Things to Do in Westwood

For Annissa Essaibi George, sewing has not just been a lifelong passion, but also a means of getting what she wants. At age 6, her mother taught her to sew so that she could make her Barbie a new outfit. In college, she and her roommate stitched together scrunchies, selling them to fund take-out and nights out. She even designed her own wedding dress. Today, sewing is the fuel behind her business, through which she furnishes sewers and knitters with the supplies to craft their projects and the skills they need to clothe every statue in the park. Annissa's pink-walled shop houses patterns, fabrics, knitting kits, and cubbies overflowing with polychromatic spools of yarn. Classes run on a five-day schedule and cover such stitching styles as knitting, crocheting, and pattern sewing for crafters of all levels.

Unless they’re drinking copious amounts of his namesake beer, tour goers along the Freedom Trail won’t likely catch a glimpse of famous revolutionary Sam Adams. But they will hear tales about his struggle for freedom from the British—the kind of struggle that made Boston a hotbed of revolutionary activity in the 1800s. Led by costume-clad tour guides, The Path to Independence tour takes visitors along the red brick path toward famed landmarks such as Boston Common, Old Granary Burying Ground, Old South Meeting House, and Old North Church. At each spot, they’ll learn about the site’s role in colonial Boston, from its founding years in the 1630s to the fight for American independence and the key players in the fight, including Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock.

Summertime breezes sneak through fork prongs and rustle across napkins at the 15th annual Taste of Allston, where community foodies unite under a banner splattered with international ingredients. Thirty restaurants introduce taste buds to some of the city's best eats, from the Far East fare of Korean Garden to the smoky brick-oven flavor of Regina Pizzeria’s pies. In between bites, live music, beer samples, and raffle prizes plate up entertainment for adults, and kid-friendly attractions, such as face-painting stations, keep young'uns from trying to sneak away between oversize hoagie buns. All profits raised by the festival go straight to the Allston Village Main Streets, a nonprofit revitalization effort working to keep the community safe.

In the year of America’s bicentennial, the fervor for American history was at an all-time high, and few cities are as full of patriotic landmarks as Boston. As floods of citizens came to see and experience America’s roots, Polly Flansburgh decided to gather together experienced locals to educate visitors and newcomers on the stories in which the city is steeped. Nearly four decades later, her non-profit, Boston By Foot, Inc., still pairs curious patrons with enthusiastic volunteers schooled by the company in the city’s lore and architecture.

This diverse selection of tours allows patrons to learn more about the aspects of Boston that interest them most. Specialized excursions might visit the scenes of the city's most infamous crimes and diseases, the buildings important in the revolution, the homes of Boston’s greatest literary heroes, and places where somebody found an onion that looked sort of like Robert De Niro. The staff even lead one tour specifically designed for children, which helps illustrate lessons from history class without too much walking for little legs.

Jump Trax's menagerie of inflatables plays host to kids of all ages for parties and open-play sessions. Sock-footed youngsters can explore two climate-controlled arenas filled with bounceable attractions, such as Spongebob’s pineapple house and a prehistoric obstacle course overseen by a tyrannosaurus rex. Other activities abound, such as tyke-sized push cars, a slide shaped like the Batmobile, or an inflatable Scooby Doo Mystery Machine. To prevent the inflatables from becoming vitamin D deficient, Jump Trax's location is used for block parties, barbecues, and birthday parties. Their menu consists of pizza and sodas, as well as goodie bags. Check out their FAQ for more info.

Working alongside her husband Joe, Horseplay Stables co-owner Terry Hoy draws upon her more than 25 years of equestrian riding and training to help students realize their full riding potential. The pair also relies on help from an extensive team of licensed instructors and volunteers. At Horseplay Stables, students can master the basics of several horseback-riding styles, including huntseat, jumping, classical dressage, or western pleasure.