Things To Do In Westford

Boston has so many wonderful neighborhoods, and Fort Point is one of my favorites. This area of South Boston extends east from Fort Point Channel towards the new construction of the Seaport District. The mix of converted brick warehouses and modern glass buildings creates a unique atmosphere that feels both historical and contemporary. Art and Design A stroll along Fort Point Channel offers stunning views of downtown Boston from across the water. As you walk along the channel, pause to rest on the unusual benches that dot the walkways.  The 17 innovative public benches are the semi-finalists in Design Museum Boston’s Street Seats competition, in which designers from 23 countries around the world participated. Some of my favorites are reminiscent of wharf poles or sail rope. The Design Museum offers guided tours twice a month, and each bench is accompanied by text that explains the designer’s vision. The Fort Point neighborhood has been home to artists for decades, and many of the buildings are still zoned as artist live/work spaces. During open studio events in the fall and the spring, the studios’ doors open to visitors. You can get a feel for the neighborhood’s artists all year long at Made in Fort Point, a shop showcasing the diversity of Fort Point residents, offering paintings, photographs, sculptures, stationery, jewelry, and other wearable art. The gallery features a different local artist each month, giving visitors a more in depth view of an individual’s work. The Fort Point Arts Community also arranges shows of area artists at 300 Summer Street, and the Design Innovation Gallery at Factory 63 features rotating exhibits highlighting Boston’s creativity in design, engineering, and technology. Finally, don’t forget that the Institute of Contemporary Art is just a few blocks away, and hosts exhibitions, concerts, and more in its striking waterfront location. Fort Point Food and Drink After a day of gallery hopping, Barrington Coffee is a perfect place to stop in for a recharge. They serve amazing coffee and espresso drinks made from beans roasted at their Berkshire location. I especially love the Barrington Gold espresso blend and the India Kalledevarapura blend, which is grown under fig trees in the Western Ghat mountains. In addition to being delicious, all the coffee they roast is sustainably grown and traded at a fair price. Enjoy your caffeine fix from the beautiful wooden bar, and watch the world go by. For a little something sweet, stop in at Joanne Chang’s Flour Bakery, for a home-style molasses cookie or a piece of rich chocolate cake. If an Asian gastropub piques your interest, then check out Ming Tsai’s new restaurant Blue Dragon. The easy-to-share tapas and well-stocked bar have made it a neighborhood favorite already. Nearby, Barbara Lynch has your evening covered with her restaurant Sportello and cocktail lounge Drink. Sit at Sportello’s modern counter for an Italian play on a classic diner, serving delicious handmade pasta and trattoria-inspired dishes. After dinner, cap off your exploration of Fort Point by heading downstairs to Drink for a well-crafted cocktail. Explore deals on other things to do around Boston.

Between the back-to-school rush and hurried craze of the holiday season, late fall is always an unexpected surprise. The short days invite us to take time to slow down and retreat before the winter arrives in full form. Although the city has so much to offer, there’s nothing quite like getting out of town to only be greeted by the astonishment of its rural beauty. Just twenty miles northwest of Boston, the town of Concord is home to countless activities that are especially enjoyable this time of year. For example, a tour of Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House offers a glimpse into nineteenth century Concord. In addition to daily tours, the museum hosts special events, such as the upcoming “New England Soldier’s Christmas”. If you’re in the leaf peeping mood, there’s still time to catch the fall foliage in action. Take a walk through the Minute Man National Historic Park, sweeping views of Folly Pond and the famed North Bridge. This landmark is not only beautiful, but also historic; this spot is where the first battle of the Revolutionary War took place. If you’re looking to spend more time in the great outdoors, continue on to the Concord River, where you can pick up a canoe at the South Bridge Boat House. Pack a picnic and warm hat! A few miles South of Concord, you’ll find yourself in the quaint town of Sudbury. On the well-known Wayside Inn Road lies the Longfellow Wayside Inn, the oldest operating inn in the United States. Warm up in the dark Old Bar room with a delicious baked Indian Pudding, a sweet molasses dessert. Take a few moments to tour the inn’s museum rooms, where you’ll certainly learn some interesting morsels of American history. Before you head out, don’t forget a quick stop at the old-fashioned candy shop, where you can pick up some treats for the road. Just a stone’s throw down the road sits the Wayside Grist Mill, which was built by Henry Ford in the 1920’s. The mill is certainly worthy of a photo or two, but I especially enjoy walking along the path that sits behind the mill. It will take you through trees and boulders until you reach the peaceful Grist Mill Pond. After a day of fresh air and adventure west of Boston, head back into the city for a toasty drink. A personal favorite is L.A. Burdick’s drinking chocolate, which comes in dark, milk, and white variations. A delightful end to the perfect fall day.

We are lucky in Boston to have so many amazing green spaces to choose from, whether right in the city or quite nearby. One of my favorite places to get a dose of greenery is the Charles River Esplanade. In between Storrow Drive and the Charles River, the Esplanade extends for 3 miles between the Museum of Science and the Boston University Bridge and is connected to Beacon Hill, the Back Bay, and the West End by a series of footbridges. Huge crowds gather on the Esplanade on July Fourth for the fireworks and Boston Pops concert, but there are lots of reasons to spend time on the Esplanade all summer long. Here are a few of Boston’s coolest things to do on the riverbanks. Catch a Show at the Hatch Shell The Hatch Shell hosts free live concerts and movie screenings each week. The Landmark Orchestra will kick off their summer season on July 16 with a performance of Carmina Burana, continuing with a fresh concert each Wednesday evening through August 27. The WBZ Free Friday Flicks movie nights focus on family-friendly films like Despicable Me 2, The Goonies, and Frozen. Check out the full schedule of Hatch Shell events. Work Up a Sweat The Esplanade’s fields, bike paths, and tennis courts welcome athletes of all ages, and an exercise course stocked with outdoor gym equipment makes it easy to design your own fitness plan. For a more organized workout, check out the free group exercise classes available all summer long, including yoga, Zumba, and tai chi. Kids have plenty of space to burn off extra energy, too: the Esplanade’s three playgrounds include a state-of-the-art playspace that opened in 2011. Get Out on the Water Don’t forget that the Esplanade is a gateway to the river itself. Summer is the perfect time to explore the waterway, and Community Boating makes learning to sail easy and accessible. A fixture on the Esplanade since 1941, Common Boating offers sailing memberships for adults and kids, as well as one-day sailboat and kayak rentals. Plan a Picnic Beacon Hill Bistro on Charles Street will pack up a picnic for you with one hour’s notice, including a rustic basket and blanket to borrow. Across the footbridge in Beacon Hill, Savenor’s Market would also be a good place to stock up on a few picnic essentials. Now, where to take your meal? I’d recommend my favorite place on the Esplanade: the docks that extend into the water along the shore. They are an amazing place to rest, catch a cool breeze on a hot day, and let the world pass by—especially while enjoying a cold treat from nearby J.P. Licks. Check out our favorite Boston picnic spots for more suggestions. Photo by Laura Chassaigne