accordingly.
Cambridge, MA
Our favorite dive bar in the city! They have an amazing stuffed pizza, awesome friend seafood, and cheap drinks.
Cambridge, MA
One of our favorite restaurants in the city! This is where we are getting the food for the wedding.
Cambridge, MA
Delicious Tex-Mex right in Harvard Square. Inexpensive and delicious. Great for drinks, lunch, or dinner!
Algiers Coffee House
Cambridge, MA
Great place for lunch or just getting a drink. Justin's favorites are the Turkish coffee and lamb wrap.
Kingston Station
Boston, MA
Train station themed restaurant with great Burgers in a cool atmosphere. A great place to get a drink.
Max Brenner
Boston, MA
A must visit spot for chocolate lovers. This restaurant, bar, and chocolate shop has decadent deserts and treats that you'll be dreaming about for weeks.
Orleans
Somerville, MA
Great place for brunch, dinner, and drinks. You must try the John Daly 8 (sweet tea vodka and lemonade) if you go there! It is our favorite drink.
Mr. Sushi
Arlington, MA
They have tasty sushi and enough food in their bento boxes for two meals. If you go from Sunday through Thursday they have specials of the day for different sushi.
Algiers Coffee House
Cambridge, MA
Great place for lunch or just getting a drink. Justin's favorites are the Turkish coffee and lamb wrap.
Kingston Station
Boston, MA
Train station themed restaurant with great Burgers in a cool atmosphere. A great place to get a drink.
Max Brenner
Boston, MA
A must visit spot for chocolate lovers. This restaurant, bar, and chocolate shop has decadent deserts and treats that you'll be dreaming about for weeks.
Orleans
Somerville, MA
Great place for brunch, dinner, and drinks. You must try the John Daly 8 (sweet tea vodka and lemonade) if you go there! It is our favorite drink.
Za Pizza
Arlington, MA
They use fresh, seasonal ingredients from local farmers to create delicious pizzas. Mac n' Cheese pizza! What else do we need to say?
Arlington, MA
They use fresh, seasonal ingredients from local farmers to create delicious pizzas. Mac n' Cheese pizza! What else do we need to say?
Mr. Sushi
Arlington, MA
They have tasty sushi and enough food in their bento boxes for two meals. If you go from Sunday through Thursday they have specials of the day for different sushi.
Shopping
Boston, MA
Giant used book store in Boston! Good prices and amazing selection.
Faneuil Hall
Boston, MA
Retail shops, boutiques, souvenirs, and great food. You will probably even get to see an awesome street performance. There is always something going on at Faneuil Hall.
Skylight Jewelers
Boston, MA
If you are looking for the best crafted jewelry in the city, Skylight is the place to go. This is where Justin had my ring made!
Faneuil Hall
Boston, MA
Retail shops, boutiques, souvenirs, and great food. You will probably even get to see an awesome street performance. There is always something going on at Faneuil Hall.
Skylight Jewelers
Boston, MA
If you are looking for the best crafted jewelry in the city, Skylight is the place to go. This is where Justin had my ring made!
Cambridge, MA
Our favorite place to pick up used records at bargain prices.
Somerville, MA
A kitschy store filled with great gifts and fun knick-knacks.
Just for Fun
Somerville, MA
Candlepin bowling, beer, and great flatbread. A fun place in the center of Davis Square.
Boston, MA
Want to catch a movie? A great selection of movies in the center of the city. Right across the street from Boston Commons park.
Cambridge, MA
Looking to take in a show? Check out A.R.T.'s schedule in Harvard Square.
Want a bit of Broadway? Million Dollar Quartet is scheduled for October in Boston.
This is your chance to listen to the BSO. They will be performing MENDELSSOHN Violin Concerto and SHOSTAKOVICH symphony No. 4 the weekend of the wedding.
Getting Around
The Boston area has a great public transit system. Driving can be stressful with traffic and lack of parking, so we always recommend taking the T into the city. Buses can take you all around Somerville, Cambridge, and Arlington. If you'll be staying in Harvard or any of the hotels we listed that are off Massachusetts Avenue, the 77 bus is going to be your public transit of choice to and from the wedding.
Public transit not your thing? Try Boston Cab for getting around the city. Here is information about Boston taxi rates.
If you like to walk or bike, there is the Minuteman Bikeway. You can walk/ride from Somervile to Arlington, and beyond, on a scenic trail.
If you like to walk or bike, there is the Minuteman Bikeway. You can walk/ride from Somervile to Arlington, and beyond, on a scenic trail.
Not seeing what you are looking for? Here is a list of resources to help you find more to do in the area.
