Things To Do In Westford

From the funk of Brattle Street to the charm of Harvard Yard, spending an afternoon in Harvard Square is always welcome. Grab a book from the Coop and spend some time solo - or meet up with friends for a fun afternoon in Cambridge. Harvard Square is a mecca of vintage goodness, taverns and coffee shops, and bookstores. The beauty of Harvard Yard spills throughout the Square - brick, cascading trees, and street art. Here are a few of my favorite things to do while in Harvard Square. Drink and eat. There’s no shortage of restaurants and bars in Harvard Square. It can be tricky to decide where to go! If you’re looking for upscale dining, nothing compares to Rialto, a restaurant by Chef Jody Adams tucked into the Charles Hotel. The menu is developed around seasonal foods and the dishes are always delicious and unique. Just down the road, the newly opened Beat Hotel features a stage for live music and a varied menu - with choices ranging from the earth bowl to the tandoori spiced halibut. By the same owners as The Beehive, the bar is expansive and invites you to stay for a drink - or two. If you’re looking for a quick meal on the go Clover Food Lab fits the bill. Personal favorites include the chickpea fritter and rosemary fries. Naturally, you’ll want to top off a meal with a little sweet. L.A. Burdick’s is a favorite winter spot - from the drinking chocolate to perfect chocolate truffles, you’ll want to cozy up for hours. You may have to wait for a seat, but it’s well worth it. Shop around. Whether you’re looking for a perfect pair of well-loved vintage cowboy boots or a funky lace top, Oona’s has you covered. Along Massachusetts Ave., you’ll find this quaint shop set back from the street. It’s on the smaller side and may stretch the budget - but the carefully curated collection features some incredible finds.  A few blocks away, you’ll find yourself at Forty Winks, a beautifully appointed lingerie boutique featuring silky robes to lacey bras and little things in between. If you’ve had your fill of clothing, you will want to pop over to to Harvard Book Store, where you can browse for the newest non-fiction or a journal to take to a coffee shop. If you feel overwhelmed by the large selection, you may want to stop over at Raven Used Books for quieter experience. End it on a high note. It would be too bad to leave Harvard Square without a dose of music. My absolute favorite spot is Club Passim. The intimate space means every seat feels like the front row. Club Passim is where many big names get their start, including legendary performers Joan Baez and Bob Dylan. Finally, take some time to stroll through the beautiful Harvard campus. The grassy lawn and historic buildings are gorgeous - you’ll want to bring your camera. Explore even further with deals on things to do in Boston.

One of the most fabulous parts of Boston is its sheer beauty.  All over the city proper there are lovely spots to pull up a spot of grass, relax and watch time pass by.  Of course, doing so with a lovely bite of food is ever more attractive.  So, I’ve compiled my go to list of the best spots to sit, relax and enjoy a picnic in this great city! The Esplanade.  The Esplanade refers to a section of the Charles River, on the Boston side, in Boston proper.  It is the site of our beloved Hatch Shell where we celebrate the 4th of July with the acclaimed Boston Pops, and where numerous other summer concert series happen.  It houses multiple boat docks, running/biking/ walking trails and, of course, gorgeous views of the Charles River.  Pull up a spot of grass, or claim some space on one of its many docks for your perfect picnic. The Esplanade connects easily to Beacon Hill’s iconic Charles Street, home to a plethora of shops, and, more importantly, restaurants and food stores.  Looking for a light snack to enjoy while watching the boats float past?  Savenor’s Market (yes Julia Child’s old haunt) has an incredible selection of fruits, cheeses, cured meats and bread from which to make a feast.  If you’re looking for a more substantial meal, I’d suggest Panificio whose list of freshly prepared sandwiches, piping hot pizza, salads, and a fine tomato soup will arm you with enough goodies to feed an army.  Those with a sweet tooth, have no fear, Isabelle’s Curly Cakes owned by the daughter of the culinary legend Todd English, has a bounty of cupcake creations to pick from, and Café Vanille is offering up French style pastries. Fort Point Channel.  Fort Point Channel, located on the westernmost side of South Boston, was long ago abandoned to cargo ships and their freight.  Over the past several years however the area has been refurbished, and now, lovingly referred to as Fort Point Channel, it is a bustling hub full of restaurants, hotels and condos.  It has fantastic views of the channel, providing a continuous dance of charter boats, personal vessels, commuter boats and cargo ships.  The perfect location to view all of this activity and enjoy some delicious treats sits just behind the Joseph Moakley Courthouse; an area designed for outdoor dining with plenty of benches and tables.  Another favorite spot, for me, is on the steps behind the Institute of Contemporary Art.  Though it may not have been designed for the random picnic-goer its slightly secluded, architecturally intriguing space is ripe for lingering.  Additionally, there are plenty of spots along the boardwalk that runs perpendicular to Congress and Atlantic Streets, offering incomparable views of downtown Boston and the Financial District. Just a block down Congress Street from the boardwalk sits a small street named Farnsworth.  There, on little Farnsworth Street, exist two perfect gems for picnic dining.  Recently opened this past March, the Bee’s Knees Supply Company has made quite a splash.  House cured meats, pate’s and even burrata cheese are just the start of its selections.  The team has a menu chock full of artfully prepared sandwiches, salads using fresh, healthy ingredients, and homemade classics like hamburgers and calzones.  They are also, let it be known, making their own chocolate confections in house.  The team at Bee’s Knees will happily let you wander through their store picking out your own provisions, or they will create a perfect basket for you to take along on your journey.   If, in some strange world, you don’t find what you’re looking for at Bee’s Knees, take a wander just next door to Flour Bakery.  Owned by one of Boston’s greatest chefs, Joanne Chang, Flour offers up a wide selection of sandwiches and soups, all made to order, as well as a very full selection of Chang’s incredible pastries (i.e. her widely acclaimed cinnamon bun). Christopher Columbus Park.  The Christopher Columbus Park sits just at the crossroads of bustling Faneuil Hall and the equally busy North End.  It provides a bit of an oasis from all of the hustle with its covered walkways, gentle fountains and rolling lots of grass where invariably cute dogs are found frolicking.  The real beauty here though, beyond the panoramic views of the harbor, is the proximity to the North End making this the perfect spot to enjoy all of those amazing Italian delights al fresco! Just down Richmond Street towards the heart of the North End lies Salumeria Italiana, an Italian grocer that seems to transport every customer to the hallowed streets of Italy as they enter through the door.  Cured meats, and cheeses seemingly overflow from their cases, and freshly prepared Italian delicacies like octopus salad can be found amongst such other favorites as pasta salad and caprese salad.  They’ll prepare heaping full sandwiches for you to take on your way and their store offers a bounty of other hidden treats.  Of course if you travel just a bit further up to Hanover Street, the bounty lies ahead of you.  Pick up made to order cannolis or a slice of ricotta pie at Modern Pastry.  Head down to Galleria Umberto for a Sicilian slice or two, and then find that perfect spot in the oasis of the Christopher Columbus Park and indulge, away from the crowds, but with all the benefits of the true North End experience. It is safe to say that this is not an exhaustive list. Boston offers perfect picnicking locations throughout its limits with fantastic views, sweet breezes and even some good people watching.  Get on out there and find your spot!

Pizza is one of the most beloved foods out there—and one of the most debated. Luckily, Boston is on somewhat neutral ground. Although the city has no signature pizza style of its own, it’s not hard to find Chicago-style deep dish and New York–style thin crust, as well as brick-oven, classic Italian, and innovative gourmet pies scattered across town. Here are a few of the restaurants that define Boston’s pizza scene: For Traditional Pies and Boston Flavor: Santarpio’s Pizza Santarpio’s Pizza (111 Chelsea St.) is located in East Boston, affectionately known as Eastie, and has been slinging crisp-crust pizza since 1903. In true Boston spirit, the restaurant isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s brimming with Boston accents and attitudes but also incredible pizzas and house-barbecued sausages and lamb. The pizzas have a satisfying crunch and tremendous flavor, and locals know the crust only gets better when you request it “well done.” The toppings are not fancy, but they include simple, Old-World classics like garlic, onions, or pepperoni. For Brick-Oven Perfection: Regina Pizzeria Regina Pizzeria is not to be overshadowed, though, especially the original North End location (11 1/2 Thatcher St.). Regina’s opened in 1926, when Italian immigrants were starting to establish their presence in the area. Its founders brought their traditional brick ovens over from the old country. These ovens fire each pie until it has a chewy crust rich with flavor; the pizzas are also piled with tangy tomato sauce, gooey cheese, and satisfying toppings. Imported meats and fresh veggies are in supply at Regina’s multiple restaurants, ensuring every person in your party gets exactly what they want. Lines can get long at the original location, but the experience is well worth it. For a Simple Slice: Ernesto’s Pizza The North End is also home to Ernesto’s Pizza (69 Salem St.). Since 1984, Ernesto’s has embraced the classic tradition of pizza, hand-making its dough and sauce. Its gigantic slices—cut from 18-inch pies—are delightfully chewy, with a clean-pure tasting crust and freshly grated cheese. Everything on these pies melds in harmony, making it the best vehicle for my favorite topping, spicy and tangy banana peppers. For a Modern 'Za: Otto Of course, no roundup of pizza spots in Boston would be complete without mentioning Otto. Otto has embraced the “new” style of pizza that emphasizes fancier toppings adorning a thin crust. Native to Portland, Maine, Otto has taken the Boston area by storm, opening three locations in just a couple of years. Its crunchy crust (also available in a gluten-free version) is the backdrop for red sauce or no sauce at all, assorted meat and vegetarian toppings, and melted goat’s-milk or cow’s-milk cheese.  My favorite combination here is butternut squash, ricotta cheese, and cranberry, which creates an unconventional masterpiece of sweet, tangy, creamy, and acidic flavors. Otto specializes in creating topping combinations such as these, and each is done to perfection. Photos by Fiona Coxe