BEST ALTERNATIVE TO THE FREEDOM TRAIL Harborwalk, Boston A nearly 40-mile network of waterside paths from East Boston to Dorchester: Start with the Charlestown branch and head down through the North End to Fort Point Channel, stopping at historical sights (U.S.S. Constitution), bay-view restaurants (Sensing and Sam’s), and museums (the ICA and the Children’s Museum). […]
BEST UPSCALE BAR Drink, Boston Drink’s commitment to excellence at every level–from the quality of the ice, to the historic authenticity of the bitters, punches, and fizzes, to the minimalist design that hides the booze and puts the barkeep front and center–makes this venue a natural winner. 348 Congress St. 617-695-1806 BEST HISTORY LESSON Nichols […]
BEST BAKERY Sofra, Cambridge It doesn’t sell French breads or chocolate layer cakes, but this Mediterranean-inspired pastry shop from Oleana’s Ana Sortun and Maura Kilpatrick has elevated the Boston sweets scene with orange blossom-scented morning buns and the best falafel wraps in town. 1 Belmont St. 617-661-6131; sofrabakery.com BEST CHINESE East by Northeast, Cambridge Phillip […]
BEST HOTEL Liberty Hotel, Boston It took a sense of humor and style to turn a famous jail into a posh hotel, and that spirit informs everything at the Liberty, from the restaurants Clink, Alibi, and Scampo (Italian for “escape”) to the stunning atrium and the many thoughtful touches, such as Prosecco on arrival. Rates: […]
BEST DIY CLAMBAKE Harwich Shellfish Permit, Harwich Port With 15 different areas, each on its own tide schedule, Harwich is tops for a do-it-yourself feast. The town offers a $15 one-day shellfish permit, plus good deals on season-long family permits. Digging is easy–the town annually reseeds its beds with 2 million baby clams. Harwich Harbor […]
BEST RAFTING Deerfield River, Franklin County Outfitters haul their yellow rafts to the banks of the Deerfield River in the spring and summer months to tumble down two stretches: the exhilarating Class IV rapids in the Dryway and the family-friendly Class II and III rapids farther south, in the deep pools of Zoar Gap. Zoar […]
BEST CLIMB FOR FAMILIES Mount Monadnock, Jaffrey Perhaps it’s the proximity to Boston (only a 90-minute drive) or its long history (hundreds of hikers from as far back as the early 1800s have inscribed their names on the rocks), or most likely it’s the panoramic views from the peak that helped Monadnock become the most […]
The varieties of flowering trees and bushes found in cities, public gardens, and cemeteries are chosen to provide color from early April through October. Landscape designers often pick species that show bright color before our native trees have woken up. While you’re waiting for the maples to flower, enjoy this landscaped diversity. Early species include […]
Google “famous glass artist” and the first entry that comes up is “Dale Chihuly.” The second lists seven “famous glass masters,” Chihuly and six artists you may never have heard of. Personally, the only other glass artist I can name is Harvey Littleton, the father of the modern glass movement and Chihuly’s mentor. Dale Chihuly […]
Hello Yankee readers! Since this is my first blog entry, I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself. Or reintroduce myself. If you’ve subscribed to the magazine for a while, you may have noticed my name in these pages before. I was Yankee‘s food editor from 2002 until 2005, when I left to spend […]
Amy Bidder shares her first-hand experience at The Running of the Brides event—a unique, annual bridal sale held in Boston by Filene’s Basement.
Photography blogger Susan Cole Kelly shares her simple tips for using a digital camera. Our friends at Yankee have asked me to write a blog entry about how to use a digital camera. Initially, I was stumped — isn’t that like asking a chef to write a few words about how to use a stove? […]
