FUN IN THE SUN: Our cover model Samantha of Maggie Inc. relaxes by the banks of the lagoon in the Public Garden, home to the world-famous Swan Boats (background).
From riding the Swan Boats to shopping on Newbury Street, Panorama guides you through
18 best bets for springtime fun in the Hub
by Alex Harris and Jinnie Lee
Catch a
Baseball Game
Although the Boys of Summer are knockin’
balls over the Green Monster, it may be
expensive to catch the action within the
walls of Fenway (home games tend to sell out
sometime in January). But if you’ve got a
car, you’re never far from great New England
baseball action. Head south to Pawtucket,
R.I. to cheer on the PawSox—the Red Sox’s
Triple-A affiliate, where the next batch of
All-Stars play—at McCoy Stadium
(401-724-7300). Or head northwest to see the
youngest Sox prospects play for the
Lowell
Spinners (LeLacheur Park, 450 Aiken St.,
Lowell, 978-459-1702). If you can’t make it
to the minors, enjoy hot dogs and peanuts at
a Brockton Rox (refer to
listing)
or North Shore Spirit (Fraser Field, Stetson
Street, Lynn, 781-592-0007) game, two of
Massachusetts’ independent baseball teams.
explore the emerald necklace
Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted
did us Bostonians a huge favor when he
sought to create a ring of green spaces
around Boston. Because of him, we have an
abundance of parkland to explore when the
weather is right. The actual necklace is
comprised of six parks: the
Back Bay Fens,
the Riverway,
Olmsted Park,
Jamaica Pond,
Arnold Arboretum and
Franklin Park. They
stretch five miles from the Charles River to
Dorchester, and if you’re up for it, the
Boston Park Rangers will take you on a walk
through all six parks. Not to be missed, but
not technically part of the Emerald
Necklace, is historic Boston Common and the
Public Garden, the nation’s first botanical
garden.
ride The swan boats
Perhaps the most toy-like and beloved
fixture in the Public Garden are the
world-famous Swan Boats. Owned and operated
by the Paget family since 1877, the stately
paddle wheel-propelled vehicles take
passengers on short jaunts around the
central Lagoon. The trip, one of the best
bargains for visitors in town (only $2.75
for adults, $1.25 for kids), is
unquestionably the most relaxing way to take
in the Garden and the surrounding skyline.
Refer to
listing.
See Wildlife
Franklin Park Zoo, founded in 1911 as part
of Frederick Law Olmsted’s legendary Emerald
Necklace, is home to more than 200 species
of animals—including giraffes, lions and
kangaroos. And spring tends to be the time
of year when that number increases as the
park welcomes the birth of new furry
friends. This year is no exception, as the
Zoo has recently welcomed tiger cubs Anala
and Luther, baby giraffe Autumn and baby
gorilla Kimani. Refer to
listing.
Eat Hot Dogs at Castle Island
William J. Day Blvd., South Boston,
617-268-5744. This free, family-friendly
destination is perfect for spending a sunny
afternoon. Kids will love exploring Fort
Independence or cavorting on the playground,
while the whole family can enjoy chowing
down on the famous foot-long hot dogs served
at Sullivan’s Snack Bar. After the kids work
up an appetite running around, order up
enough eats for the whole gang and dig in
while watching planes take off and land at
Logan Airport across the Harbor. Or make
like a local by getting in some fishing
while basking in the afternoon sun.
Lick an Ice Cream Cone
Bostonians eat more ice cream per capita
than anyone else in the country, so it’s no
surprise that the Hub boasts some of the
best ice cream parlors of any city. Try the
delectable delights of Lizzy’s (29 Church
St., 617-354-2911) and Ben & Jerry’s (refer
to
listing) in Harvard Square, or
Emack & Bolio’s (290 Newbury St.,
617-536-7127) and JP Licks (352 Newbury St.,
617 236-1666) in the Back Bay, who include
such offerings as Cherry Ortiz—vanilla ice
cream with chocolate chips and cherries,
named after Red Sox designated hitter David
Ortiz—among their many flavors. And since
Newbury Street provides so many great
people-watching opportunities, it’s the
perfect way to spend an afternoon licking
and looking.
Experience Hollywood in the Hub
If you’re looking for something a bit more
modern-day than the many historical tours
Boston has to offer, you may want to
consider the Boston Movie Tours.
This walking tour follows the same steps as
some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, leading
visitors to the famous park bench from Good
Will Hunting, to a stroll past where the
runaway car crash scene from Blown Away was
shot, to a refreshing drink at the Bull &
Finch Pub, the inspiration for the TV
classic “Cheers.” The 2-hour tour covers
more than 30 filming locations within 1.25
miles, getting you one step closer to
Hollywood, while still enjoying all Boston
has to offer. Refer to
listing.
explore the Charles River Esplanade
The Esplanade is perfect for all sorts of
outdoor activities, including kayaking,
sailing and jogging. The picturesque,
tree-lined asphalt paths that run along the
Charles River are especially great for
bicycling. Try renting a bike from
Back Bay
Bikes (366 Commonwealth Ave., 617-247-2336).
And when you need a break, catch a free
concert or flick at the DCR Hatch Shell.
Wander the sculpture gardens
The Victorian landscaping of
Forest Hills
Cemetery provides an elegant backdrop for
its nationally recognized 19th- and
20th-century memorial sculptures. You can
visit the final resting spots of everyone
from Anne Sexton and e.e. cummings to
playwright Eugene O’Neill in this 275-acre
cemetery founded in 1848. In addition, you
can attend poetry readings recited in the
spirit of the literary giants who are buried
here. Be sure to also check out the
contemporary sculpture path with its
ever-changing free exhibits. Walking tours
are offered Sundays at 2 p.m. for $8. Nearby
Lincoln, Mass. is home to another striking
outdoor sculpture park at the
DeCordova
Museum. The 35 acres of rolling
woodlands and lawns boast an exhibition of
large-scale, contemporary American sculpture
that can be explored free of charge. Refer
to
listings.
Challenge the chess master
Au Bon Pain, 1360 Massachusetts Ave.,
Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-497-9797.
Every May for more than two decades now,
chess master and Harvard dropout
Murray
Turnbull takes his place at the table
nearest the sidewalk in front of the Au Bon
Pain in Harvard Square. For $2 a game, you
can attempt to checkmate him. We wish you
luck, but our money’s on Murray.
try the local Brew
What better way to enjoy the arrival of warm
weather than with barbecue, live music and
locally-brewed beer at Harpoon Brewstock,
the annual spring celebration that takes
place at the Harpoon Brewery. The fest kicks
off June 2, serving up a variety of Harpoon
brews and food from local restaurants to the
sounds of up-and-coming bands from Boston,
such as Hot Like Fire and El Gringo.
Saturday morning, run off that hangover
during the Harpoon 5-Miler Road Race around
the waterfront—the proceeds of which go
toward Lou Gehrig’s disease research. Then,
enjoy Brewstock anew into the evening. Refer
to
listing.
Cruise boston Harbor
Springtime weather may be too temperamental
for a day at the beach, but it’s the perfect
time to get out on the water.
Boston Harbor
Cruises (refer to
listing) offers
various tours of Boston Harbor, including
visits to the harbor islands and the U.S.S.
Constitution. If you have the time to spare,
they also offer that New England
favorite—whale watching.
Shop ’til you drop
If you’re looking to update your fair
weather wardrobe, look no further than
Newbury Street. The Rodeo Drive of Boston
features an array of fashionable boutiques,
including the casual menswear of
Relic (116
Newbury St., 617-437-7344), designer denim
at G-Star Raw (348 Newbury St.,
617-421-9555), hip, high-end fashion from
designer Nanette Lepore (119 Newbury St.,
617-421-9200) and popular and affordable
Swedish retailer H&M (100 Newbury St.,
617-859-3192). Others shops along this shopaholic’s dream street include Urban
Outfitters, Marc Jacobs, NikeTown, Chanel
and Louis Boston. And best of all, instead
of being cooped up inside a mall while you
shop, you can be out under the sun,
strolling past the brownstones of the Back
Bay. Refer to
listings.
Celebrate Earthfest
Earth Day may have been in April, but it’s
never too late to celebrate our planet.
Local FM station WBOS, along with Whole
Foods Market, hosts the 13th annual
Earthfest at the DCR Hatch Shell on the
Charles River Esplanade, the largest free
radio station concert in the country, on May
27, from noon to 6 p.m. Listen to Texan
rockers Los Lonely Boys, quavering English
crooner James Blunt, Denver-based rockers
the Fray and other performers while taking
in scenic Boston and learning how to clean
up the environment from the Sierra Club,
Charles River Watershed Association and
other environmental groups. Magician Peter Boie,
as well as children’s entertainers Ben
Rudnick and friends, will be on hand to
entertain the kids throughout the day. Refer
to
listing.
have a (cannons) ball
With all the attention the Red Sox and
Patriots get, another of Boston’s winning
pro teams sometimes gets overlooked.
Boston’s Major League Lacrosse team, the
Boston Cannons, has qualified for the
playoffs every year since 2001 and won its
division in 2004 and 2005. Cheer for these
stick-wielding gladiators when they play
their first home game of the season on June
3 at Boston University’s Nickerson Field
versus the Long Island Lizards. Refer to
listing.
Enjoy a NORTH END CELEBRATION
From late spring throughout the summer,
Boston’s traditional Italian enclave, the
North End, is home to joyful weekend feasts
and processions paying tribute to different
saints. These celebrations kick off June 3
honoring Santa Maria Di Anzano, as food
vendors, parades and revelers fill Hanover
and Prince streets. Refer to
listing.
Dine by the Sea
As the warmer weather approaches and New
England enters prime seafood season, there’s
no better place to enjoy both than on the
outdoor patios at Boston’s seaside
restaurants overlooking Boston Harbor. Enjoy
a romantic meal under the stars, or an
afternoon lunch amid the company of
seagulls, at spots like Tavern on the Water
(Charlestown Navy Yard, 617- 242-8040),
Tia’s on the Waterfront (200 Atlantic Ave.,
617-227-0828) and Intrigue (Boston Harbor
Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf, 617-856-7744), all of
which specialize in fresh seafood like
lobster and shrimp cocktails. 
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Takin’ it to the Streets Local newspapers from as far back as the 18th century, as well as historical writings by the author Nathaniel Hawthorne, make reference to Massachusetts streets once being filled with musicians and storytellers plying their trades on the streets for pocket change and ale money. Today, though, the streets of Boston are mostly lacking when it comes to such performers. The city engaged in some ugly battles with street performers over the last two decades, culminating in a kind of harmony reached in 2003, when entertainers were given the right to obtain performer licenses and play in designated areas at underground MBTA stops, including Downtown Crossing on the Orange Line, and Park Street, Alewife, South Station and Harvard Square on the Red Line. If you explore Boston by subway, particularly at heavy commuter hours, you’re likely to encounter all sorts of talented musicians playing all genres of music. Above ground, it’s a different story—except at popular tourist attraction Faneuil Hall Marketplace, where street performers have been welcome and plentiful for more than three decades. (The influx of entertainers originally came to the spot as a way of entertaining and diverting construction workers who were renovating Quincy Market at the time.) Today, you can see comedians, jugglers, daredevils and musicians everyday—and the best of the best will gather May 27–29 at the 21st annual Street Performers Festival. Throughout Memorial Day weekend, expect to be wowed and amazed by diverse and talented performers who make it their business to put smiles on the faces of audiences of all ages. And, remember—if you enjoy what you see, throw a little something in the hat, and know you’ll be contributing to the continued existence of an artform with a long and illustrious history in Boston and worldwide. —Josh B. Wardrop |