Boston’s best spots for beating the summer heatRose Kennedy Greenway (North End to Chinatown, rosekennedygreenway.org): A welcome replacement for the old, elevated Central Artery when it

     While Boston’s current City Hall continues to be controversial due to its perception as a hulking mass of concrete by many critics, Old City Hall, which lies on School Stree

 Once upon a time, Boston was a major center for distilled spirits in this country. An upswell of small-batch distillers in the area over the past several years may yet make this come true once m

 After a one-year hiatus, Outside the Box returns with a second helping of music, dance, theater and more. This performing arts festival that debuted in 2013 offers a free showcase for hundreds o

 By now, Bostonians are familiar with the near-annual sight of the blue and yellow tent of the famed Canadian performing outfit Cirque du Soleil. Those not spying that colorful, temporary structu

  One of the most iconic Fourth of July celebrations in the U.S., the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular (refer to listing, page 12) once again lights up the DCR Hatch Shell on the Charles Ri

  Attracting more than 2.5 million people each year, Boston Harborfest (refer to listing, page 16) is one of the biggest patriotic celebrations in the country. Taking place July 1–5, the f

 History buffs coming to the Boston area may have been dismayed to hear about “Old Ironsides”—the USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned warship—going into dry dock for an ex