Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
people are disappointed when—quite
often—the waitresses are courteous
and pleasant. See p. 115.
•
Legal Sea Foods,
255 State St.
(
&
617/227-3115
), and other loca-
tions. Like the culinary equivalent of
a medical specialist, Legal's does one
thing and does it exceptionally well.
It's a chain for a great reason: People
can't get enough of the freshest
seafood around. See p. 106.
•
Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage,
1246
Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
(
&
617/354-6559
). Trends in food
and fashion come and go, and this
neighborhood sees them all. Luckily,
Harvard Square has a place that puts
the “comfort” in comfort food. Bart-
ley's is famous for its juicy burgers,
incredible onion rings, and a down-
to-earth atmosphere that's increas-
ingly rare in these parts. See p. 133.
•
Pizzeria Regina,
11
1
⁄
2
Thacher St.
(
&
617/227-0765
). With its red-
and-white-checked tablecloths and
fiery oven, Regina's does look like
Hollywood's idea of a pizza joint.
After one bite of that slightly smoky
crust, you'll be sending Martin Scors-
ese to the back of the line. See p. 114.
•
Ye Olde Union Oyster House,
41
Union St. (
&
617/227-2750
). Wise
guys sneer about all the tourists, but
the Union Oyster House is a local
favorite for a reason—the unbeatable
combination of historic atmosphere
and traditional food that's drawn
crowds since 1826. See p. 115.
5 The Best Free (Or Almost Free) Things to Do
•
Picnic by the Water:
Head for the
harbor or river, relax on a park bench
or patch of grass, put away your
watch, and enjoy the spectacular
scene. Whether it's sailboats or ocean
liners, seagulls or scullers, there's
always something worth watching.
My favorite spot is Sargent's Wharf,
on the edge of the North End, but it's
just one of thousands of pleasant
spots. See chapter 7.
•
Visit a Museum:
Schedule your visit
to take advantage of free or reduced
admission at certain times. The
USS
Constitution
Museum
is free all the
time; the
Museum of Fine Arts
is
free after 4pm Wednesday; the
Insti-
tute of Contemporary Art
is free
after 5pm Thursday; and the
Chil-
dren's Museum
costs just $1 after
5pm on Friday. See chapter 7.
•
Take a Ranger-Led Tour:
The
National Park Service is such a good
use of tax money. Free and cheap
tours of historic attractions all over
eastern Massachusetts elevate a visit
to a park, a house, a neighborhood,
or even a government installation
(the Charlestown Navy Yard) from
good to great. See chapters 7 and 11.
•
Relish a Vicarious Thrill:
Without so
much as lacing up a sneaker, you can
participate in the world-famous
Boston Marathon. Stretch a little.
Drink plenty of fluids. Claim a piece
of sidewalk with a front-row view of
the course. Cheer as the runners thun-
der past. Then put your feet up—you
must be exhausted. See p. 187.
•
Prowl Newbury Street:
From the
genteel Arlington Street end to the
cutting-edge Mass Ave. end, New-
bury Street—Boston's legendary
shopping destination—is 8 blocks of
pure temptation: galleries, boutiques,
jewelry and gift shops, and more.
Fortunately, window-shopping is
free. See chapter 9.
•
Check Out a College Concert or
Show:
Countless student groups just
want an attentive audience, and the
free or minimal admission can pay off
