Destinations: Boston
‘The City of Champions’ is a winning destination, courtesy of A NONSTOP FLIGHT from SAV
By Daisy Dow
From “Beantown” to “The Hub of the Universe,” Boston boasts a variety of monikers. As one of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in the U.S., this northeastern capital should be on your list of places to visit this fall. With its seemingly endless selection of historic destinations, restaurants and hotels, Boston has everything you need for a seasonal escape. Whether you crave a bowl of New England clam chowder or want to explore the city’s harborside history, check out our list of places to go and things to do that are sure to enhance any stay in Boston. Courtesy of JetBlue’s nonstop flight offered between Savannah/ Hilton Head International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport, a fall getaway complete with seafood, spas and Sunday tea parties is within your grasp.
NONSTOP FLIGHT
Savannah/Hilton Head (SAV) to
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Duration: 2 hours, 21 minutes
Airlines: JetBlue (Connecting: Delta, American, Southwest, United)
Availability: Daily
WHAT TO DO
Annual Pumpkin Float at the Boston Common
For a festive fall evening soaking in the company of true Bostonian luminaries, hop on over to Frog Pond in the Boston Common. On October 15 watch the annual pumpkin float at Frog Pond. This BYOP (bring your own pumpkin) celebration launches hundreds of carved and illuminated pumpkins into the water. Both pumpkins and children’s faces will be aglow during this fall festival filled with tricks and treats and spooky fun. In the summer months, Frog Pond serves as a splash pool for children, and in the winter it is transformed into an ice rink. In the interim, when it is too cold to swim but too hot to skate, visitors can enjoy the pond’s cool breezes and bright array of foliage all around the Common. You also can take a spin riding on the carousel or take a seat on the lawn for a free movie night under the stars.
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
Set sail on a journey into Boston’s Revolutionary history through the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum that commemorates the infamous protest that was organized almost 250 years ago. With the help of historical interpreters, live actors and interactive exhibits, a stroll through this museum will take you back in time to pre-Revolution Boston. Take part in the indoor reenactments and check out the panoramic movie that brings the Revolution to life. For a breath of fresh air, head outside to Griffin’s Wharf to step aboard the museum’s replica 18th century sailing vessels, and find the spot where 342 chests of English tea were spilled in protest of the Tea Act of 1773. Check out Abigail’s Tea Room and Terrace, which is connected to the museum. There, sample five historic teas with a view of the harbor below. Admission to the museum is $29.95 for adults and $21.95 for children.
Museum of Fine Arts Boston
When it opened on the nation’s centennial, July 4, 1876, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston presented its original collection of 5,600 paintings, drawings and sculptures. When the MFA reopened its doors earlier this year, visitors were once more invited to take part in the museum’s breathtaking artistic selections from its now 500,000-piece collection. Be sure to check out Fabric of a Nation: American Quilt Stories, which goes on display October 10. In Monet and Boston: Legacy Illuminated, get a peek at 25 of the famed artist’s masterpieces before the exhibit closes October 17. Take a guided tour, or let your interests guide you through the exhibitions. General admission costs $25 for adults and $10 for children.
WHERE TO STAY
The Newbury Boston
This 18-story, 94-year-old gem revives its iconic legacy as the former Ritz-Carlton with some modern upgrades to a timeless boutique space. With rooms overlooking the Boston Public Garden, guests of The Newbury can boast of phenomenal bird’s-eye views of the fall foliage. Head to the top floor to taste Boston’s finest Italian cuisine at Contessa, The Newbury’s glass-enclosed restaurant serving 360-degree views all year long. If you are looking for a more laid-back dining experience, head to the second floor Salon for an Afternoon Tea service, or order a tasty selection from The Newbury’s personal dining menu brought to your room’s balcony.
XV Beacon
With an unbeatable location and a flair for Boston’s rich history, XV Beacon sets itself apart from other hotels located in downtown Boston. It flaunts a dramatic exterior to conceal an intimate getaway within its walls. Be it heated towel racks or gas fireplaces in every room, XV Beacon’s design fosters an at-home sense of comfort situated within the sophisticated Beacon Hill neighborhood. With 24-hour in-room dining options, concierge services and fitness spaces, you can indulge your every wish and whim within the hotel or venture to nearby bars and restaurants via XV Beacon’s courtesy drop-off services.
Boston Harbor Hotel
Located beside Rowes Wharf on the Boston Harbor, this classically modern hotel has been building bridges between the city of Boston and its maritime neighbors for more than 25 years. The Boston Harbor Hotel’s one-of-a-kind amenities will keep you in the lap of luxury, including a 60-foot lap pool. The Rowes Wharf Health Club & Spa features a 24-hour fitness area, personal fitness options, a sauna and a eucalyptus-infused steam room. Take advantage of the Rowes Wharf Marina where you can travel all along the city’s waterfront via water taxi.
WHERE TO EAT
Neptune Oyster
Neptune Oyster has been touted by Boston Magazine as Boston’s best restaurant, and Food and Wine rates this North End pearl the best oyster bar in the U.S. Dive off the deep end and try Neptune Oyster’s famous Johnnycake, a cornmeal flatbread paired with honey butter, Boston smoked bluefish and sturgeon caviar. A selection of clams, mussels, fish and scallops mirror the day’s off-shore catch, and at its Raw Bar take your pick of oysters, octopus, sea urchins or blue crab and lobster cocktails.
Miracle of Science Bar + Grill
Located just down the street from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Miracle of Science Bar + Grill is a themed hangout dedicated to a winning formula of good eats and clever wordplay. Its menu is laid out like a periodic table of elements, and its cocktail menu is simply explosive. Miracle of Science seats on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to make it an early stop on your culinary journey through Beantown. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to dine here, but through osmosis, you might leave as one.
Woods Hill Pier 4
Woods Hill Pier 4 offers a one-of-a-kind combination of farm-fresh food, a city-slicker’s view from the pier and insulated and isolated heated igloos. From a socially distanced and private plastic enshrouded orb, feast on three courses of sustainably sourced seafood, meats and vegetables, many of which come directly from Woods Hill’s organic farm in rural New Hampshire. Make sure to sample Woods Hill Pier 4’s creative cocktails and carefully curated wines.
