The Top 20 Treasures of Boston

For those who don’t already know, I’ve MOVED!

Yup, you’ve read that right! 

Upon graduating from Mount Holyoke College this past May, I’ve packed up my bags and left sunny California for Patriots territory. AKA: Boston. And as much as I miss the endless summer-esque days, the San Gabriel Mountains, and In-n-Out Burger (let’s be real here) there was just something about the New England atmosphere that begged me to stay.

In all honesty, after living on the East Coast for three years (because one of those four years was spent abroad in England) I felt like I was finally home. Maybe it was the snow. Because for a girl who had never seen snow before in her life until her freshmen year of college, there’s a certain wonderment when you witness the first flurries of winter somersaulting before your eyes. Or perhaps it was the colonial history that New England had to offer. To this day, I am still amazed by the architecture of the old churches that had been erected since the 1600. But the most likely excuse for staying on the East Coast, has been the people I’ve met during my enrollment at Mount Holyoke. Better yet, after graduation a good chunk of us had migrated from the sleepy South Hadley town and established residency within the Boston city limits. 

Now when it comes from relocating from one coast to another, one has to properly acclimate to the new terrain. For instance, a hot day in Southern California is MUCH different than a hot day in Boston. 

Hint: Blame it on the humidity. 

So if you’re like me, and absolutely fell in love with the East Coast and the people, here are a couple of places for you to visit and explore to make Boston feel more like home: 

#20 Green Dragon Tavern

11 Marshall Street

It is a rare opportunity to find yourself grabbing lunch, dinner or even just a pint of beer at a tavern that once welcomed such famous customers as John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Established in 1654, Green Dragon Tavern to this day is known as the oldest historic bar in all of Boston. It was at this tavern that the Sons of Liberty gathered in the basement to overhear the British’s plan to invade Lexington and Concord. This then prompted the famous ride of Paul Revere. John Hancock would later call this tavern the “Headquarters of the American Revolution” when they began drawing up plans  on how to defeat the Redcoats. Today, the original Green Dragon Tavern no longer exists, but the current tavern on 11 Marshall Street was erected nearby the tavern’s old location. Hidden amongst the small side streets, Green Dragon Tavern presently provides a full array of Irish-American dishes, along with a young and vibrant atmosphere for university students and young professionals. Located a block away from Faneuil Hall, Green Dragon Tavern sticks out not as a tourist attraction, but more as a friendly spot for getting together with friends.  

​#19 The Lawn on D

420 D Street 

Believe me when I say that The Lawn on D is something that I had never seen before in my life. While it’s outdoor space may seem like it’s a regular park, the landscape and the recreational set-ups draw people in to engage with the Boston community. Located in the epicenter of the Waterfront and South Boston neighborhood, the Lawn on D invites visitors to partake in bocce, ping-pong and the complimentary free WiFi. But what makes the Lawn on D stand out compared to other parks, is its unique swing set. Round, curved and smoothed over into a perfect circle, they remind patrons of tire swings when they sit down and lull back and forth above the ground. Although these swings are fun to sway on, the best time to swing on them is in the night. There, you get a chance to witness the swing’s LED lights change color when swinging at varying speeds and heights. Affixed with a bar, food vendors and chairs to kick back and lounge about, The Lawn on D is the perfect place to interact and get acquainted with newcomers or locals around the Boston area. 

#18 The Esplanade

The Charles River

A perfect balance of outdoor activities and enjoying the view of the city, The Esplanade offers patrons the best of both worlds. Stretching out for three miles along the Boston shore of the Charles River, The Esplanade is a charming and beautiful landscape for walking, running, biking or just sightseeing. The path starts near the Museum of Science and takes you west toward Boston University. Along the way, you’ll pass the iconic Hatch Memorial Shell – where the Boston Pops perform every Fourth of July – various historical monuments and recreational facilities. Alined with over 1,900 trees, exploring The Esplanade in the warm weather is the best way to take in the the nature while also at the same time remaining in the city.  

#17 The Swan Boats at the Boston Public Garden 


4 Charles Street South

Only open to the public between April – September, the swan boats at the Boston Public Garden is one of the city’s oldest attractions. Established in 1870, the swan boats were first introduced in a time when row boats were the only things operating upon the surface of the Public Garden’s lagoon. But with the popularity of the bicycle expanding, a paddle wheel was invented that was foot-propelled, introducing a new kind of system for steering a boat. Thus bringing to life the swan boats, operating somewhat like bicycles and carrying up to 20 passengers. Today, the Boston has preserved the charm and integrity of the swan boats as one of the most successful businesses in the city. Because the swan boats initially head toward the southern end of the lagoon, you will be able to witness the tall Boston buildings in the distance while also taking note of the Public Garden’s leafy trees and ripping waters. But get there soon! Once summer ends, the crew disassembles the swan boats and stores them for the entire winter until next season.  

#16 Brattle Book Shop

9 West Street

If you’re a book lover – like myself – and want to take advantage of all of the independent bookshops around the Boston area (i.e. Brookline Booksmith, Harvard Bookstore, Papercuts J.P., Porter Square Books or Trident Booksellers) Brattle Book Shop should be #1 on your list. While the book shop’s location may be tucked away within the folds of the narrow street, The Brattle is one of the oldest book shops in America. Featuring two floors of general used books, the third floor is reserved for only the rarest 1st edition books that are on display for experienced antiquarian book buyers. Carrying an impressive stock of over 250,000 books and prints, the book shop is notorious for selling out-of-print volumes and an inventory of rare leather binding collectable chronicles. It is worth spending an hour of two among the shelves. Who knows, your fingers might find the spine of a book that could be a treasure.

#15 The Pour House  

907 Boylston Street #21

Claimed to be the #1 best bar in all of Boston, The Pour House upholds its reputation by presenting its customers with a good atmosphere. For anyone who just wants to grab a drink after work, or spend a casual night out with friends, you are guaranteed to have a great time at this bar. Why? For one, The Pour House offers reasonably priced drinks and food, so that you don’t feel like you’re dropping a fortune for a measly drink or a questionable looking appetizer. Better yet, with its red brick walls and neon signs, The Pour House encourages everyone who enters through its doors to leave the weight of the world behind them and just blend in with friends and strangers. You can either take up a booth, grab a seat at the bar, or even gravitate downstairs where you will find an ever bigger bar in an even bigger space to enjoy your drink. 

#14 Galleria Umberto

289 Hanover Street

It is no secret that the North End of Boston is one of the most fantastic places to visit. Primarily for the food. SO MUCH GOOD FOOD! You cannot go to Boston without at least visiting one good restaurant in the North End. But while some of the restaurants in this tight-knit Italian neighborhood are up-scaled joints, offering the most delectable assortment of pastas, pastries and meats, you sometimes can forget that the real best places are the more smaller businesses. Take Galleria Umberto for example, an old-school Sicilian-style pizza place right in the heart of the busy streets of the North End. Often eclipsed by swarming cafes, line-around-the-block cannoli shops, or high-class trattorias, Galleria Umberto is the pinnacle home of good pizzas in Boston. But here’s the catch: The Galleria is only open during lunch and its closing time is based on when the pizza runs out – usually around 3:00 p.m. That’s why in the early mornings, the tiny garage-like storefront is aligned with people, hurrying to obtain a square slice of that sweet, sweet, Sicilian pie before the pizza runs out.   

#13 La Voile

261 Newbury Street

French for “The Sail,” La Voile is a small authentic French restaurant on the acclaimed Newbury Street. For those who are looking to spend a little extra cash for an elegant night out, La Voile is an exceptional choice. Everything inside the restaurant was brought over from France itself. The tables, the chairs, the cutlery and even the vintage chandeliers! For a night, you can pretend that you are in Cannes, enjoying the superb cuisine while also interacting with the waiters and hosts – who are also from France! – to brush up on your French. Bon appétit! 

#12 The Salty Pig

130 Dartmouth Street

For the inner-carnivores, The Salty Pig’s selection of house made meats and selected ripe cheeses can satisfy any hungry stomach. With The Salty Pig’s diverse drink menu, customers can order a nice cold beer straight from the tap to wash down any signature cold cut fresh meats they have ordered. With plenty of flatbread sandwiches and pizzas to go around, the mood that The Salty Pig provides is one of comfort and ease. With a restaurant like this located in the Back Bay neighborhood, you will feel like you are amongst locals. Think of The Salty Pig as upper-class grub. The food without a doubt will leave you full and wanting more, but you will also appreciate the classy service that comes with the Back Bay territory. 

#11 Casa Romero

30 Gloucester Street

It is no secret that on the west coast, Mexican cuisine is king, Japanese cooking is queen, and Taiwanese dumplings from Din Tai Fung is the crown jewel that holds Southern California together. So when you trade this food kingdom for the East Coast’s monarchy of oysters, lobsters and clams, where do you go to get your fill of divine Mexican food? The answer happens to also be in the Back Bay neighborhood. Welcome to Casa Romero. The most authentic restaurant in all of New England.The entrance to Casa Romero is stowed behind an alleyway, emphasizing just how hidden the restaurant is amongst the larger businesses on Newbury Street. But this is what makes Casa Romero’s charm as a restaurant so appealing. Once you walk in, you feel an instant belonging. It’s the type of restaurant that feels more like a getaway than a night out on the town. If you can, try everything that they have to offer on their menu - I always start my night with their signature Perfect Margarita, especially when Hernán is manning the bar. This is not any ordinary Mexican restaurant in Boston, but one that beats your expectations. 

#10 Royale Nightclub

279 Tremont Street

Within every enormous city, there is always a mammoth of a nightlife. Amongst the dance clubs and that you will find in Boston, Royale will fit your expectations as to what night clubbing in Boston will look like. Playing Techno, Top 40, House, et cetera, the personality that Royale offers to its thigh-heigh wielding, crop-top hugging party-goers is an electric night out. Formerly an opera house and holding a capacity of 1,300 people, Royale is a two story nightclub with a wooden dance floor, plush seating and a wrap-around balcony that gives visitors a front row seat at all of the concerts and partying occurring beneath them. Located in the Theater District, Royale is famous for its edgy EDM concerts every Fridays and Saturdays. And if that isn’t enough to convince you, the club has a strict dress code for their patrons to wear something “stylish” or “chic,” upholding their prestige as a classy business while also promising a high-voltage night out.  

​#9: Coogan’s

171 Milk Street

The best way to describe Coogan’s, is that it’s different. And by that I mean a good different. For example, this corner pub right on the edge of the financial district, offers such topsy-turvy dishes like fried dough, mac ’n’ cheese fitters, and buffalo chicken rangoon. Best known for their award-winning wings, Coogan’s supplies their customers with the cheapest beers in town – $1 Bud Lights everyday! – and a good humored staff. Notorious for its hopping college bar scene by night, Coogan’s is the perfect place to socialize with educated individual within a modern not-too-overly-fancy interior.

#8: Piattini

226 Newbury Street

While the North End of Boston is reserved only for the best and delicious Italian food in the city, you can still find an evenly matched Italian joint on Boston’s famed Newbury Street. Piattini is one of the few places outside of the North End that goes the extra mile in not only offering good authentic Italian food, but also willing to shape the taste buds of their very eager customers. As its name suggests, Piattini’s menu presents its patrons with small plates of flavorful Italian cuisine. And while each plate is diverse in its own tastes, it is the cafe’s wine selection that is the most tantalizing of all. Each glass of wine that is ordered is accompanied by a small card describing the type of wine and the wine’s origins. It’s small and intimate surroundings makes it easy to walk in to grab a quick bite to eat, or to spend an hour sampling the variety of wines. You might just even be tempted to take the whole bottle home with you afterwards. 

#7: The Custom House Observation Deck

3 McKinley Square

There is a certain thrill when it comes to living in any city. There’s the thrill of partying at all of the best nightclubs, there’s the thrill of experiencing all of the unique restaurants in your neighborhood, and then there’s the thrill of finding yourself above the city’s skylines. While almost everyone in Boston will tell you to check out either the Prudential Tower’s or the Hancock Tower’s Observation Deck, not many will mention the Custom House’s Observation Deck. Located a five minute walk away from Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, the Custom House is now a part of the Marriott Hotel. You do not need to be a guest at the hotel to enjoy the splendid panoramic view of Downtown Boston from the tower’s 26th floor. Admission to gain access to the building’s historic clock tower is only $5! Solely available to the public twice a day (except Fridays) at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. – and when the weather is in good condition – the observation deck looks out over Boston Harbor and the North End. For a place that offers visitors a charming cosmopolitan view, you definitely do not need to drop a load of cash to enjoy the amenities the Custom House has to offer. 

#6: Michele Topor’s Boston Food Tours

50 Salem Street

If you ever wanted to taste some of the best authentic Italian and Chinese ingredients in Boston, then Michele Topor is your guide. On her website, Boston Food Tours, Topor captures the small town atmosphere by offering outsiders on her tour an insider look at the history of several undiscovered restaurants in the North End and Chinatown. At nearly every stop on the tour, you’ll enjoy the small tastes of different Italian or Chinese foods and will get the sample wine and bubble tea along the way. To reserve a spot, you must go book in advance online and select one of the two time slots the tour has to offer (10 a.m. or 2 p.m.). And while tickets per person hikes up to $62.00, it is worth strolling the narrow streets of the city and being lured in by all of the aromas and delicious products that you’ll want to bring back home to your pantry.

#5: Neptune Oyster House 

63 Salem Street #1

In the mood for a good bowl of clam chowder – or “chowdah” as they say in Boston – or maybe some fired oysters, urchins or the freshest fishes from the market? Then the celebratory atmosphere of Neptune Oyster awaits you. Huddled amongst the North End’s historic Italian neighborhood, Neptune is the type of restaurant that you want to arrive hungry. Specializing in (you guessed it) East Coast oysters and seafood, this casual but sophisticated joint offers spectacular Main lobster rolls and a horseradish cocktail sauce that perfectly ignites flavor to any cool shuck oyster. However, when arriving to Neptune, expect at least an hour long wait. While Neptune’s no-reservation policy ensures crowds of people snaking around the block, it is absolutely worth standing in line.  
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#4: Maria’s Pastry Shop

46 Cross Street

If you’re a tourists, you would go to Mike’s Pastry. If you had lived in Boston for over a year, you would go to Modern Pastry. But, if you're a local Bostonian, you would go to Maria’s Pastry Shop for the best cannoli’s in the city. Family-run and operated since 1982, Maria’s Pastry Shop is the only place you should go for homemade, authentic Italian pastries. From cream-filled lobster tails, to crunchy cannoli shells, Maria’s Pastry Shop is the clear victor amongst the battle of the cannoli’s between Mike’s and Modern Pastry. But the best part about Maria’s Pastry – unlike the other two cannoli shops – is that there is no throng of people spilling out the doors and on to the sidewalks. Its lesser-known fame as the best cannoli spot in Boston makes Maria’s Pastry Shop a true hidden gem in the city. So if you’re craving for something sweet, and want to avoid the massive lines at Mike’s and Modern Pastry, walk into Maria’s Pastry Shop. It will without a doubt, make your day. 

#3: Dumpling Cafe

695 Washington Street

With a lengthy menu and good quality Chinese/Taiwanese food, Dumpling Cafe alone might just triumph over all of the Chinese restaurants in New York City. With perfect soup dumplings and amazing dim sum-style dishes, Dumpling Cafe offers its patrons the best mini steamed pork buns in town. Each dumpling comes stuffed to the brim with rich and sweet juices. You’ll want to eat these dumplings the traditional way in order to enjoy sucking out the hot broth from within. Located in the heart of Boston’s Chinatown district, Dumpling Cafe has everything for meat lovers and vegetarians alike. The building itself is small but quant, a cozy place to go out to dinner in the winter. And for the love of God, arrive with a big appetite. But be prepared. The portions on the menu are so large that you might have to take it all home with you. At least you’ll have some food stored away for the next couple of days if you order correctly.  

#2: The Paramount  

667 E. Broadway

Craving a carmel and banana french toast to start off your day? Or how about a marinated grilled pork loin for lunch? These dishes are just a few named off from the exceptional menu at The Paramount. Located in South Boston, The Paramount is the perfect place to grab a bite whether its in the mornings for brunch or in the evenings for dinner. Whatever time you decide to pop in, you’ll always be surrounded by the aroma of food being freshly prepared within the comfortable atmosphere that The Paramount has to offer. Not only will you be greeted by the wonderful cuisine, but the staff as well are genuinely kind and caring to make sure that your experience is satisfactory. You’ll definitely feel at home once you walk through the doors. 

#1 Afternoon Tea at the Courtyard Restaurant

Boston Public Library
700 Boylston Street

What’s more fun that being surrounded by books? How about curling up with some afternoon tea? Because nothing says perfection like a good book and a nice warm cup of tea inside one of the most famous libraries in the United States. Located inside the Boston Public Library, you can order any choice of tea as you overlook the library’s Florentine style courtyard. For only $35, your afternoon tea experience will be consisted of finger sandwiches such as a classic cucumber and cream cheese, deviled chicken and smoked salmon options. In addition, you’ll also be presented with an array of different pastries and tea scones to make you feel like you’re a Jane Austen heroine. You’ll certainly develop a very serious tea addiction afterwards. 

Boston has a small city feel with big adventures. Although I am still new to the New England terrain, I am still discovering hidden bars and secluded restaurants. Hopefully in the next year I can officially call myself a Bostonian and stop using Google Maps to remind myself how to get to the Theater District. But until then, you’re only new to a city once. You’ll never be a newbie again until you’ve visited every nook and cranny that the city has to offer you. These may be the only 20 hidden gems that I could think of off the top of my head, but they certainly won’t be the last.