Mollie Chen is a formerly featured Jauntsetter who waxed so poetic about her love of Bean Town in her Jauntsetter profile that we decided to ask her to share all her tips in a full Trip Pick. Luckily for us, Mollie obliged, so keep reading for all her suggestions on this easy escape from New York. And make sure to check back with us on the blog where we'll be hosting a contest celebrating the launch of Mollie's new venture, Birchbox, which will launch tomorrow.
Congratulations Mollie and thanks again for sharing your insider knowledge on the best of Boston!
From Mollie:
I love Boston for many reasons, many of them edible. But it’s an ideal jaunt even if you’re not a total glutton like myself. The city is manageable and compact, and has plenty of options for every price level. Plus it’s so rich in history that you can’t help but get smarter while you’re there.
You have to have the right attitude to fully appreciate Boston. First off, it’s not New York. The T is slow and sometimes baffling and cabs cost a fortune. You’ll see more Vineyard Vines and Red Sox gear than you ever thought possible, and it can seem like everyone is a student. But embrace it – it’s a beautiful city, with depth and quirkiness. Plus, it’s easier to get into restaurants there.
Take a look at my top tips below. And happy jaunting!
Mollie
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Getting There
I’m partial to Amtrak because the train runs along the water and has beautiful views of harbors and beaches along the way. And now Acela has wireless! Otherwise, Bolt and MegaBus are relatively painless (unless of course you try to take them on a holiday weekend – in which case you’re doomed).
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Where to Stay
Cool Kid: The recently opened Ames Hotel ($285/night*) is set in a historic 19th century building in downtown Boston. It has boutique-y (read: small and stylish) rooms and Woodward, a hyper hip restaurant with tattooed bartenders and excellent New American food. Self-sufficient: Staying at the Inn at St. Botolph ($309/night) is like borrowing a friend’s West Elm-y pad for the weekend. You get your own access code to the front door and services are minimal. But it’s great for travelers who want to make their own coffee in the morning and value location (you’re steps from the Prudential Center) over turn down service.
Pampered Princess: XV Beacon ($445/night; roof deck pictured above) is on one of the city’s prettiest streets and has a fleet of gleaming house cars to whisk you around town.
Want impossibly polished service? Book a tippy top room at the swanktastic Mandarin Oriental ($545/night), which is right off Copley Square and Newbury Street.
* Get this special rate through TabletHotels
[Editor's note: Boston isn't known for its affordable hotels so if Mollie's suggestions are out of your price range, we suggest this fun looking and budget friendly alternative - a houseboat for $125/night right in the city harbor!]
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What To Do
Museums: Boston doesn’t get enough credit for its museums. The Museum of Fine Arts has an encyclopedic collection, ranging from the classic (Greek and Roman sculpture) to the more offbeat (there is currently an exhibit on Tattoos in Japanese Prints). The Isabella Stewart Gardner, nearby, is worth a trip for the garden alone. Any contemporary art lover should visit the new-ish Institute for Contemporary Art, in a striking Diller Scofidio and Renfro creation on Fort Point Channel.History: If you’ve never done the Freedom Trail, it’s a must. Put on those comfy Toms (it’s practically all cobblestone) and use this handy map to guide you. You’ll see the greatest hits of the Revolutionary War, plus historical gems like Paul Revere’s house and the USS Constitution.
Quack: I lived in Boston for four years before I took a Duck Tour and I’m sorry that I waited so long. Yes, you’re riding in a ridiculous looking vehicle with a sassy tour guide blasting trivia over a bullhorn. But that trivia is fascinating and you get to see the city from above and from the water – you’ll have fun, I promise.
Shop and Walk: Yes, Newbury Street has Marc Jacobs and Louis Boston, but did you really come to Boston to shop? Instead, walk the length of Charles Street, which has charming boutiques, dusty antique shops, and cute cafes.
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Where to Eat
Food Crawl 1: The South End has been up-and-coming for years now but it’s still the hip neighborhood. My go-to is Ken Oringer’s Toro, a consistently packed tapas spot with slightly tweaked Spanish favorites and great cocktails. His new restaurant, Coppa, is around the corner and has fantastic pastas. Flour Bakery is good for breakfast or a pick-me-up — homemade pop tarts, anyone? — and South End Buttery is known for both its cupcakes and its cute doggie clientele.Food Crawl 2: Barbara Lynch is on a one-woman mission to revive South Boston and so far she’s succeeding. Sportello is a clean, steamlined café with lush pastas, hearty sandwiches, and fresh-baked pastries. Next door, Menton (pictured) is her latest special occasion restaurant, with immaculate tasting menus and flawless service (bring a thick wallet). And, down below, Drink is a speakeasy-style bar with handcrafted cocktails (ask for Misty Kalkofen).
Bonus: Chef Tony Maws is one of Boston’s most talented and inventive chefs. His Cambridge restaurant (short cab ride from Boston proper), Craigie on Main, is a meaty wonderland: housemade charcuterie, pork belly at every turn, and a swoony burger served with a tangle of matchstick fries.
Final Tip: I never - never - leave without a cone of coffee oreo from J.P. Lick's. With rainbow sprinkles.
