If you haven’t seen Anthony Bourdain’s show, The Layover, then we recommend you take some time to give it a view; get yourself a Netflix account and fuel those feelings of wanderlust. In The Layover, Tony is given between 24-72 hours in a city and needs to pack in as many activities as he can during his stay. He visits a myriad of restaurants, historical sites, city tours, etc. and usually does so on the whim of a few locals. Here’s our own take on a ‘wicked cheap’ local’s guide for some things you can do during your visit to Boston to make the most out of your stay without breaking the bank!
1.The Museum of Fine Arts- Boston
There’s always something new going on at the MoFA. Between over 400,000 objects in their collection, events, live music, tours, and dining options there is never a dull moment at the museum. TIP: Wednesday nights after 4pm all admission is by voluntary contribution, and if you’re travelling with youth admission is free for those age 7-17 after 3pm during weekdays. P.S.- It’s only a short T ride or walk from the hotel!
2.Take a walk along the Rose Kennedy Greenway
The Greenway is a hub of activity during the summertime. Whether you’d like to stop by for a leisurely stroll, visit one of their seasonal farmers markets, or attend one of their numerous events there is always something to do. TIP: you can cool off on a warm summer night by visiting one of their 7 fountains.
3.Catch a show at the Footlight Club
The Footlight Club is nestled in our very own Jamaica Plain neighborhood and is America’s oldest community theater! Tickets are priced at a moderate $18-$21 and all proceeds go to support a wonderful local community of exciting amateur productions.
4.Listen to live music or catch a movie at Rowes Wharf
The Boston Harbor Hotel features live music Tuesdays-Thursdays and has movie showings every Friday from June – September. The best part? It’s right on the beautiful Boston harbor. Their performers range from pop to blues and their movies include everything from Jaws to the old classic Sandlot.
5.Visit the South End Open Market
If you love food trucks you’ll love the SoWA Open Market. Running every Sunday from May – October this market packs a mouthwatering 15+ food trucks and features local vendors selling fresh local produce, vintage antiques, art, and more. TIP: Try a gourmet grilled cheese at Roxy’s food truck! You won’t regret it.
6.Cheer on the Red Sox at Fenway
There’s nothing that can fill you with more Boston pride than seeing the Red Sox play at home. We feature a Red Sox Package at the enVision during the season, and when you book this package you receive a complimentary goodie bag filled with a pre-loaded Charlie Card, 2 beers/pop, a Red Sox teddy bear, a Red Sox pennant, a bag of peanuts, and Cracker Jacks. Let’s go Red Sox Nation!
7.Kayak along the Charles River
Soak up the sun and paddle along the Charles river. There are multiple locations where you can rent kayaks and you can choose to rent them by the hour or for a whole day. TIP: Pack some food for a picnic and you can make an afternoon out of it!
8.See Boston from above at the Skywalk Observatory
The Prudential Center Skywalk Observatory offers a 360 degree view of Boston and beyond. It holds one of the coolest views of the city that you can get for a reasonable $11-$16 ticket. TIP: The Observatory is open until 10PM so try to catch a view during sunset!
