Things To Do In Central Square

There are many historic ways to explore Boston on your own, but only a few unique options to discover the city by tour. Instead of taking a solo walk along the Freedom Trail, sign up for one of these group sightseeing excursions that will provide a new perspective of the city. On Saturdays, chocoholics meet for a two-and-a-half hour walking tour with Boston Chocolate Tours of the Back Bay. The adventure begins with a history of chocolate at the Hotel Chocolat on Newbury Street, followed by a sampling of the treats on offer. Tour guides move participants along to nearby Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland, which includes a taste of the decadent Dom Pérignon champagne truffles. They also stop at iconic Ben & Jerry’s, to learn about the fair trade chocolates used in the national ice cream brand. More stops, including a peek into Sweet Cupcakes and the Gourmet Boutique at the Westin Copley Hotel, ensure that no sweet tooth will go unsatisfied. Families can sign up for a ride aboard the Boston Duck Tours. With three daily operating tours that launch from the Prudential Center, the Museum of Science and the New England Aquarium, these amphibious land and water World War II vehicles are more than just an interesting ride. Tours pass assorted historic sites like the Granary Burying Ground and the Old State House, and are narrated by humorous “conducktors,” who encourage on-board quacking and put everyone’s knowledge of the city to the test. The tour culminates with a watery drive straight into the Charles River. For cinema buffs, On Location Tours’ TV and Movie Sites Tour offers a three-hour journey (both on foot and by bus), where well-informed tour guides – who are working actors as well – highlight some of Boston’s most notable moments on screen. The tour stops at various locations like Fenway Park, the Cheers bar and, of course, the L Street Tavern made famous in Good Will Hunting. Make sure to clear your weekend calendar, though, since On Location tours operate Saturdays only. Finally, wine connoisseurs and wannabe aficionados alike can unite on a walking tour throughout one of the city’s select neighborhoods, including the North End, South End, Back Bay and Harvard Square. Along the two-hour excursion, oenophiles learn the basics of wine tasting while sampling six wines and snacking on food pairings at three different restaurants. There’s Legal Sea Foods on the Back Bay tour, with its 10,000-bottle wine cellar, Gaslight Brasserie du Coin on the South End tour, Aragosta for those in the North End and Nubar in Harvard Square. Not a bad way to spend a weekend afternoon in Boston.

We are so lucky in Boston to be by the water. There is no place I would rather be on a warm day than by the ocean with a salt breeze off the water. In fact, the water’s edge is one of my favorite places to be, no matter the season! When you are craving some time by the shore and can’t get out of town, don’t forget about the HarborWalk!  Extending 46.9 miles along Boston’s waterfront, this public walkway provides open access to the harbor, extending through several neighborhoods. On a nice day, I love to take my time walking along the Waterfront. History buffs might want to start at the Charlestown Navy Yard, the home of the USS Constitution and the USS Constitution Museum. Often referred to as ‘Old Ironsides,’ the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat in the world! Once you’ve heard a bit of history, walk across the bridge into the North End and continue along the HarborWalk until you reach the Fairmont Battery Wharf. The hotel is home to a branch of Exhale Spa, which has fun core fusion and yoga classes (in the summer some classes are outside!) as well as the Aragosta Bar and Bistro. They have such good lobster toast, and the hotel also serves delicious afternoon tea. In the nice weather, you would be lucky to snag a seat outside on the water, but even from the interior the view of the water is lovely. Continuing along the HarborWalk takes you along the edge of the North End, zig-zagging along the wharves to Christopher Columbus Park. For those with kids (or for kids at heart!) I recommend a visit to the beautifully restored carousel on the Greenway across from the park. A bit further you’ll find the Aquarium, and a slew of boats on their way to the Harbor Islands or to admire the whales. Walking further along the HarborWalk to Rowes Wharf will take you to the Boston Harbor Hotel, one of my favorite spots in the city for a drink. In the nice weather, the outside tables facing the water are a perfect place to take it all in. They have lots of summer programming as well, including movies and live music – take a look at their calendar for more information. If you are hungry, Trade is not too far away! Follow the path as it meanders down towards Fort Point Channel. After crossing the water, turn left, towards the courthouse. At the curve where the Fort Point Channel and the Harbor meet is one of the most beautiful views of the Boston skyline! Just a 10-minute walk on the HarborWalk into South Boston brings you to the Institute for Contemporary Art. With its unique architecture and views of the water, the ICA would be an interesting place to visit even without the collections! In addition to the small permanent collection, the ICA hosts fascinating exhibits, as well as concerts, dance, and other events.

There are some images that anchor you to a specific place – the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe signify Paris, the Statue of Liberty stands in for New York. In Boston, there are a few specific sights that create that sense of locale. For me, those icons include the Citgo sign (of course!), and the Zakim Bridge. As the Boston Globe reported last year, bridges hold a special place in our hearts, and inspire strong emotions of love or hate. In fact, several local bridges are reviewed on Yelp and TripAdvisor! As the Boston Globe article notes, we need bridges to travel from place to place, but they are also opportunities to appreciate the sunset over the water, a glimpse of the city skyline, and a connection to history. Soaring into the sky between Charlestown and the North End, the Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge feels simultaneously strong and airy.  It was dedicated to the memory of both the battle against the British at Bunker Hill (which took place in nearby Charlestown), and Leonard P. Zakim, a local civil rights activist. It is the widest cable-stayed bridge in the world, and the design reflects the shape of the nearby Bunker Hill monument. The Zakim not just my favorite – it boasts a 4.5 out of 5 on Yelp and TripAdvisor! Here are a few choice excerpts from the rave reviews: “It changes colors at night and makes me feel like I'm driving on a paved rainbow to something better on the other side.” “This bridge is gorge. I really like that it combines history with modernity - which is what I think Boston is as a city. It hints at our past with the two towers that mirror the nearby Bunker Hill Monument, but it is also a sign of progress.” And finally, “This is a cool bridge. Period.” I agree. The bridge was built as part of the Big Dig, and beloved activist Lenny Zakim had recently died of myeloma. The city was inspired to name the bridge after him in remembrance of his work to bring together people of different races, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds. As the director of the Anti-Defamation League in New England, Zakim was dedicated to fight prejudice of all kinds. During his five-year battle with cancer, he advocated for patient access to integrative therapies, and a center named for him at Dana-Farber is now fulfilling that mission. As an icon of Boston, the Zakim bridge speaks to Boston’s past as the center of a revolution and the cradle of a nation, as well as the continuing refinement of that vision towards a more just society. It also captures the imagination of visitors and locals alike, whether lit up at night or framing the morning sun. As the gateway to the city that we love, the Zakim links Boston’s past and present.